Ruby POV

 I had walked for miles without seeing much of anything apart from the breath-taking rocky landscapes.

What struck me the most was how big this realm was! Back home, every path I took through the enchanted forest would always magically loop me back around to the same spot.

But here, the further I walked, the more land there seemed to be! After a few hours, the trees started to become sparse and far between and the paths grew wider and more stable under my feet.

More of those cars started to rocket past me and seemed to be heading in the same direction.

A town.

I stopped on the path by a sign that read, ‘Welcome to Hood River, Oregon’.

What a strange name.

As I looked up, I spotted figures of people strolling along the streets and my heart began to race.

Humans.

Other people.

Were they friendly? Would they help me find this Vampire King Arius? From everything Maggie had told me about them, I was certain that I would be able to find at least one person who would be willing to help, although I should probably refrain from using any of my abilities whilst in their presence.

The whole reason I am in this mess in the first place is because of what I am.

Out of nowhere, a tall human man with grey hair barged past my arm and I shrieked.

He turned and glared at me, looking me harshly up and down as he stormed past.He muttered angrily, "Damn Satan worshiper.Out my way."

Satan worshiper? Like the devil? What did that mean? Does he know I'm part vampire? Sh*t.

I was already risking my safety and I hadn’t even stepped foot in the strange little town yet.I ducked behind a tree and took my eyes, I focused on the smell of that human and masked my own scent with his.I would be less suspicious if smelled like a human.

Making my way through the narrow streets of this charming town, I found myself taking in every little detail with fascination.

The sweet scent of flowers mixed with the deliciousness of freshly baked bread and pastries filled the air.

I bent down to study some of the vibrant blue flowers that were sitting inside a pot rather than growing from the ground, when I felt the cool shade from a figure hovering above me, blocking the warmth of the sunlight.I peered up, squinting my eyes to see a rather beautiful woman with dark skin and long tight brown curls cascading over her shoulders.

"Are you okay there?" she asked with a look of concern and uncertainty on her face.

She must have been about my age, maybe a few years older, but her scent was definitely not the same as that human's.

I stood up slowly and her light brown eyes looked me up and down suspiciously.I swallowed before speaking.

"Er...yes.I was just admiring your flowers.They smell amazing."

The corners of her lips turned up into a sideways smirk and she c*cked her head to the side, folding her arms.

"Well, thank you but I can’t take any credit for them.I didn’t plant them."

She looked amused as she took in my black dress.I looked down at it as well, feeling suddenly self-conscious about my appearance.She was wearing a colorful cotton woven, floor-length dress and beautiful jewelry that matched her outfit perfectly.

A thick necklace made from gold and dangly coral earrings.She looked exotic and beautiful.

I, on the other hand, was wearing my long sleeved, off-the-shoulder corset dress, that fell in ragged material just above my knees.It was my own design.I made all my clothes back home with the hem of my dress nervously.

"Um, no, not exactly.I am visiting.Actually, I am looking for someone.I wonder if you could help me?"

She didn’t seem threatening so I was willing to take the risk, but by the way she was staring into my eyes intensely, it started to make me uncomfortable.

"You're eyes! They are magnificent.What are you?"

She stepped forward closer to me and inhaled.Her face screwed into a tight frown.

"I’m..er...human," I said, not as convincingly as I intended.

She chuckled and stepped back.

"No human answers that they are human.You may smell like a human but you’re not fooling me," she held out her hand in front of me.

"My name is Calliope but my friends call me Calli." I took her hand and she shook it firmly.

"My name is..."

I was hesitant to give her my real name without trusting her intentions.I frantically glanced over her shoulder to look for inspiration.

Seeing a sign above a shop that read, ‘Lily’s florist’, I quickly replied, "Lily."

Her eyes narrowed slightly but she smiled warmly.

"Ok Lily, you said you were looking for someone?"

"Yes, Iam looking for the Vampire King.His name is Arius?"

