Drake decided to return to the vampires' hideout, determined to find the man he had encountered the night before. He still had bruises on his body and a bandage on his face. He made sure no other slayers saw him going in. He didn't know exactly what he'd find, but he needed answers. Drake hid in the same spot he had used the first time he came to the hideout. Since he couldn't see everyone from there, he decided to move closer. He took cover behind the thick trunk of a large tree near the area and watched carefully, trying to spot any male vampire around the same age as the man he was looking for. He was so focused on scanning the crowd that he didn't notice three vampires silently approaching from behind.
"What are you doing?" asked the biggest of the three, a man with a thick beard.
Drake froze, struggling to speak. "Ahmm…"
He turned to run, but one of the vampires grabbed him by the collar, yanking him back before he could take a step. He tried to twist free from the vampire's grip, but his body wasn't fully healed, and he didn't have enough strength to escape.
The vampires brought him into the crowd, and everyone started to stare. Drake stayed silent, his eyes scanning the area. Vampires whispered, some looked angry, and children ran to hide behind their parents. A few even threw tomatoes at him.
*****
Selena was quietly reading a book in her room when a noise outside caught her attention. She got up from her bed and walked to the window. Since her room was on the second floor, she had a better view. Gently, she slid the curtain aside to see what was happening. The book slipped from her hands and fell to the floor when she saw Drake being held by her father's men.
"What on earth is he doing here? How did he even find this place? What should I do?" she muttered to herself, pacing back and forth in worry. "My father is going to kill him."
Selena ran outside to check on Drake, but made sure he didn't see her. A moment later, King Armand arrived at the scene where the vampires were holding him.
"Take him to the basement," King Armand ordered firmly.
The three vampires obeyed and dragged Drake away, locking him inside the basement. Selena quietly followed them from a distance, careful not to be seen, to know exactly where they took him.
*****
Drake was placed in a basement room with no windows. The door was made of steel, with a small barred opening that allowed people to see inside—just like a prison cell. After the vampires locked him in the cell, they left without a word. A few moments later, a man appeared at the door. He wore a long, richly embroidered robe of deep crimson velvet, trimmed with gold thread and lined with soft fur. His boots were made of fine leather—detailed, yet built for purpose. He carried himself with quiet authority, and his presence alone made the air feel heavier. Two vampires stood behind him, silent and watchful, like loyal guards.
"Pick him up," King Armand ordered coldly.
The two vampires stepped forward and lifted Drake from the ground.
"What were you thinking, coming to this place?" the king asked, his voice sharp and demanding.
Drake stayed silent, kept looking on the floor.
"Where is your comrade? Answer me!" King Armand's tone grew harsher.
Still, Drake said nothing.
King Armand just nodded. The vampire holding Drake punched him hard in the side, and Drake stumbled.
Then, King Armand grabbed Drake's face tightly, making it hurt. "Where are the others?"
"I'm alone," Drake said weakly.
King Armand nodded to the vampire on his left to punch Drake again. "If you want to do this the hard way, then let's do it the hard way." He nodded again.
A minute later, the vampire told two other vampires to bring a bucket full of water.
"Who told you about this place?" King Armand shouted, his voice filled with fury.
Drake kept his mouth shut, refusing to answer.
Without hesitation, the vampire beside him grabbed the back of his head and forced him down into the container of water, holding him under as bubbles rose to the surface.
King Armand kept asking the same question, but he only got the same silent answer from Drake.
"Torture him, but don't kill him," he ordered the two vampires holding him, then turned and left.
The two vampires hurt him by punching him and pushing his head into the water. But Drake didn't say anything. Blood came from his cuts, dripping to the floor and the strong smell made the vampires want to drink it. One of the vampires stared at Drake with hunger in his eyes. He stepped closer, licking his lips.
"I'm just going to take a little." he whispered.
"No. We're not allowed." the other vampire said and grabbed his arm.
But the hungry one pushed him away. He didn't care anymore. He leaned in, mouth opens, fangs showing, moving towards Drake's neck—
"What do you think you're doing?"
The voice stopped him cold.
Everyone in the room looked up, heads turning toward the doorway. Shock filled their faces when they saw who it was—Lady Selena.
"My apologies, Lady Selena," the hungry vampire said quickly, lowering his gaze.
"You two—back off and leave," she ordered firmly.
The vampires hesitated for a moment, then slowly stepped away from Drake and made their way out of the room without another word.