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Dressed in regal attire that befitted his status, Constantine exuded an air of both elegance and danger. A deep, wine-colored cloak billowed around him, adding to the dramatic effect of his presence in the grand chamber.
“I suppose it is mostly the doing of your wife,” Constantine suddenly said. “Women have that effect on men, I was told. And apparently, on vampires as well.”
“Don’t speak about my wife,” I growled softly. It was enough to show him that although I was tied up, I would not allow him to speak ill of anyone I know, be they human or vampire.
“Don’t worry,” he said, waving his hand dismissively. “It’s not her I care about. But… first things first.”
I frowned at his words. I didn’t understand what he was saying or trying to explain. So, I waited.
“You are a vampire,” Constantine said simply, as if this was news to anyone.
“And?” I scoffed.
“And?” he echoed, sounding surprised.
“I am well aware of my past and who I am,” I assured him, my voice unwavering. “But I chose to renounce my vampiric nature, to live among humans and help protect them from the darkness that lurks in our world, from the darkness that you bring.”
The guards shifted uncomfortably along the chamber walls, but Constantine’s expression remained unchanged. He seemed to consider my words carefully before finally nodding.
“Do not think that your decision has gone unnoticed,” he pointed out. “However, the challenges our kind face have only grown more dire. We need individuals like you, who understand the human world, to… bridge the gap between our two species.”
I stood my ground, unwavering in my convictions. “I will not abandon the path I’ve chosen. My place is with the humans, protecting them from those who seek to harm them, whether vampire or other.”
Constantine’s hooded gaze softened with a hint of respect. “Very well, Adrian. Your loyalty to humanity is admirable. But that doesn’t change anything. As I already said, your wife is not my problem. But her father is.”
“King Theodore?”
“The same,” Constantine nodded. “He has been a thorn in my eye for quite some time now. Without him, I would be able to bring together more vampires and have his land, too. Just think about it, Adrian. Join me and we could rule this place. I would give you free reign of what used to be King Theodore’s dominion, to do as you please. You and your wife, of course.”
I couldn’t believe he was even offering it.
“No,” I said simply. There was nothing else to say.
“I know Theodore has been welcoming to you, despite you being… what you are,” Constantine replied.
“And you expect me to stab him in the back?” I asked. “Then, you expect me to look at my wife in the eyes and sleep by her side, knowing that I was responsible for the death of her father? You are crazier than you seem.”
He chuckled out loud, something I wasn’t expecting him to do.
“You might need some more time to think about it,” he told me. “But you should never forget one thing, Adrian. You can turn your back on us, your own kind, but you will never be one of them, no matter how much you try. They will always see you as an outsider. That is what you will always be for them, and in the meantime, the war between our two species will continue to rage on.”
“Because of those like you,” I pointed out.
He shrugged, not particularly affected by my words. “If not me, then someone else.” He flicked his fingers at the two guards who brought me here. “Take him back.”
“They will come looking for me, you know,” I reminded him.
“They won’t,” he corrected him. “Because, you are not here. You are home.”
I frowned, my anger flaring at not understanding a single word he just said. “What the hell do you mean by that? I am here!”
“No, you’re not,” he shook his head again. “Do you remember the call of the arcane energy? Or have you forgotten most of our vampire teachings?”
I wanted to shout at him that I grew up with human parents, but that seemed to be of little relevance right now.
“But… that is an ancient spell,” I managed to muster. “No one has done it in centuries.”
He grinned. “I found a way. A vampire always finds a way.”
