Kapitel 2: Chapter 2 - A Lamb for a Life
The throne room was a cavernous expanse of cold stone and flickering torches. Shadows stretched across the walls, moving as if alive, whispering secrets she wasn't meant to hear. Eira's boots echoed sharply as she stormed into the space, her breath quick and shallow, her fingers curling tightly around the strap of her satchel.
A court of pale and impossibly beautiful faces turned in unison, their expressions a mixture of disdain and curiosity.
They were all watching her.
They lounged in elegant clusters on velvet-draped chairs and at polished tables, their movements languid, almost predatory. Eyes—red, gold, and silver—glinted in the dim light, catching her like a rabbit caught in a snare.
Eira's pulse pounded in her ears, but she forced herself to keep moving.
She had grown up in a world where vampires were no longer whispers in the dark but cold, hard truths—documented on grainy footage and whispered about on the news. But knowing they existed was one thing. Facing them? She hadn't, at least not knowingly.
The air smelled of old stone and something faintly metallic, like blood left too long in the sun. She kept her chin high, ignoring the murmurs that rippled through the crowd like the hiss of snakes.
The scene before her was so over-the-top, so theatrical, that for a fleeting moment she wondered if this could be some kind of elaborate hoax. The vampires' ornate attire—velvet cloaks, corsets, lace gloves—looked more like costumes for a gothic play than the wardrobe of a predatory race.
Was this some kind of role-playing party?
The thought clung to her, irrational and desperate, as if by doubting she could make it true. But the way their glowing eyes followed her every move, the way their stillness held a predatory edge—no.
These weren't actors.
This was real.
Her legs faltered briefly, but she caught herself, pushing forward. The court's whispers grew louder, a low susurrus that seemed to crawl along her skin, but she forced herself to ignore it.
She stopped abruptly in the center of the room, her gaze sweeping the space for the leader of these monsters. A throne of shadow and stone sat at the far end, the space around it unnervingly still.
But it was empty.
Her chest tightened, a flicker of doubt rising.
That has to be it.
She tilted her head back, raising her voice to fill the cavernous space. "Caius Draven!" she called, her tone defiant despite the tremor in her chest.
The whispers ceased.
The room was silent for a heartbeat, and then another. Her breath quickened.
"Where is he?" she demanded, turning and sweeping her gaze across the court. "Show yourself!"
The response was a low, velvety voice from behind her. "You're very loud for a lamb."
Eira spun, her heart leaping into her throat.
He was seated on the throne now, as though he had been there all along.
Caius Draven.
The man—no, the monster—watched her with a sharp, predatory stillness. His almost messy brown hair framed a face of cruel elegance, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the torchlight. He sat with the ease of someone who knew he controlled every inch of the room, one leg draped over the other, his fingers lightly curled over the arm of his throne.
Her breath hitched. She hadn't imagined the golden eyes in the storm.
Eira took a hesitant step forward, her legs trembling despite her best efforts. "You're Caius Draven," she said, her voice clear despite the lump in her throat.
Caius tilted his head, his lips curling into a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes. "And you must be the sister. You're braver than I expected."
"And you're more arrogant than I expected," Eira snapped, unable to help herself.
A ripple of laughter, cold and mocking, spread through the court. She ignored it, her eyes locked on Caius as she continued, "You have my brother, and I want him back. Now."
Caius raised a single brow, the faint smile still playing on his lips. "Demanding, aren't we? Do you even know where you are, little lamb?"
Her cheeks flushed at the condescension, but she refused to falter. "I don't care where I am. You've taken my brother, and I'm not leaving until I get him."
The murmurs behind her grew louder, slithering through the air like smoke. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, the strap of her satchel digging into her palm.
"Don't play games with me," she said, her voice tight with suppressed fury. "You know why I'm here. Whatever he did—whatever you think he did—he's my brother. Take me instead. Punish me, not him."
Caius's smile widened slightly, amusement flickering in his golden eyes. "Ah, the protective sister. Noble, but naive. What makes you think I want either of you? Your brother is simply… collateral. A message."
"Then consider it received!" she snapped. Her voice cracked, but she pressed on, fire igniting in her veins. "If you've made your point, let him go. Or are you so starved for attention that you need to keep him chained up like some trophy?"
The court hissed with laughter, a mocking sound that only fueled her anger. Caius chuckled softly, the sound cold and detached. "Bold, aren't you? Most who stand where you are tend to grovel. But you… you fight."
"You haven't seen me fight yet." Eira
At that, Caius leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees as he studied her. The movement was slow, deliberate, like a predator deciding whether the prey was worth the chase. "Do you even know what your brother did to end up in my dungeons?"
