[PIC OF ELLA ABOVE AND PIC OF AUNT ROSLIN BELOW]

IMPRESS.

Chapter Three: The Road to Aeralin

PART 1

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"No! What? Ella why are you happy? The IMPRESS event is dangerous?!" I exclaimed jumping to my feet and rushing into the dining area where Ella stood alongside Todd.

Ella was grinning insanely, scanning her sky-blue eyes over the ink-written words on her letter.

She looked up after hearing the concern in my voice, "Natalya, I am a vampire. I know I could die. But I also know I am going to win. Besides, I heard the prince is a complete heartthrob and his birthday is next week. Swoooooon."

I furrowed my eyes as I stared down at my feet in thought, "The prince turns 100-years-old next week?"

The prince was turning 100 years but was forever stuck in the form of a 20-year-old human. My mother, who seemed to be a librarian in all things history, always kept me up on the royals' birthdays.

"Yesssssss..." Ella says dreamily swaying side to side, whilst hugging her letter to her chest, staring into space.

Todd lifts his eyebrows at me and mouths "She is mad."

I nod in agreement before Aunt Roslin enters the kitchen with a burgundy velvet robe on her hourglass figure. "What is going on in here?"

"Mother, Ella has been chosen to compete against six other girls to impress the prince and become a queen." Todd announced whilst rubbing his hands together, only up until he finished his sentence, however.

Aunt Roslin's eyes grew so wide that I thought her eyes would be stuck like that. The way her eyes glowed so bright with a pleasant golden colour, showed her excitement and delight. "That is wonderful!! Pass me the letter darling."

Ella passed the letter to her mother, who read it with glee, "This is fantastic! You, my dove, are going to win this competition and be a queen. Trust me."

I didn't want to say anything like 'don't do it' because, judging by how happy Aunt Roslin is, she would not be happy if someone got in the way of Ella winning this deadly competition.

Marcus finally decided to join in all the commotion, "What if she loses a stage and gets killed, mother?" At least the boy has sense.

"Yeah, what if she loses?" I repeat Marcus' words and earn a glare from everyone except for Todd. "Never mind... sorry," I mumble and back up a little.

As you can see anyone in this house could tear me to pieces at any moment, which is quite frightening at times.

"Ella won't lose - will you Ella?" Aunt Roslin said with a threatening undertone in her voice.

"N- No I won't." Ella glanced at her mother for a moment and turned back to us with a huge smile that looked forced. I just nodded slowly, like I was buying the fact that she wasn't scared at all. I wasn't convinced at all.

I have faith in Ella don't get me wrong, she is a gorgeous vampire who can protect herself. But, the stories I've heard about the prince and the previous IMPRESS events that have happened in Asten before, aren't pretty.

Wait, maybe I could break the news of my departure right now. It is a pretty convenient time.

"Uhm, I have something to share with you Ella, Todd, Marcus, Aunt Roslin," I stated and got everyone's eyes to snap to my vulnerable human form.

Aunt Roslin folded her arms and tilted her nose up, like the strict widow she was, "Speak dear."

I swallowed nervously and blurted out the announcement, "Alaric has invited me to live with him, in the castle..." I waited a little bit to see the reactions I was dreading to see, "with the royals... I am leaving tomorrow."

Aunt Roslin was already fuming, I could tell. Her eyes were flaring with the rage that was boiling inside of her, but she quickly composed herself when she saw me staring at her with worry. "Aunt Roslin, are you okay?"

"I am fine, just pack your bags and say your goodbyes. I want you out right now." Aunt Roslin said in a voice that was threatening to rise at any moment.

I widened my eyes, "but I don't leave until tomo-"

"I want you out or else!" Aunt Roslin unexpectedly yelled in my face, causing some veins under her eyes to appear black, thick and very demonic.

Her sudden tone of voice startled me. I watched her walk out the kitchen after exhaling in frustration.

Ella, Todd and Marcus were looking at me in shock. Ella had a look of concern and sympathy of her face, she most likely noticed that I was going to cry. And that was probably the reason she came and engulfed me into a hug.

"Don't worry Natalya. Harrison lives around the corner, you can sleep at his place tonight. Mother- shes just... upset."

Ella rubbed my back up and down, as I tried my best not to start crying on her shoulder. She let go after a moment and left the kitchen, saying, "I'll see you in about a weeks time at the castle."

It was only Marcus, Todd and me now.

Marcus was staring at me with so much hostility and malice; his eyes a dark red that resembled the colour of blood. "You better hurry and leave before I rip your throat out, you witch!"

He left after his threat to me, and I frowned. Witch? I am not a witch? Who told him that? Is that why he dislikes me?

I guess Aunt Roslin had told all of them about our family's secret.

I didn't want to cry because crying showed weakness and I had done enough of that these past weeks. I was getting bored with crying; it didn't help me at all.

