Crimson Knight (Crimson Series Book 0)

by K. L. O Johnson

  Not taking in my surroundings I ended up walking into someone. I bounced back a bit and was caught by a familiar person. Looking up I noticed Viktor staring down at me, “Are you alright Princess?” he asked—very formally. I regarded him surprisingly confused and stepped back.

  “I’m alright, though there’s no need for the formality. You can call me Cecelia like you used to.” I said realising now I was rambling like an idiot. I felt my cheeks heat. Why do I act so shyly around guys I like? This is ridiculous I’m still surprised at how I managed to win Ryan. I thought bitterly.

  He shook his head, “That would be inappropriate and utmost disrespectful. I will not allow myself to hurt you as I’m aware I already have.” I understood what it was he was talking about. The day I took off and met Zarlach. “I want to apologise for scaring you. I never meant to. Neither did the Professor.”

  I felt sad but confused at the same time. Yet, as I regarded him, there was this gentle look in his eyes almost as if he were eyeing something precious. I didn’t realise I was staring until I spoke, “I understand. It’s okay. I forgive you both.” I smiled and forced myself to relax, “I just never realised it was possible. I mean I had my theories but that was all they were . . . until . . .” I shook my head and focused on the reality that was now and not what happened in the past but when I faced Viktor, there was a very sad almost distant expression moulding his pale marble features.

  If it weren’t for the fact, I knew his energy pattern, I would have walked off thinking he was a complete stranger. His blood red eyes regarded me evenly from beneath his long silver hair that complemented his blood red diamond scaly uniform and shiny silver cloak. I took my eyes from his face and regarded his uniform. He wore armour engraved in an ancient language, weapons and utility belts or packs lined the edges of his defined abs. I glanced back up at him and down again than back up. “What . . . are you wearing?”

  He gave me a confused look, “I’m not wearing something that can’t be taken off. It’s our skin remember, Vampieruz form.” He swung his hand over his body and I glared.

  “That’s not what I meant. How come you have armour and weapons and gadgets and I don’t!?” I growled, frustrated. Viktor regarded me with fear and concern. I huffed forcing my black strands of hair out of my face with a puff of air. “Why is it that everyone I know looks cooler than I do?” I mumbled crossing my arms, not realising I was pouting in front of my crush like a little kid. “So unfair.”

  “You’ll get there in the end,” I heard Viktor say as he reached out and curled his pale slender fingers around the thick bundle of hair over my shoulder. He eyed it critically and looked back at me than froze. It was quick but I felt the swish of the wind and heard the contact of skin. I noticed, Viktor’s wrist was held fast by another, a familiar hand that matched this energy I knew I could pick up, waltzing through the countryside. I didn’t know how or why it is so familiar to me but I knew that the look on Viktor’s face mirrored mine of shock.

  “That she will.” commented a deep grisly voice. “Though I feel the need to remind you of where you stand.” I followed the blood red diamond patterned scales that gleamed under the moon and watched as it was thickly defined into familiar biceps and shoulders. I regarded a silver haired Vampieruz man, his blood red eyes were locked onto his Viktor’s as his cheekbones were clawed in four blood markings two on each cheekbone that defined his authority.

  “Forgive me,” Viktor commented, the single claw mark on each side of his cheek presented his standing of an aristocrat by blood. In all the times I’ve known him I’ve never really realised who he really was or what he really was. “Lord Zarlach Sivortsova.”

  Zarlach released Viktor’s hand and he bowed to us both with a hand over his heart before fleeing down the hall. “Why is it I end up finding you stumbling through the halls at random?” he quizzed and I blushed in embarrassment at the comment. There were times when I was embarrassed. I have an act of smiling in a sheepish manner as my friends back in Moscow had said.

  Before I had a chance to retort my mind shifted through old buried memories. I knew this man from somewhere when he entered my room once I was awakened. There was something about him, something familiar. I remembered a few hazy memories but not enough to say I remembered he was there but rather that I knew he was there. Without thinking, I stepped forward and placed my hand against his face. He froze.

