Chapter 31: To Kill a Pureblood

The orchestra grew louder in an unintentional attempt to bring annoyance to Ezra. He swirled the unempty chalice as he continued to pretend to engage in conversation with the pathetic lot of vampires. He took pity on them and their unsatisfied lives.

But then again, Ezra felt unsatisfaction for hundreds of years. He traveled most of this side of the world, killing and torturing as he pleased. Suppose he inherited that trait from his mother.

"Your Grace, what do you think?" A young male vampire questioned the prince, but Ezra had genuinely tuned out.

"I beg your pardon?" Ezra replied slyly.

Astrid let out a disturbingly subtle chuckle and put her round hand over his.

"I suppose the blood has an extra pint of elixir this evening, poor prince." She giggled once more which guided the other vampires to play along.

Ezra lowered his head and smiled at the crowd, "My apologies. Please excuse me." He placed the chalice on a nearby serving dish and abandoned the group with Astrid in tow.

"Don't be so hurt, dear. It was only a joke." She continued to giggle softly but Ezra stood over her with a glare.

"You're in luck that I am not in a terrible mood. Don't ever touch me in public again, Astrid."

His eyes were stern and cold. As if he could care less about the woman. He wanted to be rid of her.

Astrid tilted her head as she played coy, knowing exactly what her plans were to execute.

"I presume your disposition is not because of me. I wonder from whom then?" She narrowed her thin brows and gave Ezra a smile before she curtsied to walk away.

Ezra disregarded her actions as she was practically an unwanted mistress. His mind traveled elsewhere, more interest in what his pet was doing. Having to leave her once more by herself caused him more tumult than he could imagine.

However, the incredibly intimate encounter within his confidential garden encouraged him that the difficulties would cease soon.

Ezra attempted to make his way over to the corridor where he left her, but she wasn't there..again.

A boiling sensation engulfed Ezra into frustration as his ball room shoes squealed when he swiftly turned around to search for her.

"This pet will propel me into insanity." He murmured.

His eyes fell on to Dawn who was speaking with Demitri. The two have been inseparable since Dawn arrived at the ball. Her straight blond hair mesmerized the drunken Demitri.

"Have either of you seen my pet? She was within the corridor."

Demitri burst into laughter, "You lost her again cousin?"

Dawn lightly tapped Demitri on the arm to keep him quiet. "No, your Majesty. Perhaps you should look down the hallways again?"

Ezra quickly left the pair before Dawn finished her sentence.

"Katerina.." Ezra spoke through gritted teeth, feeling the anger rise within him. This entire castle is filled with hundreds of vampires. All of which could easily take out his dear flower. The thought of anyone thinking of even looking her way sent him into a rage of killing.

He began to feel a flood of worry overcome him, mimicking symptoms of an anxiety attack.

His breathing quickened and he placed his hand on the brick wall to steady himself.

"What is this ridiculous emotion.." His words trailed off as he felt a pulse coming from the wall. Ezra perked his head up in confusion, but his thoughts focused on it.

Human, he thought. The thumping quickened and the lingering feeling began to overwhelm him once more.

"Katerina.." He ran his fingers over the rock, searching for a quieter area to listen. The thumping got louder and Ezra let go of the wall and utilized the abilities to hear on an inhuman level. His crimson eyes closed, listening intently.

"There." His eyes shot open and his body carried him to the origination of the heartbeat..no..two?

The beating led him to a door, essentially a cleaning closet with whom he heard the softest sound of whimpering that instantly forced him to act.

Ezra used his unearthly strength and sprung through the locked door, and locking his eyes on the scene in front of him.

His poor crying Katerina held like a valueless dog by the one tyrant he has an inconvenience with.

Ezra furrowed his brows as he took one more glance at her before speeding across the room to wrangle Alessandro around the throat.

His hand tightened the grip as he slammed the man up against the wall.

"You will die, Alessandro."