NIGHTS OF HALLOW

The day continued as the clock hand ticked amidst the activities from every town and village of Vamlone kingdom. The weather outside was unrelenting as snow froze everywhere, a constant chilly breeze blowing from time to time.

In the town of Cuckooland, the mansion of Vetis stood tall and strong among other houses in the town. Looking at the mansion from the outside told tales of a rich vampire heritage from the intricate architect of the building.

In one of the balconies of the mansion, John stood as he watched a bird fly towards him and perched on the rail of the balcony, its long claw making a clanking sound on it.

John held the bird and took out the piece of paper attached to the bird’s limb which he opened and read. Turning swiftly on his heels, he walked inside, his shoe clicking sharply on the floor while the bird flew away from the balcony and perched on one of the trees in the garden.

Before long, John stood before his master with his head bowed respectfully at him, ”I just got the message from the maid in the castle, Master.” He relayed, standing straight to glance at the man who puffed out smoke from his mouth.

Taking another drag from his pipe, Vetis tilted his head backwards as he blew yet another smoke thicker than the last one. His eyes snapped open, revealing the dark red eyes that had darkened as he smoked. ”What does it say?” His gruff voice sounded more hoarse as he spoke.

”It says it is done and everything is ready. It also mentions the Lady discovering more of her powers and the king helping her harness them. But then, her brother is with the green-eyed witch family. What is going to be our next move?” John questioned, ready to take on the next order from his master.

Vetis nodded, his gaze briefly staring at the pouring snow outside. He clicked his tongue in annoyance. This weather has always been one of his distasteful seasons of the year.

”How is the other task I gave you going?” He probed instead, as he went on to smoke from his pipe.

”The production of the dummies has been going on as you ordered with the help of the witch. The pills are also administered to them.” John dutifully replied, his hands clasped in front of him.

”Mmh,” Vetis hummed in acknowledgement. ”How many do we have now?”

”We have at least fifty of them now,”

”Halt everything when it gets to seventy. We will proceed with the third plan on our agenda afterwards. For now, continue to monitor the green-eyed lady in the castle. Inform me of any opportunity that comes forth. We must capture both her and her brother for our final plan to work out.”

”Yes, Master,” John bowed. He opened his mouth to speak but then closed it back as he contemplated voicing his thoughts. After a while, he said, ”I hear the king had taken on the death case in Blackfang town. Also, one of my men reported seeing the King dig a grave together with the green-eyed lady in one of the old graveyards. I believe they discovered the missing head from the owner of the grave.”

”That old fool,” Vetis spat, his hands clenched beside him as he gritted his teeth in anger. ”I know he must have also figured out what is going on. That is why we must hasten things. The church has been foolishly going after the wrong people for the cause of death in Blackfang town.” Vetis knew he couldn’t fool the king who always discovered what and how he did things, but the church, he had through Churchwoman Martha been intercepting the information they got. At least, he had one person to be bothered about.

”What about the king’s visit to Blackfang town that will be held in a few days, will there be anything that will be done that day?” John asked, at the same time taking note of all instructions from his master.

Vetis thoughtfully rubbed his chin, his mouth twisted as he continued puffing out smoke that made the room become filled with it, the smell strong. He said, replying to John’s question,

”No instructions on that for now. We don’t know what he is planning. But then, be on the lookout for any movement from his side and immediately inform me.”

”Yes, Master.” John bowed. ”if you may excuse me, Master, I’ll be on my way now.”

”Another thing, John,” The words of Vetis stopped John in his tracks as he turned back to him to hear him say, ”The maid if ever caught, you know what to do with her.”

”I fully understand, Master,” John nodded with a bow and proceeded to leave Vetis in the room to continue with his smoking.

Gradually, as the day wore on, so did the clouds floated above, damp and misty as it drifted lazily, a thick layer of fog rolling in to indicate it was nearing the time of evening.

Though the sky was a canvas of gray and white clouds, snowflakes twirled in the air in their delicate forms as they fluttered gently to the ground. The weather of the evening seemed to whisper warmth to the earth as everyone in the kingdom retired to their homes, squeezed inside with their burning woods in the fireplace to keep warm.

Among them was Perdita curled up in one corner of the library immersed in the book in her hand. The only movement from her was the side-to-side roll of her eyes balls as she continued to read lines after lines of several pages of the book while consequently sipping the warm blood tea brought in by Emily.

By the time she was done reading, it had already become darker than she noticed earlier. Her brows rose in surprise as she closed the book before putting it back on its rack and then the thought suddenly hit her. Sthena.

At the thought of the name, her heart skipped a beat that continued to drum in her chest. She had come to the library to escape meeting Sthena and she didn’t realize it was night already. What was she going to do now? Meet him or continue to hide from him?

Making her way out of the library, Perdita bit on her lower lip, her eyes almost conscious of any movement around her. Her steps increased pace wanting to hide in her room immediately. Somehow, at the back of her mind, she knew that it was going to be a futile attempt.

Alone in the hallway, Perdita’s dress swept behind her as her shoes gently clicked on the marble floor with no one in sight.

Seems everyone has gone to bed. She thought as she continued down the hallway.

Are you running away from me, My sweet girl?” suddenly a voice in the hallway made her stop in her tracks. The hallway had turned dark with only the wall lamps that burned brightly casting the shadow of the man on the floor as he slowly emerged from the other end.

”What are you doing here, Sthena?” Perdita blurted and bowed immediately as she saw him approach her with slow but steady steps. She felt her breath hitch, without realizing what she had asked.

”You haven’t answered me, sweet,” Sthena commented with a sweet smile that made her weary and he heard the way her heart skipped a beat. He stood before her and used his index finger to raise her chin as he tilted his head and stared deep into her green eyes that looked back at him with measured apprehension.

Sthena took a step forward closing the distance between them and his eyes narrowed when she took a step back, but that didn’t stop him from cornering her.

”Did you think you can get away from me?” He continued to question and she didn’t miss the mockery behind his words.

”I...I,” Perdita felt her words tied to her tongue because of the pureblooded vampire’s daunting aura. She felt him trace her forehead with his finger down to her jaw. He continued moving his finger as it traveled to her neck and the top of her chest, and her thudding heart hitched when his hand continued to stay there.

”Did you think you can escape from me?” Sthena bent towards her as he spoke. His breath fanned her neck, sending a jolt that traveled down her body.

”I wasn’t running from you,” Perdita hastily spoke, knowing there was no other escape. She had been running from him, and now, caught in his web, made her realize she had been foolish to have done that.

”Oh really,” Sthena hummed in response, his smile widening. His hand curled around her waist and pulled her closer than she was already to him. ”What were you doing then? Playing hide and seek?” He humored her, watching as her face flushed in embarrassment at his words.

”I’m sorry!” Knowing there was no way out of the mess she put herself into, Perdita quickly apologized.

”What are you sorry for, darling?” Sthena quizzed and in the next second teleported both of them out of the hallway.

Perdita’s eyes widened, having not expected Sthena to apparate. Looking around, she noticed the familiar room which undoubtedly belonged to none other than the king himself.

”I thought it would be better to hear why you are sorry here with no one in the hallway to eavesdrop,” Sthena explained, releasing Perdita from his hold. He tugged on the buttons of his shirt as he opened the first three buttons exposing his chest. He urged, ”Go on, let me hear why you are sorry.”