CHAPTER TWO

IT WAS NOON the next day that another set of guards came to get them. From their uniform, Diana could tell they were of a higher ranking than the previous border guards.

She kept a strong yet painless grip on Rudolph's hand as they followed the guards along the dungeon. The guards led them out of the dungeon and into a large judgement hall. 

Diana took note of the hall, taking note of all exit points should anything go wrong. She had heard of Vampire King Aiden and how ruthless he was.

And while he was not as unreasonable as the previous King, he was even more vicious.The judgement hall was long with numerous pillars.

It was a high roof styled house with tall windows on both sides. The King's council members sat on red vintage chairs lined up on five rows.

The guards led them to the King and tried to force them to kneel before Diana could take a look at the King. 

Growling, Diana glared at the guards in defiance but did not attack. It was when they touch Rudolph that Diana shoved the guard off him and placed a scared Rudolph behind her.

She snarled at them with black eyes, daring them to come closer. Rudolph whimpered as the Vampires hissed while taking a fighting stance. He shivered at the aura the guards emitted.

Although Leprechauns loved hoarding treasures, they were sensitive and soft. Diana heard when his anxiety spiked and knew if he got even more scared, he would fall into a panic. 

She growled lowly as the guards began advancing, warning them for the last time. No matter how strong she was, she knew the fight would damage her but she was willing to go through anything as long as Rudolph was safe. 

Taking in a deep sigh, she had begun to mentally prepare her body to shift when she heard a deep voice yell, "Enough!" 

Diana's eyes snapped to the King who had stood up and started walking down the small steps leading to the big throne. Diana was first greeted by bright silver eyes that looked almost unnatural.

The eyes held no emotions, just coldness. He stared at her with an ice-cold gaze that would have scared anybody else but not Diana. 

She held his gaze with her own cold green eyes, unwilling to be the first to look away. The vampires and Rudolph watched as the vampire king had a staring contest with a shewolf.

Rudolph tugged Diana's black tank top, silently pleading her to look away as looking straight into the King's eyes was seen as a challenge. The stubborn shewolf refused to cast down her gaze.

Then something shocking happened. The King's lips tilted up slightly as his brows quirked up in amusement. The guards and council members couldn't control the look of shock that appeared and all of their faces. 

As quickly as it came, it disappeared. The King's cold face returned. 

"Why have you entered my kingdom, she-wolf?" The King asked in the same deep voice. 

Diana cleared her throat. "My companion and I were being chased by Zombies and ran into your kingdom for safety." 

"Do you realize the consequences of coming into my kingdom unannounced? Trespassing is a sin punishable by death." 

Rudolph's grip on her shirt tightened and it took everything in her not to comfort him but she had to put his safety first. 

"It was not my intention to trespass but at that moment, it was the last thing on my mind," she explained, staring blankly at the King. 

She saw him briefly glance at Rudolph who was tucked safely before her and narrowed her gaze. She bit down the words at the tip of her tongue and pushed down the urge to snap at him for looking at Rudolph. 

The King noticed the stern look on her face smirked darkly. 

"Bring your companion before me," the king commanded, causing Rudolph to whimper. 

"Your Highness." Diana almost choked on the title she called him and he noticed it, making his dark smirk widen. "I will be speaking for the two of us." 

"He will explain his side before judgement is passed." 

Diana's left eye twitched in annoyance. At that point, she would have done anything to wipe the smirk off his face but she kept her cool because of Rudolph. 

"Like I said, your Highness, I will-" 

"Come, boy," The King called, cutting off what she wanted to say. 

Diana had almost lashed out when Rudolph let her shirt go and stepped out of her back. She grabbed his hand immediately. 

"You don't have to do this if you don't want to," she said, her voice softening for the first time since she got there. 

Rudolph let out a small smile. "It's fine, Ana, he just wants to talk to me." 

She knew he was trying to reassure himself more than her and nodded, making him feel that it worked. He smiled shakily again and began moving to the King and she followed him but the king stopped her. 

"Only the boy." 

Diana frowned but stopped and said to Rudolph, "Come back to me if you get overwhelmed. Even a little bit, okay?" 

Rudolph nodded again and continued walking until he stood in front of the king. 

"What is your name, boy?" The king asked Rudolph who started trembling at the sound of his voice. 

Diana had to dig her nails into her palms.to stop herself from going to him. 

"Rudolph Gardner, your Highness," he muttered after taking a deep breath. His eyes never strayed from the ground. 

"Who is she?" The king asked again, pointing to Diana who kept her piercing gaze on him. 

Rudolph looked at Diana in horror. 

"I asked you a question, boy." 

Diana bit down on her lips. Hard. 

"Her name is Ana, your Highness." 

"Full name." 

Rudolph didn't reply, not even when the king asked again. Her full name was something he promised never to utter. It was never to be said. Her full name would bring back the ghosts of her past and cause the beginning of another war. 

The supernatural war.