22. The attack

I was unable to sleep, the events of the day replaying in my mind like a broken record. Slaves had been asking whether it was true that I had come close to escaping. It was like they thought there was no way out of the compound.

As per Athena's instructions, I lied to them by denying that and saying that I was wandering in the forest when I tripped and fell on a rock. Not that anyone bought that whack story. Athena was a terrible liar.

Some slaves begged for me to say the truth but I crushed their hopes. If one of them decided to escape, only I would be the one to blame.

I tossed again in bed. For some reason, I felt that something was wrong. Everything was wrong so I waved it off as fear. I got up and drank a glass of water that was on the bedside table. My bladder felt full so I rushed to the bathroom.

After that, I went back into bed and closed my eyes, and willed myself to sleep. Just as I was catching it, I heard sounds. They were far away but I recognized them even from miles away.

The howling of wolves.

What werewolves doing in our territory at night? Was there a meeting that I hadn't known about? No, that was not possible because the whole castle was quiet at night.

After a few seconds, I heard a commotion. It sounded like vampires were gearing up for war. I heard a lot of footsteps rushing past my door. I held onto my heart as it beat rapidly against my chest.

After wearing presentable clothes in a hurry, I rushed to the door and pressed my ear against it. When I heard no movement outside of it, I started picking the lock with a bobby pin from my hair. I twisted until I heard the familiar click.

I smiled and twisted the handle so I could leave. However, Miriam was outside my door. She pushed me back inside and closed the door.

" Where do you think you are going? " She asked.

It seemed that she had also taken advantage of the commotion in the castle to come and check up on me. She looked scared and angry at the same time. I could tell who the anger was directed at.

" I wanted to see what was going on, " I said and she shook her head and grabbed my arm. He pulled me to the bed and sat me down.

" What if you find yourself in danger? What then? " She asked and only then did I realize how foolish my decision had been. I had a thing for walking towards the fire without thinking that I might get burnt.

" I just-"

" You have to take care of yourself first. If you don't, how do you expect me to protect you? " She said with a sigh.

" What is happening outside? " I asked to change the subject. I hated being wrong.

" Werewolves have attacked. The vampires didn't expect it so they are facing the consequences of letting their guard down. I knew something like this might happen. An enemy will always be an enemy no matter what. " Miriam said with a thoughtful look on her face.

I heard screams and wails echoing through the walls of the castle. An involuntary shiver ran down my spine. Were people really dying out there?

I hated to say it but I was thankful that Miriam had been there. Who knows what could have happened to me had I left the room?

" Are they killing vampires? " I asked.

" They will kill anything or anyone in their way. They are so strong that I believe that they have been planning this for some time. Someone let them in because the vampires didn't catch wind of them until they were in the compound. The barrier should have kept them away. " Miriam explained but it seemed like she was talking to herself rather than to me.

" Are you a vampire? " I asked and she laughed.

" I am not a vampire but that is the least of your worries. We have to figure out a way to get you through the night. It is a full moon so they are harnessing the moon's power. By the time it is morning, they will be tired. We have to hide you long enough." She said.

I heard a howl inside the castle and I panicked. They must have entered inside. It was different when they were outside the mansion. Miriam was scared too because she held onto me. She was thinking and we had to do it fast if we wanted to survive.

" What about you? " I asked, surprising myself for being scared for her.

She smiled at that and shook her head to tell me that she would be fine. She was a supernatural being after all and I was only human. At that moment, I hated my nature.

" Where do you know we can hide you and your smell will not be noticeable? " She asked.

I raked my head for an answer. I knew the castle well but I didn't see where I could hide that wouldn't be easy to be found.

" What about under the bed? It is so cliché that no one would think of looking for me there. " I said.

" A wolf would sniff you out in a second, " she replied.

" Why are they doing this? Were they not friends a week ago? "

" They want the awakening all to themselves. That is the only answer I can come up with. Despite their rivalry, they have never fought. A fight like this could mean a lot of mayhem and it could potentially expose the supernatural world to the humans. "

" What about the library? I would be surrounded by books; old and new. Nobody would ever sniff me out there. " I suggested, not wanting to think about the aftermath of the events of that night.

Miriam thought about it for a while and then nodded her head. Just as we were about to leave, the door handle jiggled and Miriam looked at me in fear.

Oh God, I did not want to die.