The road branched off ahead of me. Down one path, to the right, the trail slowly narrowed, shadowed by the towering trees that blocked out any remaining traces of the receding daylight. The dirt was smooth, grass poking out from the unused path.
The other path widened. The trees had been cut away, and evidence of branches being removed could be seen along he edges. The open canopy allowed the light to shine through, casting long shadows along the beaten track as the sun slowly set, painting deep hues of red and violet across the silent sky.
Elara wasn't coming.
I was sitting against Acorn, feeling the soft rise and fall of his chest as I leaned on him. Elara's ring seemed weightless in my hands as I slowly twirled it between my fingers, a feeling of dread slowly creeping up on me.
Elara wasn't coming.
The night was coming. I had no idea which road to take. The path more traveled by, hopefully, would lead me to a settlement, but without Elara to guide me, I felt lost. Uncertain.
And as the last of the sunlight sank beneath the mountains, so did any hope I had of Eara returning.
"You look damp."
I yelped as Elara's voice came from behind me. Even Acorn was startled. He snorted in fright nd quickly scrambled to his feet. I quickly stood up, awkwardly, losing Elara's ring in the process.
"You scared me." I huffed. Trying to hide how frightened I had been when she didn't return.
"You got here earlier than I expected."
I hadn't exactly stuck around after the river incident. I don't think I've ridden so fast in my life.
She looked me up and down. "You go for a swim?"
"Yeah," I muttered. "There was a river in the forest."
"Swim go alright?"
"Yeah…" Did she know?
Elara nodded, lapsing back into silence.
I quickly picked up her ring, dusting it off and handing it back to her. I desperately wanted to know where she got it from. Was she married? It didn't look like a wedding ring.
She placed it on her finger, twisting it, as if making sure it was secure.
"We're leaving." She nodded down the left path.
"What?" I protested. "But it's dark!"
"Hollowridge and Brambleford are relatively close together. Only about a day's journey apart. It's only a few hours' ride from here."
"But-"
"Besides, this part of the road is well known for its highwaymen. Do you really want to sleep out here, rather than in a nice warm bed? Bramblethorn has very nice accommodation."
I got the feeling Elara was trying to baby me, but at this point, I was too tired to care and too relieved to see her. "So why didn't we–Fine. But don't blame me if I fall asleep on Acorn."
…
Keira was lying to me.
I could hear it in the subtle quiver of her voice, the slight pause, the increase of her heart rate.
The river she had been referring to was swarming with creatures called Kelprith. It was called Fool's River for a reason. On the outside, it looks peaceful, inviting, but dip a toe in the water, and you're as good as gone unless you came prepared.
Or if you were an Elven mage. A clueless Elven mage, maybe, but an Elven mage nonetheless.
Although I would never admit it to Keira, I was curious about her past. Elves are a rare sight nowadays, thanks to humans. Many of their forest kingdoms were burned down, and their inhabitants were slaughtered. Most of the remaining Elves lived in isolated villages, hidden in dense bush and forests infused with ancient magic, providing them shelter from the outside world.
It wasn't completely uncommon to find the occasional elf roaming around, however. Although they tended to avoid overpopulated places, especially human ones, and were wary of strangers, unlike Keira. I'd met a few in my travels. They were nice enough, once you got to know them. They also typically lacked magic abilities.
So why had Keira left her village?
I twisted the ring on my finger. The royal Nyxholm crest stared back at me.
Mind you, Keira was yet to reveal anything about her past to me, so she must've had some sense.
Maybe we'd get jumped by some highwaymen, and Keira would use some of her magic.
Unfortunately, judging from how she sat slumped in her saddle, silent and only half awake as Acorn gently trotted along the darkened path, Keira wouldn't be using her magic anytime soon.
The night stretched on. The trees had thinned, shifting from a dense forest to a more open environment. We had nearly arrived at Brambleford. Subtle light could be seen flickering in the distance.
The night watch paid us no mind as we passed the watchtower. I guided Acorn over to one of the quieter inns in Brambleford. Brambleford was a much larger town than Hollowridge and was often used for trading a wide variety of goods.
The innkeeper barely spared us a glance–an unaturally pale woman with a resting death stare and a half-asleep elf. He simply waved us towards the stairs and handed me a key in exchange for a few coins. Acorn was left outside in the stable, and I tugged Keira into the room and pushed her onto a bed. She fell asleep almost immediately.
