CHAPTER 6 Second Test

GABRIELLA’S POV

We stand aside as Catrina quietly eats her delicious breakfast of fluffy scrambled eggs, bacon and a mug of fresh animal blood. It doesn’t seem to be improving her mood though. Yesterday’s shame still lingers, her confidence is completely shaken.

Lady Calypso hasn’t shown up so we are not sure whether or not Catrina will be facing another test today and I can see the anxiety in her eyes. We still prepared her early incase Lady Calypso comes calling.

I also have been thinking the whole night, of what the handsome king I met yesterday said, that I am not qualified to work in this palace or for their future queen. My fellow servants mentioned the same thing. Which means I’ll have nowhere to go if Catrina becomes the vampire king’s wife. I don’t want to loose my job and end up being a slave to some cruel vampire.

I’ll find a good moment to plead my case with my mistress, I’ll promise that I can learn quickly.

Someone knocks on the door just as Catrina finishes her breakfast.

“That might be Lady Calypso.” She gasps anxiously. “Hurry, let her in.” She orders and I rush to open the door.

Lady Calypso saunters into the room and we all bow our heads slightly in respect as she halts at the centre of the room.

“Good morning?” She greets.

Catrina forges a smile. “Good morning M’lady.”

“I’m here to take you to your next test. I trust that you’re still eager to prove that you are the vessel to the vampire kings, right?” She says and Catrina smile reappears as she vigorously nods her head.

“Yes, I will prove that I am the vessel. I promise to pass the rest of the tests.” She affirms.

Lady Calypso appears pleased by the response. “I haven’t told the kings about your failure in the first test, I assumed you were just nervous since it was your first test. I spoke up for you in the council and got you this one more chance.” Her voice grows serious. “But if you fail again, I will have no choice but to report your failure and request a retest of your blood.”

Catrina’s face goes pale at this news even as she nods slowly. If she fails this test it will completely ruin her chances of being selected to be the bride and queen of the powerful kings.

“Now, let’s proceed,” Lady Calypso declares, and we follow her out. Unlike yesterday, there’s no carriage waiting for us in the courtyard, so it seems this test will take place within the palace grounds.

We pass several buildings within the vast fortress before I realize we are heading to the farthest one. This building is smaller than the others, and there are no servants around, only guards at every corner. Lady Calypso pushes open the heavy door, and we step inside.

The dimly lit interior is lined with rows of large cages, each one bolted shut and eerily quiet. There is scent of dampness and something foul of what might have once occupied these confines.

“What is this place?” Catrina asks as she looks around nervously.

Lady Calypso turns to her, “This is where you will face your next test,” she replies. “You must prove not only your worth but also your courage.”

Just then, a petrifying howl reverberates through the entire room, shaking the walls. Everyone except Lady Calypso and the two guards who have followed us in freezes in fear.

“What… what is that?” Catrina stammers as we follow lady Calypso to the last cage at the corner to see a wolf-like beast with scales instead of fur and a mouth full of canines. It’s enormous, at least eight times the size of a man and its talons are like daggers. Though it is chained and muzzled, it growls fiercely as Lady Calypso approaches.

“This is a troll,” she explains. “They are extremely rare and ferocious. But with just your scents, you can tame it. If you manage to control it, you’ll prove you are worthy of our kings.”

This is madness! If she steps inside that cage, she could be mauled to death.

Catrina stiffens, unable to speak.

“Do not show fear,” Lady Calypso commands. “You have one chance to show you are the vessel.”

She signals a guard to unlock the cage and the man step forward with a heavy keyring.

“If this is my only chance to impress the kings, I’ll do it,” Catrina declares stepping forward and I feel panic rise within me. If she ends up getting mauled to death which is what is what likely to happen, it’s all going to be my fault. She thinks she has the portion, which she doesn’t.

I step forward and grip her arm. “Don’t do it,” I shake my head at her.

“Release her immediately,” Lady Calypso shouts at me. You should not leave your scent on her. The beast mustn’t detect any other scents on her, it might become brutal." I pull away quickly.

The guard turns the key in the lock with a loud click, and Catrina faces forward again as the door creaks open slowly.

“Step inside,” Lady Calypso urges and ignoring my warning, Catrina steps forward. Her desperation to impress the kings is not letting her use her common sense.

“Walk closer, let it smell your scent,” Lady Calypso advices and Catrina unwisely inches closer to the beast even as it growls fiercely. We all stare intensely, waiting to see what will happen.

It let's out a loud snarls, straining against its chains, muscles rippling beneath its scaled skin. I fear those chains won’t hold for long.

“Kneel before me, you ugly beast!” Catrina commands.

Instead of kneeling, the beast lunges violently, and the chains finally loosen. It surges forward. Catrina lets out a piercing scream, stumbling backward until her back hit the cold metal bars of the cage.

“Stay calm!” Lady Calypso shouts, but Catrina shakes with terror as the beast approaches her.

“Should we help?” one of the guards asks nervously, but Lady Calypso ignores him, focused on the beast and waiting to see what it will do.

It's growls intensifies and it seems like it will attack and maul her at any second.

“Get me out of here!” Catrina screams, instinctively recoiling against the cold metal bars.

“Obey her you freaking monster!” I shout in frustration. And then something unbelievable happens.

The beast seems to hear me, it turns its massive head in our direction and it’s eyes wanders until they find mine.

Astonishingly, it begins to lower itself down, curling up like a massive scaled dog at Catrina’s feet. Everyone starts whispering, a wave of shocked voices growing louder within seconds.

“I did it!” Catrina screams in delight.