Guilty Crown (The Darkstorm Legacies Book 1)

by Bree De'leon

  The night continued, the combat zone being prepared by the prisoners of this fortress: Orcs and silvers and vampyres, each battle worn and lethal. They watched waiting for blood to spill as the two vampyres entered the arena, stripped down to their britches, and nothing more. The dust kicking up clouding their vision, the smell of sand and sweat tickled their nostrils.

  The first two to fight, were Drake and Ptlamos, the arena now filled with inmates of the highest crime, they watched the two vampyres battle. In a moment, the battle was over; Drake had the young vampyre lord in his grasps, snapping his neck with no hesitation, the crowd roared with excitement as the vampyre drank the blood of the deceased lord. The warden smirked in his high tower, watching like a hawk as the prisoners removed the corpse from the field. Readying for the next battle.

  Alexander felt a turn in his stomach, his eyes blurred as the vampyre attacked him from the left, then the right. Focusing himself he swung his sword from his sheath, slicing the vampyre in half. He fell to his knees, his sword supporting him as he breathed in heavily, watching the gates open and Drake, walking with his head held high, his shoulders straight, and a sly smirk on his face.

  “You, filthy cur,” Alexander spat, the blood dripping from his lips as Drake disappeared from his sight, kicking the weakened soulkeeper to the ground, his sword still stuck in the sand. His legs too weak to support his body, Alexander could not stand, swinging his arm to get a grip on the slimy vampyre. “I will not let you win her.” He cursed, using all his strength to stand. He braced himself for an attack by Drake, sending a rippling effect through the vampyre, knocking him into the arena walls. Shaking, the soulkeeper charged at the vampyre, moving with swift and inhuman ability his sword moved inches from his opponent’s face, slicing his eye. His blood-curdling screams deaf among the cheers of the prisoners. Drake fell to the ground his eyes gushing blood uncontrollably, taking a breath, Alexander lifted his sword above his head bringing it down onto Drake’s head. His eyes wide as the vampyre with all his might, caught the sword with both hands, tossing it to the ground, before he plunged his hand deep into the soulkeepers stomach. The arena fell silent, the vampyre stood victorious, his eye swollen and pumping blood, a sneer of a smile crossing his lips as he walked over the unconscious soulkeeper. He motioned a guard to send notice of the victor of the Kingstrial, before his return. The warden humbly bowed, his razor teeth glistening.

  __________

  Leviathan stood at the edge of the forest, his eyes peering into the hearts of the city, the time was now to bring forth the destruction of Casai; a celebration was to be prepared for the victor of kingstrial, then he will send his army. And then he will take the lives of the royals. His laugh dark as he fell back into the shadows of the forest. The creatures surrounded him, waiting for instructions of when to attack. He held his arm up, a signal to quiet. “The time is upon us my children, we will attack when the moon is full in the sky.” He commanded, a man in his shadow rolled his eyes his arms crossed.

  “Well, I’ll prepare the lycans for the first attack, Leviathan. I expect your silvers will be ready in two days?”

  “Of course, Alexis, we will be ready and this time we will destroy them,” Leviathan answered, his confidence resonating within the beasts. Turning away, Alexis disappeared into the forest.

  __________

  Simon trained with Amelia first, helping her concentrate her energy, shaping the light into any shape she requires or needs. Her exhaustion beating her, he continued to push her, each day and each night, her training was parrillas, able to create a shield, and a sword, a small smile crossed his lips as he watched her increase in ability in under three days. Alongside her, Rena struggled with her emotions, the darkness seeping out of her uncontrolled, Simon stood behind her, calming her down as she let the emotions sharpen the gas, forming itself into deadly needles and bullets each one hitting the marked targets. Three days of training, the girls had mastered only a small amount of their untapped power, still learning with their emotions.

  __________

  Arriving back into the city of Casai, Drake waved to the crowd; his win obvious as he held himself high against the odds, his left eye patched with a black leather cloth. His clothing shining in the moonlight as he held the document from the warden claiming his victory. It was a miracle that Alexander had lived through the wound that Drake had given the King of Kindred, but alas his victory tasted sweeter as he peered through the crowd spotting his true prize. Morena. Her face beautiful, and her lips waiting. He rushed to her side kneeling with her hand in his in an instant.

