Vein

[Catherine's POV]

I didn't know where I was going, nor did I plan to stop moving to try to guess the direction towards the human territory.

All I could think of was to get out of here, away from Charles.

I didn't think of it before, but the betrayal and pain were enough to fuel my guts to run away with Benjamin and my father. Maybe with my power, I could protect them both.

Regarding Trinity and her blood potion . . . I'll think of ways to deal with it later.

For now, I had to get to my family as soon as possible.

I sniffed the air, and the humans' scent grew thick. I continued to follow it and didn't know how long I was running. The sun was about to be up, and I needed to find a place to hide first.

Charles was a daywalker. He had an advantage over me once the sun was up. I hastened my speed and stumbled into a long path of desolate cobbled road.

Since the sun was about to set, there was no vampire in the open.

I picked up the pace and followed the thick human scent. Thanks to the blood potion, their smell didn't bother me, and I could think clearly without the distraction to feed on their blood. And since the vials were tiny, it was easy for me to carry a lot of it under my garments and hidden pockets.

I was so sure that I was nearing the Seraphim Kingdom, so I was shocked to find that I was in another castle after a long widening ran in yet another woods.

The castle was imposing, but instead of white walls like Charles's castle, this one was black and had many intimidating pointy roofs and gargoyles. The surroundings have dead trees, and the ambient was depressing.

It was nothing but black and white, like the castle was cloaked in layers of shadows.

I halted and took another whiff. There were definitely humans inside the castle, and my fine hairs went straight when I knew the confusing smell led me to another pureblood's lair.

According to what I read and what they thought me, only purebloods have castles and the titles of Duke.

I wanted to slap myself. Of course, there was still human scent in the Razim Kingdom. They kidnaped humans while traffickers brought in humans in the Vampire Kingdom every day in exchange for gils.

I turned back but was shocked when I found a kid staring at me with his emerald eyes.

"Hello," he greeted.

A creeping cold bit every nerve in my body when his smile almost ripped half of his beautiful face.

"Who might you be?"

"I-I . . ." I took a step back. There was something wrong with how he looked at me like a child excited for a new toy.

"I'm sorry." I composed myself. "I was taking a stroll and stumbled upon here.

"No doubt because of the human scent," he chuckled. "New vampires are often lured here by their blood."

"I . . ." I couldn't lie to him. It was apparent that I was a new vampire. Most experience vampires wouldn't find themselves lost in a pureblood's territory and make the same mistake I did of following a human scent.

I didn't know who he was or if he was a kid or not. But one thing was for sure, all of me wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

I slightly bowed. He might be in a kid's body, but his aura was oppressive, and he wasn't bothering to hide it.

He was dangerous, and I needed to get out from here.

"What's the rush?" he asked and barged my way when I moved the slightest.

He was fast.

Really fast.

The same speed with Charles, and my heart hammered against my chest.

He's a pureblood!

"Judging from the looks on your face, I guess you already know who I am," he chuckled and bowed. "Please to make your acquaintance. My name is Vein, and I'm the master of this castle."

He went for my hand, and I couldn't repress my shiver when he kissed the back of my palm.

"And who might you be, my lady?"

"I-I . . . I'm Catherine," I stammered.

His smile went wide. Were vampires like this? Smiling on the outside while thinking of ways to devour you on the inside?

"Catherine? What a lovely name, fitting for a lovely lady. Do you want to rest in my castle if you don't mind? The sun is about to set, and we'll be having a party tonight."

Was that why this place rake of human scent? How many humans were held in that castle? I wonder.

However, I was not about to stand in here and find out.

"I'm sorry, my lord. Master . . . Charles must be searching for me." I didn't want to utter his name nor use him. But at this point, he was my only backer — the only one who could save me from this predicament.

I bit my lips. Oh, how I hated to be so dependent on him. It made me feel that I was nothing without his protection, much like my life before I was human. I was nothing without my father's status.

Vein's face was stunned for a moment before his smile twisted into a grin, and I knew I shouldn't have utter Charles's name.

Were they enemies? From the way his eyes were glinting, it was certainly not good.

"I see . . . are you Charles's rumored mate? The one he believes is the reincarnation of his dead mate?"

I held a gasp.

Everyone seemed to know except me. Was Charles's going to keep it a secret from me? Why? Was it because I was only a tool, a replacement for his dead mate? That was why he didn't even bother to tell me anything?

My hands fisted, and my anger overpowered my fear. "Pardon me, my lord, but I really must get back to Master Charles."

His hand on mine tightened, and I feared only the worse when his eyes turned crimson.

"I'm afraid I must insist that you stay the morning over Lady Catherine. I promised you that you'll enjoy your stay here in my castle than in the boring mansion of Charles."

"I believe the Lady has already made a decision."

My heart went overdrive, and my limbs turned to jelly at hearing that calm voice that was thick with anger.

"Charles."