Blood & Butlers Read online

  I couldn’t move from my spot as people around me panicked. They are running in all directions, and it seemed that someone had locked the doors. For vampires, I thought it is a little uncharacteristic for them to act like this. However, I quickly see why.

  One of the guards try making a run towards an attacker, but a hooded man shoves his silver blade right into the guard’s chest. I stood witness as the man turns into a cloud of dark-colored dust, leaving his suit to fall to the floor.

  Panic ripples throughout my body as people begin shouting and fighting off the attackers. Everything is in slow motion as I twist around to find Darren. I see him fighting off a masked man and my voice is stuck in my throat as I attempt to call out to him. When he is free from the attacker, he plunged the blade into the man’s heart, turning him into dust.

  “D-Daren,” I cry and ran over to him. He holds me close for a brief moment and pushed me away at an arm’s length.

  “You have to leave this area and hide. I will come to find you when it’s all over,” he says in a rush.

  I can’t fathom the thought of him fighting these dangerous people alone or worse, to be separated and unprotected by him.

  “No. I’m not leaving without you,” I stubbornly insist.

  Darren huffs and grabs my hand. “You better keep up then.”

  Darren pulls me quickly behind him as we dodge through the crowd and towards an exit. We are a few feet away from the door, and I could practically taste freedom when a hand grabs my free arm and yanks me out of Darren’s grasp.

  “Elizabeth!” Darren shouts as he spins around.

  My whole body shakes violently as a masked man presses a blade to my throat. “Don’t take another step, or the princess dies,” he threatens.

  Darren stops in his tracks as he bares his fangs at my captor.

  “Just think, no one would have to die if you never came around, little miss. All the vampires who died tonight was because of you,” he sneered.

  “Stop it! Elizabeth don’t listen to him!” Darren yells.

  “It’s true. Our master said it so. We have orders to preserve the rightful heir to the throne."

  “Enough!” Darren snarls and lunges towards us.

  Darren is faster than the attacker. When the man’s grip was loose enough, Darren was able to pull me away and shove the man back.

  “No, you don’t!” The attacker laughs. He gains his balance and is quick to lift his blade to strike.

  I stumble in my heels and fall to the ground as Darren fell to his knees and held up his arm to protect himself. He hisses in pain as the blade gets stuck. I watch in horror as smoke rises up from Darren's arm, melting away his skin. He takes his foot and pushes himself away from the masked man. Within seconds Darren pulls the blade from his arm and jumps to his feet, digging the knife into the chest of the cloaked figure.

  They both stop moving, and I fear the worse, but Darren slowly steps away. The masked man smiles as he stares down at the blade in his chest. His body falls to the floor, and his eyes never stray from me. “He will rise and prevail,” are his last words before turning to dust before my eyes.

  I’m hyperventilating, and my whole body is shaking so hard that my teeth are chattering. My mind is blank, and I can’t comprehend what the hell just happened. Is this the danger that Darren warned me about? I scrambled to my feet and my heels caught in the hem of my dress. Darren is quick to keep me standing me even though he was injured.

  “We need to get out of here,” he urges.

  “You’re hurt, and we need to find Amy,” I whimper, trying to stop my hands from shaking.

  At the sound of her name, she appears from the balcony doors leading from the outside.

  “Sorry, I’m late. There was a mess in the courtyard that had to be cleaned up,” Amy pants while wiping her bloody hands on her already stained dress.

  “How many?” Darren ask.

  “There were six, but two escaped,” she sighs.

  Darren nods and holds his injured arm against his body. A wave of guilt rushes over me as I watch the blood drip from his hand and onto the marble dance floor. The people around us start to shout in anger at the mess. Only the guards are the one who was slain, the other guests were left unharmed.

  The shouting grew louder as Lorcan stood on the ballroom steps. He held his hands up to try and get the crowd to calm down. “Please. Everyone is safe now. The attackers were chased off. The council will get to the bottom of this. And I promise you, as long as I am still the leader, I will see to it that justice is served.”

  We lock eyes, and his sneer of a smile causes my skin to crawl. Once Lorcan is done talking, the guests calm down, but some eyes still shift my way. They glare at me with so much hate and disapproval.

  “We need to get out of here and get your wound cleaned,” Amy says, reaching out for my arm.

  “Wound?” I ask, while frantically patting my arms.

  I don’t feel any cuts or blood, and I even checked my head. I check my left leg, and wince, feeling the kneecap was a little tender. I must have bruised it when I fell. I agree that we should leave and walk with Amy out of the ballroom. Darren followed us back to the car in silence and slid into the driver’s seat. Even with an injured arm, he insisted that he should still drive.

  People slowly start to leave Lorcan’s mansion and towards their own cars. I can still hear the screaming and smell the scent of burning flesh from the guards turning to dust. This was all a horrible nightmare, and the faster we put this behind us, the better.

  Twelve

  The car ride back to the manor was awkward. Amy and Darren sat in the front in silence, while I sat in the back, resting my head up against the cold window. The silence is deafening, and at this point, I would have preferred the two of them arguing.

