Page 3 of Deceived By a Warrior

“One day? Over my beheaded body,” Darius joked, feeling grateful to have a friend like Gedeon in his life.

Gedeon placed his own sword in his sheath. “Do my ears betray me, or did you just crack a joke?”

Darius only shrugged, walking through the snow-covered terrace as he made his way inside Artem’s massive complex and toward the ruthless leader who beckoned him.

Darius would never allowanyoneto get closeto becoming as skilled of a warrior as he was. His incredible skills and cold-hearted mercilessness were exactly why Artem favored him over all others. As long as Darius remained Artem’s favorite, Artem would continue to ensure his sister, Karina, was treated with respect while she lived within this stronghold, hidden deep within the Carpathian Mountains.

Karina’s happiness and safety meant everything to Darius.

Sadly, it was difficult for Karina to find her own happiness. Her first two hundred years living as a lowly servant for the Voivod affected her much differently than it did Darius. While Darius grew angry, she grew hopeless and full of despair.

Darius would do anything to take all her memories of those years away from her so she could live her life as carefree as she was meant to. He fought to bring back the carefree girl that was lost the day she was turned. But how could she ever be carefree if her mind was plagued with thoughts of days chained to dungeon walls, starving and forced to give her blood to others, and of nights enduring back-breaking labor in order to build Artem’s empire?

If I could’ve just parted from her when we were still human… when we were still alive.Then, she would’ve lived a happy life, happily married. She would’ve died happy.

Instead, she was forced to wake up day after endless day as a vampire, and a life as a vampire wasn’t a life at all.

As Darius brushed past Artem’s servant, who was trying to lead him to Artem, he asked, “What does our lord want from me today?” Artem called on Darius at least once a month, and Darius never disappointed, always doing exactly what Artem asked of him, no matter how impossible the task may seem.

Darius was too skilled for impossible.

“Uh, he hasn’t told me,” The servant said as he rushed ahead of Darius, opening the aged glass doors that led from the terrace they were standing on, to Artem’s fortress.

Gedeon rushed to Darius’ side, nudging him in the ribs. “I’m not sure about you, but I never want to miss a good summon from Artem. It’s the only sort of entertainment we get around here.”

Darius tried not to become annoyed by Gedeon’s ignorant playfulness. “I cannot comprehend how you manage to find so much joy in this hellish life we live.”

“For starters, whodoesn’tfind joy in Artem tasking you with the impossible, and you showing him upevery time?You successfully complete every task he asks of you, even when he doesn’t think you can. Sometimes I believe he’s only testing you, just to see if you really can do it.” Of course Darius never failed Artem. He had someone to worry about other than himself. Failure wasn’t an option. “But to defend myself, I find joy in the little things because if I don’t, who will?”

Despite living in this hell for nearly as long as Darius, Gedeon never gave up hope that things could somehow be better.

Darius gave up on that hope long ago.

Darius was too smart to believe better was possible, so he didn’t waste his time on wishful thinking.

“Then keep on finding that joy for the both of us.” Darius trudged forward.

“I certainly will. Admit it, we need each other.”

Darius shook his head. “That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t need anyone. Never have.” Though he wouldn’t admit it out loud, he knew Gedeon was right. Gedeon’s positive attitude kept Darius going forward during moments when everything seemed too much to handle, his smile too often pulling him from the brink.

“Can’t agree with you there,” Gedeon lowly commented. Darius didn’t have it in him to respond, choosing to march through the stone lined halls, lit only by torches extending from the walls, in silence.

Nothing about this fortress was modern.

Keep your subjects ignorant to modernization and they’ll never rebel.

Darius wasn’t surprised to find Artem already sitting on his throne of bones when he entered the massive hall, which was adorned with crimson flags - the color of the Voivod.

Gedeon whispered into Darius’ ear, “And this is as far as I’ll go. Sorry friend, not as brave as you.”

No one is,Darius thought.

Then, Gedeon sunk into the shadows created by the massive pillars that lined either side of this hall.

Artem smiled when his icy eyes landed on Darius. “Ah, my favorite warrior.”

“My favorite leader.” Darius cocked a brow.

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