Chapter 48 - The Prophecy

We have all been forced in the back of a black van. The air is stuffy, and there is a small hint of rotten flesh that is hanging in the air. The air is hard to breathe, and it seems that it must have been cleaned it recently for the floor is wet. Which only lets me believe that they recently had a victim or even victims in the back here. I can hear the excited chatter coming from the driver and his passenger. We must be quite the catch.

Now it is not quite clear what their intention is, but all I know is that we are being taken to god knows where. What their intention with us will soon become clear. I cannot see that it shall be anything pleasant. I have in all my years not come across a situation such as this. But more importantly, how did I not see a coven of rogue Vampires roam my city?

What also does bother me is, did this pesky Vampire Hunter know all of this? Looking at him, I cannot quite say if he did, for he has a somewhat terrified look on his face. Then again, this is his family; one never knows what a desperate man such as him will do. But I have no doubt that we shall come to know the truth soon.

My biggest fear is what they intend in doing with us. So as we are all huddled tightly in the back of this van, I can still not put the pieces together; I have no idea as to where we are going. But as the road seem to become more bumpier and the city lights start to disappear, it starts to make more sense. They are taking us into the industrial area just on the outskirts of the city. This leaves me to understand why they have been going unnoticed, for they have been living in one of the many warehouses out here.

And as we are fast approaching our destination, I look at the face of Connor and his brother; I see nothing but a blank stare. These boys have been through everything; nothing scares them anymore. But as I look over to Anastasia, I can see the fear clearly build-up in those soft blue eyes. As for myself, I am terrified beyond compare. Not only do we have a bunch of blood-thirsty Vampires, but we also have a woman that shall be set on getting revenge.

So as we enter the dark road that takes us into the middle between the warehouses, the atmosphere hits a terrifying high. There is a slight burst of cloud coming down, and the rain starts to pound down hard on the tar road, leaving big splashes of water all around. As they pull the door open, we a dragged one by one from the van. Somehow getting drenched in the rain is far better than the reality that today might be the day we shall die.

And as I look at Anastasia, it is at a time as this that I wish that she could read my mind, for all I wish to do, is reassure her that all shall be fine. But the truth be told they I can not guarantee this. But what is much to my relief is when Connor motions to his leg. He has a dagger firmly hidden in his sock; the only problem is that our hands are being tied. I do know that it shall be futile for the ropes can not easily be broken.

Yet this does not stop me from speaking to her; I have to let her know that everything shall be fine.

"My beloved, please do not be frightened; we shall get through this."

But the sound of my voice only seems to infuriate what appears to be the eldest Vampire between them.

"Keep your mouth shut."

"I do believe your name must be stupid. Do you have any idea who I am?"

"The high and mighty Vampire Master. See me tremble in my boots."

"I do believe that you are wearing shoes."

I watch as Anastasia chuckles, but it is more of a hysterical giggle; the poor girl is terrified, but she does not know that she is the one that holds the most power. She only needs to be provoked to unleash it. Well, there is also the Hunter, but he is useless as he might play a part in all of it.

And as we are forced one by one through the steel door, there are the agonizing screams from men and woman coming from every corner of the warehouse. And as I see theHunter gag at the smell of the old blood rising from the floor, I hear Connor mumble from underneath his breath.

"This is just dandy. I should have known that you shall land us in such a situation sooner rather than later."

"Well, I am glad that I could have provided the entertainment."

"How about you un-entertain us and loosen these knots."

I cannot help to break out in laughter, much to the annoyance of our captures.

"My dear Connor, I have a tiny crucifix problem."

Connor looks at the back where the rope is folded over my hands and notices the crucifix wrapped around my wrist.

"I believe we are screwed."

So we have one useless Zachariah, a terrified Anastasia, two tied up brothers that cannot get to their weapons, and one Master that is powerless. I do tend to agree.

"I believe we are screwed."

And my words are not even dry, and we are thrown down on the godawful floor. It is so slippery from all the blood that you move disgustingly up and down over it. Then as soon as they had all entered, they all leave the room and shut the door firmly shut. It is time to drag the truth out of Zachariah.

"My dear Mr. Vampire Hunter, think carefully about your next answer, for you have a very pissed of Ancient next to you. Are you part of this?"

"I was not aware that my parents were still alive."

"I do not believe you. How can they have stayed away from their son all of these years?"

"I have not known about their presence. Why would I be tied up here then?"

"Maybe you have been a naughty boy."

"Trust you to make a joke of everything."

"My dear man, someone should see the lighter side of things. I do believe this shall be the first time that I have been tortured by one of my kind."

