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He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then his nostrils flared. I could always tell when another vampire was sniffing out the terrain, and that was exactly what he was doing now. He was trying to see whether I was one of them or some very stupid human who thought it was a good idea to stumble into a vampire village in the middle of the night.
“Follow me,” he finally said, and I did exactly as I was told.
He led me through a labyrinthine network of small alleyways, as the sound of our footsteps echoed ominously. He was taking me deeper into the very heart of the village, and again, as we were passing by, it seemed that the newcomer had caught everyone’s attention. My senses heightened, aware that every turn held the potential for betrayal or revelation. I couldn’t lower my guard even for a single second.
Ultimately, we arrived at a secluded house. My guide went in first. He didn’t even turn around to see whether I was following him. The wooden door groaned as it swung open, allowing me inside. Shadows danced across the walls, giving the room an air of clandestine meetings and hidden agendas. This was where all the secrets of the village and beyond were being spilled. I was sure I was in the right place. But whether I would get the right information, the information I had come for, was still left to be seen.
“Do you come seeking secrets or sharing them?” A voice spoke from somewhere behind me, making me instantly jittery. I tried to calm my racing heart down.
I turned to him without responding. As soon as I saw him, I knew that was the man I was looking for. His presencecommanded attention. With his enigmatic aura, he exuded an air of mystery, as his eyes glinted with countless untold stories. Our gazes locked. I could immediately see a tinge of skepticism.
“You are a very brave… creature,” Florian said, his deep dark eyes glistening, as the light from dozens of candles spilled all around us. His eyes were the very proof of the depths of his knowledge. His very presence radiated an unsettling charm, and I knew that he didn’t trust me. Just because there seemed to be only the three of us here, I knew that within seconds, more of them would appear, if he thought I was a threat.
I took a step towards him, my hand reaching into my pocket.
“Careful!” He pointed his index finger at me, and at that moment, I felt a cold blade pressed to my throat. My guide was already behind me, ready to slit my throat on Florian’s command.
I swallowed heavily, trying to control my Adam’s apple, but it still grazed against the blade of the knife.
“I have a letter from King Theodore,” I said.
Florian immediately reacted to the king’s name. He nodded, and the blade was removed, although I knew it wasn’t far away. I took out the letter and held it out to Florian. He took it without any words. He inspected the seal first. Once he was satisfied with it, he tore the envelope open and skimmed through the words inside.
The atmosphere immediately shifted. His features softened, suspicion giving way to a glimmer of understanding. The lines of tension eased from his face. The entire room seemed to unwind as he nodded.
“The king’s seal,” he told me. “You have my attention, stranger.”
“The king sends me asking for advice and help,” I told him.
Florian’s gaze bore into me, his voice a mere whisper in the dimply lit room. “You come at a precarious time. There is a scheme to overthrow the king, but the details remain shrouded in darkness. I’ve heard rumors. I’ve caught whispers in the night, but I cannot claim to know much. Otherwise, I would have already spoken to the king about it.”
My heart quickened with a mix of concern and determination. The weight of the kingdom’s stability rested on the king himself. Of course, the king was already aware that there was something happening. There was a conspiracy afoot. That much was evident.
“Any information you have, no matter how small, could be crucial,” I urged. “Lives are at stake.”
Florian’s eyes flickered with a mix of uncertainty and intrigue. The darkness seemed to coil around him, emphasizing his enigmatic presence. He paused for a moment, contemplating his words, before speaking again.
“I’ve heard whispers of hidden alliances, shadowy figures with their own agendas. But to unravel this intricate web, we need more than whispers. We need names, connections, proof.”
“Where do I get these?” I asked, determined to go to the ends of the world to protect Lilith, and with her, the entire kingdom.
“There is a witch, rumored to possess knowledge that could shed light on the conspiracy,” he told me. “She sees things others cannot. She dwells deep inside the Frozen Forest up in the mountains. Her cottage is secluded and elusive. If anyone has answers the king is looking for, it is her.”
I thought about it for a moment. “Evangeline?”
“Yes,” he nodded.
I’d heard tales of her abilities, but I also knew that she refused to talk to just anyone.
“Finding her, or speaking to her for that matter, won’t be an easy task, for sure,” I pointed out.
He agreed immediately. “Locating her will be a challenge. She hides her presence well, protected by her magic and a network of loyal followers. But fear not. I can help you there.” He reached around his neck and took off a chain that revealed a moon pendant. “Here,” he told me, urging me to take the necklace. “She is a Moon Witch, just like my mother was. And there are only about twenty of these necklaces left in existence. They possess a rare power, one that is useless to anyone but a witch. I kept it as a memento from my mother, but if it will help King Theodore, I will gladly part with it.”
I nodded, fueled by the newfound direction. “The king will be very grateful, I’m sure.”
He smiled. “As was I when he saved my life. There is no need for his gratitude. He is my brother, always.”
Listening to someone like Florian speak about a human in this way surprised me. I had met many humans and vampires who considered each other friends, but rarely were they so close. It gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, we could all coexist together.