  All those times I was greeted by a stranger, those that I was safest around I now realise it was him. The driver, then the gardener outside Ercela’s shop and in the shower chambers. The face I saw, it was his briefly, before he disappeared with bloodstained smear marks across his face. “It was you this whole time,” I whispered as I took in his defined features. “You were the one protecting me all this time—Zarlach.”

  “Of course why would I not.” he said immediately relaxing as he clamped his hand gently over mine—closing his eyes I felt him take in my scent and graze the waves of my energy. It was the most affection I never thought I would have. There was this link between us like a connection, a bond of some kind. I realised now why my parents were so welcoming to him why he was already part of our family. He was my protector, my guardian and above all my imprinted patriarch.

  My proposed husband.

  I remembered now. All those times my mother and father sat waiting by the fire when I was small. I remembered Zarlach returning with a report of the surveying areas and how much safer I was. I remembered the tender look in his eyes and me running into his arms every time he arrived. I remembered how happy my parents were when I was with Zarlach. He was always someone bigger than life itself and we were happy. That was all that mattered to me.

  But I also remembered the blood. The blood that flittered through the air like a photochemical smog. Toxic and stuffy—also called forth a familiar desirable thirst. Images flashed before my eyes of Zarlach and his tender eyes and protective stances he had taken. Than as I was older, I remembered when our family friend known as Curt would appear more often than normal—that I realised now was Zarlach too in disguise. “I remember, now.”

  He sighed and removed my hand, “I really wish you hadn’t said that.”

  I regarded him with obvious hurt. “You didn’t want me to remember you?”

  “No. I didn’t.” Those three words pained me and his eyes softened. “I don’t mean to hurt you Cecelia but you must understand. You’re young I . . .”

  “Need a woman.” I finished and he glared. This I have to say was the scariest I’ve seen him but I didn’t care and stepped away. “I get it. I’m not good enough. So go. Find someone better.” I almost yelled now realising that I’ll have no one to turn to. Better yet it wasn’t like I could turn to him anyway. I no longer had Ryan and it was illegal to be with a human, then there was Viktor that I could only ever admire from a distance as Purebreed’s never mingled with anything less. “I’m sure that receptionist would love to have you.” I whispered, now realising how much it stung but in the end I was what I was, a child.

  I back away from him. Not daring to look up. Then I said something I never thought I would say, “I wouldn’t want to waste my time with an old man anyway!” I glared, seeing the pain in his eyes than immediately regretted those words. He turned his back on me, his silver smooth cloak swayed behind him in sync, falling to the floor in a still mounds.

  I turned around and ran away. Finding a staircase to the left of me, I bolted down it, glimpsing Zarlach’s painful expression at the corner of my eye as he watched me from over his shoulder.

  I continued to run, down the stairs and through the halls. I had to get out. Eventually, I made my way to the courtyard. I was certain I felt Zarlach’s presence, I turned and regarded the glowing red eyes in the distant window that I was well acquainted with. He was there, watching me and I abruptly turned my back on him. He wasn’t the one I wanted to see but knowing the truth for some reason didn’t make it awkward—I was comfortable with him and familiar. It was like I knew him bette
r than anyone else and he knew me better than anyone else.

  So I figured he knew I was up to something.

  My thoughts ended when I heard a proverbial voice, “Well now, didn’t expect to find you here. Princess,” the gruff voice of Volvomich sung. I turned over my shoulder and saw Kal beside Volvomich. “What brings you out here so early?” he asked.

  I literally ran over to them, energised by my new idea. “I wanted to talk to you about something.” I said once I was close enough regardless of my distance I was sure they could hear me clearly if they focused enough. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” I motioned as I held Volvomich’s gaze—he instantly mirrored the fierceness in my eyes. I could tell Kal felt a little left out but I knew I had to make my point clear.

  There was brief tension.

