Christiana's eyelids fluttered slowly as consciousness crept back to her. For a moment, everything felt heavy—her limbs, her thoughts, even the air she breathed. She blinked once, then twice, trying to focus.
Above her stretched an unfamiliar ceiling.
It was high and elegantly carved, the wood etched with intricate patterns of vines and curling leaves that intertwined in delicate artistry. The craftsmanship alone spoke of immense wealth and care. It certainly wasn't the modest ceiling she had grown accustomed to at home.
Her brows furrowed.
Christiana slowly pushed herself upright, the covers sliding down her lap as she sat up in the large bed. The mattress dipped beneath her weight, soft and luxurious in a way she had never experienced before. For a moment she simply sat there, her eyes wandering cautiously around the room as she tried to understand where she was.
The chamber was magnificent.
Every corner of it seemed to whisper wealth and power. The bed she sat upon was large enough for three people, its dark wooden frame carved with elaborate details that mirrored the ceiling above. Rich velvet drapes hung elegantly around the posts, their deep crimson color glowing softly under the flickering light of nearby candelabras.
The walls were adorned with large tapestries woven with scenes of ancient hunts and distant battles. Gold threads shimmered faintly through the woven images, catching the light whenever the flames of the candles shifted.
Lavish furniture filled the room—polished wardrobes, ornate side tables, and a grand mirror framed in dark wood and gold filigree. Everything looked expensive, refined… almost royal.
Tiana swallowed.
Her heart began beating a little faster.
Her gaze drifted toward the tall window across the room, where pale daylight filtered through heavy velvet curtains. Curious and unsettled, she threw the covers aside and slid out of the bed.
Her bare feet touched the carpet.
It was unbelievably soft beneath her toes, thick and plush, muffling the sound of her steps as she walked across the room.
Slowly, she approached the window.
With hesitant hands, she reached out and pushed aside the heavy velvet curtains.
Daylight spilled across her face.
Tiana leaned slightly forward and looked outside.
The sight before her stole the breath from her lungs.
Her eyes widened as she stared out at the vast garden stretching below the window. It was enormous—far larger than any estate garden she had ever seen. Carefully arranged flowerbeds burst with vibrant colors: deep reds, bright yellows, soft violets, and delicate whites. Rows of roses climbed elegant trellises while tall trees swayed gently in the morning breeze, their leaves whispering softly to one another.
Servants moved through the garden with quiet efficiency. Some trimmed hedges with careful precision, while others watered the flowers or swept the winding stone paths that curled gracefully through the greenery.
Beyond the garden stood something even more astonishing.
A massive forest.
It stretched endlessly toward the horizon, a sea of deep green that rolled over hills like a living blanket. The treetops swayed slowly under the wind, creating waves across the forest canopy.
And scattered through the distant view, pieces of the building itself became visible.
Tall stone walls, ancient towers, battlements rising proudly against the sky. The structure was unmistakable.
It looked like a castle.
Tiana's fingers tightened slightly on the curtain as realization slowly began to creep through her mind.
"Where… am I?" she whispered.
Her voice was barely audible, swallowed by the distance.
Somewhere far below, she could hear the faint clatter of hooves against stone, followed by the murmur of distant voices as people moved about their daily business.
But none of it answered her question.
Unease began creeping into her chest.
Tiana stepped back from the window, turning slowly as her eyes searched the room again, this time with growing urgency.
How had she gotten here?
The last thing she remembered was—
Her breath caught.
The vampire woman, the alley, the stranger who had killed her.
Her heart skipped violently.
That man… Anthony.
Had he brought her here? Why?
Tiana's thoughts swirled wildly as confusion tightened its grip on her mind. She turned slowly in the center of the room, her gaze darting from the door to the window and back again, hoping for something—anything—that might explain the situation.
But the chamber remained silent. The candles flickered softly. The grand room stood still and beautiful. And the silence around her only deepened the mystery.
Her gaze slowly drifted toward the door across the room. For a moment she simply stared at it, as if expecting someone to walk in at any second and explain everything. When nothing happened, she began walking toward it, her steps careful and uncertain against the quiet floor.
Reaching out, she placed her hand on the cold metal knob and twisted it.
It didn't move.
A faint crease formed between her brows. Perhaps it was just stiff. She tightened her grip and twisted again, putting more strength into it this time. The knob turned slightly beneath her fingers, but the door itself refused to open.
Locked.
The realization settled uneasily in her chest.
She lifted her hand and tapped lightly against the door.
"Hello?" she called, her voice soft, almost hesitant.
Her words traveled into the silence beyond the door and faded away.
She stood there, waiting.
Surely someone had heard that. A guard, a servant, anyone passing through the corridor. She leaned closer to the door, listening carefully for footsteps or the sound of movement.
Nothing came.
Her lips parted and she tried again, this time a little louder.
"Hello?"
Still nothing.
The silence began to feel unnatural, pressing in on her from every side. Her heart started beating faster, the steady rhythm growing louder in her ears. She raised her hand and knocked again, this time harder.
"Hello? Anybody there?"
Her knuckles struck the wood several times, the sound echoing faintly through the room.
But there was no answer.
A thin thread of unease crept through her chest and tightened around her lungs. She stepped away from the door, her eyes searching the rest of the room as if it might suddenly reveal something she had missed before.
Her gaze landed on the window.
Perhaps someone outside could hear her.
She walked over quickly and pushed it open. Cool air slipped into the room as she leaned forward slightly and examined the opening.
Her shoulders sank.
The window was far too small.
Even if she tried, she would never be able to squeeze through it. The frame was narrow, barely wide enough for her arms. She rested her hands on the sill, staring out for a moment, hoping to see someone below.
There was no one.
Her thoughts began to race.
"How did I even get here?" she whispered under her breath.
She tried to retrace her memories, but they felt blurred and distant, like a dream that faded the moment she tried to hold onto it.
"And… how long have I been here?"
The question made her stomach twist.
Her parents.
They would be worried by now. She had left without telling them where she was going or when she would return. At first they might have assumed she was simply out with friends, but as the hours passed…
Her chest tightened at the thought.
They would be searching for her.
She pressed her lips together, forcing herself to stay calm. Panic would not help her think clearly. She took a slow breath, trying to steady the pounding of her heart.
Then she turned back toward the door.
If no one had heard her before, then she would make sure they heard her now.
She walked back across the room and raised her fists, striking the door much harder than before.
"Hello?!"
The sound echoed loudly through the room.
"Is anybody there?!" she shouted, her voice rising with desperation.
Her hands began pounding against the wood again and again.
"HELLO?!"
Each strike carried more urgency than the last, her heart racing wildly as she waited for even the smallest sign that someone was on the other side.
But the corridor beyond remained silent.