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CHAPTER TWELVE.

(Southern Svetyland)

•T–––M–––V–––P–––L•

Elizabeth stared at the master. He was indeed standing right there in the flesh. Yet, she stupidly looked at the chair he had just vacated, believing that he had split in twos. There was nothing there, other than a dangling chair.

“Relax,” the master said easily.

Elizabeth swallowed. “How do I relax? This is too much for my small head to wrap around. I know you’ve said what you are. But, deep down, I thought you were bluffing. Eh, no, I hoped you were bluffing! But, I guess that’s not true,” she said in horror.

Elbert simply looked at her, there was no sign of amusement in his eyes, but strangely Elizabeth felt she saw kindness in the master’s eyes. It was a strange thought because the master was a vampire, and should not be capable of showing such feelings.

“Let’s sit. You need to regain some control of your emotions,” he said calmly.

She allowed him to lead her to a chair, opposite his. Her eyes touched the whole chair to be sure that the master hadn't woven magic over it. When she didn’t see any visible signs like parrots dancing wildly, she sat down carefully. A slight look towards the master, showed he was already seated , and buried in his book. She watched as his red eyes served as a touch to illuminate the words. Even from a distance, she could make out the words, though she didn’t understand what it meant.

“You know, I still can’t believe any of this is real. I would pinch myself at odd intervals, and say funny things to myself, but still, I would be right in this creepy place. I mean, I can’t say, this place is normal, right?” She said with a nervous laugh. ‘I should shut up,’ she thought inwardly. But, when she looked around the dark room, she just knew she had to keep talking. She placed a hand on her thigh, and leaned forward, hoping to get the master’s attention. He had not responded to her dramatic questions earlier, but she needed to get him to talk.

“I know I blabber, but who wouldn’t? I mean, this situation needs a lot of questioning. I also… Alright, what I’m trying to say is, how did vampires originate? How are you all real?” She asked softly.

Master vampire didn’t even twitch a muscle. He simply kept reading like she was nothing, but a parrot. Elizabeth leaned back into her chair, and a thought came to her. The way the master looked at her sometimes, and how he had called her Camille.

She sat up once more. “Tell me about Camille,” she said softly.

The book snapped shut, and the master turned around to face her. There was an ominous energy, buzzing around. It almost sucked her in. The silence was palpable, and for the first time, Elizabeth wished she hadn’t said a word.

He closed his eyes briefly, and the whole room engulfed in darkness, making her heart race. “Camille,” he whispered in reverence. His eyes opened, its intensity worse than before. “She was…”

At that moment, the door opened, and a low light flickered into the room. The tense face of Damian. He walked into the room, but didn’t close the door.

“Master,” he bowed in respect.

Elizabeth shot to her feet immediately, making Damien notice her presence. A look of surprise crossed his face, which he masked almost immediately. He took his eyes off hers, and centered it on the master.

“What did you find out?” The master asked slowly.

Damian looked back at her. “I met Freya. She is ok.” He said easily.

Elizabeth shoulders slump with relief. Freya was alright. That’s the only thing she actually cared about, except her worried family. She'd been sick with worry that something may have happened to her best friend. It would have hurt her so bad.

“Did you notice any changes in her?” The master queried.

“No, master. Nothing has happened to her,” Damian said firmly.

The master nodded once, and turned his eyes on me. “You can take her home, Damian.”

“I’m free to go?” she asked stupidly.

“Yes.” He said firmly.

Elizabeth couldn’t help the smile that spread over her lips. He had fulfilled his promise. The master was indeed a man of his words. And, that made her, for some reason, feel grateful.

•T–––M–––V–––P–––L•

The night was young, and that meant, the world was asleep.

Elizabeth rested her head on her bed comforter, cradling her throw pillows in her arms, as she gazed out of the window into the dark sky which was illuminated by a full moon.

She had been trying in vain to sleep for the past hour, but she couldn’t. It was so difficult to pretend that something didn’t happen in the last forty eight hours. And, even if she wanted to pretend her mom and brother’s questions prevented her from doing so.

She could still remember what happened earlier that day. Damian had dropped her off in front of her house, but he had not stayed back for coffee or snacks. It was evident that he didn’t want to be seen. The car had literally vanished down the drive like it hadn’t been there before. And, then, she rang the doorbell.

Within moments, the mother who suddenly looked so frail had thrown open the door. They had stared at each for a crazy ten minutes, before her mom pulled her into a hug, screaming for Ethan.

“Mom, relax. I’m here now. Nothing has happened to me,” she had tried to pacify in her best voice.

Her mother pulled her in, and she noticed the tears in her eyes. Elizabeth sighed knowing that she had caused them immense pain. There was nothing as painful as a lost child, and she made her mom pass through that pain. She tore her eyes from her mother, toward the stairs. Her brother was literally skipping two steps at a time to get to her. Tears filled Elizabeth’s eyes, which she hastily blinked away.

