Crimson Knight (Crimson Series Book 0)

by K. L. O Johnson

  So in the end, I took a stand and decided that I would be what they needed me to be. Regardless of what I did or will do I knew they would follow as was their purpose. It pained me, this realisation of my power but at the end of the day, society. Even the human world revolved around that which everyone desired—power. “My lady,” commented Kristian as he stepped forward, “What brings you here?”

  I smiled. “I would like to go shopping.”

  They smiled and agreed. We all arranged to meet at the main courtyard. So we spent an hour preparing and I told my parents where I was going. Realising I was happy to be outside, I had eagerly changed into a purple informal dress that was supposed to be accompanied by a purple laced coat and heels. My parents were a little difficult, if Zarlach hadn’t said I would be fine protected by the other aristocrats, my parents wouldn’t have let me leave. In the end, they caved but were strict enough to remind me to return before one for my training with Kal. I was silently thankful for Zarlach’s words but suppressed the anger and hurt I felt as I knew I had no right to feel what I did.

  A night out was what I needed. The black sleek BMW 2049 model arrived and I filed in with Viktor, Bella and Diana. David, Beatrice, Alphonse and Kristian were filed into other BMW. The drive was slow as I felt our car fill with an uncomfortable silence, even though Viktor avoided looking at me I attempted to spike up a conversation with him and asked, “Remember?” Viktor glanced at me momentarily then back out the window—looking bored.

  “I remember that,” Bella skipped in as she continued to converse with an amused Diana opposite her. Where beside her sat Viktor. Bella’s voice sung in harmony as she recalled how silly David and Kristian acted after the others returned back from the concert that night. I regarded our driver who continued to focus on the road, contemplating whether or not to change destinations. In the end, I didn’t because want to. I knew no matter what I did Viktor wouldn’t be the same as he was before, even if it was for a few moments of my life, it was those moments I treasured most.

  It was strange; all the guys I were interested in suddenly backed away. There were times when it made me wonder for what reason. Was I just not attractive enough or did they just grow tired of me? I didn’t know what was worse. Not knowing the truth or realising you were no longer wanted, pained me. Given their actions and the actions of everyone around me. I figured to do what was expected of me even if it made me all the more miserable and lonelier.

  The journey ended eventually and Diana informed our driver to pick us up in two hours. The cars scooted off and we stood watching the cars disappear down the dangerous roads of Moscow. I turned from Viktor; realising I was paying a little bit too much attention to him, something which made him all the more distant. I headed towards the glass revolver, “Let’s go everyone.” Just as I predicted, they trailed silently after me.

  Entering the mall was a breeze but as we did, everyone around us stopped and stared. I figured it was because they knew what we were but given that we’ve signed a treaty with their people they didn’t seem to be at ease. So Diana, breaking the uncomfortable tension, strutted forth and declared, “The attention . . . take it all in my sweeties.” I noticed she winked at a nearby man with his girlfriend clinging to his arm and walked on confidently ahead. Everyone in our group appeared seize the message relax while everyone around us returned to doing what they were doing. Even the angry woman beside the blushing brunette man, Diana teased, was also keen to drag her partner out of sight.

  I regarded the many levels this mall had and internally smiled. This will be the perfect escape. I thought and followed after my group of friends who may never know just how much they mean to me. Wandering the many levels we eventually we reached the top restaurant that had spread across the whole level and smiled. “You guys hungry?” I asked as I entered the bistro.

  “Starving!” confessed David.

  “Good,” I said as he followed after me to the counter. “Because we have a reservation.”

  “Wait, when did you make a reservation?” asked Bella from the other side of me.

  “I didn’t.” I confessed. Knowing she’ll ask more later and followed after the counter clerk who confirmed our reservation and guided us through to our table in the VIP Booth. Once we were settled the clerk vanished from our sight and we heard the sound of music pulsing through the area, it was separate from the main restaurant where violists played. Instead, this one was of reggae pop, with a hint of a salsa. There were dancers on the dance floor, patterned in partners that danced as if they were on a TV show.

