Destruction.

Smoke.

And blood.

That was all I could see as I blinked furiously and incoherent words met my ears but the noise was prominent. It was a full on battle scene. I didn't have the slightest idea how I ended up here because.....

Because I'd never had this vision before. Ever.

It was dark, and in the distance stood a mirror. A mirror with a shiny, rippling, water-like surface. My assumption was wrong, obviously. I realized that when something unpleasant  I couldn't discern walked out of it. Like it had been a door.

I was pretty confused. I didn't like being in this alien environment where I was helpless but since I knew this was just a vision and I didn't wanna do something in the real world that would bring attention to me, I went along with it despite my perplexed state.

I saw swords clashing all around and blood being spilled. Even though I was pretty color blind here. I also did not like feeling this way, so helpless. I couldn't even see properly in this place. And I hated it. Like I didn't have enough on my plate and needed more to ponder over, this new vision came like an unwanted guest.

Forces dark and bright clashed and it seemed like something was headed towards..........the person whose eyes I was looking through. Something that made me feel cold inside even though I wasn't there. It was close and then even closer and then---

I sucked in a sharp breath as I felt myself crashing down. Like I'd been thrown into ice cold water and a shiver went through my body.

"Hey, you okay, Cara?"

I blinked at the scene in front of me.

My hand was outstretched towards Veta who was nuzzling my hand and a bucket full of dry hay rested in my other hand.

Shit.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I glanced at Theo as I schooled my features back into neutrality and gave Veta some grass. A trick about hiding emotions that I had learnt from Micah, my partner-in-crime, the one person who came close to being somewhat a friend of mine.

Theo shrugged and then went back to brushing the horses. Seemed like he was being his usual uncaring self. But he could be feigning it for all I knew. He was here to certainly keep an eye on me, I didn't want him thinking much of this lapse. It wouldn't be a good thing and I had enough things to take care of.

"You seemed tired, zoned out for a minute there." Theo's voice got my attention.

"Oh, well. Can't help it." It was better to act like I was on neutral territory. Not complaining but not agreeing either. And he said 'a minute' so that must mean that was how long the vision lasted. I furrowed my brows slightly.

That was a new vision though and it was bothering me. I had a count of five visions I always saw exactly. But this was new. While it left me befuddled, I knew I was short on time and I'd have to forget this. I mean, it wasn't something I could control. Plus I didn't know anything about these visions. But it left me intrigued about what the mirror-like thing was and the creature that came out and then headed towards me.

And as far as Theo's words were concerned, he was right.

It had been two days already since I'd been thrust into a routine of waking up, doing the stable jobs, meeting Keely and Britt and doing the various palace jobs till it was well past ten at night only too come back to the stables tired and falling asleep the second my aching body would hit the hay. But despite my actions, my brain refused this to be a routine for me. But I had to bide my time and I knew that. Let the sand settle a bit before striking again.

It was uncomfortable sleeping on dry hay and a cold wet floor in a stinky horse stable that smelled like....well horses, yes, but Milla was indeed ruthless and stretched us to our limits so that by the time we were let off after a measly dinner, sleep would come banging on my tired body. It was like a brutal training. I didn't get enough time to think because I had to focus on making it alive out of the Royals' Wing each day.

No wonder Queen Kesla put me under Milla. I didn't exactly get enough time to plot or even gather my scattered thoughts. And while trying to stay alive, out of any vampire's way and doing things properly, I really didn't want to think about these bothersome visions. Yet, it wasn't something I found myself completely dismissing. And I wanted to think in detail about what Madam Belaura's actions in my last escape could've possibly meant.

My vigilance was of no use. I barely got five hours of sleep including the initial one or two hours I'd spend tossing and turning restlessly. I couldn't think nor could I sleep.

Because when I closed my eyes, the first thing I saw would be electric blue eyes.

And they held a dark promise I'd prefer not to be on the receiving end of. I starkly remembered the intensity of his eyes on mine and how the bolt of lighting had just shot out of his hand and broken that vase. 

It wasn't telekinesis. No. But being one of the only two people able to control lightning was pretty big. I mean, come on!

And the conversation he had with Minister Gallum. I was getting a feeling that he wasn't a very liked Minister but powerful and I'd like to keep out of his way in my future.

I had only once seen Lucien in the span of these two days when he had come to check on me yesterday. Something seemed to have been bothering him when he had left earlier and I had easily concluded from the first conversation I had heard between him and Minister Gallum and the second one with the Prince, that they were clearly not on friendly terms. 

And Lucien had been in a bad mood when he had left on Veta. In what, I figured, was a way to calm himself down. Though I won't lie. I was curious as to what exactly had caused Lucien to be that way. From what I knew and had witnessed, he was a collected person. 

Then why?

He had also been very busy apparently. If the slight glances I got of him during my work time were any indication. With what, I didn't know. But I hoped I wouldn't be around long enough to find out.

The only good thing was that I had not met Prince Damien again after that one encounter. 

Keely had explained to me how she was priced for her 'delicious' blood and she was used to the stinging pain by now afterwards. I felt disgusted listening to that. But being a minority, a bit of a prized sustainable minority, humans led a tough life. Mostly as slaves. And if they were simply too unlucky, then they would end up like Keely or Brit or even me.

Britt had been angry. I could sense. I realized the reason why she and I had been placed under Milla's division was somewhat related to the fact that we wouldn't have the strength or the time left to plot anything.

It was simple and efficient. Killing two birds with one stone. Not only did they get to keep a strict eye on us, they also got worthwhile jobs done properly. So unfair.

Of course, I still wanted to escape but despite my optimism, it was turning out to be quite a herculean task. Time was slipping through my fingers like quicksand and I could do nothing.

But I would.

Once I was done with the stable work, without another word, I left.

