Natalia

Chapter 17 - Geva

"If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time or tools to write. Simple as that." - Stephen Hawking.

Natalia sits down on the edge of the bed after placing her jacket on the armchair. Her trip from Katarina's Packhouse went okay. But when she arrived at the castle with Videric, there's no sign of Arika nor Ivy around. It was when the maids told them that they both went to Budapest, Natalia shakes the thought off Arika wanted Ivy to avoid meeting her. 

The vampire looks down at her hands and wonder. 

" I am... a monster. I am not the girl who used to be bullied for her appearance and sexuality. I am... a killer," Natalia said to herself. 

"Maybe what Arika did was a blessing. A blessing for me not to do anything that will harm Ivy anymore," Natalia sighs.

"What if I harm Katarina as well. What if..." Natalia sighs heavily, thinking about her choices.

"Maybe it’s my destiny to live alone. What if I have no luck in finding someone to love who loves me back?" Natalia asked herself. 

"What if I'm only destined to kill? To be Satan's slave forever. Once my task is done, I'll be working for him no matter what. Why should I drag the poor innocent werewolf in my affair? She will only get hurt as Ivy did," Natalia lay down on the bed and closed her eyes. 

"I shouldn't be alive. Why am I chosen for something I don't want to be part of?" Little did she know that someone was stalking her from the balcony of her bedroom.

"So newborn. What should I call you?" A voice echoed inside her mind. The vampire was totally in trance.

"Natalia,” the creature is hidden from view made herself visible in front of the vampire. 

"Natalia?" The creature breathes out. When the vampire opens her eyes, she came face to face with a woman she never met before. She wanted to do something but her body seems to freeze. Her eyes admired the black feathery wings that were attached to the creatures back. But it was the creature's naked appearances that surprised the vampire more when she came to her senses. 

The vampire looks away, trying to get the creatures to image out from her mind.

"Who are you? Why did you come in here with nothing to cover yourself?" The vampire asked.

"Natalia is it?" The vampire nod.

"I am a winged creature that was betrayed by someone so dear to me. His exact words were if anyone could see or hear me, that person will be my master," 

The creature forces the vampire to get up form the bed and stare at the vampire orbs once more.

"You're my companion. You will give me orders so that I can finally have a purpose rather than wandering around without hope," Natalia doesn't know what to say or do now that she was bound in the arms of a divine creature.

"How did you get to Videric's castle?" Natalia asked.

"I followed your scent from the Crimson Packhouse. You have such an incredible scent. It's too powerful for me to resist. It's like... it's calling for me to follow you. And here I am," 

Natalia stares into the creature's orbs with curiosity. The creature could sense it and release the vampire's hands from her grip.

"I was born with the crimson orbs. And yes, I don't have the whites of my eyes as everyone does. I am a creature with wings too. If you wondering if I could change them, I can't. I am not like your divine kind. I am who I am," 

The creature covers herself with her wings and turned around. Seconds later, Natalia heard a low sobbing noise coming from the creature.

"Why are you crying?" The vampire asked.

"This will be the moment where you will reject me and chase me out of this room. I'm waiting," Natalia stands up and admires both of her wings. Slowly, the creature let her wings up and wonder what will the vampire do. 

Will she kill her and drink her blood? The creature gets herself ready for her death. Maybe it's better for her to be dead rather than wandering without any purpose.

"Stop crying and turn around," The creature did as told.

"I don't know what to do or say in this situation. I am not rejecting or accepting you," The creature looks up. 

"You will accept me?" The creature asked.

"With what I have on my plate right now, I don't know what to think. I don't even know who you are, where you came from, or even your name," The creature looks down.

"You will reject me as the others will," Natalia shakes her head. 

"I know how it feels to be abandoned. That's what happened to me when I was a human. I have no purpose, and constantly in pain until I was killed. Now that I am dead, my dead heart constantly being hurt too. And if you said I have no idea how that feels, you're wrong. I know perfectly how it feels. It's horrible and I wish it will end too," 

The creature was speechless. The vampire just describes what she felt.

"I'm sorry for underestimating such divine creature like yourself," Natalia shakes her head.

"I am not divine. I am a killer. People get hurt around me and it's making me rethink my purpose being reborn. Where're your clothes at?" 

"It was taken from me because of my state. My once white wings turn black within seconds after something was stolen in the kingdom. I have no place to go than to wander around, looking for someone who can see me," Natalia curiosity is off the roof and she needs to know about her origin. Maybe the king knows. 

He is the king after all.

"I will bring you to meet the king and he should know what to do. Tell me your name," 

"I am Geva," 

***

"Who do you think you are questioning my plans for my children?" 

That voice behind him made Videric stop dead in his track. He was surprised to see the Goddess of the moon, Selene appears out of nowhere and sits down on his throne.

