Part 3: Changelings
"Did you just try to kill me?"
To her, it felt as if the blade had pierced her heart.
She threw the dagger into his leg.
He needed to be punished.
He let out a scream for the first time.
This made Angelica close her eyes and smile; he finally understood what betrayal cost.
"That's good. Scream for me."
She took a step closer, and the world narrowed on him
"Cry for me."
She took another step closer, brandishing her small dagger.
"Die for-"
As if by magic, she was lifted off the ground and flew through a tree.
What she saw was a massive blue demon.
He hesitated for a moment before he stalked in her direction.
She was groaning on the ground.
A large hand held her by the throat.
She heard it take a deep breath, and she felt the temperature rise.
She turned her gaze to Ryan and held out her hand.
The look of satisfaction on his face made her cry.
At that moment, she accepted her fate.
"Eragon! Stop."
The beast closed its mouth with a small growl.
She heard footsteps approaching her.
"Help Ryan, I shall handle the Dhampir."
How did the voice know what she was?
She tried to get up, but her body wouldn't move.
Her head was trapped in the direction of Ryan and the beast.
He was passed out, and he was treated so tenderly, while she was tossed to the side.
All she could do was close her eyes and cry as quietly as she could.
As she wept softly, she felt herself being picked up.
She opened her eyes to see who the figure was.
He had long black hair, pale white skin and a crisp black suit.
She tried to speak, but no words came out.
"Do not fret, youngling. I will allow you to move as soon as we are in the air."
She wanted to struggle or escape, but soon gave in to the stranger.
To her surprise, she was taken toward the village.
"Close your eyes. Their emotions may betray them if they know you are awake."
For a moment, she wanted to rebel so that they would kill her.
That thought left her mind as soon as it entered.
She decided to listen, for now.
After a few minutes, she heard a gruff voice.
"Aleksandar, what are you doing? She almost killed Ryan."
For a reason Angelica couldn't explain, it felt as if he hit her.
"Grizzly, I know what she did. I will take her with me and test if she can be redeemed."
There was silence for a moment.
"Why do you want to give her a chance?"
She felt a rumble as Aleksandar chuckled.
"The same reason I gave you, Eragon and Ryan a chance. Because I want to."
To her surprise, she heard Grizzly chuckle.
"I'll let Eena know, I'll also take care of Eragon so he doesn't spill the beans."
She felt herself dip as he bowed to Grizzly.
"Grizzly, when you all return to the Guild, I wish to have a meeting with you and your team."
"About her?"
"Not only her, but I have some information about the portal and Eragon's vision."
There was silence for a moment, then she heard Grizzly's footsteps as he left.
She felt Aleksandar walking again.
"My child, even though you have caused much suffering, redemption is possible."
Her eyes shot open from rage.
How dare he speak to her that way?
That anger subsided almost instantly when she saw the sadness in his eyes.
The anger was replaced by shame.
She patiently waited until they boarded the small Airship.
To her surprise, there was a skeleton at the helm.
"Femur. Please take us home, and when we are on course, please bring us some tea."
The skeleton saluted and started preparations for flight.
Aleksandar took her below deck.
In one of the rooms was a small desk with a chair on either side.
He placed her on one and left her immobilised.
He sat down on the other.
"As soon as Femur arrives, I will release you."
As the ship took off, she felt fear.
What was he planning?
He stood up and bowed deeply.
"My apologies. I have not introduced myself. My name is Aleksandar Drakonovich. I am a Vampire, and that was how I knew what you are."
The fear she already had intensified.
Vampires were liars, and they feasted on blood and fear.
"I assure you, I do not feast on blood nor fear."
Her blood ran cold.
"I can read your mind, but only if we make eye contact."
She closed her eyes, and he started laughing.
"It was that ability that saved your life. If you hadn't shown me the pain in your heart, I would have let Eragon kill you."
She heard the door open and a clanking sound.
Femur placed the teapot on the desk and poured two cups.
"Femur. Would you please lock the door on your way out?"
Femur saluted without a word and left the room.
Feeling rushed through her as Aleksandar released her.
Her first choice was to run for the door.
The wood was so thick she couldn't break it down.
"What is your name, Miss?"
Fear crept up her spine as she turned around and walked back to her seat.
What does he want?
He was quietly drinking his tea.
"Your tea is getting cold."
She slowly picked up the cup and took a sip.
"My name is Angelica."
"That is a pretty name. It is a shame what they put you through."
She gripped the cup hard.
"It was. You would probably do the same."
Aleksandar took another sip.
"What makes you believe that?"
She took a deep breath.
"I am useful like Ryan. You could always use more killers."
Her words were full of venom.
"Angelica. If I wanted more killers, why would I choose someone like you? You are unprofessional and try to transfer your pain onto others."
His voice was deep and melodic.
It took her a few seconds to be offended by his words.
She wanted to scream, but realised that he had trapped her.
"What do you want?"
Aleksandar sighed.
"It may seem foreign to you, but I want you to be free."
She laughed.
He had given her an opening.
"How can I be free if you kidnapped me? You are just like them!"
Aleksandar waited for her to finish her maniacal laughter.
"I want you to be free from your pain."
She scowled at him.
"How can I do that? I was abandoned as a baby and raised to be a killer when I started walking. I don't know what it feels like to not feel the way I do."
She crossed her arms and looked away.
She then heard Aleksandar's voice.
"Thank you for your honesty. I have something that might help a little."
He stood up after he took a bottle from his desk.
"Drink this."
She eyed the bottle suspiciously as he walked around the desk.
"What is it?"
"Blood."
She scowled deeply enough to show off her fangs.
"I told you, you are just like them."
He smiled at her.
"It is my blood. A Dhampir also needs blood, but you can't drink human blood like I can."
The scowl left her face as she spoke.
"I'm not thirsty, I don't need it."
He placed the bottle in her hand.
"For many years, you were in a heightened state of starvation. A Dhampir usually gets blood from their Vampiric parent. Because they are not here, I shall fill that role."
She held the bottle and looked him in the eye.
"Why are you doing this?"
He smiled and walked to the door.
He knocked a few times and turned to her.
"Because I want to. Drink that so that I can show you to your room."
She opened the bottle and took a sip.
The taste was like nothing she had experienced.
As she drank the blood, a strange feeling went through her.
It was warm, and the invisible pressure on her heart lessened.
When she was done, she stood up without a word.
When Femur opened the door, she was led to her room.
He hadn't lied or tried to manipulate her once.
Why?
What did he want?
As she lay down on her bed, she had a thought.
What did she want?
She thought back to her fight with Ryan.
Her actions came back to her in a different lens.
She started bawling uncontrollably.
She was a monster.