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“Yes, baby,” I confirmed, drawing her closer, wrapping my arms around her to offer comfort and assure her.
“Vampires?” she asked.
“Yes,” I repeated. “But we are safe here. We just need to remain silent.”
“What if they enter the castle?” she asked, her voice laden with fear. “And dad isn’t home yet…”
“I know, baby,” I nodded, rocking us both, only it did little to soothe our nerves. I reminded myself that I needed to keep myself composed first. Cass couldn’t see how afraid I was for her. She needed to see me assured of our safety. “I’m sure your father is on his way.”
“Is Leopold outside with the guards?” she asked.
“Of course,” I replied.
This realization managed to calm her down a bit. “He always managed to keep you safe before, right?”
“Yes,” I smiled, absolutely certain of this. “I would trust Leopold with my life, you know that.”
“Will he keep us safe then, in dad’s absence?”
“That is exactly what he is doing,” I assured her, but before I could continue, a loud bang was heard.
We locked gazes, realizing immediately what that sound was. Someone was trying to break through the door. Each impact resonated through the attic, sending shivers down my spine. Cass’ small frame was trembling with fear in my arms, as I held her close.
The vampires growled; they roared and hissed, creating a cacophony of sounds, following the relentless pounding. The dull thuds echoed with malevolence, and I knew the creatures outside would not stop until they tore down the door. I knew it was just a matter of time before they came in. There were just too many of them.
I released Cass from my embrace, and her eyes looked up at me, wondering what I was doing. I pressed my finger to my lips, gesturing at her to remain quiet. I walked slowly, looking around. I needed two things: a weapon and a place for Cass to hide. I pointed to the corner, urging her to hide there, behind some old boxes. She did so immediately, moving as noiselessly as she could.
I stood in the center of the attic, scanning the shadows in search of any object that might serve as a makeshift weapon. The room was filled with forgotten relics of the past, and it was amidst these dusty treasures that I hoped to find something that could fend off the imminent threat, at least long enough for Cass to run away.
With trembling hands, I came across an old fireplace poker, its iron end still bearing the marks of past use. The weight of the iron felt reassuring in my grip, and I knew that it would serve as our last line of defense should the vampires breach the door. I remained in the center, gripping at the poker, holding it so tight that my fingers turned numb from the lack of blood flow. But I didn’t move.
The moment of dread arrived swiftly as the vampires, driven by either their insatiable hunger or some order that was a mystery to me, finally broke through the barricade. The door burst open, crashing against the furniture that was standing between us and them. A group spilled into the attic like one big, unified mass of fiery red eyes and protruding fangs.
Now, I was the only thing standing between them and my daughter. With fierce determination, I swung the fireplace poker at the first vampire that approached me, the sharp, iron end making contact with a resounding thud. The vampire recoiled in pain, but the others paid no heed. They pressed onward, their fangs bared, ready to attack the moment they were close enough.
I kept swinging at each approaching enemy, but one of them managed to close the distance between us, and before I could react, its icy grip tightened around my throat. Panic surged through me as the vampire’s strength threatened to overwhelm me. The world seemed to blur, and I could hear Cass’ frightened cries as she watched in terror. Desperation coursed through me veins, cold and deadly. I had to stay focused. I fought against the creature’s relentless hold, my fingers clawing at its cold, unyielding grasp.
With a surge of determination, I managed to free one hand and drove the sharp end of the fireplace poker into the vampire’s side. It hissed in pain, its grip faltering just long enough for me to break free. Gasping for air, I staggered back, the fireplace poker held defensively in front of me.
Their onslaught continued, but I was barely keeping myself up. I had to defend my child against them. I knew that if I fell down, it would be all over for us both. Two vampires lunged at me, grabbing me by the hands, throwing me down onto the ground.
“No!” I shouted, trying to fight them off, but they were too strong. “Let me go!”
I turned my head to the left, and to my horror, I saw another two vampires dragging Cass out of her hiding place.
“No! Leave her alone, you bastards! Leave her alone! I will fucking kill you all!” I shouted at the top of my lungs, but no one was listening, least of all the two vampires that were holding me pinned down and helpless.
I managed to free my right hand and scratched one vampire’s eyes. It buried its face in its hands, hissing aggressively. A moment later, I could see its fangs coming down, aimed at my throat. When it was inches away from my skin, one of the other creatures, in a voice that carried a chilling command, interfered.
“Don’t hurt her! We need to bring them back alive!”
The vampire didn’t like that. I could see the hatred, the hunger in its eyes. It wanted to feed. But it was denied. The directive created a momentary lull in what was a frenzied combat mere moments ago. The vampires, driven by their leader’s words, hesitated in their attacks, but their eyes remained locked on me and Cass.
I jumped to my feet, my breath ragged from the struggle. I tried to rush over to Cass, but they didn’t let me. The realization that they wanted us alive filled me with a new kind of dread. So, they weren’t here to feast on us. They were here to take us. But where?
The vampire to whom the commanding voice belonged emerged from the shadows. He was a tall and lean figure draped in dark, tattered robes. His features were ethereally pale, with high cheek bones and piercing, icy blue eyes that seemed to see through one’s very soul.
As he drew closer, his unnaturally white hair framed his face, contrasting starkly with his piercing gaze. His demeanor exuded an air of authority, and I could feel the cold and ancient power that emanated from him.
