chapter three

The air was thick with tension as Caroline sprinted away from the castle, her heart pounding in her chest like a war drum. The courtyard was now a distant memory, replaced by the chaotic whispers of the crowd and the sharp cries of shock that had echoed in her ears. She had risen from the dead, but freedom came at a price. Her father’s wrath would be swift, and already, she could sense the hunters closing in.

The dense forest surrounding the Raeruven empire loomed ahead, a dark sanctuary of twisted trees and tangled underbrush. As she plunged into the thicket, the cool air enveloped her, mingling with the scent of damp earth and pine. She could hear the faint sounds of pursuit behind her�"shouts, the rustle of leaves, the snapping of twigs underfoot. Bounty hunters were already on her trail, sent by her father to finish what the guillotine had failed to do.

Caroline pushed herself harder, her feet barely touching the ground as she weaved through the trees. The forest was a labyrinth, and she had to rely on her instincts to navigate its depths. Each heartbeat echoed in her ears, a reminder of her new life, and the urgency of her escape propelled her forward.

But the forest was not just a refuge; it was a battleground. She could feel the presence of the hunters swirling around her, their determination palpable. They were skilled, relentless, and motivated by the promise of gold and blood for her head. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, but she refused to succumb to fear.

As she ran, memories of her childhood flooded her mind�"of lessons learned in this very forest, of the times she had sneaked away from the castle to explore its hidden corners. But now, it felt different. The trees whispered secrets, and the shadows seemed to dance with malevolence.

Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed through the air, and Caroline skidded to a halt. She ducked behind a massive oak, her breath ragged as she listened intently. The sounds of pursuit grew closer, their voices sharp and eager. They were gaining on her.

Just as panic began to creep in, she caught a glimpse of something moving through the trees�"a figure cloaked in shadows. Her heart raced, but it wasn’t the hunters. As the figure drew nearer, she recognized the familiar silhouette, tall and imposing.

“Caroline,” came a low, smooth voice that sent a jolt of recognition through her.

Emerging from the underbrush was the vampire she had encountered at eighteen, his presence both comforting and electrifying. He stood at an astounding 6'4", his dark brown hair falling just past his eyes, framing a face that was both striking and haunting. His pale skin contrasted sharply with the vibrant greens of the forest, and his lush green eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and concern.

“Is it really you?” she breathed, her heart momentarily forgetting the danger that surrounded them.

“Looks like you’ve had quite the day,” he replied, a smirk playing on his lips. His gaze flickered to the blood that stained her skin, a reminder of the guillotine and the chaos that had ensued. 

“You’ve made quite an impression.”

“Bounty hunters are after me,” she said, urgency lacing her voice. “We need to move!”

He nodded, his expression shifting to one of seriousness. “I know these woods better than anyone. Follow me.”

As they moved deeper into the forest, Caroline stole glances at him, taking in the intricate tattoos that adorned his chest and arms�"each one telling a story, a testament to his past as a loyal guard to her father before he had turned his back on the empire. The damaged angel wings inked on his back represented the burden of his loyalty, a reminder of the horrors he had witnessed.

“Why did you leave?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as they navigated the thick underbrush.

He hesitated, his eyes flickering with memories. “I couldn’t stomach it anymore. The blood, the violence... I enjoyed the thrill at first, but it became too much. I was just a pawn, and I wanted to be free.”

“Free,” she echoed, feeling the weight of the word. It resonated deeply within her, just as it had when she had risen from the dead.

They pressed on, moving silently through the trees, the sounds of the hunters becoming fainter. The vampire led her to a secluded clearing, the sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

“Here,” he said, gesturing for her to hide behind a thick cluster of bushes. “They won’t find us here.”

As they crouched in the underbrush, Caroline caught her breath, her heart still racing from the adrenaline. She studied him closely, the way his muscles tensed as he listened for any signs of danger. “What’s your name?” she asked suddenly, realizing she had never known it.

“Lucian,” he replied, his gaze steady and unwavering. “And you’re not the only one who’s changed.”

Caroline felt a surge of gratitude wash over her. Lucian had risked everything to help her, and she could see the determination in his beautiful green eyes. “Thank you for coming for me,” she said softly.

He shrugged, a hint of a smile returning to his lips. “I wouldn’t let you face this alone. Not after everything.”

As they sat in the clearing, the tension began to ease, if only slightly. Caroline felt a strange sense of camaraderie with Lucian, a bond forged in their shared experiences of pain and survival.

But the moment of respite was short-lived. The distant sounds of the hunters grew louder again, their voices cutting through the tranquility of the forest.

“We need to move,” Lucian urged, his voice low and urgent. “They’re getting closer.”

With a nod, Caroline followed him deeper into the woods, her senses heightened. She could feel the pulse of the forest around her, the rustling leaves and the distant calls of wildlife serving as both a reminder of life and a warning of the danger that lurked nearby.

As they ran, Caroline couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a new chapter. With Lucian by her side, she felt a flicker of hope amidst the chaos. Together, they would navigate the shadows and confront the darkness that awaited them.