Uniquely Unwelcome (The Shadow World)

by Brandy Nacole

  “What about the human guards?” I ask, gesturing to the guard rounding the corner.

  “What about them?” Felton asks, acting as though they are insignificant.

  “Can’t they see us?” Really this seems unimportant at this point but it still does nothing for my curiosity.

  “Yes, but they merely see stray animals. Once we open the pillar, they will only think it to be a small gust of wind. It is quite miraculous don’t you think?” Felton says.

  “Yeah, miraculous.” Not to mention the little bit of Witch power kicking it in the butt.

  “We are wasting time. Lord Aldrick is waiting.” Alton sounds irritated as he stands next to the pillar.

  I look back at Ethan, who is shaking with rage. He’s whole body is rigged, his fist so tight the bones look ready to burst through the skin.

  “Ethan….Ethan look at me.” He slowly turns his eyes from the Vampires to look at me. “Don’t worry about us, we’ll be fine. You just keep yourself safe.”

  “I don’t trust them.” He says in a raspy voice.

  “I don’t either, that’s why I need you to keep your eyes open and stay on alert. We need to be ready for anything.” I stand back up gesturing for him to lock the doors as I shut it.

  So into the pillar we go. I take a good look around not knowing if I will see the outside world again. I hate getting trapped somewhere that seems almost impossible to escape.

  I meet Ethan’s eyes as I glance back one last time. He’s still grim about staying behind, not trusting the Vampires leading us away. If I was in his position, I would feel the same way. I may not totally trust Ethan and Danika or like them, but in a way I feel responsible for them. I don’t know why but I do.

  With one last sigh, I enter the pillar elevator, take one big deep breath of fresh air and prepare for the descent.

  Chapter Eight

  Once again I find myself feeling foolish and stereotypical. Where I thought the elevator would open up into a dungeon, it is quite the opposite. This place is a lot like a palace. An underground palace but still worthy of the title.

  A path of luscious white carpet leads down a hall of doors. Chandeliers hang evenly down the hall. The luminous lights shine brightly off the light yellow walls. Arches, done in a brilliant white molding, are placed throughout the hallways after each chandelier.

  As we walk down the hall, I start wondering where everyone is. It’s quiet, a little too quiet. We come to the end of the long hall, which splits into a T. On the right, there is another long hallway with several more doors. At the end of that hallway there is a big open room where humans are mingling. Why didn’t I think of that? Of course there would be humans living here, hence the reason for so many rooms. Most Vampires live at the lair, unlike other Shadows who mingle with the world. Aldrick wouldn’t risk so many killings in Sofia, it would draw too much suspicion.

  We turn left down a short hallway that passes a kitchenette. At least the Vampires here show them some decency. In other places I’ve been, the humans had to pick through the pigs troughs to eat.

  When we pass one room that is lit with black light, I turn to Danika to ask about it. “What’s that room for?”

  Danika looks over at the room just as a Vampire goes to shut the door. Her face is laced with disgust as is her voice. “I think it’s the feeding room.”

  Felton interrupts us with a bitter tone, “There is no need to be discussing the layout of our dwelling. For all we know you’re here to slaughter us.”

  “Seriously? Do you honestly think one person, being me in this scenario, could take out a whole slew of Vampires?”

  “We know nothing about your abilities, so yes it’s possible. Plus you have the Witch.” Felton says as I roll my eyes. I’m not sure on the total for the Vampire population but I’m guessing it’s around three thousand. Out of all those Vampires I bet three quarters of them live here. Yeah, piece of cake for a chick like me.

  We go through a few more twist and turns and finally end at a lobby. There is a group of Vampires, mostly women, sitting outside a closed door sipping blood out of goblets. Gag. I may have to consume blood sometimes but I don’t go around advertising.

  “Wait here.” Felton says and then he and Alton enter the closed door.

  Danika and I just stand there and wait as the other vamps sit there and stare at us. My adrenaline starts pumping as I become covered in a cold sweat.

