Chapter 3: Knowledge is Power

The vampire had lowered himself to Sidia's current eye level, and he tilted his head as he waited for her to speak. He raised his eyebrows as he made a questioning expression, silently asking her to respond. Still in shock and much too distracted by the way his eyes glowed in the light of . . . Wait, where were they?

Sidia reluctantly looked away and gasped as she finally noticed the carvings and etchings curling along the stone walls. Torches blazed at regular intervals, lighting up the entire space. They were in some kind of windowless room, clearly a cave based on the fact that every surface was stone and the air smelled damp and felt so cold. Behind the vampire, a long hallway stretched out into the distance. She glanced behind her, but there was only a smooth rock wall, the only surface without some kind of artwork.

She couldn't bear to study anything in more detail, though. She was far more concerned with the vampire in front of her. Those enchanting and penetrating eyes belonged to a face as smooth as marble. Black curls framed his sharp jaw and tumbled over his shoulders. His neck was covered by a ruffled silk collar, the shirt itself a wine-red burgundy diving under a black vest with gold embroidery around the buttons. He smiled and stood to his full height, extending a hand for Sidia.

Without taking her eyes off him, she grasped his hand and let him pull her up. His fingers lingered on hers for just a moment before his hand fell back to his side. He tilted his head in the opposite direction and chuckled.

"I must say, you're the only that has been so delightfully quiet."

Sidia blinked and finally spoke, "What do you mean?"

"Every other member of your family has begged for their lives or screamed or sobbed on the floor. They have been downright inconsolable. You, on the other hand," he gave her a once-over that sent a pleasant shudder through Sidia's spine, "have taken this quite well."

"You're not going to hurt me. There is no reason to scream yet." Sidia surprised herself with the quick response. She didn't even know his name yet, but she spoke with such confidence and certainty.

He seemed surprised as well and raised an eyebrow. "'Yet' being the key word, my dear. But, it is rather nice to be greeted with an unblinking stare instead of hysterics. Albeit a tad unsettling."

Sidia suddenly realized how ridiculous she must have looked kneeling on the floor and practically drooling over this stranger. Self-conscious, she straightened out her shirt and fixed her posture. A flush filled her cheeks as she realized she was barefoot still. But wait, why did she care? She had never been bothered by anyone seeing her barefoot before. In fact, she had never cared about her appearance or what anyone thought of her. Now, she found herself wanting a mirror. Not wanting to give away any of her insecurities, she set her mouth into a stern expression. She hoped it came across as haughty.

"Anyway, what is your name, stranger?" she asked him.

His eyes sparkled with amusement. "My name is Marcus. It is a pleasure to finally speak with you, Sidia."

"Oh? Finally? What do you mean?"

"We've been waiting for you for a long time. That's all." Marcus turned around and started down the hallway. He raised his right hand and beckoned Sidia to follow.

Waiting all this time? Sidia shook her head with irritation. Why did her family matter so much to them? Instead of following Marcus, she planted her feet and crossed her arms over chest.

"I'm not following you until you answer some questions." Her voice wavered just a little. After all, she was standing up to a vampire that could probably kill her in two seconds.

Marcus stopped and clasped his hands behind his back. He looked over his shoulder, most of his face unreadable. "You don't say?"

Sidia gulped. "What do you want with my family? Why us?"

"That's not my answer to give, Sidia."

"Whose is it then?" she pressed. She tried to ignore the flutter in her chest when he said her name.

"If you follow, I'd be more than happy to introduce you." He started walking down the hallway again, not bothering to see if she still followed.

She wasn't satisfied with the answer, but she did follow him. Even though he didn't give her an actual answer, his reaction to her defiance revealed so much. If she was just a lamb for slaughter, then he would not be speaking to her in this manner. A flood of relief washed over her. Perhaps they really did need her alive for whatever reason. If they meant her harm, then wouldn't Marcus have restrained her? Surely, he wouldn't be carrying on a conversation with her like this? She bit her lip, nervous to ask. After a few minutes, though, she couldn't resist.

"You're not going to kill me, are you?"

"Hmm, interesting. Didn't you just say a moment ago that I wouldn't hurt you? You seemed so sure of yourself." Marcus laughed, the low undertones of his voice rumbling pleasantly.

"Yes, and then you mentioned something about 'yet' being the key word. That doesn't reassure me, Marcus." Sidia did her best to conceal any fear. She wanted to continue this ruse of ease and bravery despite the anxiety broiling inside.

"Rest assured, we will not harm you. We have no reason to do so." He offered no other explanation, and silence blanketed them.

Sidia turned her attention to the walls, trying to make sense of the carvings. They were beautiful, but they didn't form any recognizable shapes or words. Geometric patterns interlaced with swirling lines sprawled out with no discernible beginning or end. She wanted to touch them, trace her fingers along the wall, but she couldn't devote all her attention to them. She was too distracted by the way Marcus's hair bounced against his back as he walked.

