Descend into Darkness (BOOK 1)

| 05 | The Sleeping Prince

The vampire seated beside me was unusually placid on our ride to the city. His eyes were calm. His mouth fixed in place as a line, as though he had something on his mind.

   He studied the scenery as it passed by, as though it had been a long time since he truly looked at theThe vampire seated beside me appeared unusually serene during our ride to the city. His eyes were tranquil, and the lines of his mouth remained fixed, as though lost in thought. 

   He observed the passing scenery, seemingly captivated by the world around him.

   "How often do you go out in public?" I asked.

   "Not often."

   "I find that hard to believe."

   A subtle grin formed on his lips. For some reason, seeing it brought me a sense of happiness. I couldn't explain why, but it did.

   I toyed with the fabric of my dress, admiring its exquisite beauty. The material felt delicate and luxurious between my fingers. I couldn't recall the last time I wore something so elegant. It made me feel vulnerable, as if my protective armour had been stripped away.

   I was his sacrificial lamb in white.

   "Here." He pulled a digital camera from his pocket. "I'm not good with technology, so you'll need to teach me how it works."

   I laughed. "You really are full of surprises."

   I showed him how to turn the camera on and take a photo. He watched my demonstration, a mix of confusion and curiosity on his face. After a few minutes, when he felt more confident, he took the camera in his hand and aimed it at me.

   "Too close!"

   Click!

   He examined the screen. "You look funny."

   "I told you it was too close!"

   I snatched the camera and pointed it at him. He lifted his chin and flashed a grin.

  Click!

   "How did it turn out?" he inquired.

   Carden placed his hand over mine, causing me to stiffen at his touch. He leaned in to examine the screen. I tried to swallow my nerves as discreetly as I could. He was undeniably handsome. The photo captured all his features, seemingly amplifying them. I couldn't help but envy his flawless appearance.

   "You captured my bad angle!" He pouted. "Take another one."

   "What?! No! You look great."

   He grinned. "Yeah? You think so?"

   I looked away and pursed my lips. "I-I'm just saying..."

   Carden glanced towards the front of the bus. "This is our stop."

   We stood up, and he followed me to the front of the bus. I steadied myself on one of the poles, and Carden did the same. His fingers brushed against mine. I pretended not to notice.

   The bus pulled over to the curb and squealed to a halt. His body pressed against mine. Again, I pretended not to notice and hurried off the bus as soon as the doors opened.

   "So, where are we going?"

   He gestured behind me. "Take a look."

   It was a florist. Odd. First the dress, and now the flowers. Was he preparing me for my funeral? I glanced back at him over my shoulder. He gently guided me forward.

   As we stepped through the doorway, I was greeted by a soothing mist that cascaded across my face. The sweet scent of flowers danced through the air, and glistening hues spread across the room like a colourful wildfire. My eyes were drawn to the crimson roses blooming in the corner.