  Then I demanded, “Train me to be as strong as the others.” Volvomich turned to Kal who echoed his concern. “I don’t care if it’s difficult. I want to become stronger. I don’t want anyone else to fight my battles. Give me extra classes if needed until I catch up to Kal’s level.”

  I stared Kal down, she unfolded her arms immediately as I said those words—her golden light milky brown features were painted into a mixture of shock and surprise. Kal stepped forward to say something then I rudely intervened, “I know I’m only a beginner but isn’t that how everyone starts?” I glanced back and forth between the two and was surprised by what I had accomplished. Volvomich nodded and Kal shook her head with an amused smile stretching across her blood red lip—of her Nefaliem form.

  “Very well,” Volvomich stated, “I’ll have Kal mentor you. With her credentials you’ll be one of the best, of the best.” Kal stood forward and smiled.

  “I warn you, I’m not going to hold back.” she alleged indifferently and I felt a chill run through my already cold body. “So prepare yourself.” I nodded in response. Volvomich and Kal walked passed me and I watched as their silver hair flew behind them and heard Kal’s last words, “Meet me in an hour under the crescent arena. Be sure to arrive in your Vampieruz form.” I craned my head over my shoulder and watched as their silver—blue forms disappear into the edge of the forest and out of sight. They weren’t entirely lost from my sight I could spot them but that ability procured too much concentration, something I wasn’t exactly in the mood to carryout.

  I felt another presence closely nearby and I shot my head to the left. There was a figure concealed in the shadows but I could see the familiar features and the warm eyes. Blood red lips curled into a smile and Bella stepped forward. She was in her idol form. “Bella!” I beamed and she bowed with a hand over her heart as I skipped over her. Before skidding to a stop as I realised she acted distant like Viktor. “Bella?” I asked.

  “I’m sorry, if you find my actions a little lonely but I must show my respect.” She smiled and I attempted a smile but I felt it didn’t reach my ears.

  “But I’m still me,” I declared not moving from where I was.

  She nodded slowly, “I understand that but you are a Purebred Princess after all. I must address and act accordingly, Lady Cecelia.”

  This time I didn’t attempt the smile but forced it—wiping every thought of attachment I had to this person from my eyes. As at the end of the day, she knew her place and I slowly began to understand mine.

  I than asked, “Isabella? Why are you here?” This I noticed caused the member of the Semenov family to shy away a little. So I clarified the question, “Why are you not at Mortem Academy?” She bowed once more with her hand over her heart and said:

  “I am of the Aristocratic bloodline of the Semenov Household, as such it is my duty as your knight.” She stood tall once more and I nodded. Not completely pleased to know what I wanted to know wasn’t delivered as easily as I had hoped.

  I regarded her carefully, “Is this, the same with the others?” I asked.

  “It is, as you might not remember. Aristocrats of any outlander race are the sole protectors of their Purebreds. It’s the sole purpose of our existence. To serve and protect the crown.” I glanced at the empty forest scenery and didn’t bother about using my powers, I sighed knowing that it was most likely that those two went to hunt and I was sure that this wasn’t food but the Dark Cartel.

  “But are you considering returning?” I asked. “Honestly.”

  Bella briefly nodded and smiled, “Yes.” I turned my heel and headed inside, aware of Bella following after me. I didn’t mind, it was comforting to know that even though I cannot be as friendly to the aristocrats as I liked. I realised that their presence was comfort enough. As we entered the foyer, gliding along the golden glossy floor I heard the gentle footsteps on approach, feeling a different energy pattern I knew it was someone I’ve never met before.

  I stopped, without thinking and waited for this unfamiliar person to arrive but to a degree I could vaguely recall this presence but not enough to say I knew it. I concluded, I may have felt it somewhere but nowhere else other than here—the question though was when? There from the shadows of the adjacent hall was a boy with black hair and blue eyes, he was a Vampieruz and I could tell he was of royal blood. That was when I recognised this person.

  “No way,” I heard Bella whisper from behind me.

