Beauty and the Vampires

Mia's POV

"What were you trying to cook Edith?" Chef Jackson's towering figure hovered over Edith's shivering one.

The contrast in their body postures was too stark not to be noticed by the staff present.

"I was trying my hand at beetroot soup." Edith tried to speak.

"For heaven's sake Edith who could say this is beetroot soup?" Chef Jackson was now looking at the green liquid.

"Chef! I tried to prepare it in a new way.I thought why not add something new to it.But I don't know how it came out all wrong." She squeaked.

Chef Jackson looked at Edith with blazing eyes as if ready to devour her into two.

Poor Edith was cowering in fear.She had made a mistake for the thousandth time.As the Chef was about to explode for a thousandth time again! Henry intervened.

"I'll take care of this, Chef! I know precisely how to make it better."

Chef Jackson turned to look at him who was showing him his best friendly smile.

The Chef took small, slow steps towards Henry, his face only inches away from Henry's.

"I am counting on you boy.Do whatever you can to undo this mess.Or else this time I will not think twice before complaining about Edith to the Lord." With these threatening words the Chef went away.

"Thank you so much Henry.If it were not for you I would have landed in deep trouble." She spoke with a little confidence in her voice now.

Henry laughed, "You were already in deep trouble Edith.Chef Jackson's wrath is the wrath of the devil himself."

"You can calm down Edith.We are here to help you if you ever happen to face situations like these in future." I smiled at her trying to reassure.

She smiled back and gratefully held my hand in hers.

"Thank you Mia.I am ever grateful to you for such kindness." She spoke with sincere gratitude dripping from her voice.

"Hey Mia!Is there any news of Sir Gabe?" Henry asked.

My friends were aware of my concern about Sir Gabe's sudden disappearance.

I sighed, "I tried talking to Lord Nicholas about it.He has assured me that Sir Gabe is fine."

"I think you need to take some rest Mia.Your eyes look heavy.You have not taken proper rest last time." Edith spoke with concern.

"I think I should go and meet Lucinda.Ever since Sir Gabe has left the castle I haven't got a chance to meet her."

They both nodded in agreement and after finishing my duties for the day I headed straight to Lucinda's room.

She was looking outside the window when I entered her room.The door was open so I entered without a knock.

She didn't notice my presence and continued to stare outside engrossed in her own thoughts.Her hair flew freely as the gentle breeze touched them.

I quietly stood beside her.That startled her and she came out of her trance.

"Mia!" She hugged me happily.

"When did you arrive?" She asked me, letting go.

"I wanted to see you" I replied, "It must have been difficult without Sir Gabe around.He has been taking care of you well lately."

She smiled and sat on her bed.I sat beside her.

"He has started taking care of me.He does need my blood now and then but only in limited quantities."

"Did he tell you about his official tour?" I asked.

"No he usually never leaves so suddenly.It was hard for me to believe as well that he left.But then I am a mere slave.He is not obligated to share everything with me." She spoke.

"He is close to Lady Eugene but even she doesn't know when he left." I stated.

Suddenly the door of the room flew open.We both quickly stood up and turned around.

Lord Nicholas entered flanked by his aides Rosalinda and one other guy I did not know.

His long blonde hair flew lightly and his eyes blazed red.He wore long black robes.

Rosalinda smirked standing at a distance of a few feet behind him to his right.Her red lips dangerously parted to show her sharp fangs.

"Lucinda dear! You do not know of Gabe's whereabouts but certainly you know where the elixir is?" Lord Nicholas gave a smile with his fangs elongated that acted as sweet poison.

"Wh-what?What are you saying my lord?" Lucinda stammered.

Lord Nicholas took a few dangerous steps towards her until he was standing close.

I was petrified at the sight before me and was trying to make sense of the whole situation.

He bent down and whispered something in her ear.Her eyes went wide in shock.

The next moment something entirely unexpected happened.

Lucinda gave a push to Lord Nicholas which sent him flying away and he crashed into the wall.The wall cracked.

Rosalinda and the other aid of the lord were about to grab Lucinda but she quickly grabbed me and held me in front of her as a shield.I gave out a shriek.

That stopped both the vampires on their tracks.

Lord Nicholas stood up and looked threateningly at Lucinda.

"Leave her alone Lucinda." Lord Nicholas' eyes flashed red in rage but his voice was dangerously calm.

Lucinda gave a twisted smile as she spoke these words, "You can't harm me Lord of Nightfall.Any wrong move on your part and you'll pay it with her dear life."

Lord Nicholas hissed in anger, his eyes blazing fire.

Before I could understand anything at all, I felt myself falling freely with Lucinda still holding me and we landed with a thud on the ground.

I tried to free myself but her grip was surprisingly too strong like an iron's.

I glanced briefly above and could see Lord Nicholas looking down at us through the window.His face showing disappointment and anger at the same time.

Lucinda grabbed me by the arm and took me away.