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CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

(Southern Svetyland)

•T–––M–––V–––P–––L•

Elbert, the master vampire lay with his head staring at 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?” Did he ask coldly?

Damian looked up just then, and Elbert could see the sorrow infused in them. What could have happened that brought such anguish to Damian? He waited patiently for the truth to unfold.

“I was called over to the outskirts of Los Angeles.” He said stiffly, his gaze heavy. “There was a murder. All the vampires were dead by the time I got to them.” He explained.

Elbert frowned. “Are you sure about this?” He snapped.

Damian bowed deeply. “Yes, master.”

There was a beat of silence, as Elbert analyzed the situation on the ground. There was trouble, and he needed to know where it was coming from. His people were dying with no link attached. It was becoming worrisome. He could easily claim that the werewolf king had been lying to him, but he knew that it would do him no good.

“Tell me you caught someone running into the woods as you appeared,” The master snapped.

Damian's face was solemn. “I’m afraid not, master. It was as clean as always. There was no clue to associate the deaths with the killer,” he whispered.

“Leave,” the master snapped, suddenly enraged.

Damian didn’t need to be told twice as he bowed out of the room, leaving the master vampire by himself. Elbert walked over to the stiff piano at the side of the room, which he covered with a clean black cloth. He touched it slightly and felt like his throat was cloaking off in a panic. Blood streamed from his eyelid like water, and then, he pulled his hand away.

“Camille…Elizabeth. . .” he whispered.

He closed his eyes momentarily, as he was overcome with the need to see her — Elizabeth. She was somehow interconnected in all these. And, that mark on her neck was starting to look like a threat and not just a random bite. He had removed it, but was the effect still on her?

His eyes sprang open, and his fangs elongated. “Camille. . . Elizabeth…” he said with firm reverence. He would see her once, he would satisfy his thirst to find out that she was indeed ok. He was going to make sure that she was fine, and healthy, no matter what he had to do to make it happen.

Elbert palmed the wall, and the room took on a red glow, which seemed to sap right into him. And, in a flash, he was standing in front of Camille’s home. A cold smile fitted his lips. She called herself Elizabeth now. How convenient!

It was quite dark, and he didn’t know where her room was, and barely had the patience to look around for her. His witch mother had taught him a spell to find anyone, and he would use that now.

More incantations fell off his lips, and he floated slowly, away from the door, and further away from the house, till he was safe in front of a bourbon tree. The power made him look up.

Camille’s window…

Was she asleep? He had barely completed that question when long, slender fingers gripped the rim of the window sill, and like a magical light, a face which had been crafted in the depth of his memories looked down at him.

He didn’t move. He didn’t breathe either. He wasn’t sure he knew how to use his vampiric senses anymore as he looked at her. His hoodie shaded the worst of his red eyes. He should leave, but the way she looked at him, and the fullness of her cheeks made it difficult for him to do so. He just kept staring as if a man possessed.

It lasted for a split second, and then, she turned her back and left. Elbert stared at that window for a while, wishing she’d come back, but knowing she would not. She was gone.

He tore his eyes away from it, and pulled his hand open, only for him to hear something snap.

•T–––M–––V–––P–––L•

Elbert made his foot as light as possible as he made his way towards the sound. The closer he got, the closer he sensed that an immense power illuminated therein.

The grass barely snapped on his weight, and soon he was staring at the back of a man who was standing so still like he wouldn’t have been noticed otherwise.

Elbert easily summoned the stranger using his powers, and though the man tried to evade it, he had no choice, but to turn towards him. No matter how powerful anyone was, there was nothing in front of him.

“Who are you, and what do you want here?” He asked with authority.

The male stranger with eyes the color of the morning seas looked at him in amusement. “I should be asking you the same. This is a free property, and I can be anywhere I please.” He snapped back.

Elbert folded his hands in his middle, looking at the man intently. There was something about him that was off, and screamed danger. He used his inner power to sniff the creature he was, but couldn’t pinpoint it. But, there was one thing for sure, man was not human.

“I don’t want to harm you. You’re on private property, so to speak,” Elbert snapped.

The stranger took a step backwards. Elbert easily flung him to the nearest tree without lifting a finger, where he groaned, and moaned, spitting saliva from his mouth.

“I didn’t come around to play games with you. I want answers. Now, speak!” He thundered, making a handful of leaves fall to the ground.

The stranger wretched for some more time. Then, he looked at Elbert and started laughing maniacally. “Do you think I’m scared of your baseless threats? I know nothing. And, I will divulge nothing. You can’t make me do what I don’t wish for. Never! Who are you anyway? A magician?” He mocked.

Rage slowly seeped into Elbert’s cold skin, but he tried to keep his cool. He was not a new vampire, but a master vampire. He released the hold he had on the creature, who trumped to the floor like a bag of sacks. Elbert watched him scramble to his feet. The laughter was gone, and in its place; was terror.

“What’s happening?” A beautiful feminine voice sounded behind Elbert.

Camille…

Elbert didn’t turn. He had to figure things out, and protect her if need be. But, he wouldn’t stop himself from seeing what happened to this stranger. His voice was cold as he said the words, “Go back home, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth did not move an inch from where she stood. She simply stared at the drama in front of her.

“You can’t even get her to obey you, but you want to get the truth out of me.” The stranger mocked.

Elbert lifted his foot and then bounced back as a scream shot up the skies. The stranger was visibly writhing, and then suddenly a mark, the same as Elizabeth’s appeared on his forehead. Then, he shimmered to ash. Elizabeth stared at the spot, stunned.

Behind him, Elizabeth whimpered. He turned immediately, and without thinking, pulled her into his arms. She fought to get freedom, but he held her tightly. In time, she relented and poured her tears into him.

“It’s going to be alright,” he said softly.

