Chapter 3 THE GATES OF RAVENWYCK
Selene was once again bound.
Her wrists were tied to her legs with a thick, rough rope that bit into her skin with every slight bump of the carriage.
Lucian had returned to his reading, as if he hadn't been about to kill a woman a few minutes ago; his long, pale fingers held the document elegantly.
Selene still sat on the floor, her head lowered, watching the moonlight cast onto the floor as it slipped through the window, highlighting her angry, red wrists.
She was stupid.
How did she end up believing she could challenge a vampire king who was centuries older than she was? How did she cook up the idea that tonight was the night she avenged her mother?
Tonight only showed her that she was useless and powerless in the presence of the vampire king. Perhaps he would end up sending her to meet her mother on the other side.
She wished for a miracle, but as a witch, she knew there was no such thing as a miracle; change only happens with power... which she did not possess.
Suddenly, she felt the cart tilting, causing her back to press against the door as they climbed a hill.
She slowly lifted her face, watching as the trees gave way to the full view of the dark sky, the moon leisurely moving along with them as if it pitied her.
She couldn't even see where she was being taken; how was she to escape if she didn't get to see the paths?
The air suddenly turned extremely chilling, making Selene shiver as goosebumps scattered all over her skin. Her nostrils picked up a scent, one she had ingrained in her senses fifteen years ago.
The smell of a vampire: cold, metallic, and extremely repulsive... at least to her.
Only then did she realize where she was being taken.
The sound of the massive gates of Ravenwyck groaned open with a deep, haunting rumble. Iron scraped against stone in a slow, agonizing protest, as though the castle itself resented allowing anyone inside. The sound echoed through the night and settled heavily in Selene's chest, making her stomach twist with dread.
Selene shifted uncomfortably, biting her lip to stop it from trembling as fear weaved itself into her skin and bones. It felt like the entrance to a prison—to a dark, isolated prison where no one ever made it out alive.
The carriage slowly rolled to a stop, and Selene heard footsteps approaching. Her heart started to race once again, dread washing like sluice into her stomach, and breathing slowly started to become difficult for her.
Lucian's door was pulled open by one of his tall guards, who stood aside to let him out.
She watched in awe as Lucian’s height towered way above the carriage; her eyes only stopped at his shoulder, as his neck and head were above the carriage height. She gulped, praying to the moon goddess to see her through this dark journey.
After losing her mother, she lost hope in every god; for if they did exist, they wouldn't have let her mother die. But at that moment, she had no choice but to pray to them, for they seemed to be the only hope she had left in her hopeless life.
"Ah," Selene suddenly gasped as the door behind her was pulled open.
She thought she was going to fall hard onto the ground, but she was suddenly snatched out of the carriage and onto someone's broad shoulder.
She grunted as her back collided with the rigid shoulder; her face turned to the dark sky as the person strode toward the looming Ravenwyck Castle in front of them.
She barely made out anything: blurry trees, blurry dark castle walls, and the heavy sandalwood scent right behind them.
She chose not to struggle or shout; Lucian had clearly displayed his short patience for defiance in the carriage. If she was going to survive, then she needed more brain work and not mouth-work.
Selene was carried through the tall doors of the castle, and the warmth enveloped her like a glove. She would have sighed in content if she wasn't in serious pain from the rope binding her limbs.
The bright glow of the lanterns hanging from the wall cast a soft ambiance around the hall, making the place almost homely... almost. Above, Selene couldn't believe what she saw; the hall was crowned by a magnificent domed ceiling painted with scenes of ancient battles and forgotten kings, making the moon appear blurry, but still clear enough to let the moon lend its light in.
Her admiration was cut short when she was suddenly thrown onto the hard marble floor.
"Mmnng!" She moaned, feeling her elbow cut and bleed from the impact.
She was panting, twisted weirdly on the floor and staring up at the huge man who had just dropped her.
"W-what are you going to do to me?" She stammered, her breath snagging in her chest as the man leaned toward her with a blade reflecting the lights.
"No, please, stay away from—"
The blade flashed.
Selene squeezed her eyes shut.
