I woke up lightheaded, I couldn't move my limbs, maybe I'm paralyzed. But my foggy vision scanned the area, I was in a red room, then I saw my wrists tied on the arms of a chair and so were my legs. Then a familiar face caught my eyes. I tried to scream but managed to let out series of muffled wailing before I noticed my mouth was gagged.
❝ Shhh, I'll remove this but don't scream, if you want to live. ❞
He slowly reached out for the cloth that was wet either with my saliva or tears, not that I care. When he successfully removed it from my mouth, I gathered all the strength I have left and screamed.
In a swift movement he covered my mouth with his hand while shushing me.
❝ Please keep quiet, I'm tryin' to help you. ❞
With that said, he slowly moved his hand away from my mouth, he was a bit hesitant, worried that I would scream again.
❝ If your definition of help is strapping someone on a chair and draining their blood. Well you're doing a pretty great job. ❞
I then look at the pail of blood that was right beside me. Fear crawled on my skin as he looked at me with his serious eyes.
❝ That is not your blood. I need you to do something for me. First, don't even try to escape, and second, play dead. ❞
His serious tone made me choke with words, I don't know what to say. But I had no idea what's really happening, I thought I did. What a great birthday present.
❝ I need to cover you with blood so it'll look that I already drained your body. After that, keep quiet as much as you can. ❞
I couldn't find the right words to say, should I thank him? Or should I try to save myself? But my thoughts were interrupted when he started covering my face with the blood, then to my body, down to my legs. It stinks, so bad, it reeks of bad idea.
What stupid question Rose, I thought to myself.
❝ You don't wanna know. ❞
He must have heard what I was thinking since he flashed a quick smile at me that made my heart flutter for a moment. He untied my constrictions and suddenly carried me bridal style, my head cradled on his neck, damn he smells so good. That jawline, is to die for, and his lips oh his lips.. I suddenly looked down when his eyes met mine.
❝ Now do the second part for me will yah, play dead. We're almost there. ❞
The fear is back in my mind, but I have to survive, all I gotta do is trust this guy. I have no other choice.
I closed my eyes as I started to hear some voices, they were murmurs at first. But as we got closer the voices were more audible, it was clear, and I couldn't be wrong, one of it was of my mom's. I felt a great pang on my chest as I hear the exact words that left her mouth.
I heard Elliot's voice, more like felt it on my skin. His palms were cold, his voice cracked a bit but his posture stood proud while carrying my "dead" body.
❝ I'll go back to get it after I leave her body along with the rest. ❞
My heart pounded so fast, faster than the running horse. I held my breath, trying to calm down. The thought of being placed along with other dead bodies, real and actual dead bodies, it's just horrifying, and morbid. But what made my heart race the most is the feeling of betrayal. My own mom bathing with "my blood", she was willing to bathe with my blood. But why? I just wanted to jump off from Elliot and run towards her, ask my own mother why she would sacrifice her own daughter. But I felt Elliot's tight grip on my arm as he felt my body tense up. After a few steps, he slowly placed me down. I could feel the sticky liquid of which I didn't want to know what, though it was obvious. A warm voice almost startled me, but I remained silent.
❝ Wait here, try not to move. ❞
After a minute or two, Elliot arrived with the pail. All the heads of the founding families are now inside their respected tubs. With their heirs and heiress carrying the pail. Before going to his mother's side, Elliot placed the pail near my mom's tub. Ugh! Calling her mom made me sick to my stomach. No one stood beside my mom, that was me years before, and that should have been me inside that tub tonight. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise, I thought.
The heirs and heiress slowly poured the blood in the tub and on the naked bodies of their parents. Then I saw in one tub, Saligia Demien, a bestfriend of mine back in the days. She's now the head of the Demien Lineage, what a dream come true for her. While they were pouring the blood, another figure entered the room. I could not see her properly, nor I could make any conclusions from her features, what I know is that she's a girl. She stood beside my mother and kissed her cheeks. When she finally walked to the other side, I saw her face. I couldn't be wrong with my assumption. That red hair, those eyes, everything about her screams Thorne. But who is she?
❝ Welcome Rose Thorne, heiress of the Thorne Lineage ❞
Elizabeth Humphrey declared, and with a blink of an eye my mother was already dead. I covered my mouth to stop myself from screaming. Then I saw it, the one they call Rose Thorne, she was holding a blade dripping with my mother's blood as her body laid lifeless in the tub. Rose, why did they call her Rose Thorne, I am Rose Thorne. The girl pulled my mom's body from the tub, and it hit the pail of blood, spilling it all over the floor. Now the girl they call Rose dipped herself inside the tub with my mom's blood as Elizabeth held out her hand to his son, Elliot took off his cloak, revealing his naked body. Elizabeth stood up from the tub and looked at everyone.
❝ Rise in respect to the new head of the council! ❞
With that said, everyone stood up, including Saligia and "Rose" while Elliot dipped himself inside the tub.
Mrs. Humphrey called onto his other son, and he ran towards his mom like a puppy.
❝ Dear, please dispose all the bodies.. ❞
She paused for a moment and looked at my mom's dead body.