Purgatory looked nothing like I expected it to. The roads were smooth, LED lampposts illuminated our path, and clean semi-detached storefronts stood alongside the flagstone.
This region was said to have the greatest technological advances. Paired with its cleanliness, I would have been pleasantly surprised if I didn’t know it was all a thinly veiled illusion.
A sound of disgust escaped from Jacinda as her silver hues took in the horridness of the scenery surrounding us, heinous and lewd acts all taking place in the open.
A small group of cloaked men rode the opposite direction of the transporter, all sitting atop chestnut geldings. They barely glanced our way.
I had to remind myself that this wasn't an unusual sight for them, a thought that was confirmed when I saw the half-mutilated corpses being dragged from ropes tied to their saddles.
On the next block, four vampires had a man down in the middle of the sidewalk, feeding away, and leisurely draining him dry as his muffled pleas became dying whimpers. Those out wandering the streets didn't blink twice at the scene; they simply walked around them, totally unfazed.
Multiple bodies—some rotted and others fresh—hung alongside street lights like decorations. The heat greatly worsened their decomposition.
Guards in loyal servitude strolled around with bored expressions on their faces. What they were patrolling was anyone's guess; I suspected this was more of a scare tactic to keep the boisterous men in line.
The rig began attracting curious stares; soon after, shouting and cheers started going up.
Supes stopped what they were doing and watched us pass.
When we finally pulled away from the main city and left the buildings behind, dwellings with dome-like roofs were spread about.
I knew only the higher castes had the luxury of a fully functioning home. Everyone else grouped together to survive, bartering everything but their souls to get food and other necessary items.
After the dwellings ended, nothing but vast open wasteland stretched out around us. The Arcana Mountains that ran around the outskirts stood tall and foreboding, slowly becoming more vivid the closer we got to our destination.
Not thirty minutes later, the transporter went down a road situated between thin metal flagpoles reaching towards the sky.
The sovereign's snake and dagger insignia was embellished on the black and ruby colored fabric.
A towering iron fence soon began on the right side of the road. Pointed spheres atop it dared trespassers. Dark trees stood on the other side of it, blocking any views of the Purgatory Palace.
Toby drove right through a set of double gates.
“No guards?” Jacinda signed curiously.
“Nope, I heard the sovereign welcome whoever makes it this far. You know, fresh competition to prove they can’t be usurped,” Scarlett explained, her face fixed on the passing scenery.
I’d heard that as well.
It was cocky, proving another rumor true. The king never hid from anyone foolish enough to contend for his empire. Many claimed that he killed and tortured with his bare hands. Others swore he did it all with his mind.
Feeling a tightening in my chest, I rolled my shoulders and shifted uncomfortably.
Beyond rumors, I knew so little about this man or those like him—only that their king got whatever he wanted whether by force or by charm.
The beast was both revered and feared. This had never bothered me before. In my region, I had been safe from all his horrid ways.
Now, being on his playing field and growing closer to his domain with each passing second, I struggled to keep hold of myself. I couldn’t risk losing an inch of my mind just yet; too many were counting on me to do all I could to succeed.
After another few minutes, the road split into a rounded circle, revealing two more transporters already parked and emptied.
The dark citadel itself stood massive and proud in all its Gothic glory, spreading out in front of the dark mountains that served as a backdrop.
Toby easily maneuvered the rig behind the others, the exhaust groaning loudly as he shifted into park.
As we waited for him and Keith to get their bearings and retrieve us, I studied the exterior of the building. Whoever built it had put their heart and soul into the detailed architecture. From the tall convex windows to the towers with conical roofs, everything was elaborately detailed.
“Rise,” a voice suddenly commanded from the rear of the trailer.
We turned in unison to see a guard opening the hatch.
After sharing a glance with Scarlett and Jacinda, I steadily rose to my feet with as much grace as I could muster.
Shoes a size too small carried me towards the exit and the supe wearing a uniform different from all the rest, medal clippings displaying he was of higher station than the other guards.
His opal eyes roamed over my person, double irises revealing he was a vampire.
Toby reached the back of the rig just as I stepped down, the vampire guard giving me a decent amount of space.