  The men wore casual formal. And, the ladies were dressed in dresses that allowed their legs to extend around their partners and swing their hips in a way that wouldn’t be too revealing. They seemed like professionals even though they were guests. I smiled and liked the way this restaurant did things. I heard Bella force, “When did you make a reservation?” she asked lifting a brow. I smiled.

  “Like I said I didn’t. It was my mother,” Bella laughed and was surprised by boy that looked around our age extended his hand to her.

  “Can I have this dance?” he smoothly asked and Bella winked at me. Taking his hand, she skidded off with him into the crowd. The rest of my friends either partnered with each other or like Viktor danced with a random girl within the large dance floor. I sat alone realising it was a rather sad sight, taking a sip of my raspberry flavoured soft drink I sighed and stood only to be surprised.

  “May I have this dace?” I regarded the attractive boy, a head taller than me. His brown hair and eyes looked almost black under the ceiling lights. I nodded, figuring I had nothing to really worry about. I took his hand and he elegantly led me to the dance floor. His hand was warm against mine and circled his arms around me. We lost ourselves to the upbeat music. I never danced when I was living in my idol form but remembered being taught how to dance by my father when I was younger—they all ranged from Ballroom dancing to Tango.

  I felt him twirl me around enough so that I landed softly against his chest. A recognisable scent waffled; my nose and I glanced up at the face of the boy who released me as the music ended. He bowed and slinked away from the crowd almost as if he was trying to escape. I moved to follow him but was stopped by several other dancers, taking my time to move around the couple I chased after the boy as quickly as I could in my small pumps only to realise he vanished down the empty hall that I figured lead to the bathrooms.

  Finding that behaviour rather unusual, I headed back to my table. Picking up my purse, I was surprised was still untouched and searched for my phone. There was an unread message from Cassandra, I smiled: Hey Cecelia, I know it’s been a while and all since we last spoke but I wanted to catch up. Free this week end?

  I replied: Free. What do you want to do?

  A few moments later, I felt my phone vibrate to life and there flashing across my screen was another message from Cassandra: There’s the spring festival coming up. Marcus and the others are going too. It’ll be awesome if you could come as well. This Saturday at 9 we’re all meeting at the front of my place.

  I smiled at the message and sent: I’ll be there. Ending the conversation, I keenly waited for my friends to return. And once they had returned. We ate our breakfast then took off to do some shopping. Soon realising our time was limited. Well my time. I had no idea what everyone else was doing but all I knew was that they followed their own agenda. So we headed separate ways and I was surprised to see Kristian wandering in my direction. “What’s up?” I asked.

  “‘What’s up’, really?” he teased.

  “I mean, what are you up to?” I laughed as we stood on the escalator that moved over three levels. The upper shopping area I lead the way dodging the people in the crowd noting Kristian behind me.

  “Following you.” I smiled over my shoulder.

  “Why would you do that?” I asked, now genuinely curious.

  “Because Bella asked me to,” I rolled my eyes and spotted a dress in a nearby boutique window.


  “That’s cute.” I said and headed inside, well aware of Kristian following after me. As I passed the many rows of hanging dresses I couldn’t help but lose sight of the dress in the window. I eyed the many beautiful dresses that ranged from silk to lace and from lace to satin. Well I was sure it was as the many materials’ scent hung in the air. The one thing I’ve come to understand after being turned is that everything living or inanimate had a scent that distinguishes it from the rest—a unique finger print. My sense of smell, hearing, touch, taste and sight seemed to have increased in my idol form to above average.

  Pulling out a creamy lace dress I placed it against myself and turned to Kristian, “What do you think? My colour?” I asked and he shook his head with a smile.

