She waited until castle fall into silence and unveiled curtains. Sun. Big, bright, warm, summertime sun. It just showed on the sky, so she have all day to get out from here and go far away from castle. Her room was on first floor. Sebastien didn't want to visit her in servants rooms, so he put her here. It was just one floor to ground. She looked outside. Ferns were growing under her window. Landing should be easy.

She couldn't take off collar, but chain was on ground. It was pin up to wall. She could use it to go down outside, and then make smaller jump on the ground. She is going to be ok. She landed on ferns. Sun touched her arms. Silent. Nobody in castle noticed something. All windows are black. She have a chance.

She knew after so many months, that they don't keep any guards in garden or around mansion. They believed so deep in their status and living so far away from cities, that no one will even come here. Servants were made from low born vampires. Only humans - food, were closed in cellar. They lived only for 24 hours, later they were drained from blood by servants or masters. She was alone in the garden. But she was still alerted. She have only one chance to escape.

She was going around walls, looking for some gap. Something to go outside. It was midday already. Not much time. Her whole body was screaming from anxiety. She must escape today. She walked into side gate. It wa smaller than main gate and in worst condition. Closed. But under it... she could crawl under. She will hurt herself, but it doesn't matter. Freedom is more important than her skin.

She looked around. Castle were sleeping. She lied down and crawled under gate. One of the straps in her dress was broken. Her skin was torn on hands and knees. It's nothing. It will heal. After crossing gate, she started to run. She lost her shoes, but she wasn't thinking about them. High heels weren't comfortable to run anyway. She run as fast as she could.

Finally, she got to some normal road. She was going on roadside. Her feets were leaving red marks. Broken strip, she managed to tie it somehow. Sun started to say goodbye to sky, going down. Heat wasn't so strong. She must find some people. Humans. Hide herself from vampires, before they wake up...

She saw some bar not so far away. Motorcycles in front of it. And people. They were laughing, drinking beer. If they can stand in sun... safety. Well, more safety than at the castle. She started to run with her last breath in their direction. She didn't have much time.

She reached bar finally. People outside were trying talk to her, but she got inside. Men and women were looking at her. Wounded, dirty, without shoes and in very short dress... she didn't look normal. Nobody moves.

'Please, help me.'

She looked around terrified. She was scared, that they will throw her out and she wont find another shelter for night.

'Please, just one night, I beg you.' - she started crying.

She couldn't stand so she landed on her wounded knees on the floor. Nobody moves. Only one man. He was older, his hair little bit grey. He ended his beer and came to her. She looked at him with hope.

'Please, I won't bother you. Just one night. I will be gone in the morning, please...'

'Vampires, huh?'

She shook her head for 'yes'. So they are going to throw her out. Nobody will put himself in danger for her when Sebastien will come here.

'Ilian. Take her home. Let her take a shower, give her food and place to sleep. In the morning... we will what to do then with her.'

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

'Than...THANK you!'

She was trying to get up, but she couldn't. Some guy, it seems that he was Ilian, helped her. He emraced her waist and took outside. He was strong and tall. She felt his calm, despite situation he got himself into. His hair were brown, short. He had part of his tattoo visible on his neck - part of the moon. His face had serious and hard look, but he had some kind of warmth in it too. He helped her sat on his motorcycle and sat behind. When they started to ride, she lost consciousness. Ilian keep her in his arms. She smelled with vampires. But she was human. She was so delicate. He couldn't understand how she stand so many wounds. He lied her down in bed and stayed with her.

She was talking while sleeping. Nightmare. He touched her on her dirty cheek delicate. She calmed under his warm touch. He hugged her closer.

She woke up in bed in sun. She opened her eyes and stood up terrified. She wasn't in castle's room. She still had collar on her neck, but without chain. She sighed calm and look around her. On bed lied beautiful, big, brown wolf. Despite his beauty, she was afraid of it. He looked at her with one eye blue, one brown.

'Good dog, good dog... I won't hurt you. I will just go outside, ok?...'

She remembered how she enter the bar and beg for help. Some guy put her on his bike and... nothing. Maybe that's his house and dog? She was going to doors slowly. Wolf bark at her. Small girl entered room.

'Daddy!'

'Look out!'

She screamed to girl and hug her, showing her backs to a dog, to protect a child. Wolf jump of bed in her direction.

'Who are you?'

Girl was scared with her reaction.

'I'm... I'm... it doesn't matter. Are you ok? This dog...'

'He is gone.'

Ilian was standing behind her without shirt. She was still on the floor, trying to protect girl. She couldn't find dog...

'Daddy!'

Girl jumped into his arms.

'Sorry. I didn't want to scare her.'

'It's ok. Jenn saw more terrified stuff, right?'

'Daddy... will you make pancakes for me today?'

'I have some things to do, you know? Larry will make them for you at the bar, ok?'

'I can... I can make pancakes for her if you let me.'

He looked at her. She was dirty, covered with blood in torn dress. She didn't look like good material for pancakes maker for his daughter.

'Who is she daddy?'

'That's... dad's friend. You want her to make you breakfast?'

'Will she make pancakes?'

'Yes, I can make them for you.' - she smiled to girl

'Ok!'

'But first let her wash and wear something more... appropriate, ok? Go watch cartoons honey.'

Girl left room. He closed doors and turn around to her after moment.

'Sorry if I did something...'

Fear was growing in her eyes. Tears showed up.

'Sorry. Thank you for letting me stay here for night. If you let me, I will be on my way.'

'You think I will let you go so easily?'

They all were the same. She looked ashamed on the floor and started to taking off her dress.

'What are you doing, girl?'

He put her dress back on her body.

'I just...wanted to... pay you...'

'Dear God, those vampires... Go wash yourself. I let some clothes for you in bathroom. You promised pancakes to my daughter.'

She looked at him surprised. He didn't want her. He didn't want her to pay him for sleeping at his place. She shook her head and went to bathroom. She washed herself and wear clothes. She was looking nice in the mirror in normal clothes. If not bruises and wounds... One day she won't look like this.