Todd approached me and enveloped me in a pity-filled embrace. "Ignore him. Like Ella said, go sleep at Harrisons, I trust him."

Todd wiped the tear nearly dropping from my eye, "Be careful in that castle, the prince isn't exactly kind-hearted and I know he or one of his stupid men will try and take advantage of your beauty and human state. Promise me you'll be careful?"

I stared into Todd's eyes and they almost looked like they were pleading me to promise, they weren't as lively as they usually were. I smiled at Todd and wrapped my hands around his body, placing my chin on his shoulder, "I promise, don't worry about me Todd. I'll see you soon, hopefully when Ella impressed the prince." I laughed lightly, making my body vibrate against Todd's chest.

"Oh, that reminds me. If you know Ella is in danger when she's at the castle, promise me you'll help keep her alive." Todd moved back so we were face to face again. This time, he was giving me a warm smile again.

I arched my brow, "Well, I doubt I'll be the one keeping her alive, it'll most likely be the other way around."

Todd laughed aloud and then tapped his nose, "That's what you think."

"What are you hiding from me?" I asked curiously, eyeing him with suspicion.

Todd dug into the pockets of his long, black, medieval breeches and pulled out an emerald green, garnet drop, pendant.

"What is that?" I asked in bewilderment. He smirked, "Your parents, my aunt and uncle, must have just known to trust me. When you turned sixteen two years ago, your mother and father visited my mother, and gave me this... They instructed me to give it you if you were ever going to leave Icilia, which you are."

I stuck out my palm to retrieve the pendant from Todd, but he balled it in his fist. "But, first, you have to make one final promise to me?"

Eager to touch the pendant, I quickly asked, "Promise?"

Todd motioned for me to turn around, allowing him to put it around my neck, and smiled, nodding slowly this time, "Promise me you'll never take this off, even when you go to sleep, eat or bathe. Never, ever, take it off once you are in Aeralin and near the royals. Ok?"

"Thank you, Todd."

He messed up my hair, causing it to undoubtedly look like a birds nest. "No problem. Now you better go pack before Marcus or my mother comes back. I'll walk you to Harrisons once you are done."

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[Later that day]

Todd had helped carry my things and had walked me all the way to Harrison's family house, which was gigantic.

It was like Harrison smelt my blood, because he was out of the front door almost instantly. He had a look of confusion once he spotted the two boxes full of my belongings next to me. "Is everything alright?"

I shook my head despairingly and smiled dejectedly, "Aunt Roslin kicked me out."

Harrison approached me before enveloping me into his arms, "Oh, I'm so sorry. Well, you can stay with us, I am sure my father, mother and Fredrick won't mind. You are basically second family."

Fredrick will definitely mind, but I shrugged that thought away.

"Why did she kick you out, may I ask?" Harrison asked whilst helping me with my stuff- like the gentleman he was.

I sighed loudly, remembering that I had yet to break the news of my departure to my best friend. "Promise me you won't go all vampire on me once I tell you why." I say pleadingly, "Please?"

Harrison tensed a little, becoming slightly worried but nodded. "Go on."

I cleared my throat, trying to think of a way to reveal the news, "Well, erm... I- uh- I'm leaving?" It came out more like a question, as I was too scared to fully admit that I was leaving tomorrow.

A streak of red sparked in Harrison's eyes and I jumped back, "Leaving? What do you mean? When? Where are you going?"

I squeezed my eyes shut, afraid to look at Harrison, "Don't get angry, but Alaric wants me to go live with him in the castle, in Aeralin. I leave tomorrow." I rushed out and glanced up to see a pained expression on Harrison's face.

He placed both his hands on my cheeks and lifted my face, "You aren't joking. You are going to be living with the worst vampires in the entire realm Natalya, is Alaric aware of that?"

I gently took Harrison's hands into mine and held them, "I'm not joking and yes, he is aware of that, but he will take better care of me. I mean, I really don't feel safe under my aunt's care, she has quite the temper... But don't worry, I can protect myself, Harrison." I reassured him. However, he wasn't convinced.

Harrison brought one his hands to the side of my neck and stroked. "The king is mad; the prince is a homicidal maniac; the queen is most likely twisted too, and the princess is known to be very manipulative and a killer herself. They will no doubt tear your throat apart for that heavenly blood that runs through your veins."

Harrison added, horrified, "They also have those unique abilities which make them ten times stronger Natalya."

I half-heartedly smiled at his compliment about my blood, because it wasn't exactly great to have attractive blood. "Listen, I can protect myself, Harrison. And if not, Alaric will protect m-"

Harrison cut me off by getting distracted by the new emerald pendant around my neck, "Where did you get this?"

I took the pendant in between my fingers and picked at it, "My parents left it for me, but never mind this, I will be safe Harrison."

Harrison worryingly frowned down at me. You could tell he was very affected by my news. I felt bad but what else could be done?