•○•

I scrubbed the floor, inching closer to Brit.

This was my chance!

"Hey, Britt!" I whispered, slightly looking at her.

She turned towards me, scrubbing as well. My arms ached but I continued.

"Cara." She greeted curtly, her voice low as well.

I wasted no time but got straight to the point. "How long have you been here?"

Britt glanced at the door. 

No guards so far.

Keely was working on the other end of this giant empty room that we had to scrub clean.

I swear it was just for show and so that they could drain our energy and break our will.

Too bad I was stronger.

"One year and two months." She responded as she dunked the dirty cloth into the water. I nodded slightly.

"You want to escape as well?" 

Her eyes flew to me, narrowing. "As well?"

"I'm not going to stay here, Britt." I explained firmly. It was good that she was being suspicious of me and I didn't trust her either and vice-versa. But a temporary pact could be formed and would be helpful. She had been here longer meaning she had better knowledge of the layout, architecture, usual guards and such things.

I needed that information to plot. And quick. I had no other option but to turn to someone who wanted nothing more than to leave this horrible place and find a haven for a new start.

Britt was that someone.

Sure Keely was nice and a victim but Celera was a ruthless kingdom as far as human-vampire interaction went and I needed a stronger heart than hers. For me, my own survival was the first thing. That was how it worked. I would do what I possibly could for Keely but with how her feeble accepting character was, she wasn't someone who could pull off an escape.

I mentally shook my head.

Getting her involved would be nothing more than a useless complication and I already had enough of those. You think of only yourself. I wasn't heartless, but as I aforementioned, I wasn't stupid. Or chivalrous. 

Besides, if something went wrong, I'd rather she not be hurt more than she already had been.

"I'll see if I can help." Britt's hushed words made me feel like a small part of a weight was lifted off my shoulders. But she understood. With my measured words, she had understood and instead of arguing she had made a quick decision that would hopefully help us both.

"Good."

We soon drifted apart when a guard came to the doors and though we hadn't discussed more than her agreeing to my help, at least we had something.

•○•

I wiped my forearm against my sweaty forehead as I squeezed the rag finally completed with our day's task.

You'd have thought that it would be cold in here with vampires as the inhabitants.

But no, it was hot and suffocating despite the dreary weather of Celera and the Palace shrouded in darkness and cold. But that could be just how I felt in this place every passing second.

Suffocated.

Like I had to be someplace else. This was a prison.

We were out of the room/hall and Keely was closing the door with Britt as I carried the two buckets full of dirty water when it happened.

"In there. Now, move on!"

The guard's booming voice caught me by surprise and I blinked as three more came behind us, herding us towards a certain door with their swords. I gulped.

The girls didn't protest, going along with it like it had happened before but was something they'd rather die than face. So I chose to stay silent as well.

I glanced at Britt who seemed to have paled even more and Keely was breathing hard.

Alright...

Before I knew it, the buckets and the rags were forgotten and we were in some sort of...dungeon, I think.

It was cold in here though. A sinister type of cold, a daunting darkness and moist stone floors and walls. 

Once my eyes adjusted to the lack of light in this space and my ears registered sound, I realized that we weren't the only ones in here. Whimpering and heavy breathing filled the closely compacted room.

My brows furrowed and confusion blurred my thinking process as my heartbeat spiked.

A stout vampire scowled and glanced around before asking. "Which ones of you are not from this year's batch?"

Some girls raised their hands and so did Britt and Keely.

"Get out." 

Without a word, those girls rushed out. Keely released a sigh of utter relief as she made her way out but Britt glance once at me.

Her eyes seemed to say something. Something like....

Don't break, you're stronger. 

I turned my attention back to the situation at hand as my hands turned clammy. The amount of slave girls in the room had reduced to around seventeen, I think.

What the hell......?

I bit the inside of my cheek when a tall figure emerged from the dark corner on the far right. His mouth twisted into an evil smile and his eyes gleamed with anticipation of pain as he looked over at us. The mustache making me want to hit him. But I refrained.

"Now...." My breath hitched at the last confirmation of his existence by the familiar voice. And his next words brought immense discomfort and challenge for me.

"Shall we see how well Lucien has picked this year?" Minister Gallum's nasty voice slithered over the walls and my skin, making me want to gag and feel like I could throw up.

And maybe I imagined it, but when his eyes landed on me and a spark of recognition lit in them, his smirk turned wider. Fear and anxiousness struck me at an unnatural speed.

I lowered my eyes but I felt his trained on me nevertheless.

What the hell was he going to do? 

Didn't I say I wanted to stay out of his path? He's already enemies with the Prince and Lucien, I don't want him paying me any attention. And anyways, he only reminded me of a nasty snake who made me feel dirty.

That first day....Lucien and Gallum had talked.....

I stiffened as I recalled the words.

"I hope the slaves you bought this year will last longer."

"And I hope you won't go out of your way to make that happen out of spite like last year."

"It was nothing personal. They were simply too easy to break. Wasn't even fun. I deserve a challenge."

Seemed, though, he was still going out of his way.

"Then let's start." Gallum's voice was darkly cheerful and his smile was anything but nice.

And very much excited.

Well, I hope I don't die.

Which is precisely what he's aiming for.

•○•

AN~

Cliffhanger!!! So much mystery building up in so many different views, huh?

 Whatcha think bout Britt and Cara teaming up?

And what's Gallum up to this time? What's the scary thing?

Will some knight in shining armour  come save our protagonist??? (ya, no, thanks, lol)

Soooo, I know a lotta you wanna know what it means so here, you get to know, the next chapter will be a bit action packed and...well, bloody but hopefully you'll enjoy lol.

Thank you so much again and don't forget to vote, comment, please share and please tell me what your thoughts on the new cover and this chapter are!

~Skyler