"I am the king," Videric replied when he turns to face the goddess. The goddess scoffs before crossing her slender legs. 

"You should be bowing to me," The goddess question his rudeness. The king kneels in front of the goddess and waits for her exact words to let him up.

"Why are you trying to mate your creation with Katarina Oasis?" Selene raises her hand to forbid Videric to answer her question. 

"Listen here vampire, you have no power to do so. Even though you asked the Andromache for help, nothing can change the werewolf heart except me. You think I get through all those troubles so that you can easily spit on my plans?" Videric was speechless.

"You sound like a mother," Selene glower to the king.  

"I am a mother. I am the goddess of the moon. The creature that was born with the help of the moon is my child to concerned," Videric raise his hands.

"I'm sorry for planning something without your consent. I was concern about my newborn's fate. I don't want to anger the goddess who overthrows her brother," Videric mocks.

"Shut up, vampire. You're trying to anger me with your stupidity. It's a blessing you don't act like your father. That stupid creature always trying to get his hands on what I want," Videric chuckle.

"Well, you know him. Always the crazy one rather than a ruler," 

"Like he lured the archangel to sleep with him. He's lucky Rose was exceptional. If not, I'll be the one who will kill that foul creature," Videric shakes his head. He never knew the goddess can be such a b***h.

"Stop planning any unnecessary dates. Katarina will be with someone else," 

"What if her wolf sense she's the one?" 

"That's easy. She can find somebody else. Your creation will have a lot of ups and downs. The necromancer never lied," Videric pinch the bridge of his nose.

"What do you have in mind?" 

"I have plans for them. They are walking towards us as we speak," The last sentences made Videric wonder what she meant. A knock startled him.

"Natalia?" The vampire bows her head.

"Ahhh.." the newborn looks at the woman who's sitting on Videric's throne.

"Natalia," Selene smile.

"Why don't you ask your new friend to enter the throne room as well, Natalia,” The newborn open the door and let Geva in. Videric was looking at the winged creature from top to bottom. Geva covers herself from the king's dagger eyes.

 "Who are you?" The king asked.

"Shut up, Videric. Let me talk," Selene stands up and gracefully walk down the throne.

"Your scent, your feature... you must be from the Lost Kingdom," Selene lifts the creature chin and smile.

"Do you feel something for the person next to you?" The goddess asked. 

"Lost kingdom?" Videric went to the goddess's side and grabs the creature's hands.

"Princess Geva?" The king asked. The creature's crimson orbs turn teary with blood.

 "I haven't heard that in years," The creatures said and slumps on the floor. 

"Is this one of your plans too?" The king asked. Selene was having fun stepping on the pools of blood coming out from Geva's orbs.

"Shhhhh," The goddess places her finger on his lips and dance around the king and Natalia.

"My king, Geva mentioned about needing a master and I have no idea what she meant by that," Videric chuckle.

"Did you say yes?" He asked. Natalia shakes her head no.

"You rejected her?" She shakes her head again.

"Neither. I told her I want to ask about your opinion first," Videric laughs.

"Do you know who she is?" Natalia shakes her head.

"She's a Valkyrie, my little newborn," Selene beat the king by telling the newborn first. 

"She's responsible to bring spirits that were perished in a war to Valhalla. The real question is, how can such a divine creature like a Valkyrie be in such a bad condition like this," Selene kneels as she cups the creature's face.

"Who did this to you?" Selene wipes the creatures tears from her cheek. 

"Valentina," That name made Videric smile like a kid. 

"Natalia, did you hear that name?" she nod.

"That's your next target. Valentina Serpenthell. Like her name, she's a serpent. A beautiful snake-like woman who always find a way to overthrow anyone in her sight," 

"What should I do about Geva?" Videric glares at the newborn.

"You will not call her by her first name. Even she was strip to nothing, she's still a princess. She's a very powerful being. According to legends, a valkyrie can destroy thousands of strong soldier with a swing of her sword. For now, focus your mind to find Valentina," 

"Where is she?" Natalia asked.

"The last time I heard about her, she's in the human world prison, under the custody of a well known General," Videric hums.

"Chandler Dixon. The father of Olympia Dixon, my betrothed to be," Selene face the mad king.

"Are you mad?" Videric smile.

"Let me rephrase that, are you trying to dig your own grave? Because if so, I need the front row seat for that," Videric place his finger on the goddess's lips.

"It's your time to listen to me. I have a plan for my future. Do you expect me to die alone?" Selene wanted to say something but Videric beat her to it.

"Chandler will never know what hit him," the king smirk.

***

"Chandler. Will we ever solve this case?" Fred asked his old friend while stirring his coffee. Chandler shrugs his shoulder.