I sat on my bed, watching her sleep. I was hungry, but that could wait. I didn't want to risk venturing out too far with Celeste on the prowl.
It was going to be a long night.
…
I was down at the bar when Keira finally woke up, nearly at noon. I had decided I liked the bartender. He didn't comment when I'd ordered a whiskey at about four in the morning, nor did he question when I sat in the corner, brooding over said whiskey until the sun rose. The inn was quiet too, only the irregular customer coming in every now and again.
The whiskey was good, too.
Keira slumped beside me, rubbing her bleary eyes. "Morning…" she mumbled.
"Morning."
Keira looked at me. "When are we heading off?"
"We're not," I muttered, staring into my half-full tankard of whiskey. "We'll rest here for the day. Maybe stay another night. Then we'll leave."
"Is the great Elara finally getting tired?" She teased.
"I'm only human." I cracked a small smile, hoping it was convincing.
She snorted. "Sometimes I think otherwise. So what are we gonna do here?"
"Brambleford has quite a large market. I'm sure you'll like it. It'll probably keep you occupied for a day. Or two."
"Are you coming?"
I shook my head. "Too many people. I'll show you how to get there. I'll come and find you if you haven't found your way back by sunset."
"Okay!" Keira seemed eager to meet some new people. And spend money on useless items. "Can we go?"
I stared into my half-drunk whiskey again. I sighed. "Already?"
"Yes! C'mon, you're always the one badgering me about being too slow. Keira, Wake up! Keira, we're leaving." She squared her shoulders, doing a crude impression of my voice.
"Fine," I muttered, knocking back the last of my whiskey. "Let's go."
Keira seemed more energetic than she had been in days. She was practically skipping as we made our way to the bustling market. I almost envied her. I would never understand how she could be so excited to meet new people in such an overwhelming environment.
As far as markets go, at least Brambleford's was clean. Rows of stalls crowded on either side of a well-used path, selling books, tools, meat, clothes, and other items I couldn't name. Behind them stood neat houses stacked on top of each other.
I was personally overwhelmed by the shouting of people around me, cursing at each other, haggling, and trying to hear each other speak from less than a foot away. Various smells invaded my nostrils–sweat, foods, and herbs, all intermingling and mixing in the air. I held my breath, hoping no one would notice the lack of movement in my chest. People bumped into me from all angles, muttering apologies or cursing at me. I unconsciously gripped my left hand into a fist, as if someone would try to steal my ring. Merchants shouted from all sides, trying to sell me their goods.
Keira, on the other hand, was completely captivated by the scene before her. It was like Christmas had come early.
"Elara, look!" She shouted over the noise. "They're selling–"
I lost Keira in the crowd for a moment as someone shoved past us. Keira grinned at me, clearly oblivious to the fact that I had no idea what she just said. I just smiled faintly.
"Meet me back at the inn when you're done, okay?" I had to yell over the noise. Keira just nodded and moved away from me, shoving her way through the crowd.
I didn't actually know if Keira had any funds to buy anything. I hadn't asked. Oh well. She'd be fine.
Probably. Brambleford wasn't known for its hostility towards Elves.
Or at least, no more than anywhere else.
I shoved my way through the crowd, trying to make my way out.
"Vampire repellent, get your vampire repellent essentials here!"
I stiffened, slowly turning to glare at the stall next to me.
The merchant there saw me turn and grinned. "You there, missie, come and get all the items to keep you and your loved ones safe from the filthy creatures of the night!"
I stalked over to him. He wore expensive, deep red silk robes and was clad in sandals, complete with an iron cross hanging around his neck. I doubted he'd ever encountered a vampire in his life.
"And what would you know that about objects that repel vampires?"
His grin turned into a smirk. "More than one might think, m'lady. Garlic, saltwater, sunlight itself!" He produced a bottle that emitted a dim glow. A sunburst vial. An incredibly poor one. That would barely tickle a vampire.
"And if you're rarely willing to pay." He whispered conspiratorially. He brandished a second vial. "A gift for God himself–Holy water!"
At a glance, I could already tell that it was regular water.
I fought the urge to lash out at him. "For your information, garlic doesn't affect vampires. In the slightest. Nor does saltwater, you old fuck. As for that sunburst, that wouldn't even give a vampire a light tan. As for that 'holy water', why don't you tell me which stream you fished that out of?"