  When we arrive home, Amy insisted on helping me, but I had to instruct her to get cleaned up. I couldn’t stand seeing the blood on her, she looked like shew as from Carrie. Darren, on the other hand, vanished.

  When I was alone, I staggered my way up to my room, limping slightly from my bruised kneecap. The warm water of the tub relaxed my tense muscles as my eyes closed shut. I took a deep breath and realized my whole body stopped shaking. The muscles in my upper arms and back were sore from the tremors. How long was I shaking for? I didn’t know I was that scared, to begin with. Maybe I was in shock? I just have to keep telling myself that it’s all over now and that I am safe. For now.

  After my bath, I change into a black tank top and a pair of pink yoga pants. The night’s events weigh heavy on my mind, and images of the incident kept replaying. Who were those people that attacked? And why did they want me dead? I don’t even want to be part of the vampires. Lorcan seemed too calm about the situation, but something wasn’t right. It was something in the way he looked at me right before we left.

  Eventually, I find myself lost in thought through the long hallways of the manor. I stop in front of a picture of my father dressed in a civil war uniform. I touch the frame and can sort of understand why my father took off. This world is dangerous, and I keep telling myself I don’t want to be a part of it, but something keeps telling me otherwise. Ever since I found his will, my whole life decided to take an unnecessary pit stop, and that reserved resentment towards my father started to resurface again.

  My mind is starting to stress myself out, and I need some tea to get my brain to shut off. If I keep stressing, it will give me a headache. Besides, the hallway is too quiet, and it's starting to give me the creeps.

  The rest of the manor is just as quiet. The only sound I hear is the sound of my bare feet sticking to the marble flooring and peeling off with each step I take. When I reach the bottom of the steps, I see the light filtering from under the kitchen door. I open the door slightly, and Darren is sitting by the Island trying to wrap his arm. Every time he tries wrapping gauze around his wound, he drops the roll and curses under his breath. When he reached down for the roll again, I quietly walk into the kitchen.
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  “Here, let me help,” I say, pulling a chair close to him.

  Darren sits there when I gently grab the gauze from his hands and start to wrap his wound. My eyes trail to his white shirt and stare at the blood splatter all over it. I feel terrible at the position I put Darren in. He told me to run, but I refused. Now he's hurt.

  “Why didn’t you escape when I told you to?” He asks.

  Is he reading my mind? Is that a vampire thing too?

  I power through and continue to wrap his arm, cutting the gauze. I reach for the tape, but Darren prevents me from finishing the job. His hand clasps over mine, his touch is so gentle compared to the deadly demeanor from before. My eyes met his, and I feel myself getting lost again. The fuzzy feeling started up in my head, making my heart thump loudly.

  “I was worried.” I finally answer.

  Slowly he lets go of my hand to let me finish what I'm doing. “I was worried that you and Amy would die because of me. These men that attacked tonight came for me. I know this now. Yet, I keep telling myself that it wasn’t the case. In the end, it didn’t matter, you still got hurt because of me.”

  The tears are whelming in my eyes. I'm always the strong one in any situation, and this past week made me feel so helpless. It's frustrating.

  After I tapped the end of the bandage, I looked at Darren with a forced smile as a tear trickled down my face. “Darren, I’m so sorry you got hurt because of me.” I sniffed.

  I didn’t get a chance to wipe away the tear because Darren quickly pulls me into a hug. “Elizabeth. You never have to apologize if I get hurt. I vowed to protect you with my life, and no matter what, I will always be there,” he says softly in my hair.

  This time I didn’t pull away. I want to stay in Darren's arms for as long as forever. My heart wouldn’t let up as I close my eyes and breathe in his warm scent. I gently lean back after a few minutes and look up at him. Our eyes never strayed away as he gently places a hand on my cheek. His thumb rubs my skin tenderly, causing small goosebumps to form on my arms.

  “I never want to see you cry over me again. I don’t want to be the cause of your sadness,” he smiles. His fangs poking out from his mouth slightly, but this time it doesn't phase me. Not like the last time I saw them.

  I can feel his energy slowly reach out to me. My body felt like a magnet, and no matter how hard I pull away, he kept bringing me back in. “You could never make me sad,” I whisper.

  Darren closes the space between us and presses his lips firmly against mine. His lips were soft and smooth, and the fuzzy feeling in my head starts to clear as I place my hand on top of the one he had on my cheek. My eyes close as the time comes to a standstill around us, and we are encased in our own protective bubble.

  That bubble pops as someone clears their throat, making us both jump at the same time. My eyes shoot open, and I quickly get up from my spot, almost knocking over the chair I'm sitting on. Amy smiles, standing in the doorway of the kitchen and crosses her arms over her chest before looking at me. “I came to see if you were okay, Lizzy,” she says quietly.

  She didn’t say anything about the kissing, and I nod wiping my sweaty palms on my pants.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you. If I were there, neither of you would be hurt,” Amy frowns.

