Chapter 97: Chapter 97
TRISTAN:
I wanted to confirm my suspicions, so I asked Dahlly if I could leave for a few minutes…
Had I known that all of these things would have happened, I wouldn’t have left her all alone to fend off by herself down there!
I knew I was at fault. I shouldn’t have left Dahlia that night, especially since she had been drawing eyes towards her the moment we entered Dalrus. I should have known something bad could happen to her… I should never had conceded for her to come with me to this blasted auction in the first place.
As soon as I realized that somebody from the podium above was reflecting my mother’s scent and energy, I abandoned all reasons. I made the fatal mistake of asking Dahlia to wait for me for a second so that I could explore who or what that was.
My mate obliged without a thought. I quickly left her side and made my way into the stairs leading to the second floor deck.
“This is a restricted area, sir. Only very special guests are allowed here,” one of the four men who stood guard at the bottom of the stairs said while flashing his sword towards me.
We eyed each other for a second. I was calculating in my head how fast I could knock all four of them out, when suddenly, an attendant climbed down from the stairs and whispered something to one of the guards in Apricusian language.
“Our apologies. The special guest is allowing you access to the deck, sir. Please come in,” the guard said, quickly changing the stern expression in his face into a smile.
I eyed all of them suspiciously. Now I wondered even more who that special guest really was…
I walked with two of the guards escorting me to the end of the second floor hall where the podium was located.
The nearer I got to the end of the hall, the stronger the scent of summer and peach became that my heart started palpitating wildly.
Who the hell could this person be?
At last, I was led into the dimly lit podium where three people had been situated. All of them wore robes that covered their faces.
“Welcome, sir. The madam wishes to speak with you. Please sit comfortably in here,” one of the robed personnel said, directing me into a chair in a corner.
Despite the rising suspicion in my chest, I conceded to their request and seated myself down.
My eyes were fixed at the robed creature before me. I couldn’t see whether it was a man or a woman. All I could confirm was that the scent I knew so well was emanating from him or her.
The two other robed creature and the guards bowed down before us and exited thereafter.
Now only the two of us were left…
I eyed the creature across me. There were no signs from this person that he or she has any plan of talking or doing anything at all.
“You… Why don’t you show your face? Why do you have this scent,” I exclaimed straight out.
Slowly, the creature lifted the hood of the robe, and my hunch was confirmed…
I immediately stood from my seat, alarmed. I looked at horror as my own mother’s face – the same face she had in my memory – revealed itself in front of me… Only this time, her eyes were bloody red, the eyes that only vampires could have!
“There, there, son… Don’t be so frightened. Did I not give you enough warning so as not to shock you so thoroughly like this?”
Instead of the voice I remembered of her, this vampire before me had a gnarled, old voice. It was so unlike the lively and youthful voice she used to have…
“W-What the f*cking hell -?!”
“Don’t swear, Tristan. You’re all grown up now, but did they not teach you that swearing is a sign of bad manners?”
I swallowed the lump of doubt rising in my throat. This woman even sounded like my real mother! Who was she? Why and how did she get here?
“Sit down. I know you’ve got a lot of questions, my son…”
I propped the seat that had toppled down back to its original place after I stood so fiercely up from shock moments ago, and although I was scared and confused, I followed the woman’s command.
She immediately clasped both of my hands into hers. They felt too cold like they were ice instead of actual parts of the body.
“My baby, how have you been?”
“Mother,” I uttered in disbelief. “Mother…. Is it really you?...”
She smiled ruefully. “Hmm, to be exact, I am, and I am not your mother…”
I could only look at her, still shocked to the core. “Then, that Talandor king, he did not kidnap you?...”
“That is a tale for another time, son… Right now, the most important question is do you wish to save her?”
“Her?”
“Yes. If you wish to save her and your future child, go now… Otherwise, leave her with me. She’ll be of great use for us.”
“Useful?... How?... Are you talking about Dahlly?”
“You will know very soon what I am talking about, son… The question is who will you choose to save in the end? You can only choose one, so choose wisely… Don’t let the enemy take over you completely, my child…”
As soon as she said this, a scream erupted in the air.
I looked at the open balcony and saw three vampires on the stage, all with their swords drawn. I looked at the crowd and saw more and more vampires come from into their midst, openly, snatching away hostages.
“No, Dahlly,” I instantly shouted. I turned to the vampire who looked like my mother. She could only smile at me as she drew the hood over her face once more.
“If she hasn’t absorbed it yet, you can still save the girl… But I’m afraid my predictions never falter, son…”
Without wanting to hear another blasted word from her about needing to sacrifice my mate, I jumped from the podium. I channeled Arthur’s form as I landed on the stage.
I hurled myself immediately towards one of the vampires who was aiming a sword at one of the attendants.
‘You fool, why did you leave her all alone,’ Arthur shouted in anger as he took possession of our body.
Blast it! I was really at fault. Why did I have to leave Dahlia alone in the middle of this utter chaos? I growled her name in the hopes of finding her.
I could only wish that she was somewhere safe, or else I would never be able to forgive myself!