Stop, Sidia chided herself. She had seen plenty of objectively attractive people in her life. This was no different. At least, that's what she was trying to tell herself. No one had ever made her heart race like this, though. Of course, it was more likely that the terror and uncertainty of her current situation was making her heart hammer like a blacksmith's forge, but something about Marcus's presence made some of that apprehension and dread not so sharp. She had never met anyone she trusted so readily.

"You don't have any more questions to pester me with?" Marcus's voice made her jump slightly as it pulled her from her thoughts.

"If you couldn't answer my first question, I don't think you can answer any others. Why waste my breath?"

"How frightfully logical and reasonable of you." There was true delight in Marcus's voice, as if he found the conversation refreshing. Perhaps Sidia was just reading into it, though. It was wishful thinking.

"You won't ask me where we're going?" Marcus inquired.

"Interesting. Didn't you just tell me to follow you earlier? You seemed so firm and stoic about it." Sidia couldn't help the retort, and she hoped she wasn't pushing her luck.

"My, my, my. You are fascinating." Marcus suddenly whirled around, but Sidia wasn't far behind him, and they nearly collided. They stood only inches apart, Marcus staring down his nose at her, a grin softening his harsh features.

"Why am I so fascinating?" Oh, how difficult it was for Sidia to stare back at him without letting her cheeks flush.

"As I said before, the others have usually been quite a nightmare to deal with. Also, you're the first one to show up barefoot. How unladylike of you." His tone gave away that he didn't really mind her being so "unladylike."

"I thought I was going to die. Why show up for death in anything other than what makes me comfortable?"

"Once again, how frightfully reasonable of you." Marcus stood unnaturally still, and Sidia realized his chest wasn't moving as he spoke. Did he not need to breathe? Questions burst in her mind, but she tried to ignore them for now. Knowing more about vampires wouldn't matter until she knew exactly what her fate would be.

"Are we going to keep repeating our conversation, or are you going to introduce me to the person who can substantially answer my questions?" Sidia held her breath, nervous that Marcus would finally retaliate.

Instead, his eyes scanned her face, inscrutable. He was thinking about something, calculating. She couldn't tell what he was considering, but after a long moment, a soft sadness relaxed his face. "Follow me."

He spun on his heel and kept walking, and Sidia had the distinct impression he was disappointed. About what she couldn't begin to guess. She fell in step behind him, turning her attention back to her circumstances as a huge set of doors became visible at the end of the hallway. They said nothing else to each other as they came upon the impressive mahogany doors with large gold handles decorated with precious gemstones. One of those handles was more than likely worth more than her entire village. What kind of coven was this?

Marcus grabbed the handles and easily pushed the doors open. As they swung on their hinges, Sidia couldn't help but notice how thick and heavy they were. Marcus opened them like they weighed nothing. They don't have to breathe, and they have incredible strength, Sidia thought to herself. Or Maybe it was just Marcus? Perhaps vampires had different abilities?

She abruptly lost her train of thought as she looked into the room and past the doors. Well, she couldn't really call it a room. An enormous cavern gaped open before her. Massive pillars as tall as the mountain disappeared into the dark depths of the ceiling and rooted in the floors. The walls had no embellishments, the natural curves of the mountain decorative enough. She knew based on the way the walls narrowed towards the top that they had to be inside a hollowed-out peak. There was no other explanation for the sheer expanse of the place. Archways leading off to other hallways interrupted some of the rock face, but except for the doors and a few details on the pillars, the main structure was natural and imposing.

A long carpet stretched out in front of her, the fabric soft and comforting for her feet. Her eyes traveled down the exquisite material to the other side of the room. Her jaw dropped, and she could no longer hide any emotion.

The carpet led to an immaculate granite throne jutting from the floor. Decorative lanterns, glowing mushrooms, and floating lights Sidia had no name for illuminated a glorious platform covered in piles of gold and jewels. Even more impressive was the man casually lounging on the throne. Blonde hair flowed in long waves over his shoulders and down to his waist, framing one of the most handsome faces Sidia had ever seen. He wasn't just attractive; he was a work of art. Instead of the standard vest and ruffled shirt, such as what Marcus donned, this man wore cloth draped loosely over his shoulders and belted at the waist. He looked like a Greek statue, like some of the figures she had seen in the old paintings her father purchased on his trips to Florence.

"Ah, Sidia. You have finally arrived." The man on the throne stood in a graceful, fluid motion, and that's when Sidia noticed something else about the room.

Milling about, lounging on furniture spread throughout the cavern, and clustered around the throne were droves of vampires. They all turned their heads to look at her, and most of them grinned, baring their fangs.