Chapter 51

Chapter 51

ANDREAS

The catacombs felt heavy with tension hanging in the air. With every step I made echoed inside the tunnels, bitter taste of what was waiting for us in the future remained inside my mouth.

the

Another woman has been found dead– a woman working in one of the pleasure houses in Veridia. Like the first one, two bite marks were found on her neck. The vampires are not even trying to hide their presence anymore. They’re blatantly letting everyone see of their mark on their victims. It was sickening because this shouldn’t be happening in the first-place.

If I had not been there that night, Henrietta would have become the second victim. I did not want to think about

it.

Other than the woman’s occupation, I know nothing about her. She is, in no way, connected to me, which confirms that they are not just targeting the people around me but also others. For whatever reason, I don’t know. One thing for sure is that I need to glean information on Lord Theon. Whatever these vampires and wolves are up to, I need to find out about it. And I plan on finding them out tonight.

“Fancy seeing you once again,” Dreyfus said. The sarcasm was evident in his voice but I ignored it. Aran was quietly sitting in the corner. It was clear that the catacomb was starting to wear on them.

“Do you know other reasons why the vampires kill these wolves around Veridia?” I asked, not wasting any more time. Dreyfus chuckled.

“So there has been another death? They sure have been busy.”

“What do you know?”

then I

Dreyfus shook his head. “They were planning to pin it on you, didn’t I tell you? If there is another reason, don’t know anything about it, I’m afraid. Need I remind you that I have been imprisoned here before all of these were happening.”

“The vampires are the ones leaving the bite marks on their victims. Shouldn’t you be worried about that? They’re your people. Once I find them, I won’t be too merciful like I was with you.”

He chuckled dryly. “The moment they decided to work with the wolves who massacred our kind, I stopped

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Chapter 51

regarding them as vampires. They are abominations and they deserve to get whatever punishment you place upon them.”

“You spoke so highly of that vampire prince. I wonder where that fervor is now.”

“If you are trying to get me to care about what’s happening outside these dreadful walls, then you are wrong. warrior. I have lost my care of whatever is happening.” He met my gaze. “You’re right. The darkness swimming in the air in these invisible confinements is wearing on me. I have started to accept my fate of desecrating here, with my kind. I figured it would be a fitting end.”

Silence hung heavy in the air. I glanced between Dreyfus and Aran, sensing the weight of their confinement weighing heavily on them. Aiden have been giving them blood bags but we were careful not to give them too much. How much blood a vampire drinks fuels his strength. The catacomb is spelled and warded but we can’t be too sure. It is always a wrong move to underestimate a vampire.

I needed their help, but I also knew he had to tread carefully to gain their cooperation.

“If this doesn’t stop then the Kingdom shall do what is necessary. One thing I can assure you is that history is going to repeat itself. There are not many vampires left but if this goes on, the vampire species might as well be

annihilated.”

I saw how Dreyfus’ jaw clenched. Good. It was good that he was reacting. I needed them to react. Aran, on the other hand, looked restless. I know it worried him. He’s a vampire too.

“What is it that you’re trying to say?” asked Dreyfus and I smiled.

“I want you to investigate it,” I answered and the silence even became louder as soon as I blurted those words. out. “I will let you out of this chamber but in exchange, I want you to investigate. Save your kind if you can. Only then we can prevent the impending doom.”

They looked at me, not quite believing the words that came out of my mouth. However, I am not foolish enough to tackle this alone. I know when I need help and these two prisoners are the perfect help I need.

“What are you planning to do?” asked Dreyfus. “You’re letting us out so we could save our kind? What if I save my kind and just run away, leave you with all your messy business?”

I smiled at him. I know there is a possibility that it would come down to that, however, I know they wouldn’t. And besides, they won’t be able to run far away.

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Chapter 51

“You won’t run,” I began. “Even as you deny that you’ve lost care, I know you still do. They’re your kind. The vampires, after what happened many years ago– all you have is one another. Leaving these vampires at the hands of these wolves they were working with would not sit right with you.”

He clenched his hands.

+5

“What do you ask in return?”

“I already told you. I want you to help me solve this crisis.”

“What else?” Aran said, his first words since I arrived.

“Do I need another reason? All I want is for peace to keep going. We all don’t want another war. We all know the

cost of that.”

Both of them were silent.