  “It appears you are winner of the Kingstrial, Drake Trinity and with that, I give you my heart.” Rena announced, keeping her composure, she felt herself spinning, a sudden nausea filling her stomach, hoping this was a nightmare. How could he win? He has not the strength of Alexander? She thought, her smile burning her from the inside. She looked over at the dolly that carried the injured king. “Tonight, we shall celebrate our union.” She continued. Drake smiled up at her, his fangs sharp, he stood, taking her hands in his.

  “I promise to be ever faithful to you, and to you alone Morena.” He promised, bending down, his lips pressing firmly onto hers. She nodded, unable to bring herself to make the same promise. She placed her arm in his, allowing him to lead her to the ceremony hall, where the tapestries of Arisite and Kindred dangled above them. The large chandelier sparkling with the candlelight.

  __________

  In the throne sat Anjou, alone her husband no longer part of this world, she stood to greet her granddaughter and her betrothal. Rena shifted her eyes to the back corner, watching her servants smile weakly. Lucille could barely hold his tongue, biting his lip he turned away, Amelia standing firm at her post, her eyes assuring her of peace. Next to her father stood Dymitri, dressed in his finest robes and uniforms, for once he looked genuinely pleased.

  “Citizens of Arisite, tonight I bring happy news.” Anjou began, waiting for the room to fall silent before she continued. “So, it brings joy to my heart to see my granddaughter, Morena Darkstorm find a suitable husband, that can protect her and care for her as her father has, we welcome Drake Trinity to our family.” Anjou continued the taste of iron on her tongue, with the disgust that flooded her body.

  With the announcements done, the festivities began. The musicians began to play their flutes, violins, drums and tambourines. Drake and Rena took the floor, both elegant, he twirled her into him, he was taken aback by her appearance, she wore a silk red blouse cut from the shoulders, exposing her middle, she wore no sleeves, her skirt—no pants were heavy fabric of red, cut down the middle, a darker shade of blue, sparkling with gold, each side slit exposing her thighs, her bare feet decorated with gold bracelets. The gold around her neck fell down her chest, wrapping around her waist. She smiled, moving with grace, her bare stomach began to move side to side, each step she took away from her fiancée. The music changed and a group of girls appeared behind her. A surprised look crossed his face.

  She moved in the middle, the other girls surrounding her, copying her movements. They matched perfectly, creating an illusion of flowers. Their hands fluid like the sea, they gracefully danced around the men of court, each one taking the hand of a noble. Rena isolated her hip left, one hand stretched out to the left the other twisting above her head, her wrists fluid In the crowd Alexander sat, his eyes not waving from the princess, and his wounds healing quickly, but his pride stung. The summer air warm, as the midnight sky sparkled with billions of stars and the moon full and pure. The room was filled with happiness and celebration, even Alexander with his pride, could not help but smile at the beauty of the princess. Her movements seducing, she moved with the exotic music, her legs smooth, she lifted her knee up, holding her hands together above her head, then slowly bending backwards, her hands like snakes moved with elegance, the moves precise and perfect, like her eyes. The music began to speed up and she danced quicker, one leg over the other, her stomach moving in and out, her ar
ms moved to her side, loosening a shawl made of gold and red silk, and soon she spun her way to Alexander, her nose inches from his. She turned away in an instant and jumped up, flipping twice and landing into a split as the music ended. He felt the shawl fall to his lap, noticing she had left it on his person. Her chest moved rapidly, she felt her heart beating fast. The claps echoed the room, the loudest coming from both Drake and Alexander, as the men could not take their eyes away from her.

  Her smile lit up the room until the windows and doors burst open. The glass shattering along the ground as the wind from the outside evaporated the candles. Large furred beasts emerging from the shadows, clawing up the balcony. The marble crushing beneath the weight. The snarls and stench of the wolves surrounded the vampyres, the fear rising in their hearts. They moved in closer to the center of the ballroom. Rena stood, shoving past the frightened nobles till she reached the balcony doors, her eyes wide, as the leader of the pack stepped forward. His brown fur covered in dried blood and soil. His sneer threatening. Drake was by her side with no hesitation, taking his newly betrothed away from the threat.