I noticed her face contort into a look of shock and perhaps fear at the name.

She glanced over her shoulder to check no one heard us and grabbed me by the upper arm aggressively, pulling me down a narrow passage just off the main street.

"Are you crazy?" she whisper-yelled, her eyes wide and filled with alarm.

"What?"

grasp and stared at her dumbfounded they know the vampire King!

actually trying to do the exact opposite!" I argued

or what rock you have just crawled out of, but you cannot ask humans about super naturals and especially not about the most ruthless and terrifying hybrid in existence.We have rules

presumed the vampire king

face, it just proved to her even more that I was a clueless

she pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers and

I getting myself

with a look of pure confusion on

a few moments, she opened her eyes

me up on, if you want any chance of not being taken to the council before the day is out, then I need you to start being honest with me.Panic started to rise in me as I realized the questions were about to start.This was the first person I'd interacted with and

the council, the people I have been hiding from all

were the ones

I really did

but Maggie had warned me that the people in the human realm are not always

hadn’t made any attempt

"Look...Lily"

you are a

dropped

you know

when they are using their magic.But you should really try and disguise them when you are around humans.Humans do not know about our kind.There is a very

do you mean ‘our kind’? Are you

as I made the connection with her

I knew, I could tell that it was similar to Maggie's.She smiled

I am.So you can trust me, okay? We are

have? She was right.I knew nothing about surviving in this realm and I would need to take a leap of faith if I

but I hadn’t exactly lied by revealing I

I opened them again, I hoped they were an icy blue like

trust you.Are my eyes better now?" I asked and

the Vampire King?" I still detect the fear

long story and one which I am still trying to unpick myself, but apparently

understand what

 "You lost your memories? Oh well, that explains A LOT!"

might have

"Well, good people."

"Why?" I asked curiously.

She sighs deeply.

make life a lot easier for yourself and just get another powerful witch to give you back your memories.I know a few

be him.That’s what Mag- my

is not an easy man to track down.His castle isin England but I heard he is rarely there.He

"What! Why?"

a long story.But first we need to get you something a little more conventional to wear if you are going to blend in..." her eyes roamed my body once again

myself...don’t you

I couldn’t help but feel a little

that corset pushes your t**s up to your chin and the fabric is to die for!" she stroked the

and peculiar for this town.Did you not notice all the stares

with my

get away with it, but unlucky

My eyebrows creased, "October?"

dresses up like this...for

know I will be gone for a few days.Will you be okay to go shopping on your

me as if! am a child that

I smiled at her.

"Of course! Shopping.No problem."

have a mooch around and buy a few items and I will come and

innocently and she shook

much! Please

her the contents.It was full of strange notes with faces and writing

this money?"

shop called ‘Flair’ in an hour, okay? And remember, no talking about super naturals in public!" I nodded as she turned and walked

wasn't so bad.I have made

as Calli,

street, I started to notice all the heated

women gave me hostile looks, taking in my dress,

blue eyes darted nervously at every face I walked past and when it became too much, I quickly scrambled through a door into a quiet shop to get away from the relentless attention.I hadn’t even noticed what type of shop I had entered and the first thing that hit me was

made me jump a mile towards me with a warm smile

and a black top.He looked

just looking for some clothes," I said awkwardly, starting to walk in between the racks of trousers that looked

particular reason?" he asked, leaning against

just to wear.You know on my body," I said

what do you need them

my brain to try and make sense

human town? Luckily, two stunningly beautiful young girls came running out from the back of the

with brown wavy

match and I was momentarily struck by their beauty and

Children.

time I have seen

remote for ages!" one of the girls stomped her foot while

your stupid doll show this morning and now it’s my turn to choose!" the other argued and I

here.Please just go out the back and try not calmly to them whilst ruffling one of the girl’s hair.They both glanced up at me, suddenly realizing there was someone else in

are really pretty!" one said with

dress!" the other one chirped, skipping up to me and

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