Danor jerked and jitted. His eyes glazed over. His soul and the rune connect. The duke belonged to Hood. Danor broke out of his faze in a sweat. Breathing hard as if he had run a marathon. Footsteps thunder through the corridor. Hundreds of guards enter Danor’s office. sword and shields at the ready. Hood looked behind, his hand on an unsheathed Heilong, ready for another battle.

The priest raised his arm high. Dozens of Sword lights float around the room. Their amber glow stunned the guards, some prayed, others ready to run away. The group of soldiers noticed the Vampire, limbless on the ground next to him.

“FOUSHIRE IS HEREBY UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE CHURCH. ANYWHO TOUCHES THE BOY WILL BE CUT INTO RIBBONS BY MY BLADES.”

Light pulsed from the sword to punctuate the statement.

It is nice to have friends in high places.

Hood stared through the window as the city passed him by. Castle gates were far behind. The carriage drove through quiet, windy streets in the northside districts.

Never been before.

Figured. A foreigner and poor.

Poor, I was not…. I mean I am not now.

More buildings pass by.

I always wondered what it felt like to ride these carriages on smooth cobbled streets, free of grime. I imagined how the nobles could just go to any store of their choosing. No looks or judgement.

The freedom to be unaware.

Yes, that is it. No hiding, no struggle. Just to go… somewhere.

So how is, the life of a noble?

Hood looked around at the carriage. Soft burgundy cushions detailed with yellow. Gold leaves decorate the lanterns. A priest snores opposite him.

It's wasted on them.

The dark world outside the transport changed from the lantern-lit noble neighbourhood, the moon reflecting river Arau to the rubbish-filled slum as the final destination. The passenger door is opened and the priest and the assassin leave the carriage. The burgundy and gold carriage stopped at the old Bones hideout. Hundreds of the Watch came to meet the uninvited. Hood, maskless, walked forward unperturbed. In the distance, a blonde girl ran.

Hood, it's time.

Mm. Right… But I will need time later.

Okay.

Hood went back to the Darkness. Drac controlled his body once again. Nothing beats feeling the air on your skin. Second-hand senses could not compare. His eyes looked as he wanted, arms moved how he liked.

He felt indescribable sympathy for Hood.

He needs to learn more.

Green eyes arrived huffing, dress replaced with trousers and a white blouse.

“It's good to see you sa-” A left punch was thrown at his face. A quick weave to the side and he dodged the cannon of a hit.

“You bastard!”

The blonde-haired demon aimed for a liver blow. Drac leapt back. The young lady anticipated, going for a right straight to Drac’s face.

Drac parried the punch with an open palm. He grabbed the arm and twisted it. Locking her arm to her back.

Nice follow-through but not enough.

“I am tryna save your stupid life and you call me short!” The green-eyed girl fussed around but was locked by Drac's technique.

Drac hugged her from behind.

“I am sorry, Marina. I was out of my mind. I just wanted you to leave for safety.” He relaxed his holds and let go. His arm was still around her. She rested a small hand on his sleeve.

“Apology accepted.”

“Lovebirds, you are blocking the way with your embarrassing display.”

Marina and Drac shyly separated.

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I agree with the celibate holy man.

Shut the hell up. You are the reason I had to apologise.

I just called her short and a girl. Just facts.

“Umm, can some of you help with the luggage? My back is a bit sore.”

The watch soldiers look at each other in confusion. After they heard the old man's plea, they found two more visitors sitting inside the carriage. A bandaged Duke of Foushire and a long-tongued, knobby vampire.

Marina looked at the carriage and gawked like the rest.

“Ah, yes. Marina, many strange things happened when you left.”

“A Portal?!”

“Yes.”

“And you let me leave!?”

Drac shrugged his shoulder.

Marina pointed at Drac “Fuck you, Drac. Fuck. You.”

Drac cleaned Heilong on a wooden chair. Walls with chipped paint block the hustle and bustle of the hideout outside. He gave Marina a single shrug and smile.

Marina walked away in a huff, shouting about portals.

This is why you don't placate to the whims of feisty women.

