All was under control; he still had time to fix things. Nothing would escape his grasp. It was only a simple human… One that could ruin everything, if there was a single spark of remembrance.

Luckily, he seemed quite relaxed in her domain, so he did not ponder the past much. Somehow, the two did not hold any hatred for each other, even if they should. They had surely wondered what had happened, but they did not reach the truth.

They’ll never know.

Idris watched while Nerys talked with her officials, ignoring most of his suggestions. She was beginning to worry for her own land, because some small groups of rebels had been prodding into every domain and clan.

It was like she said. They were diverting some troops to keep them busy and away from the regions they had under control. These little squads were hiding in the woods, raiding, setting traps… It was no war at all, but a show of defiance. They kept attacking without a clear objective, hoping to find a weak spot. The main threat was the army, which was far and away, but these groups were still something that needed to be addressed.

Her lookouts had reported sightings of rebels in her domain. They were not many, but enough to cause trouble. They had been stealing from villages and killed a few vampires that roamed the roads alone.

Her green eyes were fixed on a map of her land, her expression one of pure thought and care. She worried greatly for her people, prey of weak emotions.

Idris scoffed and let down his goblet of blood, stepping towards her, knowing well one thing. She would not venture away to fight if she had to defend her own.

“It is a messy situation, don’t you think?” She looked at him with a frown, many jade eyes glaring as well, disapproving of his dismissive tone and stride. “These pesky humans are daring to get out of their filthy warren, to lurk into your land, settling like vermin in your woods and fields. They show themselves from time to time, believing to be hunters… when they are nothing but prey.”

Nerys let out a sigh, turning away from her documents to face him, very tiredly. She looked down at him with a scowl, all ever hateful of his ambiguous words.

“Idris, I have no time for your derisive ramblings.” She pointed a claw at her officials, warning firmly. “If you please, leave us, for we are debating where they could be hiding. We won’t discuss the pertinent role of those humans, but their current actions. Keep your thoughts of rebels to yourself, while I-“

“You’ll sit here, pondering how to fight them…” Nerys growled, her eyes sharpening as he mocked her with a patronizing shrug.  “You wish to battle them, but they are not worthy of such thing! This is an opportunity, for you to hunt!

She tensed, because he began to circle her while he spoke, his smile never faltering. His dusky eyes were extremely expressive, yet they never revealed his machinations. The words were always tainted with a tone that could not really be discerned.

“Nerys, I have dealt with vermin like this many times.” He laughed, suggestive and persuasive. “Like deer in your land, you should see them as game. They are nothing compared to us, weak and feeble. We are presented with the chance to display our power, bolster our gift. You can find and chase them, and then make them kneel bleeding. They should know they are mere lambs, for the wolf to corner…”

She felt nothing but disgust as he smirked, looking out of a window, clenching a claw as he proposed eagerly.

“My clan is good at tracking prey. We understand human instincts, their fears. They are rightfully wary of the dark, what we roam.” He looked over his shoulder, amused by how she and her officials were staring at him with apprehension. “It will take time for you to embrace your change completely… but tomorrow I could show you how a real vampire hunts. It’s been a while since I’ve searched for cattle in the wild. I will arrange everything; you will be able to show me more of your land, and I will teach you how to truly-“

“No, thank you.” Those dusky eyes filled with disappointment, because she shook her head with a snarl. “You and your men are free to roam my domain, on your own. Get your steeds and lurk in the forests if you wish. We will do things our way. I won’t accompany you into your hunt, but I will send a couple of my most able soldiers with you, in case you need assistance.”

Of course, her men would not be there to aid their slaughter, but to keep an eye on them and ensure they did not kill civilians. God knew that they could attack a farm or cottage impulsively, and blame the lack of survivors on raiders…

He sighed, having expected her refusal. It did not really matter, however, because he only needed to voice his intentions for his plan to keep going forward.

“As you wish…” Nerys relaxed slightly, seeing Idris walk towards the door, leaving at last. “I will deal with those lone insurgents for you, young one. The trophies will be mine to keep, however.”

Idris smiled, finally out of the room. He rolled his eyes when he heard Nerys raise her voice again, relaying senseless plans to keep villages and roads secured. She preferred to set patrols near civilians than in the forests, where the insurgents surely hid. In her opinion, it was too risky to focus her troops in the labyrinthine woods, for it could suppose the death of a few peasants.