  I glanced at her from the corner of my eye before firmly resting my gaze on this boy. I could see the details of his features and see the familiarity it possessed within a single glance—he was the boy everyone told me to say away from. “Good Evening, Princess Cecelia.” he sung with a haunting smile.

  “You’re him. You’re the boy from Mortem Academy.” I said sternly. “Who are you?”

  He stopped two feet from us. His eyes weren’t a pale blue instead they were a bright blue; they mirrored the colour of a blue flower I had once seen as a child. I for some unknown reason recalled Helga’s haunting words, “Stay away from him. That boy is trouble. Above all he’s dangerous.” This made me wonder what they had meant however, my question was soon answered as he introduced himself with a slight bow and a hand over his heart. “The name’s Randolph Van Dohnasova, the late heir of the Pureblood Dohnasova linage and the late son of Ivan Ezario Dohnasova.”

  That name! I felt my heart race, threading volatile blood, through my system. I knew if I didn’t strain my muscles I would be shaking. Instead, I held his gaze—I could tell he was expecting a different reaction—the reaction I knew I would give if I lost my self-control. I can’t lose control! I can’t! I fiercely told myself.

  “Now Lord Randolph please be considerate.” I heard a male voice smooth.

  I saw a human man, tall and lean he was, strut through the foyer as if nothing happened. Deep down I was glad nothing did. I felt Bella tense, realising, she stood protectively before me glaring at Randolph. Her eyes graced the human momentarily before she began to relax. “I don’t wish to be forced into an avoidable predicament.” I watched the human male cladded in a black button down coat. He wore black form head to toe and I noticed his coat wasn’t designed like every other winter coat.

  The side was tailored into slits giving access to his thighs which I now noticed contained secured pistols. My eyes fell on boy beside him who wore the same clothing. Ryan! His face didn’t show any emotion but I could tell he was trying his hardest to avoid eye contact with me. “Forgive me Smith.” said Randolph. “Though I understand your concern, I wish no harm to come to our Princess. I assure you. My father however . . .” began Randolph as he walked towards where Bella and I stood, “. . . has other plans.” His steel blue gaze locked onto me before he disappeared outside, taking the thick air of danger with him.

  I heard Bella sigh, “What a troublesome boy.”

  “You must cut him some slack, Isabella. Not very many people do, given what he’s father’s . . . done.” Smith smoothly spoke as he plastered a genuine smile. His dirty blond straight hair was elegantly spiked as his tanned features were perfected by his chocolate vibrant eyes. “Wouldn’t you agree, Princess?” Smith asked and I froze, contemplating
what to say.

  I felt all eyes on me. Still my answer didn’t come. “Forgive me,” Smith purred. “I didn’t mean to put you on the spot like that. I guess we should get a move on. Ryan.” Smith peeked over his shoulder and I noticed Ryan nod. I saw Ryan’s form front on and discerned those two wore not just customised coats but uniforms. Giving access to whatever they held this goes for the hoisted glocks Ryan carried, they must have been a branch of PASA. I knew this by the Hunter emblem that sat over their left breast.

  TEN

  Royal Expectations

  I stood, shocked at the sight of what I saw. Watching, Ryan hauntingly skid past me. I wanted to say something but I knew didn’t know what to say. We weren’t together anymore and by the looks of it he didn’t want us to be together anymore. So instead, I stared at the ground, with my mind turning and my heart swirling like a hurricane turmoil of regret and anger. Before I knew it, Bella had placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and that action alone forced my mind to return as Ryan disappeared down the hall. She smiled and offered, “Why don’t we go find the others?”

  I nodded and followed after Bella, refusing to glance back.

  As I entered the room, I noticed all the Faction members of Mortem Academy stood slightly bowing with a hand over their hearts. In my new awakened state, I knew they weren’t ordinary students but aristocrats, born as my safeguards. From whatever danger threatened my existence. Viktor’s silver hair had vanished now replaced by his golden brown locks, locks that I was secretly fond of. His brown eyes locked onto mine that I noticed were forcibly distant and guarded.