Oh, mister lonely assassin with no friends. Tell me more about what you think of women.

I don't know much but I do know suspicious people.

Relax, Hood. Let things be for now. She will tell us in her own time as we will tell her.

Before Drac could get a moment alone to rest, Maki entered the room, her smile beaming her happiness across the room. Maki ran to hug a brother. Tears dropped on his jacket.

Drac let go. Hood hugged Maki back.

“Thank you, Little Brother. Without you…”

“You would succeed anyway because you are my sister and your mother’s daughter.”

Maki hugged tighter.

“Maki, let the boy go. We need the reckless fool alive.” Gove's smile lifts his moustache. A young woman Drac recognised stood next to him by the door. The nervous girl peeked at the man in black. She waited for an answer from the dark man.

“It is done.”

Drac floated down on levitation. His boots landed on the grimy floor of the dungeon under the hideout. Drac’s mask protected him from the stench of shit. A damp cold and disgusting room where the bones kept their merchandise now housed the duke. Chained to the floor, the weakened Duke knelt on dirty knees.

A priest climbed down the ladder, closing the trapdoor, and blocking out daylight.

“Had a nice sleep, young one?”

Danor squinted his eyes, woken up at the suddenness of the light.

“Come to kill me?”

“This boy? Probably. Me? I just want some answers.”

The duke became quiet.

Drac flared his Aura toward rune.

Danor spasmed, saliva dripped from his bruised mouth.

“Enough. I think he gets it now.”

Drac restrained his aura; Danor relaxed with heavy breaths.

“Vampires.”

Danor sighed.

“For generations, they hunted our people sucking blood and soul. Hiding amongst us till the church came. After finding a place to hide, they became hungry. But they couldn't return. Humankind had developed weapons to deal with their kind. Then war.”

“Ah…” said the priest with realisation.

“Our house coffers flushed down the drain for that stupid fucking war. We had no fucking choice. We need the money! All the people in your idiotic Watch worked in our army that my father spent his fortune building! Now, they repay by stealing what is not theirs!!”

“Quiet down,” Drac said as he turned on the rune again.

“Don't trail off.” He turned the rune off quickly. Danor coughs.

“Well, damn boy. Were you an inquisitor in your last life?”

“I am not new to this line of work. Continue, Duke.”

Danor grits his teeth at his helplessness.

“We gathered humans from across the duchy. Healthy and full of Aura they need to be. Younger girls were their specific taste but they weren't picky. The leftovers we got to sell at the auction. After we kicked out the church as they requested, the partnership was sealed”

“All exchange for the drug - Calm. Your real merchandise. The product you sell across the country from your famous docks.” said Drac.

Danor nodded his head in shame.

The priest looked upon Drac approvingly as the man in black pondered. But the priest has a question of his own.

“William. Who courted your father into the darkness?”

Danor bit his lip.

“I remember the gruff fellow quite well. To change his values so quickly meant he trusted somebody.”

Danor bowed his head, quiet.

Drac prepared to flare till the priest held him back.

“A family friend?”

Danor flinched.

“Perhaps you became good friends with his son.”

Danor bowed deeper.

“Jac Stalwart.”

Danor’s head sprung up. Eyes stared at the priest in terror.

“HOW?!”

The priest walked up to the chained noble. A pat on the shoulder healed him. Holding the same shoulder the priest bent and whispered in William Danor's ear. A shrewd smile crept on his old face.

“Why do you think I am here? The things a father would do to protect his son.” The priest patted the shoulder again and walked back to the trapdoor.

“I confirmed my suspicions now. I will leave with my prize.”

As the priest climbed on the ladder, Drac glanced at the sorrowful duke.

Cal’s… good friend?

Nevermind that! Ask the priest what he meant by ‘protect his son’!

Drac shook himself out of the thought and jumped up through the open trap door to run for the priest.

“Priest!”

“Call me Issac.”

“Uh, Issac, can ask about-”

“IMPERIALS AT THE GATE!” A soldier shouted.

“Oh lord, here comes the crown prince’s goons. Scavenging for treasure after the battle is done.”

“IMPERIAL ARMY AT THE GATE!