Lord Vesperian went to the forest to check Selena. He saw the two guards looking so problematic and when he looked at the tree where they tied Selena. She is no longer there.
"Where's Selena?" he yelled at the guards.
The guards stayed silent, afraid to speak. They could feel Lord Vesperian getting angrier.
Lord Vesperian lost his patience. "Where's Selena?" raked the man in black with his claws. "Don't make me ask a third time!"
"My deepest apologies, Lord Vesperian," the man in black stammered. "I left my post to take a lunch break…"
"There was someone who attacked me from behind," the man in blue cut in. "and injected me with something. I lost consciousness. Lord Vesperian, we humbly beg your mercy. Please give us a second chance, and we will prove to you that we can recapture her."
Lord Vesperian showed no mercy. He drew his sword from its scabbard and cut off their heads. He left the forest and went back to his hideout.
"Where did you go?" Lady Daphne asked. But she got no response. Seeing the frustration on his face, she chose not to press further.
Lady Daphne decided to give Lord Vesperian some space to cool his head. She sat in the gazebo, sipping a glass of blood in silence.
"We're going to the city," Lord Vesperian said, breaking her moment of peace.
"What are we going to do there?" she asked curiously.
"Just wander around," he replied.
"Can we go shopping, babe? I need new clothes."
"Buy whatever you want," he said, his tone still with frustration—but she simply ignored it.
*****
Drake was amazed at how quickly his wound had healed—there was no trace, no scar. Just a day ago, he had been injured, yet now he looked completely normal. Each day, he felt something strange stirring within him, but he kept it to himself, careful not to attract attention.
Drake decided to visit the crime scene and conduct his own investigation.
It was bright daylight, and the streets were bustling with people going about their daily routines. Children played in the distance, their laughter filling the air, while the scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the streets. Vendors shouted out their goods, hoping to catch the attention of passing customers. Outside a nearby coffee shop, people sat together, sipping their drinks and chatting with loved ones.
To Drake, the city felt vibrant and alive during the day, but it was a stark contrast to how it transformed at night. As the sun set, shops shuttered early, children stayed indoors, and the doors and windows of homes were tightly closed. The fear of vampires hung in the air, casting a shadow over the streets once the darkness fell.
Drake's eyes were scanning the city, lost in thought, and he didn't notice the person in front of him until it was too late. He bumped into her, stumbling back slightly.
"Oh! So sorry about it ma'am."
The woman simply stared at him with a blank expression, while the man beside her locked eyes with him. Drake felt an odd sensation, something he couldn't quite place—like something was off. The couple didn't say a word, just turned and continued walking, leaving him with an uneasy feeling lingering in the air.
*****
"Smells good," Lady Daphne said once they were far from Drake.
"Control yourself, Daphne. Don't make a scene in broad daylight," Lord Vesperian warned.
"His blood… It's different from normal people. Sweet, but with a hint of bitterness. Next time I get the chance, I want to taste it."
"Enough. Let's keep moving—and keep yourself in control. Vampire slayers are everywhere. The last thing you want is to draw their attention. That man you bumped into… he might be one of them."
Lord Vesperian and Lady Daphne continued strolling through the city. As they passed through a crowded street, they overheard two vendors gossiping about the events of the previous night.
"Did you see the commotion last night?" said the handicraft vendor. "Two girls were killed by a vampire. That's his third victim this week. I overheard an officer talking to a slayer who caught him in the act and tried to stop him."
"Oh really? That means the vampire's already in the city," replied the herbal medicine vendor. "We need to be extra careful. No one knows when he'll strike again."
"Did they say what he looks like?" asked the handicraft vendor.
"I don't know," the herbal seller shrugged. "They didn't say."
After quietly listening to the murmurs, Lord Vesperian and Lady Daphne exchanged a glance—then walked away without a word.
That evening, after returning to their hideout, Lord Vesperian summoned all the vampires. He had something important to say.They gathered in the grand hall, the area filled with murmurs and curiosity. Whispers spread among the group as everyone wondered what Lord Vesperian was about to announce.
"It has come to my attention," Lord Vesperian began, his voice cold and firm, "that someone in our clan has been roaming the city without my permission."
The murmurs in the hall grew louder.
"I gave clear orders to lay low—to avoid attracting the attention of the slayers," he continued, his gaze across the room. "Whoever you are, you'd better stop… or I will stop you myself."
The vampires looked around at each other, wondering who it might be. Whispers filled the room, but no one spoke out loud.
"One more thing," Lord Vesperian said. "Any vampire who captures Selena Feral will receive a great reward. Now you may all leave."
Lord Vesperian left the hall in silence and returned to his house.