Her steps led surely. Her troops followed close, walking between crooked trees and uneven terrain. Past the dangling leaves of the branches above, they could see the cloudy sky. A storm would soon befall the swamp.

All headed towards the same direction, careful as always. Her green eyes fixed on the distance ahead, recalling Bastian’s words, which she read zealously.

“There is an abandoned fort. According to my reports, it is safe. It is in ruins, too decayed to be inhabited by anyone; you should not encounter more than a couple of clueless loners inside. You’ll find it as you near the border, at the end of the swamp, under a tall crag. There won’t be better shelter; you’ll soon leave the watery bogs that have been shielding you. The nights are dark, and you should not camp in the open. More vampires are sure to roam the closer you get to their turfs. In those ruins, you could see ambushes coming; there is only one gate, which leads into its depths. As always, use fire or water to secure the perimeter once you settle inside. Do be careful when you set off for an incursion past the border. I know we won’t see each other for a long time… We’ll miss you, Nerys.”

They could safely rest in that place, and retreat to it after each incursion into vampiric territory. Humans had always used their surroundings in their fights. They could turn battles around with uneven terrain, rain, and anything that supposed an advantage. Intelligence could beat brutality.

Each step they took led them further away from the humid grounds of the bogs. They were slowly turning into regular woods, which were misty, thanks to the faint wind that blew. All of them kept a close eye on the surrounding shadows, which could help them or their possible hunters. Things could always turn for the worst at any second. However, Nerys was sure of herself, her steps firm.

In a day, in which they made haste, they saw the crag in the distance. It almost blended between the tall trees and the black sky. The fort’s entrance was indeed at its feet, so degraded that it was insignificant below the natural obstacles around it.

They halted by the broken gate, eyeing the narrow passage inside. It was pitch black, but they could tell it was truly abandoned. The stony walls had crumbled long ago, creating a slithery path that led to many dead ends, which once had been welcoming chambers. They would find nothing but darkness in the ruins; something that was always feared, because vampires could see in the night like if it was morning.

Nerys frowned, seeing the doubt in the soldiers’ eyes, even if there was trust. They always trusted her. All stood firm again when she neared her second in command, taking the torch she held. All watched as she pointed the fire at the passage, commanding wordlessly. She was the first to move forward, lighting the way, for all of them. All followed without doubt, and not because of her rank and authority. Nerys was more than an official to them.

The general led with care in her eyes. She was not only a leader, but a person who truly valued every single soul that fought with her. In her eyes, there was no hierarchy, no higher worth. All were the same to her; when she failed to shield them, she would truly mourn the loss. Her mind was set, determined to battle for what she believed was right. They trusted in her, as much as she trusted in Bastian.

The fort was bigger than expected. It seemed to have been built many ages ago. Though most of the chambers were destroyed and full of debris, they hinted the grandness they once housed. Everything seemed to have been carved inside the crag, allowing for deep and endless hollows.

At first, the chambers were small. But the more they advanced, the more the ceiling would rise above them. The halls were full of broken wood and stone, which even the most agile of vampires would struggle to climb. There were multiple floors above, yet they were unreachable, completely sunk. They found themselves in bigger galleries, which allowed them to stand more divided, not having to follow a line.

Nerys raised the torch over her head, eyeing the long hallway upon them. There was a huge dented door at its end, preceded by multiple pillars, which stood weakly before it. All tensed, noting well how bones rested by those decayed columns, only god knowing what could wait behind that door.

Human remains always meant one thing. And yet, they had not come across a single vampire yet. Her green eyes had been glaring carefully at every shadow in their path, but nothing lurked.

Above them, the wooden beams creaked. Some were broken, hanging downwards, sharply. There were many ancient banners, which dangled in shreds, casting many shadows over them. Even though the long hallway was ominous, Nerys nodded, fearless. All set their hands on their weapons and advanced when she did.

While they walked forward towards the door, no one managed to notice that some of the distant shadows above were not torn banners at all. They would not know that yet, not even when one dashed over them, high above on the ceiling. The light of their torches did not reach it.

Nerys was tall and strong enough to push the door all by herself. It came slightly off its hinges when she stepped into the huge chamber. It was a vast throne room, filled to the brim with sharp debris, its ceiling unable to be discerned. Beams had fallen from above long ago, rotten and fractured. As well, many pillars at the edges had crumbled, making it hard to move between the rubble.

