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The Dark Rose ༺1༻
Silence. Silence surrounds me like a thick blanket, blocking me from the outside world as I lay back on the couch, my head resting comfortably on the armrest, my legs draped over the other one. My eyes scan the book I'm reading with fascination and excitement. I rush through the flurry of words as I turn to the next page, eager to know what happens next. The library is the only place I can find quiet freedom away from my hectic home life. In other words, it gave me a break from my brothers. This place is like an escape from the constant worry and protectiveness my three brothers possess. I feel like I've been reading for an hour when in reality, it's been a lot longer. I finally lift my head from the book to notice it is dark out and it's raining. Rain taps the glass as it falls from the night sky. "Excuse me, miss." My eyes focus on the old librarian. Her grey hair is over one shoulder, her brown eyes warm as she says, "I'm sorry, but we're closing now."
The Dark Rose ༺2༻
I absentmindedly tapped on the glass of the passenger side door. My thoughts swirled into a vortex, my mind raging with all the possible scenarios that this day could lead to. Paul had kept assuring me that I didn't have to go if I didn't want to, but I needed to. It was the only distraction I had at this point. It had been a month since I was attacked. The mark that he had left on my neck had healed within a few days as I had expected. It was a weight lifted off my shoulders, no more evidence to prove that that night did in fact, take place, even if my memories were still reminding me. For the past month, I have had to abide by some strict rules put in place by my brothers; One. I wasn't to go between places without being dropped off or picked up. Two. I had to carry a spare phone with me at all times in case one died. And three. I had to ring them every two to three hours and Inform them of where I was. All rules I had managed to follow all month s
The Dark Rose ༺3༻
Ivan closed the door behind me once we were indoors. The house seemed empty so Paul and Felix must have been at work. Usually, that meant I’d be cooking dinner tonight but Ivan surprised me when he passed me in the hallway and said, “You relax, okay? I’ll cook dinner tonight.” I wasn’t surprised because Ivan couldn’t cook. He was actually a great cook. I was surprised because the last time he cooked me anything it was to cheer me up from a nasty breakup. That meant he was offering because he knew I’d need to be cheered up today. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “Ivan, is there something I need to know?” My brothers rarely kept anything from me. I’d like to think that we were honest with each other about anything even if it meant hurting someone’s feelings. It was always Paul who taught us that honesty was the best policy no matter what. Ivan doesn’t look at me as he walks into the kitchen so I follow him. He opens one of our grey kitchen cupboards and pulls out some spaghetti
The Dark Rose ༺4༻
My hands grip the edge of the ship tightly as the floor beneath my feet sways with the motion of the sea. The movement makes me feel queasy because I’m not used to it. I’d never even been on a boat before but Paul said the ship was the only form of travel we could use to get to these islands. Planes attracted too much human attention and I suppose an island full of vampires wouldn’t like that. The English coast was a speck in the distance now, reminding me how far I was from home. Already I missed my bed, our comfy sofas and the library that made all my problems disappear. We’d only left this morning and already I was dying to go back home. I hope this trip doesn’t last longer than a few days. Ivan, Paul and Felix are below deck now that the sun's rising. It's funny to think how I'd never realised their strange quirks were because they were vampires until now. Like the way, they'd wear those ridiculous sunglasses even in winter. Or how they'd layer up even if it was heatwave seaso
The Dark Rose ༺5༻
I drew in a sharp breath as I exited the car, my hills sinking slightly into the gravel of the driveway. My head lifted to take in the enormous estate in front of me. I had never seen a building this extravagant before and it was buried in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but fields and woods for miles. "The Traian brothers are here, sir." I look down and see a tall muscular guard speaking on the radio, alerting someone that we've arrived. The guard gives me a once over when he catches me staring and I immediately drop my gaze, remembering the rules. Ivan and Felix come to my side and let Paul take the lead. Paul shakes the security guard's hand only because it's polite but I can see how tense his back is. "Is King Matthias and the council ready for our arrival?" "Yes," The guard answers. Taking his hand back from Paul to make a come here gesture. Instantly, more guards come out of nowhere, surrounding us. I step closer to my brothers, very aware that I'm now trapped.
The Dark Rose ༺6༻
Despite my quiet protests— Quiet because I'm scared shitless of King Matthias and his high council If I put up too much of a fight— I'm separated from my brothers and surrounded by guards that escort me to the eastern side of the estate where I'm to be locked away until my fate is decided. I feel like this is all just a really bad dream and any minute I'm going to wake up but it just doesn't happen. No matter how much I pinch the inside of my arm. The head of the guards stops outside a door on the second level of the eastern wing and turns to me with a blank face. I know his name is Michael now. It's what King Matthias called him when he demanded he attends the high council room. "Inside are your rooms," He informs me, getting to the point. His face subtly warns me to walk inside and let that be it so I do. I walk past him with my gaze to the marble floor and open the door to my prison for the next few days. As I enter the suite, I'm struck by its breathtaking beauty. I close th
The Dark Rose ༺7༻
It has been three days since I was imprisoned in the Eastern suite and I have no idea if the council have come any closer to a decision. I haven’t seen my brothers once and that snide vampire Richard hasn’t visited me again to my relief. The only vampire who dares shows his face is Michael. Without a word, he comes into my rooms without even asking if I’m decent just to place meals on my dining table and take whatever leftovers I have left from my previous meal. The food is surprisingly good, considering I thought vampires only consumed blood. Michael only leaves and goes and he hates small talk. Every time I ask him a question, he growls at me to stay quiet. Here, I have no rights, no freedom. My fate is down to what the King and his council decide and that terrifies me. Just like that they could have me killed just for existing. I sit on my four poster bed, looking out the window. The view is beautiful from here and you can see the sun disappearing behind the trees in the distanc
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