  He took a while to reply as he sauntered around me deep in thought. I remained quiet unsure how to act in his sudden critical eyes. “Yes, your colour. However, the lace clashes with the white base of your skin. The design of this dress was for more of a woman with a column figure like Kal it would fall better against her tone than you. However, I would think that this. . .”—he stretched out his hand to a nearby rack and shuffled through the rainbow colour of dresses and pulled one out—”. . . will be better suited for your hourglass figure. The layers of this dress will bring out the curve in your figure. Most would find desirable.” I eyed the purple silky dress that was layered in soft wavy frills that fell down to my knees.

  It was gentle and elegant with a pinned silk flower over the shoulder that printed around and under what would be my right shoulder should I wear the one strap dress. I put the other dress back on the rack and moved towards the one Kristian held and took it thanking him as I did. The closer I looked, I was right in believing this would be the dress that could be worn to a casual formal party. “When did you become a fashion expert?” I asked as I ran my super sensitive fingers over the fine silk of the dress.

  “You forget my sister is a fashion police. Everything I know I’ve learnt from her.” he genuinely confessed and I smiled gratefully at him.

  “Thank you; you really know how to make a young lady feel better.” I smiled and he slightly bowed with a hand over his heart.

  “It was my immense pleasure.” he said. A few women walked passed and giggled on the other side of the rack. I rolled my eyes and clasped Kristian’s wrist knowing that he couldn’t like being made fun of. The moment I did, I noticed those same girls at the counter. They were dressed in the latest fashion and of course wore expensive make up and perfume I could smell a mile away.

  I was aware Kristian felt the impact those fragrances had. As I eyed him wrinkle his nose beside me, discreetly. I found it both charming and sweet that he was not forward about how disgusted the strength of it was. The girls glanced over at Kristian and giggled but not as they did before. Instead it was because they found him attractive. I wanted to glare at them, knowing they weren’t suited for him but didn’t as I realised he too knew that was the case and ignored them.

  The line cued as many more women lined up with their purchases. I realised that this was a very expensive boutique. When it came to my turn, I noticed those girls stood hanging around the entrance peering in. The man who regarded the dress eyed me sceptically and I regarded him confusion. “Just this miss?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  I glanced up at Kristian beside me who slightly shrugged softly enough for only my sensitive idol eyes to pick him up. Even though I was faster, stronger and more sensitive then I was before I was awaked in my idol form—I knew my Vampieruz form was so much stronger.

  Kristian was confused about this man’s reaction. He packed the dress away and spoke the price. I was flabbergasted and eyed Kristian with concern at how much this one dress had cost. “You have your card with you, don’t you?” he asked even though I was nervous about the four digits.

  I nodded. “I do but . . .”

  “Then use it.” he suggested, noticing the impatient cashier. I nodded and pulled out my iPhone purse and handed him my card which I recalled my mother telling me the pin for. I pressed in the numbers but each action carried on slowly almost as if I dreaded leaving without this dress. Soon the key pad flashed with ‘approved’ and I took my purchase as the cashier smiled at me, brightly.

  “Thank you, miss. Come again.” I smiled and fleeted the shop, now realising that the other girls were now eyeing me a little with jealously. I winked at them and walked away.

  “You think I should go again?” I asked Kristian once we were further down the wide corridor where other boutiques sat next to each other.

  “Only if you want to but I for one think he’s after your money.” he motioned and I nodded.

  “Agreed.” We strolled around entering random shops and leaving once we saw what they had to offer. Some of the shopkeepers didn’t like that. I remember Kristian making a comment on how they only wanted people to enter their shop for their money. “So they don’t want others to see what they have?” I had asked and he agreed. I nodded understanding than asked what I been wanting to ask for a while now, “Kristian,” I began once we were in another jewellery store. “Do you know what’s going on with Viktor?”

  He didn’t say much as he regarded several silver sterling rings and had heard what I said so instead I waited for an answer, “Unfortunately I do. It’s the same with Hunter Ryan.”

