Charles' Torture

Esther's POV

The stranger's blue eyes beg me to save her, but I watch in my perfected blank stare as Charles Du Pont sinks his fangs further, draining the life out of her.

He throws her lifeless body on the floor as if it’s a rag-doll. He looks up at me, his amber eyes glowing with pleasure and without any trace of blood on his lips.

“This is one of the best things about being a vampire. Power!” He grins. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

I murmur in agreement, my stomach churning in disgust as I try not to give him the reaction he wants.

“So, why do you hate drinking the blood of life?” He grins. “I’ve heard stories about you and your choice of... Food.”

“And you believed them? How would I survive if I didn’t drink blood?”

“Oh! My love," he says with an exaggerated snd obvious fake concern. "Why didn’t you stop me from drinking alone?”

“You seemed hungry,” I shrug.

“I knew you would make a perfect bride, and you will always put my needs first." He grins. "I have a surprise for you. Come with me.”

I silently follow him. We take normal human steps through the castle, and it takes everything in me to remain patient. He keeps stealing glances at me, his smirk not leaving his face.

"Honey," I say with a fake smile. "The suspense is killing me. Can't we just speed up a little?"

"Patience, my love. We will get there." He smirks.

'Charles, how long are we going to play this game?' I send a telepathic message.

'What game?' He raises a brow.

'The game of you pretending to be in love with me in front of your family and mine.'

'Oh! That? We can play until you back out or later ask for separation. I was hoping that you would back out before the wedding.' He sighs.

'Why don’t you back out? I have more to lose than you.'

'Don’t be selfish, I also have so much to lose. You will be the one who leaves this sham of a marriage first.'

When we finally get to one of the guest rooms, he swings the door wide open. I gasp when I come face to face with about five humans. Three of them are younger than 17, and then two are about older than 70.

“Here’s your buffet, my lady." He bows, then he moves and stands behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders, making my skin crawl. "Pick whoever you want. You are about to be my wife, and it will be my duty to provide for you.” He whispers. “Who do you think deserves your mercy?” he says out loud.

All terrified eyes look at me expectantly. They don’t have to say anything for me to know that every person in the room hopes that I will pick them.

I randomly point at a boy who looks like he could be 14 years old. Charles moves at his vamp speed and makes him kneel in front of me. His wide grin making my stomach churn. “You have chosen well.”

“I suppose we have to hypnotize him before we let him go?” I ask him.

“Let him go where?” He asks with a smirk.

“Home? You said...”

“You misunderstood me, my love. I meant to save from this miserable world. It’s our job to save them, you know.”

My eyes widen, and his lips curl up.

“Please, please, please...” The boy looks up at me, his palms put together as he begs.

I swallow uncomfortably. “I’ve had my fill two days ago. I’m still okay.”

“Just as I suspected. You don’t drink human blood. Do you?”

“I...”

“Drink!” He motions towards the boy, his voice low and dangerous.

He pauses, clearly speaking to someone through telepathy.

'That was Joan, the real love of my life. When I come back, you are going to drink this boy's blood.'

'You moron!' I glare at him.

'You will drink when I come back!' He swooshes out of the room.

Five minutes later, the room breaks into a chaos of bloodcurdling screams and tears of humans who are begging me to save them. I pace around the room, panicking.

“Stop!” I raise my hand. “I need to think.”

“I’m going to spare your lives for one more day. If I leave and never come back, he is going to kill all of you.”

The room breaks into chaotic panic again.

“Do you want to die?” I hiss, baring my teeth at them.

They all fall silent, moving to the furthest corner of the room. “If I release you, the vampires will kill you before you reach the doors of the castle. If you escape with some luck, there are more vampires in this forest. So, I’m giving you one more day. I’m going to run away, and I will still find you here tomorrow, I hope I would’ve come up with a plan.”

“Please don’t leave us,” the boy cries.

I close my eyes, and I bolt out of the room. The heavy door lands in a thud as I close it.

I write a note, afraid that if I send a telepathy, Charles might come back to ‘check up on me.’

*Don’t let anyone touch my food, out for a walk. Will be back soon.*

I stick the note on the door of the guest bedroom, and I listen for footsteps around the castle. I move in one swift motion to the main doors, and the guards bow before opening the doors for me.

“You are finally here," Margaret, Charles’ sister, appears out of nowhere. "I was starting to get bored. Are you ready to see the garden? The decorations for your wedding reception are beautiful.” She squeals in excitement.