  Dymitri was at his father’s side, his sword at his hip, he prepared to attack the intruders. Sebastian held out his hand in front of his son, controlling the chaos brewing in the ballroom. Sebastian stepped forward, his fangs sharp, prepared to defend his kingdom. The lycans howled, calling more of their brethren to surround the exits and escape routes; the nobles were trapped. The pack cleared the path for their leader, a large brown furred beast, three scars over his face, his yellow eyes peered through the crowd. He shifted, cracking his neck and arms as he stood naked in front of the royals, his olive skin covered in fresh scars and cuts. Rena felt her heart stop, her feet began to move on their own, her hands reaching out to the man. Juda? The smile that stayed her cheeks soon faded, he held up a fist, his eyes hard.

  “We have come as a warning, vampyres. That your rule will crumble beneath us, as the age of the black moon is upon us all.” Judas voice was dark, his growl guttural, as he watched Rena approach him, her eyes filled with pity and sorrow. His jaw clenched, reaching his hand out to her throat, and pulling her close to him. His eyes snapped back to the rigid king to be. “Do not be hasty vampyre, we would not want to hurt your precious possession.” He mocked, holding the princess closer to him, his nails sharp as a small drop of red liquid slid down her neck.

  “Let us discuss like proper folk, shall we?” Sebastian growled, his jaw tightening as he watched the lycan trace his daughter’s lips with his thumb. “First let go of my daughter, and we will speak of this black moon you have mentioned.” He warned, the floor beginning to rot around him. Juda laughed, nuzzling his nose in Rena’s neck and hair, his tongue tasting the salt on her skin as he inhaled her scent. Struggling to get free of his grip she bit his lip, the blood sending a strange sensation through her body, bracing herself, he chucked her across the room.

  Amelia and Lucille were quick to her side, both on high alert of their surroundings. Amelia focused her light, her lavender eyes glowing, the moon began to drip into her hands, forming a shield and a short sword. Beside her, Lucille began to shift, his pale skin turning black as night, his body twisted high to the ceiling, his face pulling away and tearing apart. Standing behind them, Rena closed her eyes, wiping the blood from her mouth, controlling her emotions to harness the power of darkness. Dymitri snarled, lunging forward to the lycans, his silver sword sharp as his sliced through three wolves in a single blow. The crack of bone and flesh ripping apart, as the wolf’s torso fell from its legs the intestines squishing to the ground. The lycans jumped to aid their brethren gnawing and biting at the vampyres. Each one lunging at different targets.

  “Princess, stay with us,” Amelia warned, her eyes narrowed, she braced herself from an attack from the right, her shield of light blinding the beast and sending it flying. Rena nodded, focused the purple gas that formed at her feet, moving invisible, towards her targets, like tar stinking them in place it sharpened piercing through their hearts. Their whines echoed in her head as they collapsed to the ground.

  The marble floor stained with blood, bodies dropping like flies as the royals defended their palace against the intrusion. Juda shifted back, his lycan form vicious as he tore through the flesh of the nobles. Lunging toward Dymitri and pinning the young vampyre down. His teeth sinking into his shoulder, and his claws digging into his stomach. Dymitri felt his skin being torn from its muscles, the excruciating pain as his screams echoed off the walls. Victoria pushed through the panicking crowd, her eyes wide with rage as she flashed to her son in a second. With no hesitation, she took Juda in her clutches, and ripped his arm from his socket, he howled in agony, his flesh peeled apart, the pain shooting through his entire body, he jumped back from the mother of the boy. The blood pouring from his wound a metallic smell, that tingled the noses of the thirsty vampyres, their mouths watering as they all suddenly attacked the weaker lycans. The lycans continued to sweep in, killing and tearing at their victims, three attacked Amelia, pinning her down, they snapped their jaws at her face, the drool sliding down her cheeks.

  Lucille had swung his tree like arm catching five in his roots, snapping their backs and necks. He noticed in the distance the city set a blaze, the flames reaching the sky. Leviathan plunged through the city destroying buildings with ease.

  14

  LUCILLE GLARED AT THE distant destruction of the city, he shouted over the howls of lycans towards Sebastian. “Your highness, the city is under attack.” His voice roared through the crowd, shaking the chandelier above. Sebastian looked up, noticing the devastation at hand in his city.

  “Lucille, take the elite group, and defend the city now.” Sebastian demanded, unleashing his ability to the nearest lycans, their bodies decaying in moments.

