CHAPTER FOURTEEN


    They started in the courtyard, which was arge, open space with a fountain in the middle. A variety of nts and flowers were scattered around the area, adding color and life to the space. There were also several benches, where people could sit and rx.


    Soon they arrived at the garden and Zara couldn’t help but admire the beauty.


    “This is one of my favorite ces in the castle,” d said, looking around. “It’s peaceful and quiet, and it’s a nice ce toe and think.”


    “It’s beautiful,” Zara said, taking in the scene. “I can see why you like it.” She giggled looking around.


    ” Why are you being so nice to us? ” Zara suddenly asked as they made their way out of the garden.


    He just helped them and saved them but she couldn’t fathom why he was being nice when he basically knew nothing about them or where they came from.


    The question took d by surprise, and he paused for a moment, considering his answer. “I’m not sure,” he said finally. “I guess it’s just not in my nature to be cruel. I try to treat people with respect and kindness, no matter who they are. I don’t believe in judging people without getting to know them first.” Came his reply.


    Zara was taken aback by his answer. It was so different from what she had been expecting, and it made her see him in a whole new light. Maybe he wasn’t the cold, heartless person she had thought him to be.


    “I see. It seems like you’re the type to trust blindly. What if we’re spies?” She raised a brow at him but he chuckled.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    “If you were spies, trust me you’d be long dead already..” He confessed. d had the ability to read minds and he could literally see through people. That was the ability he had gotten as a vampire.


    And the day he found Naya, he tried reading her mind but found nothing. Everything felt empty and he really couldn’t tap into her subconsciousness.


    But he knew they were trying to run away from someone.


    “Where exactly is this ce?” Zara grilled curiously. What city were they in?


    “You are currently in Shadowvale.. ” he responded and Zara stilled the moment she heard that name.


    She had read of it before, Shadowvale was a ce that housed the most brutal and cruel vampires.


    Every Other creature stayed very far away and their vampire king was known to be a heartless beast.


    It was located on top of the mountains and only vampires lived in it. The others were humans who were taken as ves or food.


    “Shadowvale..” she stammered fear gripping her.


    “I can see that you’ve heard of Shadowvale,” d said, his tone serious.


    “It has a fearsome reputation, I know. But I assure you, it’s not as bad as you might think. The vampires there are actually quite civilized. They have their ownws and rules, and they live by them. They’re not the bloodthirsty monsters you might have heard about.” He said as the corner of his lips curved up.


    “We are very nice creatures, don’t just try messing with us.” He added.


    Zara wasn’t so sure. The rumors about Shadowvale were terrible, and she didn’t know if she could believe anything d said. But she also knew that she was in no position to argue with him.


    “So are you a true blood vampire or just a regr vampire?” She asked curiously.


    True blood possessed special gifts and was born that way. Regr vampires were turned.


    “You seem to know a lot about vampires” she reasoned as he stopped in his tracks, his eyes studying her.


    “Well, that’s because I’ve read about them. I love reading about stuff like this..” Zara replied nervously.


    “You’re correct, I am a true blood vampire,” d confirmed. But that was the half-truth, he was half witch, half vampire. Something only a few people knew about.


    ” What about the Vampire Lord? ” She asked in a very low voice.


    ” Who is Rhys?” d’s brows furrowed.


    ” Who’s Rhys? By the way, I read that he possesses horns and he’s also a very ugly creature, he’s big and no different from the devil. That’s true, right? ” She grilled and she noticed that d wasughing.


    “Rhys is not an ugly demon. In Fact, he’s the most attractive man in the whole of Shadowvale…”


    ” Rhys?”


    ” Yes, he’s my cousin, and trust me, you don’t want him to hear you saying that about him..” d deadpanned as he walked into a room.


    Zara had a puzzled look on her face, entering the same room with him.


    ” Oh my goodness.. ” she gasped the moment the lights came on in the room.


    There were lots of weapons around and a suitable space for training, it was conducive and the ce she definitely wanted to be.


    The walls were lined with weapons of all kinds – swords, daggers, axes, and even a few spears. There was a training dummy in the corner, and arge mat in the middle of the room. There were also several bookshelves, filled with books of all kinds. But what drew Zara’s attention the most was therge window that took up an entire wall, overlooking a vast forest.


    She walked over to the window, her eyes wide with wonder. “Wow,” she breathed. “This is incredible.”


    “I know..” d grinned as Zara turned to face him as he threw a sword at her, which she caught.


    “What’s this?” She asked, looking at the sword.


    “I’m testing your abilities..” Came his short reply as he took another sword.


    “Are you saying you want to spar with me?” Zara asked, with a smug look on her face.


    She was the best back in her pack, so she was very sure that she could take up the challenge. She was going to show him what she was made of.


    “I’ll take it easy on you,” he assured her. “I just want to see what you’re capable of. You don’t have to worry about getting hurt..” He stated.


    ” We’ll see about that..” Zara scoffed as sheunched at him with full force.


    d was ready for her as he blocked her strike. He pushed her back, and she stumbled but caught herself before she fell. They circled each other, each one sizing the other up. Zara moved first, lunging at him with her sword. He dodged her attack and countered with a move of his own. Their swords shed, and the sound echoed through the room.


    They continued to spar, their swords shing again and again. Zara was surprised by how bad she was doing, she was sweating, and get muscles ached badly, but one drop of sweat had not fallen from d’s forehead as he moved with ease, it was almost like he was ying around.


    The fact he used just one hand did not help issues with Zara, who was fighting with all her might.


    Zara grew frustrated, realizing that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t seem tond a blow on d. He was just too fast and too skilled. She could feel her muscles burning from exertion, and she knew she couldn’t keep this up much longer.


    An idea came to her as she nned to strike his leg. She made way for his leg but d caught that move just in time.


    He blocked her sword and pushed her away. This time shended on the ground.


    “I’m quite impressed,” d voiced, as he dropped the sword on the ground.


    “You’re a lot more skilled than I expected. But I think we should call it a day before you tire yourself outpletely.”


    Zara huffed inwardly, but she knew he was right. She had never been so exhausted in her life.


    “When you’re ready, I’ll let you meet the others. Be here by 10 tomorrow.. ” he informed as he left the room.


    There were others, Zara gasped as she remained seated on the ground, rubbing her aching angle. That was one tough sparing for her.