But move forward they did, examining the large courtroom. It was so dark, that they only discerned the tall tribune above when they reached the centre of the room. Long ago, the throne had stood upon that balustrade, looming over the court. Now, another thing lurked in it, so high that it was not easy to see.

Nerys snarled, managing to distinguish the figure gazing upon the chamber. Her hand flew to unsheathe her sword, her greens eyes never failing her. There was a tall slender vampire, glaring down at them from the tribune. His red eyes glinted like fresh blood, unfazed by how her second in command yelled, spotting him as well.

“Vampire!”

The general huffed, returning the glare of the vampire, who seemed to be smiling with curiosity. She tried to sound calm, affirming.

“It’s a lone one.”

No other vampire lurked around, not that they could see. All shivered when he stepped closer to the edge, leaning his head at them with a chuckle. Nerys’ eyes widened, because she was able to see him better then, less concealed by the shadows above. His three nailed fingers laid on his exposed chest as his laugh ended. He was dressed all too elegantly for him to be a wanderer, a vampire who struggled for survival. His skin was as white as snow, contrasting greatly the very revealing robes he wore, black and red. But that paleness was not as worrisome as the strange look of his skin, which almost seemed stony.

He was not a fledgling, nor young in vampiric standards. Still, he looked youthful and striking. Those beautiful but sharp red eyes narrowed, piercing her. His resonant voice had a mocking tone, arrogant.

“What makes you think I’m alone, human?”

Nerys trembled when two wings unfolded above, right over the old vampire. A second pair of eyes opened and a figure finally moved, dropping onto the tribune. It was another vampire, which she would swear looked young, if not for the horrible traits that defined him. Two bat-like wings loomed over his relatively small figure, able to unfold and double his size. His russet hair and juvenile expression could make him seem innocuous, yet the two small fangs in his mischievous smile vetoed such thoughts. As he laughed and swayed slightly, his clan decided to stop watching idly.

The humans cowered slightly, seeing many eyes glint all around, between the high debris and looming banners. Wings began to unfold, claws opened, and the shadows dangled closer. Hisses echoed as the humans glared at the lord in shock. Nerys could only let out a dreadful whisper, seeing far too many foes.

“Why…”

This fort and its surroundings were explored recently. It was impossible for these many vampires to have roamed inside unnoticed.

She had no time to think. Screams began to echo. She had to defend herself when the beasts leapt down onto them. Some of her men were taken off the ground with fast snatches. She screamed for them as they were pulled into the dark corners of the huge chamber, those wings strong enough to carry a lot of weight.

A snarl escaped her when she swung her sword, cutting a wing off a vampire that tried to tackle her. Her breathing wavered, for she saw her troops cower, move back against debris. It was not a wise move.

“Retreat into the hallway!”

They needed to move back, because the beasts would have less space to fly there. However, even if her troops heard the command, they could not obey. They did not have the time or means to fall back. Some tried to use the small flasks of water they carried, and their swings of sword were firm, but the vampires were too fast. The ambush had been sudden, and it started right above them, unable to be predicted.

Those wings allowed the vampires to dodge every single attack, counter every move her soldiers attempted. She could only fear, seeing most of her squad be pinned down on the ground or against the rubble, unarmed or already bitten onto. There was no chance for them to fight if they were jumped onto from above. They were more and stronger.

Nerys dodged sideways when a claw neared her neck. A vampire tried to push her down like all the rest. After slicing off its head, she ran for the door, knowing it was her best bet if she wanted to have a chance of fighting.

The winged lord had other plans, however. Nerys screamed when she felt claws stab onto her armour from behind. She quickly overcame her shock and glared up, seeing those brown wings dash over her, her legs beginning to dangle as he pulled upwards.

The brunet laughed while he raised her, unfazed by her struggles. Nerys missed every swing of sword, because he was on her back, much smaller in size. A wheeze escaped her when those nails sunk deeper into her armour, stabbing her shoulders. At the same time, he kicked her hand strongly and sent her sword down.