His smirk turned into an ugly sneer. "What do you know, Missie? You looks like nothing but a stuck-up noblewoman to me. Sitting in your fancy mansion all day, being pampered by your servants. You mark my words, this'll save your life one day, I suggest you buy it from me now, while prices are still low."
Part of me was very tempted to rip his throat out and show him just what I knew about vampires. I had to dig my fingers into my palms to prevent my nails from curling into talons. "Why would I need protection from vampires anyway? It's not like they're going to show up in a place like this."
"Wrong again!" He cackled. "War be brewin up in Nyxholm. Rumor has it, a new King's taken over. Some vampires be trying to escape the kingdom. Rumor has it, this new king's a new piece of the devils work, try'in to wipe out all of us humans." His voice lowered. "They've already caught some vampire's see. Up in Eldermarch, burned them at stake they did. As if they could kill us anyway. Vampires may be powerful, but we've got the numbers." He spat. "Filthy creatures."
I had to hide my wince as my nails erupted into talons. I hoped he didn't notice the blood running down my fingers.
"So what'll it be?" He whispered in a hushed tone. "The holy water… or the power of the sun?"
Someone stood close behind me. Too close.
The smell of alchemy filled the air: Quicksilver, wolfsbane, moondust, and the tang of cold, hard steel.
Fuck.
"I'll take the sunburst."
Celeste Vael loomed over both of us.
The merchant peered up at the sudden newcomer, clearly intimidated by her looming presence. "That'll be-"
She threw a gold coin at him. "Take it or leave it." She rasped. "And I'm being generous."
He quickly picked up the gold coin from the ground and handed her the sunburst.
Celeste reached into her tattered leather coat, pulling out a vial of fine gold powder. Carefully, she removed the cork from the sunburst and tapped some in.
There was a sudden flare of light. I flinched, quickly shielding my eyes, as did the merchant. Celeste remained unaffected.
She put the cork back in and tucked the vials back into her jacket, the sunburst now glowing much brighter and giving off a slight hum.
She met the merchant's eyes. "Scram."
And that he did.
Celeste finally turned to face me, acknowledging my presence for the first time. Her piercing amber eyes bored into my dull gray ones from beneath her wide-brimmed hat, her faded scarf and alchemy goggles hanging around her neck.
"Hello, Elara."
Her voice was just as raspy as I remembered it, like nails grating on a chalkboard, a result of years of inhaling alchemy chemicals.
My hand shot out, talons aiming deep into her stomach. Celeste grabbed my wrist and redirected my hand to the side, pulling me in close, our bodies pressed close together. I felt a small prick in my stomach as she slid in a syringe, her fingers hovering over the plunger.
I froze, not daring to move as my talons quickly retracted back into my fingers before anyone could see.
"Careful now, Elara," Celeste said softly. "Wouldn't want to cause a scene in such a public scene now, would we?"
I wrenched my hand out of her grip, slapping her syringe away and stepping back. Celeste's eyes continued to bore down on me, filled with nothing but a cold, calculating hatred.
"Worried I might rip your throat out again?" I growled.
Celeste's thin lips turned downward in a sneer, her weathered olive face twisting in anger. "You'll pay for that on,e Elara." She growled. "How's your back?"
I snarled, fingers breaking into talons again. Celeste watched me, daring me to try something.
I sheathed my talons with great difficulty. "How long have you been tracking me?" I muttered.
"Long enough." She leaned a little closer. "Although I must say, traveling with Elves? Didn't think that was your style."
"Leave her out of this."
Celeste sneered. "I have no intention of touching your elven friend. Elves are a dying breed. I'm just surprised you would be traveling with anyone at all, let alone an elf. Did the great Elara Darkthorne get lonely?"
I bristled. "I most certainly did not. What are you doing here, Celeste? Did you just come to taunt me?"
"Of course not." Celeste grinned. "I'm here to give you a message. Meet me at the chapel in the center of town. Midnight. Tonight."
"As if." I spat. "Meet you on your own playing field? I'm not falling for your bullshit traps again."
Her gaze darkened slightly. "Then I'm sure Keira would appreciate an anonymous tip-off about the truth of the freak she's traveling with."
"See if I care." I snapped. Celete grinned.
"But she already suspects, doesn't she? She knows something's off; it's difficult to keep that feral beast inside in check, isn't it, Elara? In that case, maybe Keira will be the one you meet at the chapel. Or well, what's left of her."
