Back in Velmire, night had fallen and a warm dinner filled the long wooden table in Madam Helen's home. Lanterns bathed the room in a soft golden glow, casting gentle shadows over the mismatched but cozy decor. Nerine sat with Elizabeth tucked close beside her, introducing the little girl once again to the family.
"This is Elizabeth," Nerine said warmly, resting a hand on the child's shoulder. "She's staying with us for now."
Madam Helen gave a nod, smiling gently. "Welcome to the family, dear."
Noah raised his glass, grinning. "Any friend of Nerine's is one of us."
Gracy winked at Elizabeth. "We're a noisy bunch, but we've got the best bread in town."
Laughter followed, lightening the mood. It was a simple evening—warm bread, fresh stew, and full plates—but it radiated a sense of togetherness.
As the dishes were cleared, Madam Helen stood and stretched slightly. "Alright, it's getting late. Time for bed."
"Wait!" Nerine said quickly, making everyone pause. "I want Elizabeth to sleep in my room tonight."
Everyone blinked before erupting into quiet laughter. Madam Helen chuckled. "I suppose that's fine, just don't let her keep you up all night."
Nerine smiled and nodded excitedly. Elizabeth beamed.
Later in Nerine's room, the oil lamp flickered as shadows danced along the walls. Nerine and Elizabeth lay under the warm covers, giggling and whispering until they finally drifted off to sleep.
In the dead of night, Nerine stirred to the sound of quiet whimpering. Her eyes fluttered open and she turned toward the sound. Beside her, Elizabeth twisted in the sheets, caught in the throes of a nightmare.
Nerine quickly sat up and turned on the lamp, the glow revealing the girl's tear-streaked face.
"Hey, hey..." she whispered, gently patting her shoulder. "It's okay. You're safe now. Just a dream."
Elizabeth's eyes fluttered open, fear still in her gaze.
"You're safe," Nerine repeated, brushing hair from the girl's face. "I'm right here."
Gradually, Elizabeth calmed, snuggling close to Nerine. Together, they drifted back into sleep.
Morning sunlight spilled into the room like warm honey. Birds chirped outside the window as Gracy entered the room, hands on her hips.
"Rise and shine, sleepy head!"
Nerine groaned and pulled the blanket over her head.
"You're unbelievable," Gracy teased. "Even Elizabeth's up before you!"
Elizabeth giggled, standing near the mirror already brushing her hair.
"That's betrayal," Nerine mumbled from under the blanket.
Gracy pulled the blanket down. "Come on, nest-hair, the day awaits."
Nerine sat up, her hair truly a bird's nest. "This is your fault. You let me sleep too well." She said sarcastically.
The three of them headed downstairs. Nerine greeted Madam Helen with a peck on the cheek and waved cheerfully at Noah.
"Good morning, you two," Madam Helen said with a smirk. "Looks like someone almost slept through breakfast again."
"I'm not even ashamed," Nerine said, grabbing a slice of bread.
They sat around the table, eating bread and sipping hot tea. It was a morning full of banter and soft smiles.
After breakfast, Nerine dressed and prepared to leave. This time, instead of taking Madam Helen's carriage, she opted for a public one.
As she stepped in, whispers surrounded her.
"That's the girl with the silver-white black hair."
"Isn't she the one that works at the gem shop in Hollowood?"
"Dresses like a man... talks like a merchant."
Nerine ignored them, sitting proudly, her white and black hair tied back and her men's trousers neatly tucked into boots.
******
Back at Sir Marudas's estate, his legitimate daughter Sofia reclined on a cushioned balcony couch. Two maids massaged her shoulders as she sighed contentedly.
"Sofia!" Lady Kate's voice called.
Sofia winced. "I'm relaxing!" she whispered angrily.
She stood reluctantly, signaling the maids to stop, and made her way to the grand hall. Lady Kate stood by a tall window, arms crossed.
"What is it now?" Sofia asked.
"Your stepsister is coming," Lady Kate said, straight to the point. "She's going to take your place in the truce marriage."
Sofia blinked, then frowned. "I have no problem marrying a vampire. It would elevate my status."
Lady Kate spun on her. "Don't be foolish. That's not a marriage—it's a contract to be drained slowly over the years. And when they kill you, they'll claim it was illness."
Sofia hesitated.
"I've got other plans for you," Kate said sharply. "Plans that don't involve becoming food for a blood-drinker."
When her mother left, Sofia remained in the hallway, eyes narrowed.
"So the bastard daughter returns," she muttered. "Fine... either she comes to me, or no I would go find her ....this should be interesting."she smirked.
*****
Outside the council building, not far from the blackened cliffs, a carriage pulled up to a cave-like stone entrance. Lord Kael Blackthorn exited with his usual flair.
The door of the carriage slammed open—directly into his coachman.
"You never learn," Kael muttered, stepping down. "Why do I even hire half vampire?"
He walked up to the guarded entrance, where two vampire sentinels bowed deeply. Kael didn't acknowledge them.
Inside, muffled screams echoed through the dim corridor.
Kael moved through the hallway of cells without flinching. Blood stains decorated the stone, and flickering torches cast shifting light on the prisoner cages.
He stopped in front of one cell.
Inside was the last living kidnapper. The man was chained to the wall, barely conscious, his body a map of bruises and gashes.
Kael watched him coldly.
"You're the last one," he said. "Your friends didn't survive their silence. Do you want to be the last corpse or the first to speak?"
The prisoner moaned weakly.
Kael crouched just outside the bars. "Where are the others hiding? Who gave you the orders?"
No answer. Only shallow breaths.
Kael stood. "Then stay here and die like the rest."
He turned on his heel, cloak swaying. But something in the prisoner's trembling lips caught his ear.
He paused.
Did he whisper a name? Or was it a breath of regret?
Kael narrowed his eyes.
Whatever it was, he'd find out. Even if he had to rip it from the depths of the man's soul.