“Ethan, easy,” she scolded softly.

Ethan said nothing, he literally pulled her in a fierce embrace that knocked her out. The warmth and smell of his skin was so familiar that she had no option but to hug him as hard as he did her. It lasted for a few seconds, then she pushed him playfully by the shoulders.

“Ugh, Ethan, that’s weird.” She scolded with a soft laugh. “What’s wrong with you and mom? I’ve just been out for two days, and you’re all clingy, and so silly,” she teased.

Her mom hit her on the arm, even before Ethan could say a word. She turned to her mom, and noticed the hurt that masked her features. She bit her lips, regretting the way she had spoken just then.

“Stupid girl! Do you understand how worried I and your brother were? We literally went to the… Never mind, where were you? Tell me, where were you?” Her mother demanded fiercely.

Elizabeth swallowed hard, and softly touched her mom on the arm. “I’m sorry, mom. I spent a night at my friend’s place, and…”

“But, Freya said you weren’t with her when I had gone over to her place,” Ethan interjected.

Elizabeth’s eyes flicked from left to right. “Yes, she’s right. I have another friend. It was late when the party was over, and I decided to stay over at her place. Sadly, they had power failure, and I couldn’t text mom to tell her about the latest development,” she said softly.

“But…” her mom started.

Elizabeth touched her temple, kneading it softly. “I have a headache mom. Can I go up to my room to get some sleep?” She asked softly.

She noticed the look that passed between her mom, and Ethan. It was evident they were worried about her, and didn’t really believe the sob story that she was saying. Freya had always told her that she was a bad liar, and it was starting to show.

Now, seated in her room, she knew that her mom or Ethan would ask sooner or later who this friend was. She had shut her mom’s question with a headache, but she wouldn’t be able to do that every single time.

She closed her eyes briefly, and was literally consumed with the images of the vampire clan, and the fangs of the werewolves, as they moved around her, hoping to destroy the last of her.

A cold sweat matted her forehead as her eyes sprang open. Her breathing was erratic, and she tried hugging the pillow once more in a bid to calm down, but she could not.

Something was out there. She could feel it. She threw her leg down, and tossed the pillow aside, walking slowly to the window sill. Was there someone out there?

She took in the space outside her window, and frowned. Nothing was amiss.. Turning her back once more to the bed, she heard something snap. In a harrowing moment, her gaze shot back to the window, and she glimpsed a shadow at the back of a tree.

Her fingers gripped the iron bars. The shadow moved closer, and her breath caught faster…

“Sister, what are you doing over there?” Ethan queried as he slammed the door behind him.

It took everything Elizabeth possessed not to scream out in fright. She took a shaky breath, hoping to compose herself, and feel slightly better. It worked slightly.

“Nothing, Ethan.” She said softly, as she turned to him. He was in his gray pajamas, it made her feel a bit comfortable. “I couldn’t sleep,” she explained.

He nodded. “I know you wouldn't, that's why I came here. It’s not in your nature to just leave without announcement. Please, don’t do this ever again. We were so scared that something had happened to you,” he cried.

Elizabeth sighed as she sat on the bed. “I’m sorry, brother. But, all that happened was so quick and I didn’t know what to do. It won’t happen again, and hopefully, I will stay away from parties,” she said with a breathy laugh.

Ethan laughed with her. “You never liked them. It was Freya who kept pushing you to attend.” She noted his eyes dimmed immediately he uttered Freya’s name.

“What’s wrong?” She asked.

He was silent for a while, then he sat beside her. “I honestly think that something is off with Freya. She has changed, and has gotten mean.”

Elizabeth frowned. “Why would you say something like that about my best-friend?” She was confused.

Ethan rolled his eyes, and gave her a look. “You know how much I love her, right? But, I really think you should stay away from her. I don’t have any facts to back up my claims, but I believe my words are true,” he said softly.

Elizabeth went silent, and Ethan talked more on how they had tried to search for her, and the way they almost thought they might never see her again. His sister was barely listening to him, as her mind went back to the shadows behind the tree. Who could be stalking her, and why?

•T–––M–––V–––P–––L•

Elbert, the master vampire lay with his head staring in the dark ceiling. He had switched on a blue translucent bulb, as he waited patiently for Damian to come to him.

The door creaked open, and the younger vampire stepped into the room. Elbert did not steer. He was like a mannequin at that very moment, and it sent shivers up the younger vampire’s back.

“Tell me, Damian,” Elbert said simply.

“She is safe,” Damien said in reverence, his head bowed to the ground.

They were talking about Elizabeth. Elbert knew that she was safe, he had followed them without them knowing it. But, he wanted to enquire about something else that left him in angst.

“Then, why are you here so late? Where were you?” He asked coldly.