She looked down in a daze, seeing her trusty weapon fall for multiple seconds, to eventually collide with the distant bloody floor. Her body now loomed over sharp debris, high above, presenting her a perfect view of the massacre. Her comrades laid defeated all around the decayed chamber; most were still alive, toyed with, the vampires showing no hurry in their feeding and slaying. A shiver ran down her spine when the lord gave her an irritated glance, keeping her in a dangling hold over the ruin.

“I expected you to fear my flight.” He let out a chuckle, his tone slightly entertained. “It’s interesting to see you worry more for them than yourself.”

Nerys growled, trying to unlatch his claws off with strong jolts. He almost yelped, blinking in faint surprise, not expecting a human to show this much strength.

“Hey, I’m going to drop you at this rate!” The jagged debris below would end her struggles, forever. “I know you humans are less astute, but I assumed you became a general for a reason!”

He glanced sideways, meeting the gaze of the one who watched his every move. Nerys clenched her teeth and closed her eyes, feeling those nails cut deeper, shift their hold. She was sure she was about to be dropped down, surely mocked while she bled to death on uneven debris.

Little did she know that some vampires had some sense of honour. She flinched and gasped when she felt air rush past her, those claws finally unlatching from her armour. She braced herself as she fell, ready to feel the painful impact that would bring her end.

There was indeed pain when she collided with the ground, but not as much as expected. She laid there for a full minute, wondering if the shock was preventing agony from coursing through her.

She soon realized she was not bleeding to death, her wounds non-lethal. It was not the debris that had stopped her fall, but the tribune. Her green eyes fixed on the ground dazedly, her hands trembling as she tried to sit up. She stopped and stayed in a crouching position, because clawed feet landed at her side. The small but strong vampire had dropped her there, intentionally.

Nerys panted for breath, her heartbeat fastening when she dared raise her gaze. The first vampire she spotted was smiling down at her with a calm stance. His voice was gentle, but as well all ever threatening.

“It would not have been nice to end her like that, Lochan.”

The brunet looked away, intimidated under those inquisitive red eyes. He bowed his head, answering meekly.

“Yes, my lord. I know.”

No human would ever be as grand as a vampire, but high ranked officials came very close. This young woman was strong, and the highest of clans would never end a general like a normal soldier. A proper execution was to be carried through, no feeding. They respected their attempts at being as mighty as them, even if they failed.

All those facts were true, but Lochan knew the true reason behind Alaric’s supposed mercy. His elder had questions; the protocol was a simple ruse to get answers. He flinched like Nerys when his master grabbed her collar, raising her slightly on her knees, leaning closer to her. His snake-like fangs showed while he spoke with a smile.

“I am really curious, human. What made you think that coming here was a good idea?”

Nerys frowned, finally glaring back. Her voice did not waver, facing death with dignity.

“We wished to settle in this fort to ease our purge past the border.” She did not doubt to show her hate, taunt the one who could kill her in a blink. “May you all burn in hell…”

“Settle, here? You can’t be serious.” Nerys’ prideful glare faltered, because the vampire laughed, both of them hinting puzzlement in their gazes. “Why would you dare venture here if you knew we roamed? What made you think you could take this fort while we gathered in it?”

His eyes noticed the sudden perplexity in hers. He loosened his hold slightly, curious of that expression. She seemed to tremble, but not because of his presence and possible actions.

“K-know? I did not…”

Alaric let her drop down, because she was not looking at him anymore. She was stunned, pondering the words very carefully. And Lochan was as confused as her, his next words dragged.

“We thought you knew we were here. A scout saw us, after all. We let him be, knowing that his report would keep you from nearing. We did not wish for an encounter, not yet.”

If Lochan was here with his clan, it was for him to speak with Alaric, alone. They did not want anyone interfering, be it other vampires or humans. It was common for clans to backstab each other. The ancient lord always advised the young ones that descended from his bloodline. His word was law. He was the oldest vampire in the land, having lived more than any other, always wise.

While Lochan pondered how much he hated other lords and their squabbles, Nerys stared at her own hands. A sudden fear gripped her. If that scout had seen the fort and a report had been given to Bastian…

It can’t be.

“Oh…” She looked up again, when the ancient vampire let out a taunting knowing whisper. “How common is to see you humans betray each other’s trust. You deceive and lie for such mundane reasons, which never last enough…”

He could see the slow realization in her eyes, doubt sinking in for the first time.

