1__ Kamilla

The trees were an obscure blur as Kamilla fled through the forest.

Her vision was clouded by the evening mist. She couldn’t see. It was like running through a cloud filled with snares, death lurking around every corner.

She didn’t know what lay waiting for each hasty step she took.

Her breathing grew laboured as she pushed her legs to run faster than they ever had. She needed to get away.

Tears filled her eyes, adding to the blindness the mist had already created. Her mother’s desperate words rang out through her mind. Over and over.

“You’re not a monster, Kamilla, don’t ever say that! You’re my beautiful warrior princess, understand? You’re strong and beautiful and special.”

Kamilla ran faster, ignoring the tears burning to be shed. There was nothing special about what she was.

Nothing special about what her father had done before he’d died. She wouldn’t suffer because of something she hadn’t even been born to decide. Something she was born cursed with.

“Before he died, Kamilla... your father, Klayton, pledged you to the King as a soulmate for his son... the future King of Onyx.”

The soil suddenly gave away beneath her foot and Kamilla tumbled to the ground with a startled scream. Panting, she threw searching glances over her shoulder as she pushed herself back to her feet.

She’d be damned if they caught her. Literally. But Kamilla would fight with everything in her. She had to.

She started running again, quickly picking up speed.

Strange nocturnal sounds of the forest surrounded her, making her feel like the prey of a hundred beasts. She smacked leaves out of her face and darted under low branches.

Something rose out of the ground. Kamilla gasped. In a split second, she tripped and went flying across the forest floor.

The soil was cold beneath her skin, damp from the morning rain. Its earthy scent filled her senses. She scrambled onto her back, looking in every direction of the darkening forest. Nothing, but trees.

A sudden flash of black darted past in her peripheral vision. Kamilla’s gaze snapped in its direction. Nothing. She swallowed hard. An animal. It was probably just an animal. It had to be.

Her heart thudded in her chest, thumping a beat that only the hearts of the hunted knew. The hearts of those who had once found themselves in the sights of a blood-thirsty beast. Target. Prey.

She began pushing herself up, but froze in fear. With a sharp gasp, she covered her face, cowering against the forest floor when another flash of black whizzed by above her head.

They’d found her. Kamilla was beyond terrified, not to mention furious. The bastards had found her.

Clutching her bag, she scrambled across the ground until she managed to get up off her knees. With her head kept low, Kamilla ran as fast as her tired legs could carry her, keeping to the shadows behind the tall, thick trees.

The sound of breaking twigs had her gasping and crouching down against a large tree. Kamilla bit her lip, trying to breathe as quietly as possible and finding the task difficult considering how fast her heart was beating.

She felt hot and cold at the same time, her face glistening with sweat. Kamilla squeezed her eyes shut, swallowing to moisten her parched throat. Why was this happening to her? Why the hell did her father have to make such a ridiculous oath before he died?! And to a Vampire King, no less! The thought was terrifying.

Kamilla had heard frightening stories about the Vampire specie. She’d heard they were merciless and cold to the root of their dark souls! She’d heard that if you got caught by one in the middle of the night, they would wrap their bat wings around you and squeeze you to death! Very much like a snake.

The thought sent chills down her spine and Kamilla huddled closer to the tree, hiding in its shadow.

It was the chill that crept over her skin that had her turning to ice. Kamilla froze as her entire being became aware of the presence behind her.

Trembling from head to toe, Kamilla slowly turned around. It was like a cloud of darkness hung behind her and out of it, she watched with horror as two glowing green eyes looked at her.

An unrealistically beautiful face emerged with the eyes and drew closer to Kamilla. Her face was frozen in horror until the male’s mouth revealed two sharp fangs and grinned at her.

“Boo!” he whispered.

The scream that tore out of her throat was high enough to shatter glass. Crawling away on her hands and knees, Kamilla tried to escape, her screams not ceasing for even a second.

“Dammit, Vlad!” she heard someone mutter darkly. “I told you not to scare her!”

Not stopping even at the sound of voices, Kamilla continued her attempts to escape, the frightening fangs she’d seen still fresh in her memory.

When her hand landed on something hard and shaped too much like a shoe-covered foot, Kamilla stopped crawling in the shadows and slowly lifted her face.

It was another one! The man had his hands held out in a calming pose. “Hello, there,” he said, his bright red pupils glowing like pure ruby gemstones. “Don’t be sca—”

“Oh, my God! Heeeeeellp! Help!” screamed Kamilla scrambling away from him. “Oh, God! Oh, God!”

“Wait! We won’t hurt you!” he pleaded, drawing closer. “Please, just wait...”

Kamilla crawled away from him, as rapid as a bunny. Like hell she would wait! Wait for what? For him to squeeze her to death with his batwings? Pushing herself up, Kamilla took off as fast as she could, but her exit was soon cut off. Another one appeared, his blonde hair brushed back so his high cheekbones and sharp green eyes were clearly visible to her.

Kamilla held up a trembling hand, the other clutching her bag as she slowly moved backwards. “P-please... don’t hurt me.”

Her heart kicked up in panic and Kamilla darted around to keep running, but immediately came to a sharp halt.

Her knees grew weak and she slowly sunk to the forest floor.

Her eyes were wide, her heart racing now. Kamilla felt like she’d never again be able to draw a breath.

She stared, unable to turn her eyes away from the sight before her. Although terrifying, it was hypnotic in its beauty.

They surrounded her, like a wall of black.

Their eyes glowed and the power they exuded could be felt by even a dead man.

Seven of them. Tall, pale skinned and sinfully handsome.

Kamilla gulped.

The blonde-haired one who’d cornered her stepped forward, his green eyes focused on her.

“Kamilla,” he said, his voice a seductive rasp. He bowed his head. “Our Queen.”