I feel like I've attended balls in the past, but if I ever enjoyed them, I've come to hate them now.
"...And that's how I achieved victory in the battle of the black rift two hundred years ago."
I nodded disinterestedly, listening to the umpteenth tedious story of the umpteenth tedious pompous vampire who stopped near me to talk.
In fact, I was surrounded by similar people, men and women who observed me with a mixture of curiosity and contempt, as if I were an exotic animal that shouldn't be here.
However, none of them had tried to drink my blood yet, probably discouraged by Alexandria who held my arm in a grip that would be crushing for anyone else.
The vampire in question was conversing with some guests, happily sharing their attention, but unlike the calm and arrogance some showed towards me, those who interacted with her acted as if they were handling explosive materials.
It was subtle, but there was a certain measure in their words, careful thought before speaking, a bead of sweat trickling down the face or a slight tremor in the body. They did everything to keep my hostess in a good mood.
I'm surprised by the control demonstrated, as Alexandria had no filter whatsoever, openly insulting them in every possible way, whether through lineage, appearance, or past mistakes.
I didn't know if the vampire was really like that or if her attitude was just pretense.
If the latter was true, then she was a great actress, but if I was wrong, I should be careful, because people were willing to endure a wave of provocations to stay in her good graces.
But where did all this fear come from? Financial power? Political? Military? A combination of all of them? Did she possess some kind of leverage over them? Or was it just pure physical power that made them afraid?
I need to know more about the vampire clans, especially their most dangerous members. I kept that thought in the back of my mind, drinking the wine from my glass, feeling my resistance to poison send a tingling through my body.
Alexandria, on the other hand, drank glass after glass of blood, making a small pyramid on the snack table while laughing and talking loudly. Dispatching the last vampire she was talking to, she rested her head on my arm, giving me a wink and a sharp smile worthy of a nightmare.
I returned the gesture, feeling the muscles in my face ache with the effort, making her cover her mouth with her free hand as a slight blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Oh, stop trying to seduce me! Aren't you afraid of what Darya would think if she saw us like this?"
Honestly, I think she'd be relieved that I'm keeping you away from her. That's what I'd like to say on a better occasion.
Despite her words, she pulled my arm close to her considerable cleavage, and I believe the furrowing of her brow was due to my lack of reaction.
"I don't know what you're talking about, I just returned your beautiful smile. And Darya knows me well, I won't try anything."
"You seem to have a good opinion of her despite knowing each other for a short time."
Because I bothered to treat her like a person. Another thought that won't leave my mouth.
"What can I say? I consider myself a good judge of character."
That seemed to pique her curiosity. Raising an eyebrow in doubt, Alexandria stood on tiptoe, bringing her face close to mine before it contorted into a frightening grimace.
"And what can you say about me?"
If she expected to scare me, then she would fail miserably. With a stony face and emotionless voice, I continued the conversation.
"Can I be honest or will I be punished for it?"
"Be honest and entertain me, unless you enjoy being punished, I can find something we both would like."
I chose to ignore the comment.
"You are dangerous, cruel, and sadistic. I still don't know why, but everyone here fears you and tries to please you, yet you don't care and just enjoy watching the attempts that must seem pathetic to you. Despite everything, you have a plan, marrying your descendants to gain more power in pursuit of some ultimate goal."
A little more and her smile would have ripped across her face, that is, if she don't fly away with how excitedly she jumped in front of me, like a child about to open a present.
"And what would that ultimate goal be?"
"A place in the royal court, perhaps?"
Her face fell and her joy ceased.
"Am I wrong?"
"Almost, but why would I settle for something so small?"
In a snap of fingers, that barely contained madness returned and Alexandria was back in her place beside me.
"That was a good try, you got almost everything right. I'm tired of these pathetic little bats trying to look bigger than they are; they're nothing but a bunch of spoiled brats living off their ancestors' legacy. The great rulers are dead, and only their incompetent children remain, and if you're so eager to know why they're afraid of me, just stay on my bad side. Now, about my plan…"
Alexandria looked around with an amused glint in her eye before covering the side of her mouth with her hand and whispering.
"…It's a secret. Maybe I'll tell you if you prove useful."
