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“If they would ever become vampires, they would bicker their way into eternity,” I said.
“I enjoyed seeing them,” he said, smiling. “I also enjoyed seeing…Athena.” His tone turned somber.
I embraced Gabriel and said, “Just remember, this is all temporary. After we defeat the evil witch, everything will return to normal. Well, as normal as vampires go.”
“I truly hope so.” He gazed into my eyes and kissed my forehead.
Chapter 12
The visit we had all been hoping for didn’t take long to happen. For several days, Gabriel tried to reach Vedoma and invite her to the castle. Apparently, cell phones were still not a thing in some parts of The Other Realm. Nonetheless, the upcoming evening ensured Vedoma’s presence between the walls of the castle. I, like your regular human being, began to fret over the situation. And I wasn’t even the one directly involved. What if Vedoma already suspected we wanted to overthrow her? What if she’ll hurt Gabriel, Kira, or Troy? What if no one gets their happy ending? My thoughts swirled in my head like a windstorm. The meeting hadn’t yet begun, but I had already paced to and fro in the bedroom. Gabriel found me kneading my hands like the dough I used to prepare in Mama Nica’s kitchen. “What is wrong, my love?” he asked.
“I’m worried about today,” I said.
“The only thing we can do is do our best. Kira and Troy are trained to tackle all threats.”
“Like knights in a medieval kingdom?” I asked.
“Exactly, like modern-day knights. The Once Diluted vampires are the strongest in the world, secondary to me.”
“What about the Twice Diluted vampires? Don’t they serve the castle as well?”
“They are of similar power asstrigoi,but they also retain their intelligence and are closer to humans. Still, we consider Twice Diluted vampires in need of protection. Thus they are not usually hired at the castle. Though they are regarded for other contributions to the kingdom.”
“At the moment, you have three of the strongest vampires in existence to defend you. Does that make you feel better?” Gabriel took my hands in his.
“Yes and no. I fear it might be like Mr. Iglesias’s gang. They proved we aren’t indestructible.”
“You and Kira proved to be good enough for all of us. This time we’ll be prepared. I intended to ask you if you wish to use one of the electrical batons your history professor left behind. It is a great tool for protection, just in case.”
“No, I don’t want any of it. After seeing Kira and other vampires at the mercy of those batons, I refuse to use any. What if someone takes it from me? We’ll all be crispy chicken in seconds.”
Though a serious topic, we couldn’t help but chuckle at the ‘crispy chicken’ comment.
“I see. Then what weapon would you like to use?” asked Gabriel.
“My dagger. It’s been a great companion throughout time.”
“Very well. I’ll ask one of my people to dip it in silver. Then, it would be just as effective on vampires as on humans.” He kissed both my hands. “I must leave to prepare. Please don’t forget to eat.”
For the first time since I returned, I saw something new in Gabriel’s gaze––hope. I never realized the dim light in his eyes was clouded by years of suffering and despair. Now the clouds shifted, and a beam of light emerged. I wished to behold this light forever. He deserved it.
By the time the following morning arrived, I already stood in Gabriel’s study clad in a black long-sleeved shirt and pants. I tied the silver-covered dagger around my thigh and started giving myself a pep-talk. For someone who wasn’t supposed to even be present in the negotiation, I was prepared to the T.
The study was next to the stairs, so I, at least had a chance to hear what would happen. For the longest time, I heard lazy footsteps on the first floor. Then a knock.
“It is an honor to welcome you, Queen Vedoma, as well as your retinue,” said Troy.
Oh, how I wished to see her smug face once more and punch the daylights out of her. One can only dream.
“Where is Gabriel?” Vedoma asked.
“Vedoma, what a pleasure to see you again,” Gabriel said.
“Cut the nonsense, Gabriel. After you broke our alliance, you dare invite me on your territory as if nothing happened?”
Just from hearing them talk, my heart began beating faster and faster. I felt so limited in my powers, but at the same time, I direly wished to see what would happen. I tiptoed out of the study and kneeled next to the marbled railing. I could peer between the small columns at the woman I hated most in this world. She still looked like a princess. But now I became accustomed to the dissonance between her physical appearance and her cruel actions. I simply hated her to the core. It didn’t matter if later she had to attend a ball in a pumpkin carriage. Her retinue consisted of a mage, a male vampire, and my good old friend, Smaranda. I couldn’t say I missed seeing her face one bit.
“As you may know, recently, we were attacked,” said Gabriel.