I snarled, grabbing Celeste by the collar. Even though she had the height advantage, I was far stronger than her, and easily shoved her off her feet and through the crowd, slamming her against a table of fruit, the frightened shopkeeper running away. The people around us quickly hushed, watching.
"You said you wouldn't touch her," I growled lowly. Celeste laughed.
"Since when have I kept my word with a vampire?"
I snarled. "You only kill vampires!"
Celeste smirked. "I could make an exception, just to get to you. Besides, let's face it, Elara," she lowered her voice. "Is anyone really going to care if an elf goes missing?"
My gums split. Fangs burst from my mouth. Celeste watched me impassively.
"There you go, Elara." She whispered. "That temper of yours is also getting you into trouble."
I forced myself to breathe. People were staring, hushed.
"That's it, Elara, calm the beast." Celeste mocked softly. "You'd better hope that elf of yours isn't watching."
My fangs retracted into my gums. Talons back into my fingernails. I released Celeste, slowly stepping back.
"Atta girl." She smirked, her thin lips forming a cruel line.
She addressed the crowd. "Sorry, folks! Just a misunderstanding between friends."
The crowd seemed a little uncertain, but they quickly moved away when Celeste's glare turned harsh. The small crowd dispersed into the market, as if the event had never happened.
A few people looked at Celeste twice. No doubt they knew her face. A few gave me second glances, too.
"Remember, Elara," Celeste whispered in my ear. "The chapel. Tonight."
She moved off again, her tall frame disappearing into the crowd.
…
I was beginning to understand why Elara disliked large crowds.
I had enjoyed myself at first. I'd met some new people and bought some new clothes. People smiled at me.
But it seemed that the longer I stayed, the more hostile they became. I drew more and more dirty looks. People saw my ears and turned away. Merchants demanded higher prices and haggled with more hostility.
Despite that, time seemed to fly by. I had no idea what Elara was doing. Probably brooding. She did a lot of that when she thought I wasn't looking.
The sun was slowly setting, lazily hiding behind the horizon and painting the sky orange and red as the crowds slowly thinned.
I slammed into someone.
I let out a little yelp as I tumbled to the ground, landing on my ass. I was immediately trodden on by several people as they left the market, receiving several scathing marks as I swore under my breath. I tried to scramble to my feet, but my hand was immediately stepped on. I glared at the offender, who walked off without so much as acknowledging me.
"Sorry, sorry." The man who had knocked me over was clearly trying not to grin. "Sorry bout that." He held out his hand.
"You better be," I muttered, reluctantly taking his hand. His grip was firm, his hand rough and calloused.
He helped me to my feet. I caught a peek of two daggers sheathed on his belt beneath his cloak.
"Sorry bout that," he repeated. "I'm-"
He suddenly yelped as there was a violent hissing sound and the smell of burnt flesh filled the air. He hissed, dropping the amulet in his hand as several sigils were branded into his skin, charring the muscle beneath.
"Wait a minute." My eyes widened. "That's mine!" I quickly scooped it back up, securing it in my satchel again. "Asshole!" His head snapped back slightly as I punched him in the nose.
"Ow." He shook his head slightly, as if dazed. He felt his nose, making sure it wasn't broken.
Maybe I've been spending too much time around Elara.
"You dropped that," he said, gesturing to the amulet now stored safely back in my satchel. "Came out when you fell."
"Oh-" my eyes widened. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean-"
"Ignore him." A gruff voice said. "Alden's lying, as usual."
A burly man approached us. He was adorned with black leather armor, gold at the edges, and an iron dragon necklace hung around his neck. Two swords were strapped to his back, and a scar ran across his bearded face.
His piercing yellow eyes met mine. I shivered.
He slapped Alden on the back of the head. "Serves you right for trying to steal from an elf." He growled.
"Uh… It's ok." I muttered, avoiding his gaze.
Alden rubbed his head. "See? Everything's fine, Tavrek," he said with a charming smile.
Taverk ripped a small pendant from his hands, handing it back to me.
"Oh–thanks," I muttered, taking it back.
"If you wanna hit him again, I'll happily hold him down."
I smiled slightly. "Maybe another time."
He nodded. "Sorry about the inconvenience." He grabbed Alden by the scruff and dragged him off into the slowly dissipating crowd.
"Lost?"
I swore as Elara suddenly appeared behind me.
"Stop doing that." I snapped. "Or I swear I'll put a bell around your neck."