  My last encounter with a group of Vampires was not so pleasant and it’s something I don’t want to re-live. Standing here with these vamps scrutinizing us, it’s becoming very hard not to remember those times and feel the pressure of it possibly happening again.

  Felton finally emerges from behind the closed doors, “Lord Aldrick will see you now.”

  My legs manage to carry me, although a little shaky, through the doors. I’m sure the Vampires around me can tell but I just keep going. We step through the door and instantly I am on full alert. There are probably thirty Vampires inside this room. The room is big but with number of Vampires lingering throughout its space, it feels more like a shoe box.

  The room itself is beautiful with a big dome ceiling covered in beautiful art. The grand pillars give it an imposing royal feel. A mermaid fountain sits on top of a rock boulder in the center of the room. Streams of water spray up behind the mermaids back making her look like she has water wings. Pretty snazzy.

  Amongst all these Vampires, there is no way to mistake Aldrick. He may look like all the other vamps in the room but he holds an authority none of the others have. He also shows his fangs when the others do not. He’s also sitting on an actual throne, on a raised dais.

  Back down on our level there are five ornate chairs to his left and right. Each chair holds a Vampire wearing a white robe. I don’t know if this is some kind of council or just an entourage.

  I take in my surroundings more thoroughly. Wanting to know where each Vampire is. There are four leaning against a wall to my right, six to my left. Felton and Alton stand in front of Danika and me. Two more guard the door behind us, which I do not like, and two women sit on the steps of Aldrick’s throne.

  “My Lord, this is Racquel and Danika,” Felton says with a bow.

  “Lord Aldrick,” Danika says and then bows as well.

  This is absolutely ridiculous. But no matter how ridiculous I may think it is, I better play along or else I may be fighting to my death.

  “Lord Aldrick,” I fight every muscle in my body, commanding them to bow.

  “Thank you Felton, Alton that will be all.” With that, the two vamps leave the room. I guess they were some type of bell boys that no longer are needed for services.

  “Ah Racquel, I have heard so much about you. I hear that you can endure a lot of pain.” Aldrick says glancing around the room to all the other Vampires with a smirk on his face that I would love to erase.

  “Yes, Lord Aldrick, you hear correctly.” I say knowing of the time he is referring to. “But that is not the reason we are here.” I try keeping the anger and venom out of my voice, not wanting to let him know that he is already getting to me.

  Then Aldrick turns his attention back to Danika and me. “So tell me, why do you seek an audience with me?”

  Danika gives me an encouraging nod and then I take a step forward. “Lord Aldrick, we are here seeking any information that you may have of those that are missing from your clan.”

  “What information do you seek? They are missing. We do not know why. What other information do you think I have?”

  “Well, Sir, I mean….Lord Aldrick-”

  “It seems to me, child that you are here for no good reason. For there is no other information I uphold other than the fact that we have five missing. If I was to know anything else I would act upon it. Which, I might add, seems insulting of you to think otherwise? Do you not think I would act upon saving my people if I knew where they may be?”

  “I meant no disrespect Lord Aldrick. I was just hoping that you had found something
since the first disappearance took place.” I say.

  “Hoping?” Aldrick’s smile is menacing and mocking. “We all hope for a lot of things in life. Hope seems to get us nowhere. We must act not hope on things we want to happen. Do you think I obtained this throne by hoping? No. I acted upon my desire and took what I wanted.”

  “That’s exactly what we are doing, acting. If I was not acting upon what I want, then I would not be seeking an audience with you. Instead I would be sitting in a room with my head in my hands hoping those who are lost are found. But that is not what I am doing.” My voice is strong and unwavering, although I’m quivering on the inside. I doubt there have been many that stood up to Aldrick and lived to tell about it.

  “Well your search here is futile. I know nothing for sure, only my speculations.”

  “What is it you speculate, my Lord?” Danika asks.

  Aldrick turns his full attention on her. “I speculate that those who are missing have been taken by the Lycans.”

