Scarlet Bound

Chapter 1

"Ah... That is quite unfortunate, indeed," he said, his glowing eyes swirling. His appearance dark and disembodied, like the galaxy in the shape of a person, with no limits to define its contour, just light. Specks of white and purple dust smeared over his skin, as his shoulder-length hair and white beard came down in a fog. His eyes were inhuman. All consuming, ancient, powerful, yet dangerous. Like the eyes of an aunt that knew too much and had too little to gain. People were at his mercy. He had nothing to be offered. Nothing to gain. And yet... He always asked for a price. But what demand could there be for a being that had everything at the raise of a fingertip...

"Will you help me?"

He took a drag out of his immaterial pipe and let out his breath slowly. The corners of his moustache raised ever so slightly and his eyes glowed. "Help?"

Rocks descended Roysia's throat with a trail of ice. "You are my last chance. Please," she whispered.

"I am no charitable being."

Neck stiff, she nodded. "I'm aware you require a price."

"Indeed." His teeth reflected in the light of her torch, and she fought the urge to put it out. "Very well, I have an offer for you."

Her mother coughed in the ground, losing her life at the speed of the clock. Roysia closed her trembling fists and plastered them against her sides.

"You see," he took a drag and proceeded, ever so slowly. "I have been put in a troublesome position. One of my oldest friends requires from me a search for a girl whom his son can marry. I, of course, cannot be bothered with such a task." He cocked his head. "You might do me well."

Her mother shivered against her. Roysia gulped. "Whom is this person?"

He smiled. "The vampire prince."

Her eyes darted and her whole body froze. A tiny flame ignited in her core, and gained strength as it burned, burned, and consumed her whole chest. Vampire, she spit in her mind with a laugh. Vampire! Everything screamed at her to turn around and get out from there. He was mocking her! He knew. He knew. No past could be hidden from the evil sorceress. He had examined her past. He was enjoying this.

Making her jaw loose, she ground out "I'll find a suitable girl for him."

And he laughed. "Indeed, you'll do me quite well. I am in no need of another girl. The price is you."

"Why me?"

"Destiny is a wonderful, tragical thing, isn't it? When you have lived for as long as I have, you learn to enjoy what you can."

"So we're just a joke to you? An amusement? Something to pass time?" Her eyes were aflame.

"Roysie..." Her mother looked at her with semi-closed eyes, her mouth slack. "It's ok... You'll be fine... Let me... go.."

Her gaze clouded, her throat tightened, and she struggled with words, until she managed a choked "No." Tears ran through her cheeks, and she squeezed her eyes tight. "NO! It's not happening, Ma! No! I'm going to save you! I am! I can't —" she choked and bit her trembling lip.

"Seems like time is running out, little girl." The sorcerer puffed out. "And you have a choice to make."

Looking at her mother, the lasts of breaths leaving her chest. This was her last chance. In the condition Mother was in, she wouldn't even survive leaving the cave to seek another way.

With despair coating her insides, hatred in her heart for life and for the twisted fate that put her in this spot, she closed her eyes, locked it all in, and bowed in consent.

"Wise, girl."

She would not let her mother die.

And she would not let these inhuman creatures play around with her life.

Let this be a round she lost, but she would a find a way. She would show them all.