Fourteen
1184 Words
"How are you feeling?" Joey asked, peaking his head around the corner of my doorway.
I pressed my lips together, making sure my red lipstick was equally covered along my lips before turning to face him. "As good as I can be." I shrugged. "I just want to get in and get out."
Joey nods his head in understanding. "Here, pass me your necklace." He reaches out his hand. I furrow my brows in confusion but do as he asks. I place the necklace in the palm of his hand and watch as he quietly whispers into it, casting some form of spell. Moments later, he nod his head and returns the necklace to me. I fix the clasp behind my neck and ask, "what did you do?"
"I enchanted it. When you're ready to return back here, hold onto it and think of this place. It will bring you back. Remember to keep hold of Wroe whilst you do it, otherwise he will be left behind and this will have all been pointless." He directs.
I nod my head as I take a final glance in the mirror. "I presume it won't stop Gladdis' enchantment from working?" I ask.
Joey frowns as he tilts his head. "Gladdis did something?" He asked curiously.
I shrug absentmindly. "Yeah, to protect my scent or something."
"Interesting," Joey comments. "I wonder why she would do that.." he trailed off, heading back into the main living room.
I did a final glance in the mirror, doing a once-over on my outfit before nodding in satisfaction. I had gone with the dress I found in the wardrobe and surprisingly, it fit perfectly. I wondered how Gladdis had known my size, but considering all the other things she knows I decided the thought wasn't worth much time.
I flicked my hair over my shoulder and put my game face on with a heavy breath, let's do this.
---
"You see that door round the back?" Joey whispered, his finger point towards the west side of the daunting castle before me. I flickered my eyes to the door, nodding my head whilst trying to stay hidden behind the gray brick wall. My eyes wandered over the castle, standing in all its daunting glory. Several black spires pierced the air, almost reaching the clouds above as the gray structure filled the space. Acres and acres of land covered by the Vampire King's home, it was hard to see where it stopped. Arched windows were scattered around the building, yet no matter how much light was let in, it still felt as though you were entering a dooming black hole.What appeared to be guards were carrying wooden crates through the main entrance, as crows nestled deep into the bushes and took watch. I observed closer, watching how the men laughed amongst themselves, filled with anticipation for the night ahead.
"That's the servant entrance. Go through there and blend in. If anyone asks, you're one of the hired extras tonight." Joey instructed. "Are you ready?" He asked, his hand gently squeezing mine. I swallowed the lump in my throat, ignoring the sound of my heartbeat drumming against my chest and nodded my head. "I'm ready."
With one last smile, I rose to my feet and came out from behind the wall, my shaky legs slowly carrying me towards the entrance of the west side. I heard the guards wolf whistle as I made my way across the drive, but I refused to turn their way, instead only having tunnel vision on where I needed to be. Standing before the black steel door, I took a final breath. Here goes nothing, Willow.
With a newfound confidence, I yanked open the door and took a step inside the dimly lit corridor. Conversations echoed through the walls, bustling sounds of excitement and giggles amongst the workers. I needed to somehow blend in, yet hide the fact that I certainly was not a blood sucker. I creeped down the hallway, passing by candles mounted onto the walls, until I came face to face with a large industrial kitchen. The first thing I noticed was how clean the steel surfaces were, there wasn't an ounce of dirt anywhere to be seen. Large steel blocks lined the walls with a steel island to complement the theme. Obviously, this kitchen was here for convenience, not because it was often used.
Girls in red dresses filled the room, chatting amongst themselves as they anticipated the events of the night. Not a single one of them looked scared, the only readable emotion was utter excitement. They were gathered in separate crowds, as though they had already found their own cliches. The blood moon was also an opportunity for the younger women from different covens to potentially meet their 'mates', so I could only presume they were all hoping tonight would be their turn.
A lady with bright red hair strolled into the kitchen and clapped her hands together, demanding the attention of the room. Her ruby lips pursed as her brow quirked, waiting for the chattering to die down. Once silence filled the room, she nodded. "Guests will shortly be arriving, please make your way to your stations and prepare for our guests." Although she used her manners, there was nothing polite about her tone of voice.
The flocks of women quickly followed whoever she was out of the kitchen into their stations. Once I was the last one in the room, I followed closely behind, keeping an eye on any potential clues as to where the dungeons may be. I needed to keep my wits about me, but also investigate as much as I could.
I tiptoed as I made my way through the dimly lit, crimson corridor, paying no mind to the creepy portrait paintings on the wall as I stopped in front of the first door. Glancing over my shoulder to check no one was around, I twisted the gold door knob and poked my head around the doorframe. My heart sunk as I realized I had just found a bedroom, an extravagant bedroom nonetheless, dripped in golds and reds, but it wasn't what I was looking for.
I quickly closed the door and headed further down the hallway before I reached another doorway. This was a process I had repeated three or four times by now, only to be met with a bedroom each time. I needed a miracle, there was only one door left before I would need to make my way up the stairs and put on the best blood-sucking show of my life.
With a hopeful breath, I placed my hand against the golden knob and gently twisted the door open. I popped my head through the doorframe, only to be met with yet another bedroom. How many frigging bedrooms does this place need? So much for in and out.
"f**k my life," I muttered, it couldn't just be easy could it?!
As I quietly pulled the door shut and turned to face the stairs, a sudden voice called out to me.
"What are you doing?"
- Writer
