Chapter 21

Chapter 21

ANDREAS

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The announcement was not shocking to me as it was already expected. However, I felt Henrietta squeeze my

hand when she heard the announcement.

I understand her. She still has feelings for my brother. Which is why this revenge she’s plotting must be something hard for her to do. Philip and Yvette are people she cared deeply about before everything happened.

“We’re here,” announced Aiden, and I was pulled away from my thoughts.

I stepped out and the woods greeted me, the trees towering and extending their thick canopy above making the surroundings dark and gloomy. In front of us were stacks of bricks and behind it was a tunnel that was already occupied by mosses and grass. The entrance to the catacombs is not known to many. Some knew about them but fear to get close. Even vampires don’t come close as they fear they’d be trapped inside because of the spells protecting the whole space.

Aiden and I walked towards the entrance and I did the same. Silence wrapped around us as we maneuvered our way to where our prisoner was contained.

The walls of the tunnel seemed to hum as we went deeper. It was as if it was inviting us to walk further and finally get caught in a trap prepared for us ahead. I understood why no one dared to come in here. I’ve been in this tunnel several times but the gnawing feeling was still there.

Aiden stopped walking and gestured for me to walk ahead and meet Dreyfus Sevillano, the vampire who killed that woman dumped at the back of the Palace.

He was sitting against the wall, his eyes closed. When he heard my footsteps approaching, he opened them and turned to look at me. He let out a scoff and went back to his, sleep.

“Glad to see you’re coping well,” I started, my voice echoing inside.

“This is where my ancestors were imprisoned. If anything, I am comfortable.”

“Even as the same fate shall happen to you?” I stuffed my hands inside my pockets, observing him.

“I have done what I needed to do. I might not be here anymore to see how this Kingdom falls but I am glad I did a

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small contribution.”

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“Do you know anyone from this catacombs?” I asked. There is no point beating around the bush.

“What makes you think I do?”

it’s just a

“I don’t.”

question, Dreyfus.”

+5

“You’re lying.”

He chuckled. “Why are you so interested with dead vampires? What do you need to know that hasn’t been told by history books?”

“We rise from the ashes,” I started, making him freeze slightly. He turned to look at me and I grinned when I got his attention. “At first, I thought it was just something you said to make you sound heroic. But I realized the vampires in this catacombs said the same phrase before they went to war against the wolves.”

He looked at me. Really looked at me. As if he was trying to figure out who he was talking to.

I waved a dismissive hand. “There are the historical books known to public where the vampires are the one who waged war. And then there are those books hidden that contained the whole truth.”

Dreyfus stood and faced me. “What are you talking about?”

“I am saying that I know what exactly happened during the war. I know you have some sort of connection from all these vampires. So I’m going to ask again, Dreyfus Sevillano. Do you know anyone from these vampires?”

He was silent for a moment, glaring at me as if I committed a grave sin of knowing what he did not want me to

know.

some

“What use is it to you if I said I do know some of them?”

I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms. “I’m sure I’ll have some use for them later on.”

He clenched his hands. That’s how I know I already got him.

“My great grandparents who served the vampire royal family were in here,” he said, voice quiet.

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“What about the Vampire King and Queen?”

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+5

He scoffed. “The vampireking and queen was mercilessly murdered. It was all because of the Princess‘ doing. If she as careful enough–”

He stopped himself before he could.continue. “That’s all you need to know.”

“Why blame the Princess?” I asked, feigning ignorance.

Dreyfus eyed me suspiciously. “She was power–hungry, seeking more control over the vampire kingdom. She manipulated others to carry out her plans. The royal couple’s demise was just the beginning.

“You expect me to believe this without evidence?” I challenged.

Dreyfus hesitated, then smirked. “The evidence is buried with the past. The catacombs hold the secrets of our history, and only those who dare to uncover them will understand the true nature of our existence.”

I sensed a mixture of bitterness and regret in his tone. There was more to his story, and I needed to extract every detail to piece together the puzzle.

“Tell me everything.” I demanded, leaning in closer.

“I don’t remember a lot but I heard this from my grandparents. The Princess set out on a mission but failed. I don’t know what kind of mission it was but it failed, leading to the war.”

As he spoke, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. The past had a way of haunting the present, and I was about to uncover secrets that could change the course of our world.

As Dreyfus continued, I glanced over at Aiden, who was observing the scene with a mix of curiosity and concern. Whatever we were about to unearth could have far–reaching consequences, not just for us but for the entire vampire kingdom.

Dreyfus leaned back against the cold, damp wall, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. “I’ve spent a short time in these catacombs, but I could feel them. I feel them wanting to speak to me. To rebuild the Kingdom of Aldoria, we need the Vampire Prince.”

“The Vampire Prince? Is he here in this catacombs?”

He shook his head. “No one knows of his whereabouts. I’ve scoured the area outside the walls of this Kingdom.

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and met every vampire. No one heard if the Vampire Prince is still alive or not.”

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+5

He gave me a grave look. “If the Vampire Prince is alive, he shall rose to the throne his grandparents left. The

Kingdom of Aldoria will rise from the ashes and the Kingdom of Veridia shall face its impending doom.”

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Chapter 22