Chapter 3

Mia's POV 

“Let’s get off the bus and kill some monsters or die trying,” Axel said like it was the most casual thing in the world.

I clawed into my seat like it was my only anchor. “Right,” I said. “Just stroll into Dracula’s Castle for a quick visit. No big deal.”

“Five hours isn't a quick visit.” He said, making my heart sink deeper into despair.

“Five fucking hours!” I pulled a handful of hair. “What are we doing there for five hours. That's long enough to get killed thrice.”

He shot me a look that said, don’t be dramatic. I wanted to tell him to stop being cocky and try being supportive for a change but I knew it would only make him more cocky.

Before I stood, something caught my eye. A woman at the back of the bus was staring at me. Immediately I looked at her, she turned and looked away. Something crossed her face that might have been guilt or maybe she was constipated.

I hesitated. “Hey,” I called, waving. “You coming? According to the voice in the intercom, if we don't get off then we'll be…destroyed.”

She blinked like she’d just realized what was happening. Slowly, she shuffled down the aisle till she reached us. She managed a low, “Thanks.”

“No problem,” I said, grinning. “Safety in numbers, right?”

Axel’s eyebrow twitched as he turned to face me. “You sure you want to recruit randoms, newbie? Trust is dangerous here.”

“Sure,” I said. “If she tries to kill us, you can easily stab her. Win-win.”

He muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like cussing.

The woman finally spoke again. “I’m Bree.”

“Mia.”

We shook hands. Her grip was firm even though she was still withdrawn. Her smile didn't not quite reach her eyes. I couldn't shake the feeling she was hiding something. I’d written enough horror stories to recognize that look. It was guilt alright. It was the kind of look people had right after they've done something unforgivable.

But I didn’t push it. I had enough of my own trauma that opening up another person's can of worms didn't appeal to me. Besides, I liked Bree even though we just met.

Axel reminded us swearing wasn’t allowed inside the castle so we agreed to switch the words. Fuck would now be froshk, shit would be sheezt, and damn would be darg. It sounded stupid if you asked me but it was going to keep us alive in there.

Axel led the way into the castle. I could tell he had been there before. This wasn't his first visit to the castle. Bree followed closely behind. The gate creaked open by itself. Because of course it did.

“So,” I whispered. “You must be a pro at this. Any tips?”

Axel glanced back. “Try to mask your fear. They can smell it in your blood.”

As if on cue, something moved in the dark. It was fast. Then figures stepped out from the corners all dressed in black. Their eyes glowed red and they exposed fangs that looked like they had been sharpened by the bones of their victims.

“Sheezt,” Bree cussed, shaking behind me.

I wanted to run away for the entrance but my legs refused to move. My legs shook so bad, I could barely stand upright. Bree looked just as scared as I was, maybe even more.

“Relax. They're low level vampires,” Axel said, pulling a dagger from his coat like this was normal. “Stay behind me.”

I wanted to argue but all that came out was, “Sure.” My voice sounded like it came out of an empty dark pit.

The first vampire jumped at Axel but he met him mid air with his blade slashing. The wet sound was followed by a guy wrenching scream. The creature dissolved into dust before it even hit the floor. They were scary ruthless creatures and I could see the bloodlust in their eyes. The only thing standing in their way of ripping my throat out was Axel.

Bree and I froze. My brain screamed move but my body had checked out for the night. I’d never gotten scared like that when I was alive so why should I start now? Yet, I couldn’t help it.

Axel spun, slashing through another one, then another. He looked equally half-bored and half-annoyed like this was just cardio for him and they were ruining it.

When the last one dissolved into dust, he turned to us, his eyes narrowed. “You two plan to clap or maybe try to join in next time?”

I raised both hands. “Sorry, I didn’t realize it was a bring-your-own-weapon party or I'd have come prepared.”

Bree shivered then said. “Yeah, maybe give us a dagger or something next time, boss.”

“Only newbies can't access their weapon rack and seeing as neither of you can, you're both newbies. Froshk!” Axel rolled his eyes. “Unbelievable. Two newbies, no weapons. We're froshked.”

Before I give him a piece of my mind, a mocking voice echoed from the shadows.

“I smell two delicious newbies. Yum-yum.”

The hairs on my neck stood up like I was faced with cold death even though we heard just a voice. Axel went stiff and fear crossed his eyes. “Mickey,” he muttered.

A figure stepped out. He was handsome with jet black hair and a smile that could ruin lives. “Axel Rivers,” he said. “Since when did you start being a babysitter?”

“Not in the mood, Mickey,” Axel growled. He didn’t take his eyes off him the entire time, “Don’t look at his eyes. His powers work easier on women.”

“Why—” Bree stuttered.

“Because he’ll own you,” Axel snapped. “And one gentle suggestion later you're slitting your own throat.”

I stared at the floor fast avoiding his intoxicated gaze. I might be dead but I wasn’t stupid.

Mickey’s chuckled viciously. “Protective babysitter. It looks good on you, Axel.”

Axel grabbed my wrist and Bree’s arm, pulling us toward a side corridor. “Move. He'll kill us without trying.”

We sprinted through the hall like our lives depended on it; more accurately, our afterlives. My lungs burned even though I didn’t technically need air anymore. The corridor led to a huge chamber that looked unsafe. The whole froshkin castle was unsafe.

We were there for a few seconds when another voice echoed through the air. This voice was harder and it shook the whole place.

“Well, well,” it said. “If it isn’t my favorite fire starter.”

Axel swore. “Jugo.”

A hulk like figure stepped out of the dark. He was taller than Axel with shoulders that could hold a house. His eyes were the color of molten gold and I looked away immediately I remembered Axel's warning.

“Still setting fires, brother?” Jugo asked. I could hear the grin in his voice.

“I upgraded,” Axel said as he raised his dagger. Flames engulfed his hand. He aimed the blast at Jugo.

It hit him square in the chest. The walking monster didn’t flinch. He just grinned wider. He looked like he drank steroids the same way humans drank water.

“Well,” he said. “That tickled.”

“Sheezt,” Axel muttered. “For a moment I thought that'll work.”

Jugo moved so fast it was almost like I blinked. He was on Axel with a heavy punch that sent him against the wall hard. The wall fell apart from the impact and the dagger fell to the floor.

Bree gasped. “Axel!”

Jugo turned to me. “You’ll do nicely,” His eyes glowed and he was in front of me holding my face straight before I could look away. “Look at me.”

I blinked. “Uh, no thanks. I’ve got commitment issues.”

He frowned. “Why doesn’t it work?”

“Maybe I’m just not your type? Ever consider that?”

He growled and his fang gleamed, ready to strike. That’s when Bree moved. She grabbed his arm, trying to pull him back but Jugo snarled then tried to toss her aside which would have been effortless.

Except she didn’t move…but he did.

One second he was standing and the next, he was flying backward like an invisible force had smacked him hard. He hit the wall with a crack that made the whole room shake.

Bree stared at her hands in disbelief. “What the hell did I just—”

Axel was already back on his feet. He was bleeding but still managed to smile like a man who’d just found his missing lottery ticket.

“Well, darg,” he said, wiping his mouth. “You two might actually have a shot surviving this castle.”