I could see the wheels turning in their minds, the internal struggle evident on their faces. I knew he had to push a bit more to seal the deal.

ve your ki

“In addition to your freedom and the chance to I offer you my protection,” I said, my tone firm.

I “Once you’re out of here, you’ll have enemies on all side. But with me by your side, you’ll have a fighting

chance.”

Dreyfus chuckled. “Fighting chance? I was aware of your reputation as being the most ruthless warrior but that doesn’t mean I need your protection.”

I shrugged. “I’ll still offer it. See, the Kingdom sees the vampires as terrorists now. If the Kingdom knows of your existence, they’re not going to be very kind. So I will give you my protection. Nobody shall touch you as long as we’re working together.”

The silence stretched for a long while and then Andreas stood from where he sat and looked at me straight in the eye. “If you break this agreement, what should I do?”

“If I break this agreement, you won’t be able to do anything but I give you my word. A warrior’s word is more noble than that of a royal. You will be the judge if you want to trust me on my word or not.”

We both stared at each other and we were only interrupted with another set of footsteps coming. Aiden came rushing, panting for air. After I saw the dead woman’s body, I went straight to the catacombs after realizing the

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Chapter 51

possible events that would unfold in the future.

“You’re right, Andreas,” Aiden began. “They’re everywhere.”

Dreyfus and Aran furrowed their brows. “Who’s everywhere?”

I faced them, dread visible on my face as I answered, “The strange vampires. They’re all sc at tered in Veridia. Whatever was done to Aran was also done to them.” I turned to Aiden. “Are the Royal Guards made known of

this?”

He nodded. “I had them stationed all over Veridia.”

“What of Henrietta?”

“Philip was the one who placed guards around the manor the moment he heard of the news.”

I nodded. Philip’s attraction to Henrietta gets useful sometimes.

“And Nadia?” I asked.

As if on cue, we heard another footsteps coming closer. Nadia followed behind, walking slowly as she tried to maneuver from the rocky road. She looked at me and then at the prisoners behind me. Her eyes then wandered around the cave, as though sensing the invisible barrier.

“I would need both of you as my source to break this barrier temporarily,” she said and met my gaze. “Are you

certain about this?”

I nodded. “I want them out.”

She sighed and extended her hand. “Very well.”

I took her hand and Aiden did the same. The barrier was created by a witch. It only made sense that a witch

would be the one to break it.

The atmosphere crac kled with energy as Nadia began her incantation, her voice low and steady, resonating through the cavern. Her hands tightened around mine as she called upon the ancient powers of magic to unravel the barrier that imprisoned Dreyfus and Aran.

I watched intently, feeling the tension in the air escalate with each passing moment. The faint shimmer of the

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Chapter 51

barrier began to waver, its invisible walls pulsating as if struggling against Nadia’s magic.

W 28% 1213

I could feel her magic taking some of my strength. I felt my knees bucking and my grip loosening but I did not.

dare let go.

Dreyfus and Aran stood ready, anticipation written across their faces as they waited for their chance at freedom. Despite their stoic exteriors, I could sense the underlying eagerness to escape the confines of their imprisonment and do what I wanted them to do– save their people.

As Nadia’s chant reached its crescendo, a surge of energy erupted from her fingertips, sending ripples of power coursing through the air. With a final, resolute gesture, she released the spell, and in an instant, the barrier shimmered for a short moment, as though it disappeared for a short while.

“Out, now!” Nadia yelled. Aran and Dreyfus wasted no time and swiftly moved past the remnants of the barrier and into the open cavern.

Nadia let go of my hand and Aiden and I were panting. My whole body felt like it was being bruised all over.

A wave of relief washed over me as I watched Dreyfus and Aran step forward, their expressions awash with gratitude and determination.

“Thank you, Nadia,” I said, offering her a grateful smile as she lowered her hand, the strain of her magic evident on her features.

She nodded, her gaze flickering between me and the newly freed vampires. “Be careful, Andreas. And remember, not all debts can be repaid with gratitude alone.”

I nodded solemnly, understanding the weight of her words.

Before I could say another thing, she started to walk out of the catacombs. As the darkness of the tunnels engulfed her body, I knew she had disappeared from the catacombs as well.

Dreyfus and Aran stood behind me and I faced them. I nodded to Aiden and he tossed several blood bags.

“Before we begin, I need you both fed.”