Then I have three heads snapping in my direction; horror is not the word to describe their faces. So it is with some hesitation that I nod my head in the direction of the only table standing in the room.

I hear Anastasia as she screams; I move on closer to where she is sitting.

"My beloved, we will be fine."

"Fine? Have you seen the size of those things? What on earth is that curly looking tool?"

"I hate to know, and I shall not even try to answer. But you need to keep it together; you need to try to break your ropes; I am not able to do mine."

And with that, the Vampires and Zachariah's mother enter the room again. I believe the room of torture has just opened for business. Then Annabelle comes to stand in front of me.

"The famous Sebastian Belmont. Must say just as handsome as they say, but I believe somewhat stupid for being caught."

"Well, my dear, if your son were not so useless, he would have known that you found yourself in the city."

"Oh, yes, my bastard son. Must say I have watched on in disgust how useless he has been to court your beloved now for years."

"You can be glad she was not a Vampire then, or else he would have been her meal."

"Ah, but she was always set to become a Vampire."

"Not so sure about that one, for I have not known my beloved for that long."

Then much to my very annoyance, she burst out in laughter in my face. I do not see why my union with Anastasia would be such a laughable affair. I shall not stand for this.

"I suggest you shut that laughter up, or I shall tear you to shreds."

"First of all, Master, you are a bit tied up, and second, it seems that you do not know of the prophecy."

"What prophecy?"

"Ah, it is said that there will be an Ancient born that shall become the Master of all Ancients. This coven shall overpower your reign and lead Europe into a new era of Vampires."

"And let me guess it is your bastard son?"

"Oh no, my dear Sebastian, it is your beloved."

I turn my head in shock to Ethan; why does the clever one of the Windchasers not know of this. But as he speaks, I wish I was close enough to slap him through the face.

"Oops."

"Oops, Ethan, really?"

That is when it sets in, my beloved has always been destined to be with Zachariah. But surely he did not know of this? They must have been placed in each other's paths. So her being marked by a Master was definitely not part of the prophecy. This means that I am merely in the way and that all those curly things up there is meant for me.

And as Annabelle speaks next, the whole plan starts to unfold.

"Untie Zachariah and bring Sebastian to me."

I am taken from the ground and strapped onto a chair. They pull a set of leather belts around both of my feet. And as I look down at the ones around my hands, I notice that they are covered in blood. They are far too strong to break free, for I can not even wiggle my hands in.

Then the true fun starts. She goes to the table to fetch what seems to be a set of tweezers; I fear to think of what she shall be doing with them. But I need not free too long, for she stands in front of me.

"Hold his head still."

And as they do, she takes the ends and grabs firmly hold of my nail. I bite hard down on my teeth, and she starts pulling. And as I feel her tearing my nail from my skin in slow agony, I scream the loudest into myself. There is no way that she shall have the pleasure to see me show pain. But it is Anastasia that screams.

"Stop! You are hurting him."

Annabelle ignores her and moves to the other hand, and once again, she grabs hold of it, but this time she rips it in with a fast twist of her wrist. It feels like someone is tearing my fingers off my hand. But instead of showing pain, I foolishly decide to mock her.

"You do know that those will only grow back?"

"Oh, I am only playing with you. We have not started yet."

Yes, maybe I should not have said a thing, for now, she goes to fetch what I fear shall be used to pull my teeth perhaps. But Anastasia immediately tries to stop her.

"Please stop! Take me!"

Annabelle faces her. "My dear, you are our Master; why would you want to be tortured?"

"Then untie me!"

"I am afraid only after we have dealt with this man you call your beloved."

"I order you."

"I am afraid that I am going to disobey you. You belong with my son, and this man is in the way."

Then Annabelle turns to face me again. Two Vampires are standing behind me. The one is holding my head down, and the other is pulling my mouth apart. Then I slowly watch as she brings the plier closer and closer to my mouth. Then I see her slide inside. I can feel the coldness of the steel against my tongue; then, there is pressure as she gets a grip on my tooth. I hear a click as she clamps down, and with that, she starts to twist and bend.

But it is not as easy as she thinks. The more she struggles, the harder she curses. Then I hear Anastasia as she screams once again.

"Please stop! I will go with Zachariah."

I watch her in utter shock. Did she just say that? And with that, I see Annabelle as she smiles. She shows for two other Vampires to go untie Anastasia. Then Annabelle turns to me. And as I see her turn around, my heart sinks. But if I thought that she was going to do it, I am sadly mistaken. She then turns to Anastasia.

"Kill him, or everyone dies."

Anastasia looks at the Windchaser boys, that at sitting helplessly on the floor. Then when her eyes meet mine again.

"I am sorry, Sebastian."