Elara ignored my comment. "New friends?" She nodded in the direction of the two who had just left.
"No. One of them stole something from me. The other one made him give it back."
"Be more careful then."
"Why are you here?"
"To take you to the inn."
I scowled. "You're acting like my mother."
"Maybe if you stopped acting like a child, I wouldn't have to."
I pouted. "I do not act like a child."
"You literally just got pickpocketed."
"That wasn't my fault!"
Elara sighed. "Whatever. It's late. We're going."
"But I'm not-"
I grumbled as Elara turned away from me mid-sentence and started walking down the street. Not wanting to get left behind, I quickly followed her.
Elara twisted her ring as she walked. A nervous habit I'd begun to notice. "You okay?"
"Fine."
Elara was definitely not fine. But I didn't push it. I'd learnt not to bother Elara about her feelings. She got snappy when I did.
We made the trek up to the inn in silence. Elara was still fidgeting nervously as though something was on her mind.
The inn was relatively quiet when we got back. Only a few patrons milled about.
"You hungry?"
I glanced up at Elara, slightly surprised. "Uh, no. I ate at the market."
She nodded, heading upstairs.
"Are you hungry?"
"I already ate."
Why did I get the feeling she was lying?
The moment my body touched my bed, it was as if the entire day's activities suddenly caught up with me. Ehustion flooded my body and I flopped back onto the soft mattress with a huff. My boots and coat hit the floor, and I snuggled under the covers.
Elara checked outside the window, then locked it shut. She drew the curtains. Put out the candles.
Even in the darkness, I could feel her watching me. It was eerie.
"Goodnight, Keira."
"G'night," I mumbled, already half asleep.
Just as I was about to fall asleep, Elara spoke up. "Keira?"
"What?" I grumbled.
"Do I look like a noblwoman to you?"
"No. You're way too scruffy. And you smell bad."
I rolled over, turning my back on Elara's silloehutte and finally falling asleep.
…
Did I really smell that bad?
I gave my armpit an experimental sniff. Ugh. I could do with another bath.
I watched Keira's sleeping form in the dark.
I sat perfectly still, not even breathing.
Outside, the moon slowly rose. Midnight steadily approached.
Keira's chest rose and fell.
Mine didn't.
Rise and fall. Rise and fall. Rise and fall. Rise and fall.
Boredom set in.
Contrary to popular belief, vampires don't just sit in mansions and caves all day and brood. Even we need ways of entertaining ourselves.
Maybe I'd start a barfight.
Although that might wake Keira.
I doubted that Celeste would actually try anything with Keira, provided that I did show up at midnight. There wasn't much reason to sit and watch over her. Celeste may despise vampires and take great pleasure in torturing them, but she wouldn't hurt an elf.
Mind you, if I didn't show up tonight, I wouldn't put it past her, even if it was just to get at me.
I walked past Keira's bed, my footsteps not making a noise on the wooden floor.
The bar was quiet. Reletvily empty. Thankfully.
I ordered a whiskey and sat down. I may not be able to get drunk, but I can at least enjoy the taste.
"That's my seat."
Annnnnnnnnnnd nevermind.
I turned to face whoever the hell was here to annoy me now.
"Who are you?"
"Arata."
"... That's a stupid name."
"…"
Great, someone as socially inadequate as me. Brilliant.
"What's your name?"
"None of your business."
He stared at me blankly. This fucking kid.
"Go sit somewhere else."
"But this is my seat."
"Entire empty fucking tavern, and this specific seat just happens to be yours?"
"Yes."
"Do you even drink? You look like a child."
"I'm 18."
"A child."
"You don't exactly look ancient yourself."
"Older than you."
"So?"
I was actually going to snap already. This kid was somehow draining my entire social battery, and he was barely talking.
He continued to stare at me.
I stared back.
"Oh, for Christ's sake, just have the seat already!" I snapped, standing up quickly, sending the chair violently tipping over. A few patrons looked up to see what the noise was all about. "Fucking kids these days…"
I downed the rest of my whiskey and slammed the tankard back on the bartop, infuriated. Fortunately, I was about to have someone to take out my anger on.
I'm sure Celeste wouldn't mind the early company. It was nearly midnight anyway.
The chapel was set on the far side of town, located a reasonable distance from the nearest house. A perfect place for a bloody fight to go down.
