Chapter 4: A Stroll

"Did the young Prince Ezra miss his dear cousin?" A hint of humor was in his voice as he stepped into the large area.

"Don't be so egotistical, Demetri." Ezra smiles and welcomed the vampire with a handshake. Demetri was just a mesmerizing as his cousin Ezra. Red eyes and almost white hair. He was the son of the Kings sister and rather close to Ezra. He couldn't stand most people in the castle but Demetri was tolerable.

Ezra places his hands back into his pockets. "How was your trip to Mobley?" He asked and Demetri responded with a dull look.

"Boring as usual. Nothing there is adventurous or novel. It's very bland and unsatisfying." Giving his cousin a sour look, Ezra chuckled.

"Nothing as bland as here. My mother and sisters are lunatics." He continued, "There will be a gathering here at the castle three days from now."

Demetri nodded, "What for this time?" He asked.

"A party in celebration of Duke Alessandro and my fathers peace." This made Demetri cackle.

"That would be a site i cannot refuse to see." He grinned and turned towards the door. "You know..I heard a rumor."

Ezra rolled his deep red eyes, "You shouldn't meddle in rumors Demetri."

Ignoring him, he gestured to the horseman to bring his carriage around. "This is a delicious rumor. I've heard that the shop keeper Manuel has a prized possession." Ezra rolled his eyes again.

Manuel, he thought. What a cowardless waste of a life. "Prize, hm?" Ezra knew Demetri meant the pets that Manuel raised for sale. There were many shop keepers in the Kingdom of Caine, but Manuel had been losing buyers as well as money.

"It would be a nice collection for your dungeon.." Demetri led on, attempting to entice him. "Maybe you won't eat this one.." he chuckled.

"It wasn't my fault that the wench wouldn't listen." Ezra bluntly said. "It has been hundreds of years since I've owned a pet."

"The one he is showcasing is suppose to be sweet and supple. Untainted and a virgin." Demetri licked his lips. "At least join me on my ride into the village?"

Ezra thought for a moment, unsure of the idea about another pet. "Fine. I need to get away from this castle anyways." He followed Demetri into the carriage.

Once they reached the village, the two vampires stepped out of the carriage. It was a large market village with shops lined up on either side of the dirt path. Guardsmen stood close by and followed them as they walk which made others in the village bow once seen.

Demetri led the way by first getting two chalices of blood from the pub. "I enjoy blood from the barrel. It's churned so nicely." He sipped it slowly to savor the taste. Ezra gulped the chalice empty in one moment before Demetri could take his first sip.

"Should I be worried dear cousin?" Raising his brows but Ezra ignored him. "Fine. Let's visit our friend Manuel shall we." Demetri stood in front of a shop. It was a fairly decent sized stone building with a glass window display with nothing in it. Before they could open the door, Manuel took the liberty to open it himself for the royal family.

"Your grace. It is a lovely surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked.

Demetri steppes inside with Ezra following. "Why else would we be here?" He hissed. "I was informed you had a gem. May we see?" He pressed.

The old man began to quiver and shook his head. "She is not ready yet your majesty. I suggest coming ba-" Before the man could finish, Ezra swiftly gripped his neck and lifted him from the floor.

"That is not what we asked, Manuel." Ezra hated this man. He hated him as much as he hated humans and half breed vampires. Manuel was a con artist at best and a desperate dog.

Manuel gasped for air and nodded his head quickly. "F-Fine..she's in the g-glass case in the corner of the shop." Ezra dropped the man to the floor while Demetri clapped his hands loudly. "Oh how I adore this side of Ezra. Well done cousin!"

Demetri excitedly went into the direction with Ezra following. The shelves of the shop were lined with pets. Small to large sized cages all filled with different types of humans. There were old, young and even children in cages. They were all different shapes and sizes and all very dull and undesirable to Ezra that he didn't even bother to glance at any of them. Each one was shivering and avoided eye contact with the vampires.

"There she is!" Demetri jumped with glee but Ezra didn't even take a look at her. "She's perfect. Ezra do look at her."

Ezra sighed, annoyed. He rustled his frost colored hair before lifting his head to look up. His crimson eyes met her and for a second, his cold heart stopped.