She was still too human, and blind. Knowing this, he left the main areas of the castle, heading to darker ones. He went deep into the west wing, where Nerys had let them settle. One of his officials was waiting for him there, leaning against a wall, looking up with disdain at the banner hanging above. Once near, his accomplice bowed to greet him, shivering slightly as he was questioned harshly.

“Is it done?”

There was a slow nod, and that made him smile with satisfaction. His underling took out an empty flask from his sleeve, presenting it with a whisper.

“Of course, sire… His food was right there in the kitchen, for him to take. I returned a few minutes later to make sure of the deed. It was gone, eaten as always.”

“Good. You’ve done well.”

The younger vampire bowed, glad to have served his bringer. Idris laughed, looking up to the rising sun. He glanced at the flask, which had contained venom, a deadly one.

His clan had practised the art of poisoning since its conception. This one was undetectable, untreatable… and slow. It flowed dormant in the bloodstream for a full day, to then stir, bringing a swift but painful death. Its symptoms were very similar to the ones of a fever, and so, apparently natural. He had always loved how the victim suffered delusions while dying, which were unable to be voiced due to the pain and quickness of the toxin.

That human would die, and he would not be there to be suspected. No one should dare accuse him of murder, for he and his men would be far, hunting in the fields and woods. He would be riding his steed, enjoying himself, spilling the blood of other victims.

He could not wait to get out of the castle and find more cattle for himself. Even better, when he came back, there would be one less human to worry about. No one shall question him, and at last, all the hints of his past actions would be disposed of. The dead did not talk.

———-

 

He glared at the horizon, frowning deeply. A while had passed since he had eaten, yet he still could taste a faint sourness in his mouth. He tried to distract himself from it, enjoying the view of the landscape, seated on the highest spot in the castle. A guard had gladly stepped away and down the stairs of the tower, to let him be alone.

His presence there was not uncommon. He liked to sit at the parapet and stare at the distance, to imagine what was happening past those fields and woods, far away from any vampiric domain. He could not stop wondering what Lyssa was doing, and if she had even found out he was gone. She had never accepted his decision, and the anger had never left.

Deep inside, he prayed that she was alright, for he could not know. He could not go back, as much as it hurt him. Truly, he wished to see her again… but he could not leave Nerys alone and betray her plea. He was in between now, trapped by his own care. The truth would be painful, and he could not bring himself to hurt them.

He stayed there for a while, supporting himself with his hands at the edge. The strong breeze brushed him, yet he did not move away, unfazed by the huge drop that could kill him if he were to fall.

Bastian was far too calm to stumble and drop, even if someone approached him from behind. He did not flinch when a claw rested on his back, his eyes hinting fondness as a voice echoed behind him.

“The view is beautiful, isn’t it?”

He only nodded, looking sideways as she sighed tiredly, sitting slowly by his side. Both looked down sadly, pondering deeply. Many of their thoughts were similar, and they knew it even if they did not voice them. After a few moments of silence, she chuckled faintly with a small smile, whispering an admission quietly.

“This sight always helps me calm down, push every worry away…”

He looked into her green eyes, which did not look at his, far too fixated on the distance. His expression soon darkened like hers, knowing well what afflicted her. He noticed that she was tense, worried and exasperated.

“They are giving you quite a hassle.”

She snorted sarcastically, because there were no words capable of describing how pestering they were.

“I can’t wait to see them leave. It is a good thing I have a lot of blood stored, because you know what they would do if there wasn’t. Can you believe that just some hours ago…” He shivered when she growled, her claws scratching the stone of the parapet. “That fool tried to convince me to sell him some of my servants. He was pretty insistent…”

“You refused.”

She raised an eyebrow at him, laughing sharply with a bitter tone.

“But of course I refused! Only god knows what he would do to them! You have seen how he treats his slaves… I wish I could take them away from him. People should not be up for trade; but then again, they don’t think humans are people.”

Bastian sighed, seeing Nerys snarl, her sharp eyes full of impotent ire. Her fangs seemed to sharpen as she tried to control her anger, which she could not let out against that despicable clan.

She had to wait, and they would eventually leave. A foreign clan could not settle for too long in another domain. In a couple of weeks, she would finally be able to command them away. She just needed to keep down her resent, stay calm.