  Aldrick has no doubt about this fact, although I know he has no real evidence either. “What led you to that speculation?” I ask.

  Danika places her hand on my arm and squeezes really hard. Is she trying to warn me? Have I crossed a line? If I’ve crossed a line, a little squeeze would have been nice beforehand.

  Aldrick rises from his perch, “You dare question me?”

  Ah, crossed a line I see. “No, Lord Aldrick, I was just curious as to what the Lycans have done to bring you to that conclusion.” Danika lets go of my arm, her fingers leaving white impressions on my arm.

  Aldrick takes his seat once more and I notice a few Vampires relaxing back against the wall. I guess my answer appeased him.

  “Those creatures are vile and uncontrolled. You cannot trust a Lycan for they do not have the control of a normal being but rather that of an animal. They have been seeking power for many years and this seems the best option they have, taking out each of the Shadows bit by bit.”

  I am biting my tongue so hard I can taste blood. This guy is absolutely insane. Oh how I wish I could tell him so. Is he honestly saying that all other Shadows, including Vampires, are trustworthy and Lycans aren’t? I would consider what the Vampires do against humanity vile and animalistic.

  Holding my tongue the best I can, I approach Aldrick and his theory cautiously. “Why would the Lycans kidnap their own kind? That seems to mess up their statement.”

  Crap I forgot to say Lord Aldrick. Is that something you have to say every time you address him? Hopefully not and if so I’m hoping he didn’t notice.

  “They could be doing that to keep up appearances.” Aldrick says, gripping the arms of his throne as he sharpens his cold eyes on me.

  “But Lord Aldrick, why would they put out the effort to help look for the missing Lycans?” I ask, hoping it doesn’t upset him again. If I keep asking questions, he might start accusing me of questioning him again. Then it could be off with my head. Well, at least they could try. I’m not going down without a fight.

  “Again, appearances. If they did not act to find their missing and came along as uncaring, speculations would arise.” Well with that logic Aldrick just moved himself up as my number one suspect. He doesn’t seem the least bit concerned about his missing Vampires. “I do not need their horrible acting skills to speculate. Once I find one ounce of evidence pointing in their direction, I will act.” Aldrick’s voice holds the malice and venom he feels toward the Lycans. “And how do we know if they really have any missing? They could be hiding in a luxurious resort somewhere.”

  “Yeah, but-” Danika squeezes my arm again so tight I’m sure she has broken the skin. But I get the message. So I move on and keep my tongue in check.

  “Well, we would like to help you determine if in fact it is or is not the Lycans who have taken your kind and those of the other Shadows. Do you by chance, Lord Aldrick, know the locations of where the missing where when they were taken?”

  “That is not information that I keep track of. You may speak with Lynna on your way out. Is there anything else I can address for you?”

  “No, my Lord, that is all.” I turn to leave but once again Danika almost breaks my arm. I turn back toward Aldrick, who is now descending his throne.

  Up close he is absolutely terrifying. When he was on his pedestal, he looked just like any other thirty year old man, minus the fangs. Now, you can feel his power, see his menace, and know he is not to be taken lightly.

  His long blond hair is pulled back like so many of the others in the room must be a fashion trend among their kind. He has on a black suit with a red silk tie.

  When he looks at me, I can tell he’s vicious and deadly. Instead of the pure black like other Vampires, Aldricks are blood red. His eyes spare no room for explanation as they glow with his raw power.

  “I, my dear, am not through with your company. I am merely curious about you and your abilities.” Aldrick says as he places his hand on my shoulder.

  I shiver involuntarily at his touch. “I’m not here for myself, Lord Aldrick, and would prefer to have this conversation at another time if we could.” I try keeping my voice in control, not wanting to show the fear and anger I have boiling under the surface. My body is fighting me to remove his hand from my shoulder. His touch feels like it’s sizzling through my shirt.

  “Yes, maybe another time. And I promise you that time will be soon. Someone like you could be of a great asset to someone of power like me.” Aldrick slowly removes his hand from my shoulder, running it down the length of my arm to touch my hand. His skin is cold as ice.

