Thump. Thump.
Serena felt her heart pounding in her chest, her breathing short and ragged. She had been running for over thirty minutes, desperately trying to evade the slave traders. She was fortunate to have found a way to escape at the last minute, but if she were caught now, she would surely be killed.
Her feet hurt like crazy, but she didn't dare stop. The cold breeze brushed her naked body, making her shiver. Thankfully, it had stopped raining, but the night was still cold. At least it was better than running in the rain, which would have certainly made her fall ill.
"Catch that bitch!" she heard one of the slave traders shout. There would be no rest for her tonight, she thought grimly.
How had she ended up in this dreadful situation? It all began three years ago when her whole family were wiped out and she was captured by man, who if evil was a person it was him. After two years of suffering in his place, she managed to escape but got captured, sold and now that man sent Marcus to buy her. No! she'd rather die than to go back to him.
"Where did she go?" one of the men asked.
"Ahhhh! Fuck! She better not escape; she's been sold," another yelled.
Serena who had successfully hidden behind a tree while the men were busy conversing, prayed fervently that she wouldn't be caught. When she heard their footsteps retreat, she began to run again, this time even faster. She could see the end of the forest ahead and increased her speed.
"There's the girl!" she heard a trader shout to the others, but she was already ahead of them.
She burst out of the forest and spotted a figure standing there. Was she hallucinating from exhaustion? She ran as fast as she could, not hearing the traders' voices anymore, which meant she had a good lead on them.
The man stood there watching her approach. As she reached him, she managed to speak.
"Please help me," Serena pleaded, her lips trembling with fear.
The man with haunting eyes stared at her, his lazy gaze sending shivers down her spine-not the good kind. "Why would I do that?" His deep voice seemed to resonate through her entire body.
"Please, sir, I will do anything you want," Serena said, noticing the bored look on his face.
He wasn't buying it, she thought desperately. She was still shaking in fear, her hands sweating profusely. "I can cook, clean, prepare herbal medicine. Please, I will do anything," she insisted, desperation evident in her voice. Her heartbeat quickened as she heard the men's voices in the distance. They were coming for her. "Help me, sire," Serena fell on her knees in front of the man, her head spinning, blood trickled down her nose before darkness clouded her vision.
"The girl has fainted!" a trader said, trying to catch his breath as he spotted her.
"Is that King Alexander?" another trader whispered. The three traders bowed their heads.
"King Alexander!" the leader of the traders greeted with a deep bow. "The girl is a slave, and we would love to take her back to the shelter," he added.
"I'll buy her," Alexander said in a firm tone.
The traders' eyes widened in shock as silence followed His command.
"Y-your Majesty, the slave has been bought by Lord Marcus" the head trader said with a bow. He knew not to anger the King of Vampire's, the most powerful Vampire to ever exist with rare abilities, notorious for his wickedness. He had to choose his words wisely.
Alexander's eyes lazily scanned the girl on the ground. "There's no mark on her," he stated the obvious.
Silence.
"Y-your Majesty, Lord Marcus already paid for the girl," the head trader said, to which Alexander smiled.
"Tsk, oh well, how do I know it's his if there's no proof?" Alexander asked, his voice intimidating despite the smile on his face.
"Y-your Majesty..." The head trader was interrupted by the king.
"1,000 gold coins, how does that sound?" Alexander asked, cocking his head.
Silence.
"That is a generous offer, Your Majesty, but Lord has paid for the slave," the head trader said. There was no way anyone would pay 1,000 gold coins for a mere slave. Though he would love to collect the money, it would mean Lord Marcus would end his life. He wasn't ready to die yet.
"Hmm!" Alexander released a tired sigh, "So 1,000 gold coins wouldn't do?" He questioned quizzically, a frown settling between his brows.
"Your Majesty! We need to take her back, or else Lord Dargan will kill us," the head trader said, shivering at the thought.
"Really?" He asked his voice held the intimidating aura as his lazy eyes stared at them. "You're scared to die by his hand when this could be your grave tonight?"
His words made them move back in fear, Alexander could smell the fear and it made him feel better. Kneeling down, he took off his jacket and wrapped it around her, covering her.
"Your Majesty, you leave us with no other option," the head trader said through gritted teeth, pulling out his sword.
Alexander released a scoff. "How foolish!" he muttered under his breath.
In a blink of an eye, the head trader charged towards Alexander but the blade stopped halfway.
"Huh? What's happening?" the head trader muttered in disbelief. How was that possible? He tried to move his sword but it didn't.
Alexander stood up, he pulled the sword from the head trader's hand. "The disrespect you've shown tonight on the King all because of a mere slave will not go unpunished," Alexander scoffed, his eyes blazing with rage. Although his golden eyes reflected anger, he still kept a smug smile on his face.
His hand wrapped around the head traders neck, his eyes widened, he was about to beg for mercy when he felt the kings hand tightening around his neck, then with a swift motion, his head seperated from his body. The little blood splashed on the Kings face.
Blood gushed out as the body fell lifeless on the ground. He turned to the other who almost peed their pants.
"Tell Marcus I am with the girl," Alexander said tossing the head to them. "And do away with your little friend."
"Y-yes, Your Majesty!" the three traders said in unison and disappeared into the forest without a second thought.
"I know you're there Arthur." Alexander who didn't turn to look, his eyes still on the girl. A future emerged from the shadows and approached the king.
"What are you going to do with her?" Arthur asked looking intently at the Vampire king.
"I don't know."