Then the pressure around her wrists and ankles disappeared.
Her eyes flew open.
"Ahh," she drew in a sharp breath as she saw the rope that bound her now lying cut on the floor.
"Stand," the guard ordered coldly.
Selene was visibly trembling, her eyes scanning behind the guard for a particular tall figure, but she found no one—only the empty grand hall and a few strange statues standing around the walls.
"Get up!" the guard barked.
Selene choked on her spit as she tried to scramble up from the floor. Her sweaty hands kept slipping off the stone floor as she tried to help herself up, and after a very painful struggle, she managed to get herself on her feet.
The moment she stood, a sharp hiss escaped her lips as the skin around her ankles pinched from the sudden flow of blood. She staggered, but she didn't fall... couldn't fall.
"Follow me," the guard said, turned, and walked away.
Selene sniffled, wiping her silent tears. She stared at the closed gigantic doors and bit her lips.
Escaping meant death; she wouldn't even make it halfway through the hall.
She glanced around the grand circle hall and noticed something she had missed. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead like frozen stars, their golden light dancing across polished black marble floors.
The Grand Circle Hall stretched before her in breathtaking splendor. A vast circular chamber rose several stories high, drawing her eyes to the artistic ceiling.
Directly ahead, twin staircases curved gracefully upward from either side of the hall, spiraling toward the upper levels like the wings of a great bird. Thick crimson carpets flowed over every step, their rich color standing out against the pale stone beneath. Ornate silver railings wound alongside the stairs, engraved with ravens, thorned vines, and crescent moons.
Towering pillars lined the perimeter of the hall, their surfaces carved with intricate patterns that disappeared into the shadows above. Between them stood enormous arched windows draped in dark velvet curtains, allowing pale moonlight to spill across the floor.
Noble portraits watched from gilded frames, their painted eyes seeming to follow every movement. The air carried the faint scent of candle wax, old stone, and something darker that Selene could not name.
At the center of the chamber rested a circular mosaic crafted from black, silver, and crimson marble—the royal crest of Ravenwyck etched into its heart.
The hall was beautiful.
Yet beneath its elegance lurked something cold and ancient, as though the castle itself was quietly reminding every visitor that they stood within the domain of monsters.
"I said move!" the guard barked from the distance.
Selene shuddered, tearing her eyes away from the gothic beauty toward the guard who was now standing in front of a dim hallway. Taking a deep breath, she dragged her shaky legs toward the guard, her eyes glancing at the royal crest of Ravenwyck one last time.
She followed the guard along the hallway until they reached the end. He pushed the thick wooden door in to reveal a walkway that led straight to a smaller building. The building wasn't small in general, but compared to the castle, it was small.
"Head straight to that door. Dorothy will prepare you," he ordered.
Selene stood frozen, her mind spiraling all over the place, and she barely made out what the guard said.
"You little—" the guard grabbed Selene's arm and shoved her through the door.
Selene fell to the ground, her knees scraping hard. She groaned, panting as she stared up at the man with teary eyes.
"You're still there?!" the guard roared, taking angry steps towards her.
Selene didn't wait for him to get to her; she quickly got up and limped away from him, gasping for air as her throat tightened with rage and unshed tears.
"Get in there and prepare yourself!" the guard snapped and left, slamming the door to the hallway.
Selene gulped, glancing toward the building that looked more like a secret inn.
She looked from the building to the closed hallway door, wishing she didn't have to go into either of them; she wished she could just snap her fingers and disappear from this nightmare.
"You will be late," a voice spoke behind Selene.
Selene jumped on her feet from fright, clutching her flimsy dress in an attempt to ground herself and her pulse. Slowly, she turned to find a beautiful, middle-aged woman in a flowing green dress, her short hair neatly trimmed to ear level, making her shaped neck visible.
It was clear she was a vampire from how pale her skin was. This must be Dorothy.
"Do not stare," Dorothy said.
Selene blinked, looking away, "Sorry—"
"You will be when you're late to meet the king. Follow me," Dorothy turned and started walking toward the building.
Selene gulped loudly... meet the king?
Why?