  I realised what he said was true, Ryan was a Hunter, one of many forms that kept our races both of Mystical and Demonic in check. They ensured we followed the laws of the United Council. “That is?” I pressed, I had an idea but I wanted to hear it. Sometimes, guessing wasn’t enough, sometimes you had to hear the words, to know where you stood and I wanted to hear what was going on with those two.

  “They’ve always known who you were.” he declared keeping his eyes on the authentic silver as I glanced at him. “That is the reason why they allowed you to date Ryan even though his job was to protect you from those that enjoy killing vampieres.”

  “We are not vampieres!” I hissed as lowly as I could. “We’re purely bred vampieri. Not created!”

  “I know. My point is, they knew you were beyond their station. You were engaged to marry Lord Zarlach from the day you were born. You will most likely not marry him now or in ten years’ time or in twenty years but sometime in the future you are expected to.” Kristian spoke those words lightly as he eyed the jewellery within the glass cases. “So I guess, they know you can never be something . . . permanent for them.”

  I cradled my arm around me and felt the paper bag shift with my gift as I did. It saddened me and the truth did hurt.

  “I understand.” I whispered as I regarded the jewellery Kristian inspected blankly. I didn’t know what to do, I’ve always believed you had to find the one you wanted to marry but to have that person pushed before you on a plate was a little disheartening. It almost said to me that: I didn’t have to bother searching. Even though that was something I wanted to do more than anything else in the world.

  We left the store empty handed and Kristian sent a text to all of our friends to meet up at the entrance as our two hours have eventually come to a close.

  The purest of reality has been flung before me and I had no idea what to do, but do what was expected of me. And that was to lead. Seeing Viktor wasn’t easy but with Kristian’s help. I was able to see him in a different sense, one that I needed and one that easily, came. “Alright everyone. Time to leave.” I ordered and to my surprise that I hid beneath my mask, everyone did as they were told. I was the first to hop into our car and glanced out the window as I felt everyone else follow.

  The car pulled away from the curve and we headed back to the Fortress. With so many thoughts, coursing through my mind, a decision to carry out my training was one I had to ensure after all, I approached Volvomich to be stronger.

  We soon arrived back to the Fortress and I had a real problem as I searched my room. I couldn’t find my battle suit. I saw how the others had transformed before. However, for me to actua
lly do it was more difficult than it looked. This reminded me of differentiation, the bigger the function, the bigger the problem. I searched every inch of my closet only to find nothing. The moment my father wandered into my room, I flagged him down. “Dad!”

  “Daughter girl,” he teased in a frantic tone. He straightened up and smiled.

  “I can’t find it!” I panicked knowing that I had my training with Kal in fifteen minutes. Not even considering to pay attention to my father’s unfair mockery.

  He stopped with a glass of blood in hand and asked, “Can’t find what?”

  “My battle uniform! It’s gone! And now I can’t train!” I deflated, sagging down onto my bed and my father quirked a brow. I sprung up on my bed, “Don’t give me that look. I know I didn’t misplace it.”

  He handed me the glass.

  “Maybe because you haven’t had your daily intake of blood today. You probably didn’t have the concentration you would have if you drank some before you left like your mother hassled you to,” he spoke with the glass still extended to me. I didn’t want to feed, I wanted to search but looks like I’ll have to set aside my searching to make my father happy. I knew he never liked to see me skip a meal.

  I clasped the glass in hand. Without thinking, I gobbled the blood down until there was nothing left but the internal coated walls of the crystallised cup. I handed the empty cup back and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, “Happy now?”

  “Better,” he mused. “You’ve only had one glass to day and not the usual amount.”

  I sighed, “Dad! I’m facing a crisis right now that doesn’t involve your food intake obsession!”

  He merely smiled, “Huh, tell that to the other Vampieruz starving halfway around the world.”

  I groaned, “Dad.”

  “What?” he asked innocently.

  “Not the guilt trip, please.” I begged than heard familiar male footsteps on approach. I glanced at the door and it closed. “Tell him I’m not here.” I whispered running to my closet.