Eternal

As I saw the two, I was cemented in my tracks. Al’Wy’En looked up at me curiously, rubbing against my side as he sensed my fear. I tightened my hold on the cold void of fur.

“What’s wrong-oh.” Austin looked up. My breath caught again. Was Alex ready to finish me off? Could Austin stop him before I was torn limb from limb? These questions sat heavily in my mind as Austin pushed me forward. As tempted as I was to run away, I couldn’t risk on angering any beast or vampire.

“Come on, I’ll be right here with you.” He murmured to me. His voice was laden with soft coos of encouragement. Step by step, we made our way into the main hall.

Lynn’s list of rules went out the door. I couldn’t remember a single rule. The fight or flight reaction to me to fly…out the window. Anything to do, I would do to escape. That’s all that was coursing through my system.

“Hey, she’s up!” The ginger vampire smiled. Jack, Alex, and Ghost were seated around a table. I would assume Chris and Balz would be around here somewhere.

Alan approached us. I shied back, but Austin’s hand stopped me from retreating too far. I looked down nervously at the floor. Al’Wy’En stood still beside me, as if waiting a command from a Master.

“Say, have you taken her to the library?” Alan asked Austin. I stared at my feet, still aching from the breaks that were quickly healing. As long as I was concentrating on something other than the other dangerous creatures in the room, I might be able to stay still and not anger anyone.

“No, I haven’t, but I will in a little while.” Austin smiled. The ginger nodded and looked at something behind my shoulder. I focused my attention on the cracks in the stones under his feet.

“So this is our newest addition?” A voice purred behind me. Austin and Alan went off to the side and I was given no command on what to do. Before I could follow my Masters, a hand ran down the back of my hair, just a soft caress. I bit back a yelp.

Chris went through the front of my vision and I anxiously looked around for further assistance in case things got bad.

I mean, didn’t Misty tell me he kind of was a pervert?

“Hello, Jynx. I trust you’re well?” Chris’ smooth voice murmured to me. I barely flickered to look him in the eyes before quickly bobbing my head, scared out of my wits.

“Yes, s-sir.” I stuttered.

Soon enough I found hips grinding up from behind me. I yelped, not out of pain, but out of the awkwardness of it, and shot forward.

“Balz, stop grinding against the fresh blood.” Chris sighed. Austin rushed to my side, putting an arm around my shoulders and glaring at Balz. The vampire just chuckled and raised an eyebrow.

“Fine, Chris.” He laughed flipped my hair playfully before walking off. Alan shook his head in dismay.

“That boy is seriously going to tick someone off at some point.” The ginger responded. Chris chuckled.

“Hey, he was only turned twenty years ago.” Chris held up his hands in surrender. Austin’s eyes softened from their fierce glow.

“Sorry about that. Balz is a little…”

“Perverted?”

“Exactly.” I nodded a little. Al’Wy’En had growled as Balz left, as if he was trying to protect me from him. His back arched as the man walked away and then the night hound relaxed. I stroked his fur reassuringly.

“Al’Wy’En, fetch Uu’ji’ru. Bring her here.” Austin commanded. Al’Wy’En’s eyes glowed brighter and reluctantly left my side. I watched as the benevolent hound loped out of the grand hall and paced up some stairs and out of my sight.

The room was large, that was for sure. Austin led me across the old tiles until we came to the table where Ghost, Alex, and Jack were sitting. He gestured for me to sit between him and Ghost. I kept my eyes towards the table.

“Hey, Jynx.” Jack smiled to me. I gave him a weak grin back.

“Hello, Master Barakat.” I caught myself as I almost used his first name.

Can’t screw up now, can’t screw up now…

“Chess?” Ghost offered. He and Alex had just finished up a game and I was now given a chance at Alex’s open spot. It looked as if Ghost had just beaten out the other vampire.

“Sure.” I shrugged, still keeping my glance away from Alex.

At least it had been me and not Annabelle.

I felt Austin watch over me as I reset my pieces and cautiously watched Ghost’s hands move a pawn. His hands rubbed my back absent mindedly. He gently rubbed my warm back like I would pet Al’Wy’En.

“Your move.” Ghost softly reminded me. Catching me blanking for a moment, I quickly move my knight pawn. Of course, he knocked it out in the next move.

“How have the Witcher’s been?” Alex asked quietly. Austin shrugged.

“Same. I’m thinking we’ll be putting Alan on guard next week, right after the full moon feast.” The tattooed man shrugged. I glanced to Alex’s hands folded hands and shivered a little. There was a rose inked on the back of one of his hands.

Beautiful, and thorny.

I’m sure if Balz was here, he would say beautiful and horny.

With a small mental sigh, I moved my rook a few spaces and over took Ghost’s knight.

“Do we even want a full moon feast with all the trouble around?” Jack asked. Austin shrugged.

“Yes, let’s do it. The Witchers should be moving south for that. I think that’s what Chris predicted.” Alex added. My curiosity was peaked at the sound of a feast, considering we got minimal food in the cells, but I knew better than to ask.

“Mmm….” Jack rumbled, eyes closed in pleasure.

“Who’s going out this month?” Ghost asked softly, his eyes squinted and trained on my queen. I believe I was winning so far.

“It is Ghost and Balz’s turn next time.” Alex asked, peeking over to Jack. Ghost perked up at the mention of his name. I guess he was excited for this.

“Well, aren’t you happy.” Alan rolled his eyes with a smile.

Al’Wy’En returned to Austin’s side with another slightly smaller night hound. Austin patted Al’Wy’En’s head and whispered something to the other night hound. She bobbed her head and slowly walked off. Al’Wy’En sat by my side, head on my legs. I stroked the black muzzle and kept moving my pawn.

All the while, I cautiously watched Alex out of the corner of my eye.

Notes

Hello again, wolves! So I'm sorry I hadn't updated in a little while. Life got a little busy. I hope you enjoy this new chapter. We get to know Balz a little more...personally and we get a little introduction to the basic life in the castle.

Keep reading and I'll try to post in the next few days.