Chosen (Book #4 of the Vampire Legends). Emma Knight

His mind was set on finding Rachel.

      He felt a tug at his jacket and a warm hand go up his shirt. “Rob, come on, let’s go upstairs. There’s something I want to show you now,” Arielle pleaded again.

      She pulled him into her arms and started rubbing her head against his neck and chest. Rob didn’t know what to do. He kind of liked this, but was conflicted. He knew he had to leave. He couldn’t stay for another minute.

      “No Arielle! I said, I’m leaving,” Rob said, pushing her off of him and walking quickly outside to get into his blue Audi.

      Arielle ran after him into the darkness and followed him into his car. She jumped in the passenger seat and started caressing his leg. Rob didn’t know what to do. The smell of her body, of her blood was enticing him as she inched her way closer and closer towards him. He couldn’t resist her anymore. He leaned in to her as if to kiss her, and his fangs emerged from his gums. He knew she was clueless as to what was happening, but before he could stop himself, he sunk his teeth deep down into her neck, sucking the blood out of her limp body.

      She lay there in his arms, her eyes twitching as she looked back at him with a glaze in her eye. Her body began to shake and he could see the transformation taking place in front of his eyes. He knew he had just turned her.

      He swiftly got out of his car, and ran to the passenger side, opened the door and scooped Arielle out. He lay her down on the grass by an old tree. He knew she’d be safe there, safer than on the wild journey he was about to take. His only hope was that she wouldn’t tell anyone what had happened.

       Chapter 5

      Rachel flew through the air at lightning speed to get to the place she thought would have some answers for her. She landed, then looked up at the castle as if it she didn’t recognize it. It was completely different. There was scaffolding up over the entire outside with bright blue tarps hanging over the roof. She could see the cracks in the façade and instantly knew what had happened. The Greslins. They invaded during the great war. She couldn’t help but worry if everyone was all right. She hoped that Matilda and Uncle Drew were OK and that they were still living there.

      She quickly walked up the cracked marble staircase and into the grand foyer of the castle. She ran into the library to find Uncle Drew, but he wasn’t there.

      “Uncle Drew, Uncle Drew!” Rachel called. “Where are you?”

      She waited a few seconds and called his name again. Then, as if from thin air, Uncle Drew stood before her.

      “Yes, my dear, what can I do for you?” Uncle Drew asked.

      “Uncle Drew, you have to help me. It’s Benji, there’s something wrong,” she said, worried.

      “You’ve been gone for almost a year. I heard you took the leap of faith with him,” Uncle Drew said. “I’m proud of you, Rachel. I knew you had it in you.”

      “Never mind that,” Rachel said, “Benji’s in trouble, he’s hurt and I don’t know what to do.”

      “What do you mean he’s hurt?” Uncle Drew asked, sounding alarmed.

      In walked Matilda, who’d overheard their conversation.

      “Benji’s hurt?” she asked.

      “Yeah! He’s bleeding from his neck, and he’s unconscious. I need help. Fast!” Rachel yelled.

      “Where is he?” Matilda asked.

      “He’s in the cave, where I left him. He was too heavy for me to carry but he’s tucked away safely in the cave,” she said, hoping that it was true. She assumed he’d be safe there for a few more days. After all, they’d been there for almost a year and they were OK. She didn’t think he’d be in any danger from the Greslin Coven there; he seemed protected.

      “You need to get back there,” Matilda said. “You can’t just assume he will be safe.”

      “I can’t go until I find the Red Amulet,” Rachel said. “He woke for only a moment and uttered those words.”

      “The Red Amulet?” Uncle Drew asked. “I haven’t heard those words in thousands of years.”

      “What is it?” Rachel asked.

      “The Red Amulet is an ancient healing pendant. It’s said to be able to cure any illness or injury known to the vampire people,” Uncle Drew said.

      “I’ve never seen the Red Amulet,” Matilda said, questioning him.

      “That’s because it has been hidden for many years, since your great grandfather used it to save his wife, Gertrude from imminent death,” Uncle Drew replied. “It hasn’t been seen since.”

      “Where’s our great grandfather now?” Matilda asked. “I don’t think I’ve met him.”

      “No, you haven’t met him. He lives in Europe now, with Gertrude. They live in Palpana Castle with her family. After the incident they grew into solitude and didn’t talk to the family anymore,” Uncle Drew explained.

      “So, how can I find it?” Rachel asked.

      “That’s a good question. I think the only one who still talks to your great grandfather is Hunter. I don’t know if he would know, but it’s worth a shot,” Uncle Drew said.

      “Where’s Hunter?” Rachel asked. “I haven’t seen him in over a year!”

      “Last I heard, he was back at his prep school,” Matilda said.

      “Then I have to go there. I must go find him now,” Rachel said in a hurry.

      “But wait! I want to come, too,” Matilda said, looking around and grabbing her coat.

      “No, Matilda. This is something I must do on my own. I must be brave and strong,” Rachel said. “Goodbye!”

       Chapter 6

      Rachel ran through the gates of Hunter’s prep school and down the long driveway. She remembered the prep school from last year, but it looked a little different to her. Maybe her head was foggy, but she couldn’t remember where Hunter’s dorm was.

      She stopped and looked around at the identical red brick buildings with white shutters. The wind was blowing and the leaves that were falling off the trees were brushing past her as they travelled to the ground. She saw some kids walking around, but didn’t recognize any of them. Why should she? She only came here once. She didn’t know who to approach to ask about Hunter.

      Then, she spotted something familiar: the coffee shop. The bells rang as she entered through the door and saw some of the kids look up at her. She knew she wasn’t a student here, but she couldn’t understand all the cold stares. Was she trespassing? Unwelcome? She couldn’t figure it out, but didn’t care. All she cared about was finding Hunter and the Red Amulet.

      She walked over to the counter and waited for the man behind the counter to acknowledge her.

      “Sir, excuse me!” Rachel said, trying to get him to turn around.

      “Hello? Can you help me?” Rachel said again.

      “Hello, Miss, what do you need?” the man behind the counter asked.

      “I’m looking for someone,” Rachel said.

      “I can try. I know most everyone around here,” the man replied.

      “Well, I need to find Hunter,” Rachel said.

      “Hunter who?” the man asked.

      “Um. I actually don’t know his last name. You know Hunter, he’s been going here for a while,” Rachel answered, trying to give him more information.

      “Uh, why are you looking for Hunter?” a girl asked.