After getting rid of the soldiers, they rode toward the tunnel that led to the underworld.
"Finally, we're here," Dishon blurted as he got down from his horse.
Damien tied his to a tree and glanced at Dishon. "Won't you tie yours?"
Dishon shrugged. "My horse is very smart. It won't go anywhere — it's a vampire horse, remember?"
Damien let out a heavy sigh and signaled to him. "Just take me to my father's castle."
"Damien, you already know the place."
"Fine, fine."
"Are you scared to meet him?" Dishon asked, surprised.
"I'm okay. I'm just… nervous."
They both channeled their inner strength, and within a blink, they appeared in Dracula's chambers.
"I really hate the bad energy this castle gives off," Damien muttered. "Especially my father's chamber."
Suddenly, they felt a strong aura fill the room. Damien swallowed hard before slowly turning.
His father stood before him — not hidden in the shadows like usual. He was in a long black robe, his skin the palest Damien had ever seen. Not that he hadn't seen him before, but this was the first time he saw him fully — in the open.
Dracula was frighteningly beautiful. Sharp jawline. Blood-red lips — or maybe just stained from a recent feeding. His silver eyes glinted under the dim torchlight, matching his long, flowing black hair.
"Welcome," his voice came, cold and distant — the kind that sent a chill through your spine. Damien would never admit it aloud, but his father scared him. No — he terrified him.
"Are you still scared of me, son?" Dracula asked.
"Huh? Me?" Damien's eyes darted around the room, avoiding his father's face.
"Look me in the eye when I'm talking to you," his father ordered, his voice sharp.
Damien met his gaze instantly.
"I can't believe this. I gave you up to the humans to protect you," Dracula said, eyes narrowing. "But it seems that was the biggest mistake I ever made."
"You are weak in my sight. Are you even my son? Damien, you're a vampire prince — the son of the most powerful vampire in the world!"
"You're so weak, Dishon has to hunt blood for you. Even a newborn vampire wouldn't do that."
"Stop being so compassionate. I can't believe you've adopted the ways of humans."
The muscle on Damien's forehead tensed — he was getting angry. No… he was angry.
"I'm not weak," he said firmly. "Don't mistake my kind nature for weakness. It's my strength. What good comes from being evil? The fact that I'm compassionate and humble doesn't make me weak. It defines me — it empowers me."
"Those are foolish virtues that will only lead to your downfall," Dracula hissed. "There is darkness inside you, whether you like it or not. Stop running from it — embrace it."
"My mother is human," Damien said coldly. "Remember that."
"Oh, will you shut up?" Dracula snapped. "Don't try to justify your pathetic softness just because your mother was human. She lost all those human virtues the moment she turned. She is no longer human — she is a vampire queen."
"That's enough!" Damien yelled, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "You didn't call me here to insult me and provoke me, did you? If you have nothing better to say, I'll take my leave."