“So where are you headed off to brother?” Viola asked Gilles who was walking down the corridor. Sable stood by arms folded unimpressed.

“Just going shark hunting.” Gilles said offhandedly.

“I beg your pardon?” Viola said taken aback.

“Shark hunting, don’t worry mother and father approved it already. I’ll be going with a couple of servants. Would you like to come?” he offered.

“Oh, no. I would rather not.” Viola replied momentarily making a face of disdain. Though it quickly disappeared before Gilles saw.

“Hmm, alright, I’ll be headed off now.” Gilles said giving a small shrug as he headed toward the elevator door.

“Hey Bry.” He greeted Bryson as he walked by.

Bryson returned the greeting with a groggy grunt. Once the elevator door closed behind them, Viola asked Bryson, “You sure took your time. What happened?”

“I went to bed late.” Bryson said.

“Sweet dreams?” Sable mocked.

“I had dreams, more weird than sweet.” Bryson answered, which received a confused look from Sable.

“What are you doing today?” Viola asked Sable.

“Mother asked me to join her today to tour around the place.” She said as she herself headed toward the elevator.

“Have a safe trip.” Viola called out.

“Hmm.” Sable grunted as she entered the second elevator door.

“What is her problem with you?” Viola asked Bryson once Sable was gone.

“Why do you think it’s my fault?” Bryson said indignantly.

“Is it not?”

Bryson sighed, “It’s because I get all the attention.”

“From who?”

“From everyone.”

“Huh.” Viola pondered for a moment, “I do prefer you over her.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any less guilty.” Bryson muttered.

“Sorry, but it’s the truth.” Viola said with a shrug, “Sable is just so… secondary.”

“She’s your sister.” Bryson said disapprovingly.

“Anyways, where are the others?” Viola asked changing the subject.

Just as she brought up the question an elevator door dinged opened and out exited Nico, Lila, and Ben.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Sorry for the wait, hope you didn’t need to sit around for long.” Ben said as they entered the hallway.

“Not too long. So are we ready?” Viola said.

“More or less, we’ll be ready when nightfall comes.” Ben said.

“Tonight? Why not now?” Lila asked.

“Because he won’t want to move during the day. Once the sun’s down he’ll act.” He said.

“What makes you think he’s still here?” Bryson asked, “I would run after knowing a hunter is after me.”

“He won’t run, at least not yet with Viola around. He’ll try at least one more time.” Ben said.

“How do you know that?”

“Because he hasn’t turned anyone yet, if he did people would notice him pretty quickly. Meaning he was waiting for the right victim to turn and he won’t get a better choice than with Viola. Once he gets her, he’ll run.” Ben explained.

“I wonder if we should tell Duke Coldwater about this.” Nico said.

“No, if you inform Duke Coldwater this place will go into lockdown. Meaning that Keddrick will be forced to run. If he runs we won’t find him, who knows how long it takes before he’s found again. He’ll kill more, we need to get him while he’s still here.” Ben said.

“Still having Lady Coldwater in danger is a terrible idea.” Nico said.

“I agree I would rather not have her be involved.” Ben agreed.

“Well too bad, because I am.” Viola said crossing her arms.

“Are you sure about this?” Ben asked cautiously.

“Not completely, but if this means that the vampire dies, then I’m more then happy to help. Besides I think it would be best if father never finds out about this.” Viola said folding her arms.

“Look, I’m not a fan of this idea either. That being said, it’s not like I can stop you doing something dangerous without being a hypocrite and it is our best chance in getting the vampire.” Bryson said to Ben.

“Bryson, I appreciate that.” Viola said.

“Yeah, well I’m just glad father has work to do currently.” Bryson said.

“Alright then, I guess this the plan.” Ben said relenting.

***

Bryson sat in his room as he waited for the sun to set. Ben and Nico were busy trying to figure out where to set up the trap in another room. Viola and Sable were back in their respective rooms. Lila was in Bryson’s room tidying up.

“You look troubled. What’s wrong?” Lila asked as she straighten out the bedsheets.

“Perceptive, aren’t you?” Bryson said as he read through his tablet.

“Seriously, what’s bothering you?” Lila said rolling her eyes.

“Viola.”

“Why?”

Bryson shifted uncomfortably in his seat, “She shouldn’t have been charmed.”

“Why not?”

“She’s a Coldwater, you saw her use magic, she has an affinity for it. Meaning that getting charmed is difficult.” Bryson said.

“But it was a vampire, they’re good at stuff right?”

“Yeah, but not that good, the spell was too simple for it be so effective against Viola, especially since she’s also a magic user. So either he’s extremely powerful, or there’s something wrong with Viola.” Bryson said.

“What would be wrong with her?”

“I don’t know and that’s what bothers me.” Bryson said as he rubbed his chin.

“Why don’t you talk to her about it?”

“I doubt that she would tell me anything.” Bryson said with a helpless shrug as he went back to reading.

“Hmm.” Lila pondered, “What are you reading anyways?”

“Just a few notes about a certain spell and about the moon. Apparently the moon glows because of the sun’s reflection.” Bryson said, not looking up.

“Is it going to help with the vamp?” She asked.

“Maybe. Not too sure how it works. Or if I can even do it.” Bryson said.

“Where did you come up with the idea anyways? Primrose told you something? When?” She asked. Currently Ben was talking with Primrose over the Communicator for more information. Lila hadn’t seen Bryson ask about anything to Primrose yet.

Bryson thought for a moment on whether or not he should tell her the truth. Deciding that there was no harm in doing so he explained, “I had weird dream.”

“You came up with this idea… through a dream?” She said, looking at Bryson as if he had two heads.

“Like I said, a weird dream.” Bryson sighed.

“This have anything to do with your eyes?” Lila asked.

“I believe so.”

“What happened?”

“Someone in my dream gave me advice on what might help to deal with the vampire. Even mentioned how a ghoul has a gem that controls it inside it’s head.” Bryson said.

“Is this going to be common occurrence?”

“I hope not.” Bryson said a small look of concern on his face.

“Hey, it’ll be okay.” Lila assured him.

A knock on the door stopped Lila from continuing the conversation. Nico poked his head in, “Are you ready Lord Bryson? We’re going to move.”