She sniffed and pushed him. This time, he let her go. She paced around, her hand repeatedly going through her hair. Elbert watched her, perceiving her distress and pain like it were his.

Then, finally, she stopped and turned to face him. “I want normalcy. I want my life to go back to the way it used to be. All these are driving me insane.” She screamed and then pointed at the ash which was slowly going into the air. “I just saw a man shimmer into ash in front of me, and I’m going to try to pretend that it didn’t happen. I was sleepwalking or something. I need you to leave this place, and never come back,” she said stiffly.

Elbert looked at her softly. “You will have to come with me,” he said easily, like she hadn’t just told him to leave.

Elizabeth drew at her hair. “You don’t understand. I want you to leave. I’m not coming anywhere with you, and I don’t want you to see me around this place. You and your minions,” she snapped.

He suddenly appeared at her side, making her heart skip a beat. “I heard you, but you’re not listening to me. You’re in danger, and you are endangering your family by staying here. You have to come with me for some time,” he said firmly.

The silence was as thick as knives as they stared at each other. This wasn’t how it ought to be. Elizabeth didn’t have to wake up in a world of vampires, werewolves and God knows what.

She looked at him, and it was evident she was on the brink of crying. “I’m going nowhere with you,” she screamed at him as she ran back to the house.

Elbert watched her leave. She was as stubborn as always. Camille had also given him a tough time, but he must take Elizabeth with him. And, he would. A cold plan brewed in the bottomless pit of his non-existent brain.

•T–––M–––V–––P–––L•

The next day, the master vampire informed Damian and Darius that they should be alert. He would be back shortly. Unlike the night before. He took out a Toyota Camry from the garage and drove over to Elizabeth’s home.

It was fast and quick. He had no time to waste steering the car. But, he needed to get things done. He grabbed his eyeglass from the compartment and slid them into his eyes. It was the perfect camouflage.

In three strides, he was at the front door. Elbert rang the bell three consecutive times before the door opened. Elizabeth stared at him in her little frock gown, and Elbert couldn’t help but stare at her. She was beyond beautiful, and breathtaking. Who wouldn’t stare at her? She was exactly like Camille.

“Elizabeth, who is at the door?” A woman queried.

“Eh, I will be a right-back mother,” Elizabeth returned.

Elbert looked at her in amusement. She was a bad liar, and that was something that he always loved about her. But, this time, they would have to lie. She shut the door behind her, as she stepped on the cobblestone. “What are you doing here?” She asked almost immediately.

Elbert leaned on the poker wall. “I’m trying to save you. Before you say a word, I know how much you love your family. But, staying here is not helping them. You’ve entangled yourself with some powerful creatures, and you also know that they won’t relent till they have you. The crazy stranger turned into thick ash in front of you. Something worse can happen next time, and I might not be there to save you. And, what will you do then?” He asked calmly.

Elizabeth swallowed as she looked towards the distance that the stranger had been. Master Elbert never talked so much in one sentence. She also knew that it would be stupidity to stay around, but her family… “I…”

“It’s just a matter of time. You’re doing this to protect them,” he said calmly.

She blinked back the tears that had collected in her eyes. “Alright, I agree. But, don’t hurt them,” she warned.

He nodded. “I won’t.

Elizabeth led the way into the house. It was a bit silent, but the blare of the television filled the house. She looked at Elbert, wondering what plan he may have cooked up. She decided to allow him to have a go at it.

“Mom!” She called out.

Her mother stepped out of the room from the kitchen, and Elbert tried to pretend that he was just like them. Elizabeth turned towards him and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. He was overdoing things. That was not how humans behaved.

“Erm, who is this?” Her mother asked as she dried her hand on the towel.

“Mrs Pott, I’m Elbert.” He said firmly.

Elizabeth watched her mother look from her to Elbert, and back. She knew her mother was trying to find the connection between them. She had to outsmart her because her mother was not stupid.

“So?” She snapped. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude, but your name barely gives anything away. My daughter doesn’t know any male friends, and you’re not in Ethan's peer group either,” Mrs Pott said pensively.

“Yes, you’re right. I met Elizabeth at the party, and I wanted to invite her over to the summer exhibition. I know she won’t accept until I ask you,” he said easily. “So, can I take Elizabeth to the summer exhibition?” Elbert asked calmly.

“Well, I think…” mother started.

“Mom, we can’t just send our sister off. Remember how we suffered to look for her the last time thanks to that crazy party,” Ethan poked in softly, appearing from the kitchen. He rested on the wall and watched them with a mouthful of what seemed to be oats.

Elizabeth watched her mom tense up, and then, she shook her head. She walked over to the couch and sat down heavily on it. Her heart and head was filled with worry. ‘This wasn’t going to be easy. I could blame Ethan for complicating the matter, but I wouldn’t. He was just looking out for me.’ Elizabeth felt it in her heart.

“Mom, I told you that I had gone over to my friend’s place, that's why I couldn’t speak with you. Trust me, nothing untoward happened at that party. I ended up making good friends.” Elizabeth said softly.

She turned to Elizabeth, and with a stiff voice, whispered, “You’re lying.”

There was an uncomfortable silence that ensued, and neither of them knew what to say. Elizabeth looked over at the master who seemed like he was going to snap. She couldn’t let him snap. This will only make things worse.

“I’m telling you, mom…”

Mother’s hands rose upwards stalling. “I’m your mother, and you need to obey me Elizabeth. You won’t go to any summer exhibitions. Is that clear?” Mrs Pott snapped at her.

Elizabeth took one look at Elbert, who had stopped the overdramatic displays, and sighed. She looked back at her mom, and she knew she had to do this. Taking Elbert’s hands firmly in hers, she dragged him up the stairs to the safety of her room with her mom shouting at her to come back.