Just breathe and-

Nerys blinked and got out of her thoughts, because a cough echoed. She slowly looked sideways and leaned her head in wonder, seeing Bastian giving her an amused look, almost laughing. He had his head tilted to a side in question, something that exposed his neck.

“You are going to snap at this rate…”

She followed his gaze, and quickly retracted her claws, realizing she had been piercing the stony edge with her nails. Her troubled thoughts had once more taken all her focus, casting her into a trance. There was the faint coldness… which she had overlooked in her worry.

A frown grew on her face when he simply nodded sideways, motioning at his neck. His eyes were questioning her silently, now a common occurrence. There was a moment of reluctance, as always. But she did resign, with a tired exhale. He did not move when she leaned down, nor said a word as her claws held him gently. Soon, her fangs sunk, slowly.

She took blood, and by doing so, the loudest of thoughts faded in her mind. The soothing warmness flowed into her, helping her calm down more than anything. She fell into a much more pleasant trance, in which she felt alive.

She focused on the feeling for a while. But she always kept part of herself aware, even if the act of feeding could be dazing and enthralling. Her eyes opened when she felt a pat on her back, the faint fidgeting of the one she was holding. That nudge was a signal, for her to stop. She had instructed him to warn her, as soon as there was any trace of faintness in his mind. As always, her fangs slid out slowly, carefully.

Bastian outstretched his body a little, feeling a little numb. Still, he was as calm as he could be. A smile grew on his lips, seeing Nerys’ shoulders slump as she let out a long sigh. Her green eyes were now less sharp, and obviously less anxious. She had taken quite a bit of blood… Not that it bothered him.

“Feel better?”

She nodded a couple of times, keeping her gaze down, still able to sense his heartbeat. His blood always made her feel better, helping her sense a trace of humanity, clarity. She whispered softly to answer him, holding her claws together.

“I do.” She smiled a little, even if she did with a frown, meeting his eyes. “Thank you.”

He smiled too, leaning back onto his hands as he cracked his neck, groaning under his breath. The bite did not hurt much, but there was always a sting. He could not deny that he always felt somewhat dizzy afterwards.

“Don’t mention it.”

They both sat there, trying to spend some time together, with no one to eye them down. The two always had to be apart while she dealt with her unwanted guests. There was a comfortable silence between them… until he looked up, pondering.

“Hey, Nerys?”

“Hm?”

He tapped his fingers onto the parapet, biting his lip in thought. The food she made today had a strange flavor, unlike any other she had cooked.

“Were you trying to learn a new recipe today? The taste was…” He could not say it was bad, because she was very self-conscious of her cooking skills, which she only had thanks to Lyssa. “It was different.”

She began to tug at her hair, looking away shyly. There was slight dread in her voice, for she did not have her guidance and advice.

“I- I did experiment slightly with some spices… Maybe I got carried away with them.”

He felt slightly guilty, seeing her gaze fill with doubt and nervousness. For it, he nudged her with an elbow, smiling encouragingly.

“Don’t worry so much, Nerys.” She gave him a look, because he raised a hand and shrugged, dismissive. “It’s only food. As long as it’s edible, it will do! It was not bad… just strange?”

He chuckled silently, seeing her let out a little huff, crossing her arms with a frown.

“Food is much more than a means of sustain! She always knew how to raise our morale with her meals, much better than those revolting rations! I must follow her ways and learn to bring joy with my own crafts. Food is one of the greatest pleasures in life!”

“Says the vampire…”

“I can still eat, and I still enjoy it! The flavor of blood is almost unalterable!”

Bastian began to glare subtly, suspiciously.

“Nerys, you better not be feeding me all these meals to make my blood more palatable…”

“N-no!” She began to fidget, grumbling to herself. “I’m not trying to do anything to your blood! It always has the same tone to it! Like any other, yours tastes like iron, but slightly swee-“

Nerys caught herself and slammed her claws onto her mouth, blushing madly. Bastian almost stumbled down the tower as he tried to contain a sharp laugh, wishing he could have a painting of her undignified expression.

No one saw her gripe at him, and none heard his jesting taunts. Below, figures galloped out of the gates, crossing the landscape to hunt for two days.

Those dusky eyes narrowed and admired the distance, a sick smile growing on his lips. He was sure of himself, and of death.