Page 91 of Stalked

I remembered that unsettling detail when Kylan told me how he had ripped his father’s head off.

Kyoko’s face hardened. “Tatyana knew Misha would not be the only victim of Kylan’s bloodlust. It was at that moment she placed an angelic curse on Kylan. According to the curse, he could never take a life with his own hands. Unfortunately for her, he had the gift of possessing others and make them do what he wanted. He turned one human, who completed her transition on her own by taking her own life, and through her, Kylan was able to create more vampires. His charisma allowed him to spread the vampire race.

“Angelic curse?” I said. “Wouldn’t that be a gift? To make someone not able to kill another person?”

She shook her head, appearing annoyed by my question. “Tatyana abandoned her son after what he had done. She could no longer stop him once the vampires started to spread all over the world. The vampire race grew so large that witches and werewolves could no longer defend themselves.

I rolled my eyes at that comment. “You speak about witches and werewolves like they’re dispensable. Who are vampires to dictate who lives or dies?”

Kyoko’s lip curled, sneering at my comment. “Tatyana apparently did. She had failed to protect humanity, so she created the Chosen Ones.” Her voice came out harsh when she said my coven’s name. “Your coven has slaughtered more vampires than vampires have killed humans since the dawn of our existence.” She turned away from me. “Fortunately for us, we stopped Tatyana’s plan by capturing the key element needed to make her plan a success. You.” She smiled to herself as if she were the one who had brought me here.

I wanted to share with her how much Kylan suffered as he died by my hands, but I had to keep that part a secret … for now.

“Why did Kylan kill his father?” I asked.

She beamed—a sudden shift in her mood. “I love this part of the story. Kylan was hiding in the stables when he saw the devil from the Underworld demanding Misha kill his wife. The devil knew the plan had been delayed because of her, and he wanted her dead. Kylan could never let anyone hurt his mother, even if she tried to turn on him and Misha. He confronted Misha, and they had a vicious fight. In the end, Kylan ripped his father’s head from his body and was then cursed by his mother. The rejection led to rage, and Kylan soon took up his demonic father’s cause. Making the army to take the world in blood.”

Caleb never told me that much detail about the origin of what brought us here. I learned so much about the vampires’ history, my coven’s creation, and why I was so crucial to the world.

“Kylan created this painting to remind him of where he came from.” Kyoko looked at the clock. “I’d better start explaining the rules of the house. But first …” Kyoko grabbed a silver bracelet from the knitted bag. She stepped to my side, exchanged it for the one I already had around my wrist, and snapped it tightly shut before removing the first one. “There you go. It fits perfectly.”

“Why did you change them?”

“Like the other one, it blocks your magic. But this one also has a mechanism that will send an electric current through your body, completely paralyzing you, should you try to escape. A cord that runs around the property boundaries will trigger the device if you pass over it.” She giggled to herself like a little child. “It’s like one of those invisible fences humans use for their dogs.”

As tears formed, I grabbed my wrist and lowered my head. I wanted to be brave. I was angry, and there was no doubt I would first for my life at every possible chance. But at that moment of exhaustion and fear they’d hurt the ones I loved, I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

“Please don’t cry, Akasha.” She placed her hand on my back. “Every woman and man here would jump at the chance to be with Maurice.”

I huffed. “I doubt it. Maurice is as evil as they come.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” she said. “You don’t know him, as I do. Believe me, you’re one of the lucky ones. He’ll be gentle with you when he drinks your blood. I promise. To be chosen by Maurice …” Kyoko scooted closer to me. “Anyway, there are only a few rules here in our home. Obey your master. Don’t try to run from them. And you need to eat plenty of human food, so you have your strength. The only light sources you will have are the lamps and candles that are always on during the day and night. The shutters are locked during the day hours, so we will provide you with vitamin D supplements.”

I lifted my head. “You don’t sleep in coffins during the day?” I asked innocently.

She let out a little laugh. “No, we don’t need to sleep. We only have to ensure all the outside light is shielded from entering the home during the day.”

I looked at her with pitiful eyes. “Well, Kyoko, I’d rather die.”

“I know,” she breathed. “I’ve been in your shoes before, remember?”

I don’t know what I was thinking, but I’d also be a fool to not try. I lowered my voice to a near whisper, remembering the camera in the corner of the room. “Then take this off my wrist. Help me escape,” I begged.

Kyoko’s face drew into a scowl. “Don’t confuse my kindness with me liking you,” she hissed. “You’re still a witch, and I’m a vampire. You’re onlyfoodto me.” She sat up, straightened her clothes, and grabbed her bag. “Follow me upstairs. You look like shit.”

I was stunned by how quickly her tone had changed, but not entirely surprised. All I knew was that I was in this prison alone, and then, more than ever, I had to find a way to get out of this mess.

CHAPTER 27

BACK IN MYroom, I pulled my hair over my right shoulder and traced my fingers to where Roland had bitten me. I felt utterly violated. Fear was taking over me at the realization that Maurice would soon feed on me himself. I also knew it was only a matter of time before these creatures brought in Shannon asleverage.

I decided to make the most out of the day and learn everything I could about the clan, hoping it would, in some way, help me. After changing out of the bloodstained shirt, I walked throughout the house, noting various rooms and hallways, trying to get a sense of the place.

I spoke with several humans and witches who were held in the lair against their will. When the vampires were not feeding on them, they allowed the prisoners to wander the house and interact with each other. They had books for them to read, several televisions, and plenty of food to keep them healthy. They had specific meals for the captives to eat because, as Kyoko had explained, the healthier the food, the better the blood tasted. There was always a vampire watching them. The vampire that was assigned to me when Maurice was away was his brother, Colin.

Colin was turned after he noticed Maurice wasn’t aging. Maurice knew he would have to leave their town as he no longer aged and wanted company along the way. He turned his own brother to have him at his side through the years. Colin looked to be in his mid-twenties and wasn’t as handsome as Maurice, but still had some of the same features. He didn’t have a lot of power with the clan. Maurice was the master, and Colin abided by his brother’s commands. The way Colin’s eyes were fixated on me with every single move I made was unnerving.

It was a relief for me to meet other witches and learn about the unique powers they held. They all talked about having the same experience I had with being bitten. If you relaxed, the bite wouldn’t hurt. Fortunately for me, I regained my strength right away after being bitten, unlike the rest.

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