E D W A R D

Thick russet colossal ramparts towered over the gilded castle covering the four directions. The sky was vast above the cone-shaped terraces and crests of which almost reached the discarded scrapes of clouds floating behind its family.

The ground was covered with a blanket of thick layer of ice making a salt garden out of whatever it'd been before that.

In the corners of the big entrances stood multiple warehouses and the fresh foreign smell was enough to guess the materials behind.

Nothing belonged to our small village, the stuff only screamed expensive but it wasn't much of a problem for someone like us to obtain millions with just a snap of fingers.

Time wasn't a factor we paid prominence to, probably because of the immeasurable eternity ahead.

Some men escorted me inside but it was only to keep an eye on my not-so biddable behavior.

My feet focused to balance on the ruby mat draped all over the floor as my eyes hovered over numerous overlooked places of the castle.

The frustration of not being able to invade any men's mind was eating me alive. They're older and much experienced so it was typical. I had to chant those words continuously to avoid the possibility of going mad.

The insides were as luxurious as it could be; walls painted with ruby, black and grey dyes. Vibrant colors of the paintings hanging on walls deprived the beautiful embroidery of any praise or view from the silhouettes that passed them by.

Despite the mesmerizing beauty of the castle the guards that protected it caught me in a daze.

I was almost assigned to be one of them back when I was in school and even met a few familiar envious gazes along my way to the Throne Hall. I just wished it to be over soon.

My teeth gritted and fists clenched as we neared the throne and the person on it. The gilded walls caught my averting stare and the paintings of our past hanging on them.

We liked to show ourselves as superior no doubt but the paintings were nothing but a lie―according to as much as I'd researched, but who was I to protest? No Lord for sure. I never intended to be one even when they nearly compelled me to it.

"Edward J. Scott." Mason mumbled. "Nice to finally meet you." A smirk went up on his lips until his fangs were in sight.

I took a deep breath before my stare filled with scrutiny started studying his features. Ever since childhood I'd only heard about the monster the great Lord Mason Marino was but I'd gotten to witness it myself a few hours ago.

I'd entered my small cottage restless from work with hopes to perceive the most soothing face in the whole wide world only to find out she was gone, abducted.

The house was empty and the evidence of slight skirmish was all over the broken furniture and misplaced utensils on the floor. But what drove me over the edge was the most dreading yet the sweetest scent of blood.

As my nostrils got aware with the familiar scent, horror crowded upon my face.

It got to the point where I knelt on the floor stifling my tears that threatened to creep down my eye sockets but there was no stopping the sobs that ripped through my throat in agony until.

Until I saw the note rested aside on the stool and with the help of the shafts around it I got back on my feet only to be shot by another pain.

The letter had a royal seal enclosing it and with the threat to make myself visible in front of the Lords.

Shaking my head to bounce back into reality I let of a small sigh. I had to choose my words carefully and remind myself I wasn't the victim here.

Although it wasn't really my fault my mind wouldn't listen.

"You didn't give me much of a choice." I muttered endeavoring hard to curb my temper with sarcasm.

He chuckled. "Of course. But desperate times call for desperate measures."

I didn't pay attention to what he was saying and my eyes quickly went to hover over the entire place.

My mind searched for each and every soulless mind to look for her but they'd learned to resist me awfully well.

I groaned absolutely annoyed at the victory smirks they all shot at me at once.

"Don't be disturbed young one. She's somewhere safe. And as soon as you give me what I want, she'll be free to go." I found his tone playful and he was taking this as a game. Regardless a few snippets of seriousness and danger were evident in his narrowing ocean blue cores.

"With so many vampires I doubt she'll be anywhere near safe." I retorted and now annoyance took over his playful smile.

"Then you must hurry if you want her to live." He spoke holding his jaws firmly together.

It looked like he was more impatient than me. I wondered why.

As if reading my mind another one came beside me in addition to the one that had stalked me from the entrance to the hall and handed me a photograph of a girl.

For a while I was in bafflement as to what was I supposed to do. The girl was somewhere in her teens and an absolute beauty, it could only mean one thing.

"If you want a feast than ask someone else. I've no interest in seeking you a good meal." I rebuked which made him drag himself down the stairs in answer and stand in front of me.

"Another word boy and you will find your pretty girl as my feast." He threatened as his pupils thinned.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" I asked gesturing towards the picture.

He smiled a victorious smile and went on to explain everything about her. I was surprised as to how much he knew, I doubted for a while if she was just a treat. He knew the place, her home, her family―she had none.

"You have to bring her here. You have two weeks." He said walking up to his throne.

I held the image tightly in my hand.

Nevertheless of my hatred towards this slaughtering I had to do it. I knew well enough the consequences of bringing a human girl into this castle but if it came down to Her, I'd choose her life over mine.

With a curt nod and absolutely no words I turned back to leave just when he called me again.

He was starting to annoy me.

"No feeding." He added.

Now I was really mystified.

Why couldn't I feed from her? Not that I had any plans to. But most of all, why me? If he had so much information about her he could've sent anyone.

Anger began to boil in my blood as almost inaudible wobbly steps extended towards the room.

I hadn't seen the figure or a shadow to confirm the steps were of a woman, my woman.

A while later I saw a slight girl standing behind the rails before the flight of steps that led downstairs.

I acknowledged the face instantaneously before the scent of her blood reached my nostrils.

"Remember Edward, no slip-ups." Mason warned from he sat looking like a highly order Lord.

I tore my sight away from him to the woman and gave her a reassuring smile and she returned it with her understanding one.

There was only one way out of this hell.

The same guy from earlier escorted me outside the gateway of the mansion.

He gave me an envious look before departing though I couldn't care any less about their heightened hormonal changes.

That wasn't my main focus. I had to come up with a plan to abduct her. Maybe I could just compel her to come with me silently as Mason made quite clear I couldn't hurt her in any physical way when he burned my insides with his furious gaze.

I glanced at the picture one last time to perceive the blonde. She looked like someone filled with purity with morals and values. Her face held so much innocence I . . . No! I had to do it! Her life depended on it.