Chapter Twenty (Dragan)

For some strange reason, I could not speak. Something about this woman was not right. It was like she was darkness itself. She repeated herself. This time I managed to speak.

"Yes, that is my name."

"Good. Now, Dragan, do you know why her name was Nuri?"

"No."

"It means gypsy. I named her that because the moment I looked in her eyes after giving birth they pulled me into a trance. Like she put a spell on me."

"You are her mother?"

"Indeed I am and because of you she is dead."

"I know and I did not mean for it to happen."

"None the less I do appreciate you burying her. Lillies were her favorite but I guess you knew that."

"It was the least I can do."

"That's all. Do you not wish to get revenge on the person who did this to her or is it because you can't and that is why this is the least you can do?"

I say nothing. In a blink of an eye, this woman was holding me by my neck lifting off the ground. Her eyes resembled the moon and on the corner of her lips was tinged with blood.

"Tell me why I should not kill you?"

"I cannot. I want you to kill me. Rid me from this horror."

This is what Nuri warned me of. This woman was the demon disguised in human flesh. She went to take a bite out of my neck but stopped before the skin broke. She burst out in laughter after dropping me.

"Even in death, she manages to find a way to leave her mark." I stare at her confused. "The necklace you are wearing is enchanted. I cannot do any harm to you as long as you wear it."

She continues to laugh. After getting her composure, she looks over to me. I remove the necklace.

"Is that better?"

"Much." She jumped on me digging her teeth into my neck. The pain hit me on impact. We fall to the ground I feel the life drain from my body. "I have a better idea than death." I began to feel warm liquid flowing into my mouth. The metallic taste hit my taste buds instantly. It was blood. I tried to remove her arm but she held my head.

"What are doing?" I forced out.

"Giving you your punishment. I am giving you something much more than death but eternal life itself. To become one with darkness, feeding off of the living."

Moments later I began to feel my body breakdown. It was as if I was being ripped apart from the inside out. I refused to scream out in agony. She just sat there and watched me go through my transformation. I blacked out in the middle of it. I woke when it was complete with the insatiable need to feed. My throat felt as if it was on fire.

"Well, that is done. Dragan, I release you. I Rashida end my sire bond from you." I felt like a chain that pulled me to this woman was cut loose. "Enjoy your new life Dragan and don't come looking for me. I have no intention of helping you in any way."

She was gone like the wind. I knew that I would never see her again. I picked up the necklace. I needed to feed. The pain in my throat was excruciating. I went back to the castle knowing exactly what I had to do.

"Sire are you ok?" One of the guards asked. I could not help myself he smelled good. I attacked him, feasting upon his flesh. People began to panic and run. I did not care. This new power, this new strength I could not control myself. Anyone I came in contact with I murdered in cold blood until the only person left in the castle was her, my mother. I found her hiding in her wardrobe. I pulled her out and dragged her to the throne room.

"Dragan please stop," she begged.

"Are you shitting me? You are going to beg for your life after everything you have done?"

"The girl was no good for you. I was just looking out for you. I only wanted what was best for my son."

I picked her up from the floor and hugged her.

"See everything will be fine. I love you Dragan and you love me"

I whispered in her ear "Love is for the weak." I grabbed her hair and pulled her head back exposing her neck. Taking a large chunk, blood spraying in my face. Watching her body fall to the ground as she choked on her blood. I walk over to my throne, taking my seat. Staring off into nowhere drenched in blood. This well-built kingdom I fought so hard for eventually met its downfall by my own hands. The hands of a monster. There was no saving me. So instead of running from who and what I am. It was time to embrace the monster I was meant to be.