Pine and Apples

My stomach grumbled at the smell of freshly baked cookies.

What do these vampires do with so much human food?.

I almost smacked my head at the foolish thought. Ofcourse their slaves have to feed!.

Why did I not end up with one of the kind ones?. Is my luck really that bad?.

"Isla!" I flinched on hearing my name. What have I done this time?. Well, it didn't really matter if I did or not, she always had a reason to punish me.

"Isla!!" I heard her call again. I jumped to my feet though I felt the urge to curl until I disappeared.

"Mistress?" I called as I found my way in.

"Outside, you idiot!" She snapped. I'm sure I would have appreciated the information a bit earlier.

I quickly found my way out. She stuffed something into my hand.

"Well that is a list of things I need for the house. I need you to get them for me" She said. Me?!.

" But I can't....."

"I really do not care. Get into the market, the stores, wherever you like, I just need those items as soon as possible" She interrupted.

I bit m lip to keep my complains away.

She stuffed a bag into my hands.

"Thirty pieces of gold. Spend them wisely or you'd be forced to pay with your blood. I really don't care as long as you bring everything back".

I knew she wasn't kidding. She couldn't care less what happened to me as long as her items were safe.

"Yes mistress" I bowed and turned away, holding both the list and money tightly. I kept walking even when I couldn't tell which direction I was headed.

I bumped into someone.

"I'm sorry.... I didn't see you there..." I apologized, backing away incase the person got furious. I had been hit enough times today already. I didn't wish to get another from a stranger.

"Isla?" A familiar voice called. I tried to recall where I heard it.

" Where are you gonna? Oh I see... What did Martha send you this time? " He said distastefully.

It suddenly made sense. He's the man who fought for my sake the other day. The reason I'm still alive, unfortunately.

"T-Thank you sir.. for last time..."

"We will discuss that later. Where are you going?" He asked instead. I stretched the list to him and he took it.

"A dozen of plates, three cutlery sets, seven bowls.... Did she really give you this? " He asked in disbelief.

Well obviously I didn't write it myself. I nodded and he sighed.

"I'm not busy and I obviously can't leave you out here on your own. It's dangerous. Come, I'll take you" He offered.

" R-Really? " I asked skeptically.

He didn't reply. Instead, he took my hand and led me somewhere.

"My name's Zion, by the way. Martha's fiance" He introduced himself.

" Oh!" I mumbled, suddenly aware of his cold hands in mine. Mistress will definitely be furious if she sees this.

I tried to snatch my hand from his but he held it firmly.

"Did you feel a bite?" He asked.

"Huh?".

"Relax. I don't plan to hurt you, Isla. If I did, your hand would be least attractive place to start with" He teased and I smiled.

" S-Sorry sir".

We must have gotten too a store because he let go of my hand to talk to someone about the things on the list.

"Don't wander far, I'll be right back" He told me. I wanted to go with him but I nodded instead. I didn't want to trouble him anymore.

As I stood, a lot of people shoved pass me so I knew I had to move. I felt my way around until I got to some sort of staircase.

Where does it lead to?. A faint scent of pine and apples hit me. I love apples, I thought with a pout.

My insides warned me off but I ignored it. I climbed the stairs until there was nothing more to climb.

I dragged my feet slowly as I walked, afraid of what I couldn't see. I kept going until I felt the cold wind hit my face.

The scent was stronger now and refreshing. I giggled, feeling a lot more confident.

I increased my pace as I walked until I hit my foot against a step and winced. I climbed the step.

"Is that you trying to fall in love?" I heard suddenly and flinched, missing my footing in the process.

I fell off with a scream. A cold hand grabbed mine, pulling me back up. I crashed into a hard body and the smell of pine and apples hit me.

It was him all along?. It felt strangely, comforting.

"When next you plan to die, use a knife. It's easier" The cold whisper sent shivers down my spine. I was almost sure every hair on my skin stood as his cold breath brushed my neck.

Then he vanished.

It was almost like he was never there. No footsteps. No wind. Nothing.

Just me and his fading scent. I suddenly felt cold and alone.

"Isla! Fuck, how the hell did you get to the roof?!" I heard sir Zion's panicked voice.

The roof?.

"Brother, where have you been?" King Kucs asked the moment he spotted the dark figure on the chair, flipping a penknife.

In a flash, the knife flew towards him and he caught it at the tip of his finger.

"A little more patience and you would have gotten the answer to your question". The calmness the rich deep voice portrayed was just as terrifying as the power behind them.

Luca regained his cook, trying to seem unfazed. This man was his brother! He had no reason to be terrified!

He threw back the knife but the man made no effort to catch it. It met him right in the arm and Luca blinked rapidly.

He easily pulled it out and stared at the trickling blood.

"Why didn't you catch it?" Luca blurted. The man's gaze didn't shift from the blood.

"You were hoping to hit me so I let you".

King Jordan Luca had known this man for almost twelve centuries. This man who was supposed to rule Eden with him. This man who showed up when Eden was raging wars or fighting hunter raids.

Twelve centuries and he was yet to understand him. Yet to unravel the mysteries around him.

Even when this man was never seen in meetings or ceremonies, he had gathered more respect than Luca could ever.

Even when this brother of his remained in the shadows, Eden had always put Luca in his brother's shadow.

This half-human brother of his. The man who was treated like a god even in his absence. Jared King.