Free Just One Golden Kiss by M. A. Thomas Page B

Vampires!
    Blood rushed to her brain; if she had not been sitting, she would have fainted. Sitting still for a moment, she let the dizzy spell pass. Then she dashed into the hall on her way to the castle’s kitchen. She’d gather as much food as she could carry, hus tle back to the house, formulate a plan and wait for Eldrich to rise from his sleep.
    Scanning the kitchen, she held her nose. The smell of rotting food so strong, she nearly hurled. Flies flew about as if humans had gone extinct and it was now their time to rule the land. Barrels of rotting vegetables and fruit sat on the floor and on tables.
    Quickly, she searched for any food that was still edible. Ah, yes, the cooks always kept dried salted meat and jars of preserved fruit in the pantry. She spilled a bag of grain and then used the bag to collect as much meat and preserved fruit as she could carry. Throwing the bag over her shoulder, she made for the kitchen’s exit door and then walked through the short hall which led to the animals’ pens.
    But when she was outside she didn’t hear any sounds coming from the enclosures. The animals were gone, too. Madness!
    If the people of the castle were in immediate danger, her father would not have ordered they also take the animals. But then she had been gone for two months and couldn’t be sure when it was that her father and the rest of the people left the castle. Nothing made sense. How was it possible that everyone, including the animals, had simply vanished?
    Trying to understand what could have happened, Lela thought of the gold she had seen in the forest. Perhaps the golden ball had made it out of the sea and was now searching for her. But, if the ball was once again following her, why hadn’t the vampires come for her? Why would they have attacked her father instead? Maybe vampires had nothing to do with this. But who else could have gone after her father? Questions, nothing but questions and no bloody answers!
    “Lela!” a woman screamed.
    Lela turned in the direction of the voice. Coming out of the woods was a familiar face.
    “Lady Rema, oh my beloved Lady Rema!” Lela yelled, setting the bag of food down and running to meet her.
    Crying and disheveled, Lady Rema embraced her.
    “I can’t believe it’s you,” Lady Rema said, looking her up and down.
    “What happened here?” Lela asked.
    “You’re so skinny,” Lady Rema said, hugging her again. “Oh Princess, I thought you were dead.”
    “Focus, dear Lady Rema. Tell me what happened. Where is my father?”
    Lady Rema started to cry again. “They disappeared.”
    “How?” Lela asked, putting her hands on Lady Rema’s shoulders and lightly shaking her. She wouldn’t hesitate to slap her.
    “The day you left...when the hours passed and you still hadn’t returned, I went looking for you. I was afraid the King would find out.”
    “You went into the forest, alone?”
    Lady Rema had never left the castle’s grounds. Not that Lela was aware of anyway.
    “I had to bring you back. You told me the golden ball had made itself known to you. That meant vampires would be coming after you,” she said, wringing her hands.
    As much as she loved Lady Rema her reason for going into the forest gave Lela doubt. She was the only one who hadn’t vanished. Why? There was something Lady Rema wasn’t telling her.
    “I once asked you if you were an honest woman,” Lela said.
    Nodding, Lady Rema said, “I am.”
    “Then tell me the truth.”
    “I couldn’t find you. I didn’t know where to look. I got lost,” she said, inhaling and exhaling. “When I found my way back to the castle everyone was gone. I swear. They were all gone.”
    “You’re not telling me everything. A few weeks ago, I was a silly, naive girl. I’m no longer that same ridiculously sheltered, stupid girl who chased after a golden ball.” Lela took Lady Rema’s hand. “I will only ask you one more time. If you do not answer me with the truth, I’ll know it and you will