"I don't know what to think," 

"Well, we can arrange that in the future," Videric said behind the General who aiming his gun at the king. Videric raises both hands.

"I’m not here to fight. Besides, normal bullets don't work on me," The king smile.

"What do you want? Was it not enough you took innocent life now you want to take mine too?" 

"Well, if that's the case I'll be doing a lot of favors for my fellow-creatures, wouldn't it? You have a lot of enemies Chandler. Killing you would mean I don’t have to worry about anything but the Akeldama’s will surely kill me for it,” Fred can't believe King Videric talking and smiling at him. 

"Real-life vampire.." he breathes out. 

"Oh, I am. Undead, breathing and talking," Videric sat down with them and turns to Olympia who's at the counter ordering some food.

"You have a nice looking daughter. Any ideas if she wants to be my wife?" Videric joke. Chandler shoots dagger with his eyes when Videric commented on her daughter.

"That's a no?" Videric said and smile at Olympia who greeted him. 

"Don't touch him!" Chandler warns.

"He's a bloodsucking vampire who has his eyes on you," Videric laughs.

"Relax your balls, Chandler. I'm not going to treat her badly. After I turn her she will be a queen," Chandler slams his fist on the table. Fred abruptly stands up when his coffee spills all over the table. 

"You, will not come in here, demanding things to me!" Chandler scowl. Videric can sense a lot of anger in the general orbs.

"You should relax a little. I'm here to clarify something," When the General motion for him to continue, the king snaps his finger. They all watch as the others beginning to stands up and leave the restaurant.

"You didn't notice that we are inside a café infested with vampires?" Chandler asked through gritted teeth. Olympia shrugs.

"So. About this thing, I'm about to clarify....." Videric didn't get to say anything when Geva and Natalia suddenly walk in and stands behind the king.

"You look familiar," Fred said to Geva.

"Can I just clarify something before everyone interrupts me?!" The king faces the General.

"It's my creation who killed your species under my orders. What will you do for me?" He asked. Chandler turns his glare to the female vampire.

"Are you the creation?" 

"I am Natalia," 

"The immortal one," Fred added. 

"You look familiar," Olympia stands up and walks around Geva and Natalia.

"I've seen you somewhere in the history book. The only thing is, where your wings? Are you a demon?" Geva didn't respond. Fred grabs Olympia's wrist and pulls her towards him. 

"It's best not to make them angry,” Fred whisper before forcing her to sit back on the chair. 

"Normally I would order my special forces to capture you but it seems you have something else in mind," Videric smile.

"I'm so glad we both think alike. It's not a big of a deal but all I'm asking from you is a date with your daughter, and you will have my creation in your custody," Natalia was confused. Videric completely ignores their initial plan.

"You want to date my daughter? Are you out of your mind? There's no way I will ever agree on that! Not in million years," Chandler clearly said. Videric winks at Olympia. The female human blushed in a deep shade of red. Chandler didn't like how Videric affected his daughter's mind.

"I will not follow your demands. But I will capture that creature nevertheless," Natalia keeps a stoic expression. Videric stands up from his chair and took Olympia by the hand before kissing it as a gentleman would. 

"Till we meet again, Olympia," Videric winks. Chandler grabs his daughter's hand and glares at the king.

"Come on Geva," The winged creature nod. Fred's mind is racing. He heard the name Geva before. And he knows her identity.

"Princess Geva of the Lost Kingdom? The powerful Valkyrie. Wow. I never dream of meeting one,” Geva looks at the lowly humans who speak about her.

"It's rude to stare," Was the only words that came out of her mouth. Fred apologize.

"Natalia is all yours," Videric smile and turn his back to them. It's a sign. Videric walks out of the cafe with Geva. Natalia awkwardly standing in front of Chandler, doesn't know what to do. She watches as Chandler took out his phone and calls his people.

"I don't know what's happening right now but Fred, you have a lot of questioning to do," 

"And you young lady! What was that?! You swoon by his charm and you know he's a vampire for God's sake!" Chandler yells when he turned to his daughter.

"What can I say, dad, he's a charming guy. For a dead man," Chandler can't believe what his daughter thought about the vampire. 

"If I may interrupt, I can't walk under the sun. If you catch my drift," Chandler looks at his old friend.

"You heard her. Go now," Fred stands up and was having a second thought for holding the vampire's arms.

"It's okay sir. You can hold me. I will not melt you down," Natalia said politely. 

"You're so much different than the vampires I always imagine them to be," the vampire smiled.

"I was human once. Also, it may sound weird but every vampire has to attend an etiquette class whether we like it or not. We only kill people because they being rude to us first. We too have our dignity you know," Fred gulping the lumps on his throats and smile at the vampire. 

"I'm sure you're perfectly civilized like us humans,”