Bloodlands Ch. 10 - The Escape
I’m going to die. I’m going to die. I’m going to die.
Anya shook her head and took a prolonged breath. You’ll be fine, she thought, and breathed out slow. Hands against the cold metal, she peaked open the dungeon door and looked down the stone hall lit by bronze lanterns. Typical Balverians with their adoration for medieval things, Anya thought with a small smile. She looked the other way, but all the guards were gone. Alek upheld his end of the deal so far. Anya stepped out, closed the heavy door behind her, and ducked into the shadows allowed by the poor lighting.
Anya scooted along the stone walls. Her steps were soft, but she could hear them patter one at a time. She passed other cellars, wondering who might be inside. A muffled moan came from one, and a knot coiled in her chest as she scuttled by it. Who else were imprisoned down here? What have they done? Anya wondered if any of them were human and she imagined herself leading a mob of escaped prisoners through the castle halls. Her heart ached at the hope of seeing Miriam and Brutus again. Was Alek telling the truth of their escape from the compound?
She reached a wide set of stairs and stopped to listen. She couldn’t see the top, but no steps echoed down to her to signal the guards’ return. Adjusting her hood, Anya hugged the wall and left the dungeon.
When she came to the top, she froze at what she saw. The dungeon came out to a hallway taller than any house she’d ever seen, and indigo walls dripped down to the plum carpeted dark marble floors. Delicate thorn trees, black birds, and roses detailed the walls in tiny loops like a fairytale playing out, but Anya couldn’t make out a pattern. It wasn’t repetitive. Every inch was hand painted carefully, lovingly, that Anya found herself mesmerized. She slowly crossed the hall to get a closer look between two windows flanked by velvet navy curtains. As she stared, the birds mixed with bats and the roses confused with hearts. The trees’ branches circled around deers, wringing their necks and Anya nearly jumped when she hear voices come from down the hall.
Immediately she turned away, pulled her hood lower and marched left. Her boots hit the carpet in muted thuds, carrying her through the castle. Big black cherry wood doors lined the wall opposite the windows, some of which hung open into parlors and rooms with long tables. Anya looked up and from the ceiling hung black chandeliers, segmented every dozen yards, that held tall thin candles with wax dripping over their stands. She found herself slowing again as she stared in awe, but quickly Anya regained her stride. She had to focus. She had to get out, but she couldn’t help but memorize every detail of this colossal fortress. What is it like to live in such a grandiose home, busy with important meetings, scandalous affairs, and beautiful monsters gallivanting about? She reached the end of the hall and went right, down a flight of stairs and through meaningless double doors that just lead to more hallway. A few vampires passed her in a hurry carrying parchment and severe expressions. Some wore jolly smiles, fangs poking out, as they conversed with colleagues. A couple dressed in gowns had red stains on their lips, distinct from lipstick in the speckled pattern that graced their chins. None paid Anya any notice, which was a relief. She felt her shoulders relax and her breath deepen. She might just make it out. Anya ran Alek’s directions over in her head. She still had a ways to go, but if things continue as they did, she’d survive. Her mind wandered to the vampire prince and she forced her head down. If she kept looking around so thirstily, someone would notice she didn’t belong. She still couldn’t put together what Alek got out of helping her. What could she do that he, a prince, couldn’t?
