Chapter 22

  Most of their nights were usually quiet, but this one was another kind of quiet, a different one. It wasn’t the kind of quiet that follows the nights that they survived, nor was it the kind that preceded violence and unrest. It felt as if everything around them held their breaths.

   They were at an abandoned warehouse, located on the edge of the industrial district stood abandoned, it had rusted doors barely hanging on, broken windows that allowed thin strands of moonlight to stretch across the concrete floor. Daniel stood inside the warehouse, his hands in the pockets of his coat, and he bore an unreadable expression on his face. Angelina and Eva both stood beside him, fully alert.

“You’re sure about this?” Angelina muttered, tightening her grip on her sword. “Hmmm?”

“No,” Daniel replied flatly, then he went ahead to release a heavy exhale.

Angelina let out a short laugh. “Good. I’d be concerned if you were.”

“How many are there?” Eva asked, her eyes scanning the darkness around her.

“I don’t know.” Daniel replied, gently releasing another exhale, this time not as heavy.

“It’s not like you are nervous.” Angelina said. “Or are you?” She asked, but Daniel didn’t reply.

   Just then, figures started emerging from the shadows stealthily. If they had been human, or less sensitive, they probably might not have noticed them until they would have closed up on them. The figures started to take shape in the moonlight, one by one as they emerged quietly, Vampires. They all came within a little distance and stopped, and stood there still, their pales skins, reflecting the moonlight like paper.

   After a short while, quiet footsteps started approaching, it was quiet, but it was way louder that the approach of the entire crowd of Vampires that surrounded them now, it was obviously the sound of heels, definitely the approaching Vampire was female. After what felt like ages to Angelina, the figure finally made entry through the Vampires, into the middle where Angelina, Daniel and Eva stood.

   It indeed appeared that it was a woman, her dark hair fell over her shoulders, and her eyes looked sharp and ancient in spite of her youthful appearance.

“I didn’t expect you to come in person,” Daniel said, retaining his unreadable expression.

“And I didn’t expect you to survive last few months.” She replied as she tilted her head slightly.

Angelina leaned toward Eva and whispered. “Wow. Friendly.” Eva didn’t reply her, her focus was fixed on the woman.

   The vampire briefly studied Angelina and Eva, taking in their presence as they stood beside him. Then she returned her focus to Daniel.

“You.” She started. “You caused quite the disturbance recently.”

“I don’t think that should be a surprise.” Daniel replied with a slight shrug. “That has been my case everywhere I’ve gone for quite a while now.”

She started towards Daniel, her footsteps echoing softly across the warehouse. “You have the full attention of the Warlocks.” She continued. “The Fey folk has grown an unusual interest in you. Even the mages, they have started having discussions with your name for the topic.” She stopped a few feet away from where he stood. “And now, you have finally drawn his attention I learnt.”

“That was very dramatic.” Daniel replied humourlessly.

“Okay who is she?” Angelina asked, as she sheathed her sword and crossed her arms across her chest.

“Selene Virell.” The vampire replied without looking at her.

“An Elder.” Daniel added that little piece of information quietly.

Selene smiled faintly. “One of the few who remembers what Daniel here, used to be.” She announced. “The scourge of the shadow world.” She motioned at Daniel and let out a laugh. She then stepped closer to Daniel. “Once,” she said. “You ruled us.” The smile had completely disappeared from her face. “Not with alliances, but with fear. You ruled us with a rod of iron!”

“You ruled Vampires?” Eva asked as she glanced at Daniel and then blinked impulsively.

“I did, then I ended the clans.” Daniel replied, the words dropped as if they’d already hung heavy on his lips before, waiting to be said.

“That, is quite a polite way to put it.” Selene said, her smile back, and slightly deeper this time.

“And the impolite version would be?….” Angelina dragged, her eyebrows raised.

“One word really.” Selene said before her gaze flicked to her. “Extermination.” She replied. 

Eva’s stomach tightened. “Why?” She asked fixing her gaze onto him, a puzzled expression on her face.

He turned to look at her. “They became a problem.” Daniel replied, and for a moment, something dark flashed across his eyes.

“Another subtle way to justify a genocide.” Selene exhaled with a loud scoff.

“They started acting without restraint, without order.” Daniel said. “They were on the verge of starting wars. They were drawing unnecessary attentions.”

“And you decided to end it.” Selene said. “All by yourself.”

“Yes.” He replied sharply.

“You didn’t just end it you know.” Selene’s voice sharpened. “You shattered the Vampire society, you…. broke an ancient system.”

“I did.” Daniel replied. He didn’t even try to deny, or justify his actions, he was past all that now.

Angelina let out a low whistle. “So you’re the reason vampires don’t have a real system anymore.”

“Correct,” Selene said.

Eva crossed her arms. “And yet… you’re here.” She said referring to Selene.

“Yes.” Selene replied as her eyes returned to Daniel. “Because despite everything he has done…” Her expression darkened. “…we now face something far worse than him.”

“Dramun.” Daniel said with a low tone.

Selene nodded in agreement. “And he’s actively moving.” She said.