  “Thank you, Lord Aldrick. I will be looking forward to another visit.” Yeah effing right, I don’t plan to ever visit this place again. Not in this lifetime or any other.

  “You may go,” Aldrick slips his hand from mine and returns to his overelaborate seat. I’m more than ready and willing to leave now. I don’t run because a predator’s natural instinct is to attack those that are afraid and running. I simply walk really fast, keep my gaze on the exit, and watch my surroundings out of my peripheral vision.

  Back in the lobby, the Vampire numbers have dwindled. There are only three now: Felton, Alton, and a female Vampire behind a desk. I’m about to ask where we could find Lynna but Danika beats me to it. Apparently she is just as eager as I am to get out of here.

  “Where can we find Lynna?” Danika asks both Felton and Alton. Neither one respond, since it appears that the woman sitting behind the desk is in fact Lynna.

  “How can I help you sweetie?” Well, she seems a lot nicer than the rest of the jerks.

  “Lord Aldrick said we could get information from you that he was unsure about. We needed the locations of where the missing Vampires were taken.” I keep looking over my shoulder to the closed doors as I address Lynna. I cannot shake the eerie feeling I got inside that room.

  Without any questions about why, she gets out a map from a drawer in her desk. It appears to be a copy of a world map.

  “Each location is marked by an x with the missing Vampires name beside it. Will this do?” Lynna asks.

  “Are you kidding? This is great! Thank you.” I could only wish this from the other Shadow groups. Yet again at least the Elders of the Coven knew the information by heart, where Lord Aldrick didn’t, nor did he care to.

  We turn to leave but Lynna has more to say, “Would you like the information on the humans as well?”

  “Humans?”

  “Yes, I have a map of their locations and their names as well,” Lynna says as she sets another folder before us.

  “How do you know they are related to this particular situation?” I ask. Humans go missing every day. There are so many accidents, killings, and abductions among themselves; it is often hard to connect them to our own world.

  Lynna intertwines her fingers and rests her chin on them. “They were servants of Vampires.”

  I guess that could be a huge clue. Humans who are under servitude of Vampires don’t go missing without the Vam
pires knowing why. When a human does escape or get captured by another Vampire, it doesn’t take long before they’re found by the Vampire looking for them. “Why did Aldrick, I mean Lord Aldrick, not say anything?”

  “These matters are not of his worry. Humans are so delicate and replaceable to him. It’s the host Vampires that care.” Lynna tries to sound detached like the others but I can hear the disdain and worry in her voice too. It may be faint but it’s there.

  “Then why concern yourself?” Lynna cuts her eyes up at me, taking my question as an insult rather than just a curious question.

  Danika quickly steps up, grabbing the folder on the desk. “Thank you so much for this. I’m sure it will come in handy.”

  Lynna looks from me to Danika, changing her facial expression to a softer more appreciative one. “You’re welcome.”

  Fulton and Alton gesture for us to follow them. We’re almost out of the lobby when I turn back to Lynna. “One more thing, does Lord Aldrick know you have investigated the human locations as you did the Vampires?”

  Lynna never answers me. She turns back to her computer with her back facing me. But without seeing her face somehow I know the answer to that and more. I knew that even though she feared Aldrick, knowing if he found out that he would sentence her to death, she didn’t care. Her life was not going to be ruled by him and his hate. I saw that she had supporters behind her and planned bringing true justice to the Vampire community, real change.

  Danika gasp and grabs my wrist, her eyes big as silver dollars. “Did you just have a premonition?”

  “A what?” We are eagerly whispering back and forth, although I don’t know what good it’s doing us. These bats can hear anything.

  “A vision, the future, someone’s life, etc., did this happen to you?”

  She’s leaning in real close and I can hear her heart racing. Surely my premonition wouldn’t invoke such a reaction from her but apparently it has. I know that’s what I just experienced, a premonition. I saw and felt Lynna’s plans for the future and how she feels about Aldrick.