An irritated grumble was all she got from me, much to her amusement. It wouldn't be the first time I'd become a pawn in someone's plans, and it wouldn't be the last, but now I'm less ignorant and more prepared.
"But enough about me, Alden. Tell me about yourself. I've only heard the stories, but I'd like to know how you and my dear Darya met."
Aside from the obvious falsehood of her concern for Warfarin, it was time for me to put an end to these strange rumors about us.
"You'll be disappointed, as it's less impressive than it seems. I'm a Sargonian merchant planning to expand my business across the various nations of Terra, however, I found myself lost in the middle of Kazdel's desert during my journey to the capital. To my relief, I found a village along the way. Unfortunately, it was under attack by the men of a local warlord. I defeated the invaders and after acquiring more information, I decided to deal with the problem once and for all. I found the warlord's fortress and killed him, freeing the prisoners afterward, one of whom was your granddaughter. We talked, and she agreed to be my guide and teacher, and now business partner after we settle in the capital."
"Hm… Is that all? Nothing about you conjuring lightning, fire, darkness, and shockwaves? Or how about healing groups of severely wounded villagers and rebuilding houses with a gesture? Some say you summoned the spirits of the dead to attack the fortress, freeing people who were to be sold into slavery only to escort them home with the looted treasures of your enemy. Others, that you offered free treatment to refugees wandering the desert."
"People say a lot of things; you shouldn't believe everything you hear."
"Not even about the miraculous products you sell?"
"That, I can't deny. Are you interested in buying something?"
"Not yet. I prefer to wait and see if they're as good as people say. And I believe you don't yet have the capacity to produce them in the quantity I desire."
"Unfortunately, I can't supply an army, if that's what you want."
"Oh, you read my mind. Some clans have been giving us trouble, and it would be great to have something that would give our forces an advantage."
"I prefer not to get involved in that kind of undertaking."
"Kazdel is full of conflict; it's only a matter of time before you find yourself involved in one."
"I'll deal with it when it happens."
"You're not the first to say that, but I think we're getting off-topic. Do you have any family? Brothers? Sisters? Nephews? Children? Grandchildren? Any hidden lovers?"
I'm tired of these attempts at humor. At least Warfarin managed to make me laugh once in a while.
"No, as far as I know, I'm the last living member of my family."
Incredibly, I saw a hint of sadness in her eyes, as well as an almost imperceptible change in her expression.
"You have my condolences; I don't know what I would do if I were the last of my clan."
"Thank you. Continuing on the subject of family, are you sure you won't have any problems being this close to me? Isn't there a patriarch I should be worried about?"
"HAHAHA! No, no, I've been single for decades. I met my first husband when I was just a young vampire in an arranged marriage by my mother. It was difficult at first, but eventually we reached an understanding and perhaps love, but fate had other plans. Fifty years later, he suffered an unfortunate accident, breaking his neck falling down the stairs. I cried for nights on end, but my mother didn't seem to care, arranging another man for me. He lasted the longest, meeting his end by drinking from a poisoned chalice, the culprit of which was never found. I barely had time to meet the third before he fell asleep and drowned in his bathtub. As if that wasn't enough, my dear mother became seriously ill and passed away shortly after. I stopped caring after the fourth husband. All those I loved met tragic ends. At least they left many children for me to care for. However, those who didn't die are married, happy, and far away now, but I make a point of keeping in touch. At least I always had my name written in the wills. Everything was always left to me. I think that despite the problems, the men I loved always loved me back."
My breath caught in my throat, as did my body, which now resembled a statue. The story had started well, but the more she spoke, the more horrified I became.
However, a smiling face was all my wide eyes saw before I tried unsuccessfully to escape.
"It was a pleasure talking to you, Miss Alexandria, but I believe it's time to return to Darya! She must be worried!"
"Why the rush?! I haven't even told you about the clan's history yet!"
"I believe that can wait! It's a long story, isn't it?! We can talk at a more appropriate time!"
I tried to escape her grip, but I only managed to take one step before being pulled towards her, only to try to escape again, and be pulled back immediately.
Then we entered a tug-of-war, with me trying to free my arm and Alexandria constantly pulling me closer, and the more frustrated I became, the more the vampire laughed.