  “Amelia, watch the princess. I must defend the main city gates.” Lucille demanded to his subordinate, she nodded, slicing down another wolf.

  “Aye, I will protect her, I promise.” Amelia shouted back, taking Rena by the arm and standing in front of her. Her form changing, the light of the shield shifting into a sphere surrounding both her and Rena. The wolves beginning to disintegrate as Sebastian approached them, his sword slicing through them like cake. Dymitri breathing heavily, his skin began to heal itself, Victoria moving with speed, cutting down her enemies one by one, she was drenched head to toe in blood, with a manic look in her eye as she continued to cut down her enemies. Drake coward in the shadows, his blood rising, as he snuck out of the ballroom, leaving his kin to die. Defending himself, Alexander stood his back against Sebastian’s, they cut down the dogs and defended the injured.

  Rena and Amelia stood back to back, their powers surging from within as a poisonous gas loomed over the room, Rena shifted her body, her eyes black-purple, sending the poisonous gas down upon her enemies. Focusing, Amelia encased the vampyres and in a light barrier, protecting them from death. Suffocating, the lycans fell to their knees, each choking on their blood, clawing at their throats; escaping through the balcony, Juda leaped from the edge falling far into the deep sea below.

  __________

  In the square, Lucille held his ground, killing the creatures from the cursed forest with no remorse. His form twisting once more into a more ferocious beast, his skull now the shape of a wildebeest skull, horns bulging out of each side, covered in black and silver skin as he charged his father, holding him down to the ground. Leviathan chuckled, his jaw splitting in half as his face turned red to black, his flesh melting apart, as he slid through his son, escaping his grasps.

  “Come, my son.” His voice a whisper, his breath smelled of a bitter sour scent that corroded the hairs on his enemies back. “Why risk your life for these pests; they care not for you or your kind.” Leviathan taunted, corrupting his son with images of his rule—the vampyres on their knees, begging for their lives, and Rena waiting for him, tears filling her eyes as she watched him murder her family. He pushed his father out of his head, refusing to all
ow him to manipulate his thoughts and emotions. For the woman, he loved more than life, more than the deepest ocean, he would soon become a murder of his people, a cold killer.

  “I have someone to protect.” His voice rang loud through the streets, cutting a chunk of his father’s skin, the root decaying as it hit the stone below. The soldiers behind Lucille silently assassinating the weaker creatures, their swords covered in blood.

  Leviathan howled with rage, the silver black blood dripping down his side, the pain rippling through his body, “Insolent boy. A fool you are protecting those leeches. You shall die with them.” The ancient silver lunged from the shadows, sinking his teeth into the flesh of his son, and tearing a piece of his shoulders flesh. Lucille felt a twinge of pain as teeth sank into his shoulder blade, clawing into his father’s flesh, throwing him off him as his skin ripped apart as he twisted again into a more hideous creature; his eyes, red dots beneath black voids, his teeth long, and his nose two holes in his skull, his back was hunched, as he towered over his father nearly ten feet tall. What is so important to you my son, that you would risk your life for these insects? Leviathans voice circled in Lucille’s mind vanishing into the shadows, appearing behind his son. Matching his strength and speed Lucille lifted his father above his head, sending him across the stone streets. The buildings crumbling down on top of him. Leviathan took a deep breath, sinking his roots into the soil of Casai, the blood of the dead sharpening into spikes as they cut apart his enemy’s flesh, the soldiers in front pierced through with ease.

  The fires burned bright, setting aflame the straw roofs and spreading across the square. The smell of smoke and ash, filled the lungs of the victims, as each body tumbled to the ground. Alexis walked slowly through the smoke, his yellow eyes watching the chaos break loose; his black cloak covered in soot, his eyes snapping to the palace balcony, he noticed Anjou, holding onto a small girl, a smirk crossing his face, both pacing back and forth, Anjou kissing her forehead, spreading her black wings and gliding with the dark grey clouds, her sword ready in hand. His lust rising as he watched her slice through the enemies below; hidden in the shadows he analyzed her movements, fluid and sleek, like a dark angel she flew through the skies raining hell upon her enemies. Her crystal blue eyes sparkling in the moon, a small chuckle escaped him, he signaled to the forest, another wave of silvers and lycans alike. Plundering into the gates and murdering innocents.