"You could stay with me?" Harrison suggested and I huffed, shaking my head at him.

"Thanks, but I wouldn't want to see your brother every single day of my life. I am sorry but that is the truth." I admitted, still trying to keep a bit of a smile on my face.

Harrison pushed a loose piece of wavy hair behind my ear, "But what will you do to pass time in a castle full of vampires who could kill you?"

I shrugged but then remembered that I was going to be trying to find out the person who was behind the death of my parents, "I, well, I am going to try to find out who was behind the village fire and caused my mother, father and half of village friends to burn to death."

My best friend was freaked out by the psychotic smile on my face, which involved my eyes growing wide, "I'm not going to stop you from doing that because I would do the same thing, but remember to be careful. What do you plan on doing after finding the person responsible?" "And please stop smiling like that, it is very disturbing." He smilingly added and I laughed out loud, reducing the size of eyes back to normal.

"I plan on getting revenge. You know me; I am one to hold a grudge. There are so many people I have mentally written down on my list of revenge, and the person who killed my parents is at the very top." I crossed my arms and put extra emphasis on the 'p'.

Harrison smirked, "That is the Natalya I know and love. I hope I am not on that list of yours?"

I laughed and shook my head at him, "Of course not silly, you are my partner in crime; my rib."

My list had started when I was 16 years old and there were ten names on it so far. The first one now being the person who killed my parents.

The second one was Anastasia-White Harris. She was an extremely remorseless girl that had previously beaten me up on a daily basis as she thought that, since she was a vampire, she could hurt me whenever she wished. Fortunately, she moved regions a year ago.

If I ever saw the girl again I would be terrified.

Third on my list was the guy who had all the power over the taxes: Jamie Hayes. What a horrible man. He bothered my parents about paying their taxes, all the time when they couldn't afford it, and when they didn't, Jamie would try to sexually assault my mother.

I would physically have to stop the man from harassing my mother or scream for my father every time Jamie Hayes even thought of touching my mother and I. Thankfully my father was able to find some money to pay him off before he could have his way with us. That still didn't make me take Jamie off my list as he did this almost every time- to the point where my parents and I feared him.

Fourth, fifth and sixth on my list was Charlotte Viana, Tyler Matthews and Drew Walters. All vampires of course.

Tyler was Charlotte's boyfriend and he was toxic. He was one of many vampires that always drank from me, almost killing me in the process. The boy never tore at my neck with care. He was rough, just like his best pal Drew.

Drew was lethal, he killed everything he touched and whenever he drank my blood it was like he would drink more each time. He liked me, and whenever I refused to be his, he would dig his nails into my throat and knock me down.

Thankfully Harrison would show up at the right times, most of the time, and stop Drew from killing me.

Charlotte Viana was just cruel, she wanted me dead. She didn't like that 'her' boys would spend their attention on a human-like me. She did try her best to get rid of me but failed.

The seventh and eighth people on my list were also vampires, but these weren't just average vampires. These were experienced vampire lords: Jaden McLaren and Nicholas Steele.

Lord McLaren was an old vampire who was after me. He claimed he had fallen for me, although I had only spoken to him a few times in the past two years. He claimed he loved me but then almost sexually abused me one day. I have had bad experiences, this one being one of the worst.

That was the day I became truly petrified of vampires.

Lord Steele was on my list because he held me down when Lord McLaren wanted to... you know.... Luckily, I was saved by Fredrick, although he hated me and I hated him.

I never ever spoke about what happened. I just bottled it. At least now I knew how disgusting and sick an individual could be just to get what they want... And, at least, I was prepared for anything bad that could ever happen to me.

Ninth was Fredrick, and you can guess why.

Tenth was unofficial, but it was Aunt Roslin because I now knew of her cruel intentions, and knowing how easily she got mad at me about leaving, I was certain she wanted to use me for her own selfish reasons. I don't like being used, and Aunt Roslin wasn't loyal, so if she wronged me again she would become an official member on my list.

"You must be freezing, let me help you take your things inside. Hopefully, Fredrick won't be back from his duties today, and later tomorrow instead." Harrison picks up both boxes of mine and speeds into his house before coming back out and pulling me inside by the hand.

Whilst running inside, I hold up the pink flowery dress Aunt Roslin gave me, to stop it from trailing across the dirty gravel and tearing.

"Slow down Harrison!" I squeal, almost tripping over the front doorstep.

That was close.

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Early update of chapter three and I am really grateful that you are reading this. Over 100 votes and comments so far and I am over the moon. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Q: How do you feel about Aunt Roslin and her three children then? Do you like them?

Natalya is leaving soon and will be reunited with her brother but, will her journey to the Aeralin where the royals live be all sunshine and rainbows, well, you'll have to wait for the next chapter to see ;)

An image of what Ella looks like in my eyes at the top.

VOTE, COMMENT & I LOVE YOU!

- N1Dreamerx