  “It’s okay, Amy. Everyone is alive, and that’s what matters,” I smile, walking over to her to give her a reassuring hug.

  Amy hugs me back. She rubs my arms gently, grinning at me. “I’m heading back to bed. Don’t stay up too late,” she teased with a wink.

  Shaking my head, I watch her leave relieved that that was the extent of her teasing. Amy can be a lot worse. She once teased me for a whole month for breaking up with a guy at school because he chewed loudly.

  When I see Amy was gone, I glance back over to Darren. My face blushes as the intimate moment we shared prances around in my head again. Darren just smiles at me and slowly stands up from his chair. “I think we should follow Amaryllis’ example and go to bed. Tonight has been eventful.”

  I agree with him. My feet hurt from the pinching in my shoes that. My plush bed is practically screaming for me to lay down. Our feet shuffle as we walk up the steps, each step bringing me closer to my salvation. When we reach the top of the steps that split to the East and West wing, Darren grabs my hand and gently places a kiss on the top.

  “Elizabeth, no one can know about us outside the manor. No one in the community can know because to the public eye, I am nothing but a servant. I never thought in a hundred years I would feel like this about anyone. I had a one-track mind, and that was to fulfill my promise to your father. But now I have a new promise, and that is to keep you safe and happy, and I’m not about to let anyone take you away from me,” he says quietly.

  A pang of guilt hit my heart, and our happy moment faded away right before my eyes. Did Darren really think that I was going to stay in the manor? Or, maybe he had hope that I would stay.

  “Darren. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I feel so confused. A week ago, I was cleaning out my home, and now I’m part of this vampire legacy that I’m not so sure I want to be a part of. My life is in turmoil, and I don’t have a grasp on anything anymore,” I gush.

  Darren only smiles at me and gently places a hand on my cheek, caressing it softly. “I told you that I would stay by your side and protect you no matter what choice you make. Don’t worry yourself anymore and get some sleep,” he says softly and kisses my forehead.

  I stand there at the landing and watch him walk towards the very end of the hallway. He disappeared into a door past Amy’s door. Once he vanished from sight, I frown, knowing that even though he smiled, I still felt a hint of sadness. I’m sure he wants me to keep the manor just as much as Amy did, but Lorcan knows I would be here. And what if there was another attack like tonight? Would they get hurt or worse killed? I can’t let that happen.

  My bedroom door creaks open, and I rub an eyelash from my eye as I turn on the light. Something stirred in my bed, and I practically jumped out the window from the surprise. Amy sits with her back up against the headboard of my bed with her arms and legs crossed.

  “Well, well, well,” she taunts with a smile.

  “What the hell, Amy! You nearly scared me to death,” I yell, placing a hand over my heart, feeling the rapid beating.

  “Did my eyes deceive me? Or did I witness you and Darren sharing a passionate kiss?” She teases more.

  I should have known our little interaction earlier in the kitchen was a façade. It was only a matter of time before Amy began the teasing. She moves over on the bed, so I have a spot next to her. I roll my eyes, slightly irritated and sit down, still trying to calm my racing heart. However, I felt the intense stare from Amy’s eyes, and I knew if I didn’t answer her questions, she would never let up.

  “We kissed only once. It wasn’t what you think it was,” I say, looking at her with a small grin.

  Amy squeals and jumps onto her knees on the bed, bouncing up and down in excitement. My body bounces with her movements until she stops and claps her hands together a couple of times.

  “I knew this would happen one day! Finally, you have someone worthy of you. I know for a fact he chews with his mouth closed,” she laughs.

  “Amy!” I yell softly, grabbing my pillow to hit her with it. “First off, that was like three years ago, it’s time to let it go. Secondly, I’m surprised that you didn’t want to snatch him up. Were you waiting all this time to see this would happen?” I question. I’m starting to think all of the things that are happening to me are all purposely done.

  The smile from Amy’s face falters, and she sits back on the bed, returning her back to the headboard.

  “To be honest, I wasn’t expecting any of this to happen. When you told me you found the will, it was only a matter of time for everything to lead up to this moment. As much as I platonically love Darren, absolutely no. Darren is like an older, more annoying brother to me. I was rooting for the two
of you since we came to the manor. Darren never ever opened himself up to anyone, but with you, he talks more and is more tolerable than normal. You two make a fine match.” She nods as her smile returns to her face.

  I bit my bottom lip gently, I thought about what she said, and I could see what she meant. The first day I came here, Darren was quiet and kept mostly to himself. He only gave short answers and ignored most of my questions. Since our bootcamp, he’s opened up more, and I’m getting real solutions instead of half-assed ones. Perhaps, this is my destiny all along? Would mom approve of this situation?

  “You know, since all of this started and for how confused I am, I’m starting to think that no matter what choice I make, it’s always going to lead here,” I say softly, drifting off into thought. “Now that I think of Amy, you never really dated anyone in school. You told me you were on regular dates but, now I’m wondering how true that was.”