Eira's jaw tightened. "I don't care what he did. He's my brother."
"And what are you prepared to give in exchange for his life?" Caius asked, his voice soft but cutting, the question slicing through the air like a blade.
Eira's breath hitched. She hadn't thought that far ahead, too blinded by desperation to plan beyond confronting him. But the way his golden eyes pinned her down, the faint smirk playing on his lips—it was clear he already knew the answer.
"My blood," she said quickly, her voice trembling. "You're a vampire, right? That's what you want, isn't it?"
Caius rose from his throne in one fluid motion, his movements unnervingly graceful. He took a single step toward her, and despite herself, Eira flinched. The court sneared behind her, a low jeer of destain or amusement—she couldn't tell.
"Your blood," he mused, his voice deep and smooth, as if he were savoring the words. He was standing before her now, towering over her petite frame, and her heart hammered against her ribs. "A tempting offer, but blood is so… fleeting. So easy to take. It's cheap, little lamb. A resource, nothing more."
"Then what do you want?" she demanded. "Gold? Power? Whatever you want, I'll find it."
Caius stepped closer, his golden gaze never leaving hers. His movements were unhurried, calculated, like a predator closing in. "What I want… is priceless. Irreplaceable. And right now, I find myself intrigued. Tell me, how far are you willing to go for your precious Finn?"
Her knees wavered, but she stood her ground. "As far as I have to," she said, her voice trembling but resolute. "I'll give you whatever you want."
"Careful, little lamb," Caius said, his lips curving into a smirk. "Promises like that are dangerous."
His hand shot out, faster than she could react, and grasped her wrist. Eira gasped as he pulled her closer, her back hitting the cold stone of a nearby column. He leaned in, his breath brushing her ear as he whispered, "Careful, little lamb. Bargain with the devil, and you may find yourself burned."
Eira swallowed hard, refusing to let the fear show in her voice. "Then tell me what you want. If not my blood, then what?"
Caius pulled back just enough to meet her eyes, his golden gaze studying her as if weighing something. He tilted his head slightly, a faint crease forming between his brows, as if her defiance intrigued him.
Then his lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
"Your brother's freedom will cost more than blood," he said, his voice soft but unyielding. "It will cost you. As my wife."
The court erupted in murmurs and gasps, their shock rippling through the room like a wave. Eira froze, the words hitting her like a blow to the chest. "What?" she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Caius leaned in again, his face inches from hers. "You heard me. Marry me, and your brother will go free. Refuse…" His golden eyes darkened, the faint glow in them intensifying. "And he will rot in my dungeons until there is nothing left of him."
Eira's heart felt like it was trying to claw its way out of her chest. She stared up at him, her breath coming in quick, shallow bursts. She wanted to scream at him, to curse him, but Finn's face—bruised and broken, just like in the sketch—flashed in her mind.
"You're insane," she spat, though her voice trembled.
"Perhaps," Caius said, his smirk widening. "But those are my terms. Decide."
The room felt like it was closing in on her. Eira's fingers curled into fists at her sides as she forced herself to meet his gaze. "If I agree… you'll let him go?"
"You have my word," Caius said, his tone suddenly softer, almost reverent. "He'll be free the moment the vows are spoken."
She hesitated, her entire body trembling. Her instincts screamed at her to run, to fight, to do anything but agree. But Finn's face wouldn't leave her mind. She couldn't lose him.
"Fine," she said finally, her voice shaking but resolute. "I'll do it."
Caius's smirk softened into something more like satisfaction, his golden eyes gleaming. "Then it's settled." He reached out, his fingers brushing her cheek almost tenderly. "You're mine now."
Eira's breath caught as the court erupted around her, their voices a chaotic mixture of laughter, disbelief, and venomous whispers. But Caius only turned, his movements calm and deliberate, before retaking his place on the throne.
"Prepare the bride," he said, his voice carrying through the room.
Eira's knees nearly buckled. What had she just agreed to?
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
JadedButCute
JadedButCute Oh wow, what a chapter! This one had me sweating bullets while writing. Eira just made the deal of her life—talk about high stakes! I mean, agreeing to marry a vampire lord to save her brother? Bold. Terrifying. Possibly insane. But hey, family first, right?
I’d love to hear what you think—was this a brave move, or has Eira just thrown herself into a situation way over her head? Caius definitely isn’t making things easy for her, and I promise things are only going to get more complicated from here. Buckle up!
Like it ? Add to library！:)
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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