Maya

I head to my room to change. We weren't planning on staying the whole dinner. So I decided to make a scene, and that would be the signal for Stephen and I to leave the dining hall, go to our rooms and change, then meet in front of the castle.

Five minutes later, I was standing in front of the castle with Stephen.

We began walking through the town.

Stephen

"I bet you're excited, huh?" Maya asked me.

I rolled my eyes. "I guess."

"Oh, you're excited. I know you are because you get to see Katerina."

I couldn't hide the smile on my face and said nothing.

"See, you aren't even saying anything."

"I don't know why you keep talking about this as if you want us together. You said it yourself. Katerina and I can't be together." I told her.

"Yeah, but if you want her that bad, I'm sure you'll find a way." Maya smiled.

"True. Maybe there is a way, but I would have to get to know her first before I decide that."

"Get to know her, then," Maya suggested.

I want to get to know her. If I could, I would have to schedule separate meeting times so that it would just be her and I. That sounds lovely. I smiled at that.

Dave

I was a little Dazed after Fortis' guards took the chains and handed me the letter. But Fortis said something, snapping me out of it; I ran east, not looking back.

I feel bad about leaving Ben and Matthew but, I had to. I didn't have a choice. I hope they're not mad at me. That I got my freedom, and they didn't.

I probably won't relax until they're back in the castle and back to working with me.

I thought about them the entire time I ran through the forest.

Soon I had reached the town and slowed to a jog. Then I was at the castle, my fellow guards noticed me.

"Dave, how did you get here?" One of them asked me.

I smiled. "That vampire king released me; he gave me this letter. I have to deliver it to Lord Henry, now. It contains information about negotiations." I held up the sealed letter.

"Go right on through; Lord Henry will be happy to see you." He said, letting me through.

I nodded. "Thank you." And walked past them. I headed straight to my Lord's office. I think he will be happy to see me. He respects his guards and always takes care of us.

I knocked on the door. A few seconds later, Lord Henry himself opened it.

He looked shocked to see me. "Dave! What are you doing here!" He asked.

"The vampire king released me with this letter," I explained, handing him the sealed letter.

He took it and turned around. "Come in, close the door behind you and take a seat." He said as he sat down at his desk. And began to open the letter.

I did as he said and sat down in front of the desk.

"I'll read it out loud." Lord Henry said.

Henry

I can't believe that Ben showed up. That shocked me. He should be around to hear what is in this letter. So I'll read it out loud.

"It says;
Dear Henry,
My name is Fortis; I'm the king across the River. You probably already know I have three of your guards. So I'd like to negotiate.

"You probably already realized I released one of your guards, and the other two remain with me. For the other two guards, I would like four hundred shillings each. Those are the terms.

"I also want to discuss something else in this letter since I captured your guards because they were trespassing. The River should be a line between our territories.
~Fortis"

I stayed quiet for a few seconds letting the contents of the letter sink in.

"I wonder how he knows my name." That was the first thing that came to my mind.

"Fortis interrogated Ben," Dave explained.

"Just Ben?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Matthew and I thought it was best that Ben handled being interrogated." He elaborated.

I nodded. "I understand. This Fortis guy is smart. Getting information from my guards- his prisoners." I corrected myself. "He's trying to see if I'm a threat to him or not."

"He's clever. But we'll just have to be smarter. What do you want to do, Lord?" Dave asked me.

"I'll write him back. And I will pay the eight hundred shillings." I told him, and Dave nodded. "You're free to go. Seek medical attention and food."

Adam

Katerina and Alexander walked past us, not even noticing us.

I looked over at Cooper, and he nodded. They're leaving the castle again, and they don't intend on staying in the village. They're heading straight to the forest.

So, we'll follow them to the forest.

They meet up with another girl and boy.

I couldn't believe my eyes. "They're vampires," I said, barely audible and in shock.

"I know. This is worse than we thought." Cooper whispered to me.

Maya

"Hey, you guys made it," I said to Alexander and Katerina.

"We did. What intel do you have for us?" Katerina asked.

"Our father released one of your guards today," I mentioned.

"What?" Katerina said, surprised. "When did this happen?"

"An hour and a half ago," Stephen said.

"Well, that explains why dad wasn't at the dinner table," Alexander said.

"Yeah, he released your guard with a letter. He is trying to make your dad pay four hundred shillings for each of the remaining prisoners." Stephen explained.

"So we'll have a chance to get them back then. That's good." Alexander said.

"Do you guys hear that?" I said.

"What?" Katerina said.

"Someone is watching us. Come out! Whoever you are!" I challenged; I'm pissed that someone had the audacity to follow us out here.

Stephen

Katerina and Alexander looked at us, confused.

"She's right. Someone is watching us." I said. "Someone followed you two out here."

"What? No way!" Katerina said; she turned around and scanned the forest. "We were careful." She told me.

"Not enough," I said, then growled. "Who is out there! Show yourself!"

"It's just us." One man said, but two emerged from the bushes. "Katerina, Alexander, time to go back to castle. You two are in big trouble." A brown-haired and green-eyed guy spoke.

A blonde-haired guy and a blue-eyed guy stood next to him. They had their arms crossed and angry looks on their faces.

Katerina rolled her eyes.

"You know them?" I asked Katerina.

She nodded. "Sadly."

"This is a trap!" Maya said furiously. "We can longer trust you guys. We go now, Stephen."

"Wait, no, this isn't a trap!" Katerina said.

"Oh yeah. And how many other men do you have hiding in this forest?" I asked her; I felt betrayed.

"How many do you?" Alexander returned the question.

"Hey, to be fair, we didn't know they were following us!" Katerina said.

I ignored her and responded to Alexander. "If I had men in the forest, you wouldn't know," I said in a low voice.

"Is that a threat?" Alexander growled.

"Stephen! Let's go!"

I began to leave but then stopped. "We're done meeting out here," I told them.

Alexander looked pissed. But Katerina looked hurt. Why does she look hurt? They betrayed us.

I looked away from her green eyes and followed Maya back west to our castle. That's the last time I leave the kingdom.

Katerina

What just happened? Everything was fine a second ago, then it all fell apart. I wanted to cry, but I held the tears back.

"Let's go back to the castle," Cooper said.

Alexander glared at them. But stayed rooted in his spot. "Why the fuck are you guys here! Who put you up to this?" He growled.

"Your father did. You thought he bought your lie. Your mother and brother even thought something was up."

Alexander, I looked at each other.

So...James has something to do with this. I said to Alexander.

He nodded. I'm not surprised. I've been suspicious of him since lunch today. Always around, trying to get dirt on people.

That makes us allies then; we have a common enemy.

Alexander smiled. It does; we have to find a way to take him down.

I nodded and smiled. We will.

Alexander clapped his hands. "Alright, let's go home and get this over with." He started walking east towards our castle.

I felt calm; this isn't so bad. But it wasn't until I was standing in that office in front of my father when I felt the panic begin.

He looked pissed.

If we weren't in trouble earlier, we definitely are now.

I know, right. Alexander said, agreeing with me.

~Dominique