“I know we won’t see each other for a long time.” Her hands clenched, a sudden ache striking her heart more than any stab could. “We’ll miss you, Nerys.”

She always had known Bastian held some resentment. He had surely never forgiven her for that one night. As well, maybe he hated her for dragging him into this crusade, only a few years after his father died. She was the one to convince him to fight, even if she had held him back when he most wanted to act. Perhaps he could loathe her deep inside. But she wondered if he could really lie like this, make her perish so maliciously.

Time still passed while she struggled to sort her thoughts and come to a realization. She simply could not know for sure what Bastian felt. Lochan tensed when Alaric waved a claw tiredly, turning away with a dismissive whisper.

“Finish her off.”

While Lochan nodded and sharpened his claws, Nerys looked over her shoulder, the edge of the tribune near. The sight was horrible, for her remaining troops were being tied up. The vampires were herding and eyeing them like simple cattle. She knew what fate would befall them. She would be killed, but they would not. Not soon, anyway.

Lochan stood now behind Nerys, a disappointed look on his face as he raised a sharp claw over her back, a quick stab intended. He would have committed to Alaric’s order, but he heard her speak up suddenly.

“W-wait, please…”

The winged vampire raised an eyebrow, halting; but only because his master turned around once more, eyeing her with renewed curiosity. Nerys dared meet those bloody eyes. She took a deep breath, and then let out words she swore she would never say.

“Would you-” Her figure slumped slightly, feeling defeated, tired. “Would you spare them if I joined you?”

She could face death. She truly could, even if it meant she would never see those beautiful ochre eyes again. But her soldiers did not have to suffer this fate; they were dragged into it by ill-intended words. One of their own led them to their demise.

Her reluctant plea was met with the expected mockery. Lochan leaned his head to a side, snorting.

“Join us? Why would we want to share our gift with you? You would be more useful dead, as we would make an example out of you. We have no reason to-”

“You are resilient.” Lochan blinked and shut up, because Alaric stepped closer again. “Even if you are betraying your kind right now, you seem to have a strange sense of loyalty for those lives below.”

Nerys did not flinch when the tall vampire crouched in front of her. One of those claws moved under her chin, raising her gaze to meet his. There was a threat in the next words, as cruel as his red eyes.

“Fate will decide if you shall live, and so, them.” Nerys frowned, not understanding. But Alaric only chuckled, noticing how Lochan paled and tensed, knowing what was coming. “I will give you my gift, human. If you wake as one of us, you will be free to go with all of them, unharmed.”

Vampires could not be trusted, but she had no alternatives. She knew how the disease was transmitted: by bite. But there was something she did not comprehend in his words.

“Why would I not wake?”

He shrugged, only to glare seriously right after, letting out a firm warning.

“Few survive my gift, for my bloodline is ancient. Your choice, human; do you wish to gamble your fate?”

In all the past centuries, he had only managed to raise one fledgling. Only one endured his gift, while all the rest perished in agony. That was why his clan was scattered all over the world, and few in numbers. His firstborn gave path to many other vampires that roamed these lands. He loved to play this game. All who he bit were given a chance. The prey would always be asked to choose: death or his wager.

Most chose to die under his claws. A regular change was more painful than death, every rebel and vampire knew that. All humans dreaded feeling the disease in their veins. But not her, it seemed. His eyes glinted in wonder and interest when she bowed her head… and then nodded. She had nothing to lose; if she did not try, they would all die anyway.

“And so, you’ve chosen.” Alaric looked up at Lochan, smiling. “I trust you will check on her.”

“Sure, I-” Lochan’s wings jolted in surprise, his mouth agape. “Wait, w-what? Me? But-”

“You heard me. I won’t roam these lands for long.”

He grinned sharply, because the younger vampire slumped, submitting to his will. Neither wanted to waste time teaching a fledgling to survive, but Lochan knew he had to. Otherwise, he would risk angering him.

Still, even if Lochan found the human peculiar and strong, he doubted he would have to supervise her change. He was sure she would not make it.

Nerys hoped she would. She needed to know. Her heart hoped this encounter was an accident. The ancient vampire gripped her, but she could only ponder if her trust was misplaced. She met that voracious yet calculative gaze, uncertainty sinking in.

“Hold still.”

She closed her eyes when fangs neared her neck.