Angelina frowned. “Warlocks doing things isn’t new.”

“How much more naive do you have to be?” Selene asked with a scowl. “This is different.” She said. “He’s no longer hiding behind others.”

“We saw that.” Eva replied, crossing her arms behind her back.

“He used Malachar, if you remember him.” Daniel said. “He used him and burnt him up.”

“What a shame.” Selene said with a tone that cannot be classified as either genuine or fake sympathy. “I remember the poor sod. See what I mean now?” She asked Angelina rhetorically. “What did he use the poor warlock for?” She asked Daniel this time.

“To test me.” Daniel replied.

“That’s not good.” Selene replied, as she started to look unsettled.

“No,” Daniel said. “It isn’t.”

Selene began pacing. “If he’s testing you, then he’s definitely preparing for something bigger.”

“He’s intensifying his efforts.” Eva said.

Selene approached her. “You are correct my dear.” Then she stopped to look at Daniel. “And whether we like it or not, you’re at the center of it.”

Angelina sighed. “We’ve covered that.”

Selene continued. “He won’t stop until he controls you… or breaks you.”

“You invited me here Selene.” Daniel said, gently stepping forward. “You must have a good reason for that, so what do you want Selene?” He asked.

“There it is.” She replied with a wide smile as she stepped closer to him. “We want a truce.”

“Wait…what?” Angelina blinked. “We do not have any form of ongoing conflict with you guys, or have I been misinformed in any way?” She asked pouting her mouth waiting for a response. “Or isn’t a truce supposed to be between two warring parties?”

“It also means ‘suspension of hostilities’ baby girl.” Selene replied. “And Daniel here.” She continued as she motioned towards Daniel. “Isn’t exactly a figure that commands our good side.” She paused for a while then continued after a sigh. “At the very least, you need to know that we do not demand submission or total loyalty, all we request is a temporary alliance.”

Daniel tilted his head slightly. “And why would I trust vampires?”

“Spoken like a true vampire.” Selene scoffed. “Well, you shouldn’t,” she said simply. “But you of all people should understand necessity.”  She paused for a moment.“Dramun isn’t just your problem. Because if he succeeds with you, he most definitely won’t stop with you.”

“What exactly is he even planning?” Eva asked.

“Honestly, we don’t know.” Selene replied. “But he’s gathering power, and from what I can deduce, he’s not just gathering power, he’s gathering old power.”

“Errrm.” Daniel cleared his throat. “Dranum is known for always seeking power, but what do you mean old power?” He asked.

“That old pendant found its way to you didn’t it?” Selene asked in response, and when Daniel didn’t reply, she continued. “If there’s anything I have learnt in my long life, it’s that good and evil, always try to counterbalance one another.”

“Fantastic.” Angelina replied, rubbing her temples.

“And I must say.” Selene said. “Daniel, you really attract the worst of problems.”

“I’ve noticed.” Daniel smiled faintly.

Brief silence followed.

“As to why we’re here.” Selene said breaking the silence. “If we stand alone, we fall alone.” Her gaze moved briefly to Eva and Angelina. “Vampires, Wolves.” Then back to Daniel. “But together… we might survive.”

“I hate how reasonable that sounds.” Angelina muttered.

Daniel stood still with scrutinizing eyes fixed on Selene. “So what do you offer?” He asked.

“Information, resources.” She replied. “And blood.” She added.

“Wait…what?” Angelina blinked.

“There used to be an old rite that Vampires used to practice.” Selene replied, her gaze shifting to Angelina. “Vampire blood carry power, so the oldest vampires in the clan would offer little quantities of their blood to the clan leader, so help grow his power.”

“That was old lore.” Daniel scoffed.

“It isn’t.” Selene retorted. “At least not until you broke the clan system and there were no more clans to carry it on.” 

Daniel went silent.

“You mentioned clans.” Eva said gently. “So how will this ritual of a thing work on Daniel, seeing that he doesn’t belong to any clan.

“I can be.” Daniel replied before Selene could. “I’d have to participate in their Blood moon ritual.”

“Participating in a Blood Moon ritual, and mixing your blood and theirs with the earth, will automatically make you a clan member of any number or group of Vampires that you observe it with.” Selene added.

“What is a blood moon ritual?” Angelina asked.

“It’s an empowerment ceremony within Vampires, where Vampires Stand under the moonlight, embracing inner strength and resilience, while taking blood.” Selene replied.

“So?” Eva asked as she turned to face Daniel.

“I’m gonna have to think about it.” Daniel replied.

“Oh Daniel, I’d like to have you come and experience real blood once again, but if you want to think about it, it’s alright then.” Selene replied as she extended her hand for an handshake which Daniel took. “Don’t forget that I’m willing to give up my leadership for you in this fight.” She added quietly.

“I’ll be sure to put that in mind.” Daniel replied.

   And from there they turned to leave and the Vampires also melted into the shadows the same way they came. Daniel musing on what is requested of him, Angelina casually whistling as she walked, and Eva wondering how dark of a past Daniel actually had, and how dark the future lying ahead might be.