"If you leave now, you'll miss the main event of the night!"
"And what could that be?"
Alexandria opened her mouth, about to speak, but the words never came out, as the sound of breaking glass echoed through the hall, along with the screams of the guests.
A kind of metal ball shattered the windows, with gray smoke escaping from the various holes in its surface.
I glimpsed shadowy figures plunging into the smoke, and with that, chaos took over the place. I saw various outlines running, felt several people bumping into me, and the deafening cacophony made it difficult to concentrate.
When it was all over, I was surprised that no one had died, but now the decoration was ruined. Suddenly, a series of screams echoed amidst the agitated discussion of the frightened guests; it was Warfarin and her parents.
With a final tug, I moved away from Alexandria, coughing as I brushed the remnants of smoke from my face. The vampire followed me at a brisk pace, and when we finally approached, we understood the seriousness of the situation.
"Alden, they took my siblings!"
A quick glance at the various children present indicated that there were fewer than before. The youngest had disappeared, probably because they were easier to kidnap.
The despair on my friend's face and her parents' was heartbreaking. Edmund tried to comfort Selene in his arms, while the remaining children cried, with the older ones trying to calm the younger.
"And it seems they left a message." Dragos picked up a piece of paper from the ground, reading its contents to us.
In short, it was a ransom demand: an absurd amount of gold, impossible to gather in such a short time, had to be delivered by dawn to a set of ruins known as the Moonbeam's Fang, or the children would never be seen alive again.
"Don't worry, my dear, I'll take care of it myself…"
"Alden, hand me the daggers, my staff, and my clothes!"
Warfarin didn't let him finish, passing by Dragos as if he didn't exist and approaching me with outstretched hands.
I wasted no time and handed over the requested items. With a swift movement, Warfarin disappeared through a side door, returning with her usual clothes and weapons ready.
"Darya, wait!"
Her parents protested, but their words fell on deaf ears.
"Don't give me that nonsense! I'm going to save them, whether you like it or not!"
"Let the girl go, it's clear she won't change her mind, but that doesn't mean she has to go alone. Dragos and some of my men will accompany them, won't they?"
We turned to Alexandria, who, with a flick of her arm, caused a whistle to slide out of her sleeve, summoning four hooded vampires upon blowing it.
They arrived so quickly that there was a chance they had been hiding in the hall the whole time. Wearing light metal armor painted a dark shade of red, expressionless white masks, and wielding rapiers and parrying daggers, they knelt before their mistress.
"Yes, my lady!"
"Y-yes, Lady Alexandria!"
The vampires and Dragos responded simultaneously, though the latter with more emotion.
I glanced at Alexandria, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. This was very convenient. She seemed to notice, for she winked at me with less than pure intentions.
"Well, then it's decided! What are we waiting for?!"
Warfarin's words were more than enough to end the discussion. It wasn't long before we left the castle, us mounted on Torrent while Dragos used a swift beast and equipment provided by the clan that was hosting us.
"I will bring your children back safely! Lord and Lady הוורד שפורח באור הירח!"
This time, Warfarin wasn't disgusted by Dragos's words, but showed genuine gratitude, just like her parents. However, the man ruined his chances by proclaiming his love for her again, causing her to cover her mouth in disgust.
I didn't waste my time with words, I shook Torrent's reins and rode towards the ruins whose exact location Warfarin had revealed to me.
The elite soldiers of Alexandria leaped from tree to tree at inhuman speed, managing to keep up with us. Dragos followed next, his steed pairing with mine.
"If I may say so, you possess an exotic, swift beast! I've never seen anything like it!"
"His name is Torrent, and before you ask, he's not for sale! Even so, thank you for the compliment! Yours isn't bad either."
"Hmph! But can yours keep up?"
"Is that a challenge? Torrent was able to outrun Radahn's horse!"
Clearly, that name meant nothing to him, but that didn't change the fact that his voice grew more animated beneath his helmet.
"Yes, but not now! This isn't the right time! I hope your skills match the rumors, otherwise, you'll feel the steel of my blade if the children get hurt."
"Believe me, I don't play with other people's lives!"
"We'll see about that!"
So we continued our journey to the ruins, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the idea that this was part of something bigger.
END OF CHAPTER