The sun dipped just below the horizon as I arrived. The last orange hues faded, casting the church grounds into darkness, the chapel silhouetted against the dying light. A well-tended garden sat out front, filled with blood red roses climbing up an iron fence, swaying gently in the soft breeze. A stone carving of whatever god this place worshipped was etched above the wooden double doors.
I pushed open the doors, making no sound on the red carpet running up the nave.
Celeste was sitting in the front row of pews, reading from a tattered leather book. I crept up behind her, silent to the human ear.
I opened my mouth to speak.
Celeste's hand shot up, one finger up. A silent command to keep quiet. She didn't even look at me.
I huffed, waiting impatiently.
Eventually, Celeste finished her page and snapped the book shut.
"You're early."
"...Uh huh."
My fingers lengthened slightly at my sides. I was never sure what to expect with Celeste. I knew an attack was coming, but didn't know when. Or from where?
"Beautiful chapel, isn't it?"
"Uh… yeah."
It was okay. I'd seen better.
"Although I'm sure you've seen better. You've been around a while. Not in vampire terms, maybe, but in human terms."
"..."
She sighed, "god, why does every conversation have to be so one-sided with you, Elara? Are you really that socially stupid?"
"Shut up. I am not."
"Sure you aren't." She rolled her eyes, standing up. I had to crane my neck to meet her eyes.
"How did you find me?"
"Doesn't matter."
"It does to me."
"It shouldn't. You'll be dead in a few minutes."
"Humor me."
"I got an anonymous tip-off."
"Is that it?"
"Oh, I haven't been the only one, Elara. Hunters all over have been receiving anonymous tips as to your whereabouts. And a nice little offer for your head."
"So you don't even know who you're working for?"
"Don't know, don't care. So long as the information was accurate. Which it has been."
"For all you know, you could be working for my brother."
Her gaze darkened. "In that case, I'd mail him your head in a box."
"He'd love that. Probably display it above his throne and everything."
"And I'd make sure his joined it next."
"Why do you hate me so much, again?"
She growled. "You know damn well why."
I rolled my eyes. "Oh yes. Because I, the evil Elara Darkthorne, was solely responsible for murdering your father, the great alchemist Aldric Vael."
"You were the reason he died."
"You're father died because he attracted the wrong kind of attention."
Celeste snarled. "I will admit, my father was always… a little egotistical. He wanted too much. Still, he didn't deserve to get ripped to shreds."
"For Christ's sake, do you think I wanted this?! Do you think I wanted to get turned into this monster? I am a product of your father's work! If anything, it's his fault I am the way I am!"
"Those vampires ripped him to shreds. Murdered my brother, and turned my mother, who was hunted down by hunters like a wild dog. Besides Elara." She leaned closer. "You were already a monster."
"Right," I muttered bitterly. "I was already a monster."
"You're an abomination."
"A product of your father's work."
"For all my father's faults, he never wanted to create monsters."
"Right. He just wanted to make unkillable soldiers."
"He wanted to cure death."
"Everyone dies, Celeste."
"Perhaps. But you'll be the only one dying today."
"My brother prepares for war as we speak. Using your father's work to breed an army of unkillable vampires. And here you are, concerned with me. I never realized you were petty, Celeste."
"Oh, I'm very petty, Elara. I'm still bearing scars from our last encounter. Besides, I have some new formulas to test."
"You really think you can kill me this time?"
She shrugged. "I guess we'll find out. Oh, and how was your encounter with the bloodless?"
"You know about that?"
"Of course I do. I did help create it, after all."
Of course she did. Like her father, Celeste was no stranger when it came to combining science and magic. "I killed it."
"You can't kill what's already dead, Elara. Ripping it to pieces won't stop it."
"Then what about me?"
"There's not going to be anything left of you when I'm finished."
"You wanna bet?"
"You wanna bet?" Celeste mocked. "Listen to yourself. Acting as though the world revolves around you. News flash, Elara, it doesn't. There'll be no one around to miss you when you're gone. Even your own kind despises you. After all, you did murder your own parents, little miss princess."
I stiffened. "How- how did you- I didn't-"
Celeste grinned, her weathered face splitting into a wolfish expression. "Vampires tend to be very talkative with bloodborne boiling through their veins."
I snarled in fury, my wrist splitting open and blood splashing to the floor, forming a sword.
Celeste smirked. "Always so impatient, Elara."
The sword formed a battle axe, which I swung overhead full force at her neck.
Which she caught.