The sun had begun its slow descent when the knock came. Nerine turned away from the large window where she had spent the last hour gazing out at the quiet landscape surrounding Blackthorn House. Her thoughts had been miles away, tangled in memories of a small garden in Velmire and a warm kitchen where Gracy and Madam Helen bustled with life.
"My lady, lunch is ready," came a gentle voice through the door.
Nerine blinked herself back into the present. "Bring it to my room," she answered without hesitation.
A few minutes later, Clara appeared, balancing a silver tray with neatly arranged snacks...fruit slices, delicate pastries, and a chilled glass of honeyed tea. Nerine opened the door, eyeing the food briefly, but her attention was more on Clara.
"Come in," she said, taking the tray and setting it on a side table.
Clara bowed slightly and stepped inside.
Nerine walked back to the door, closed it gently, and turned around with an intent expression. Clara was still standing awkwardly near the wall. Nerine grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the chair.
"Sit. Eat with me."
"My lady..."
"Clara, please," Nerine said with a soft laugh. "You're the only person I've spoken to properly in days. I'm not a princess"
Clara fidgeted, her fingers twisting in her apron. "It's against protocol…"
"I won't tell if you won't," Nerine teased. "Besides, the pastries are too many for me alone."
Eventually, Clara gave in and sat across from her. They picked at the food, Clara's initial discomfort slowly easing as they exchanged casual comments. Laughter bloomed between bites.
Then Nerine cleared her throat, gaze shifting slightly.
"Clara… can I ask you something?"
The maid paused, her hand hovering over a tart. "Of course, my lady."
"Are you… a vampire?"
Clara blinked rapidly, clearly startled. "What?"
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to," Nerine said quickly. "I'm just curious."
Clara hesitated. "No… I'm human. But some of the maids aren't. Well, not full vampires. They were turned, so they're somewhere in between."
Nerine raised a brow. "Half vampire, half human?"
Clara nodded. "They don't age properly. And they can't drink human blood—it weakens them as they aren't purebloods and their immune can't handle it. They survive on animal blood."
"And Lord Kael?" Nerine asked, her voice quieter.
Clara looked away. "He… he drinks from humans."
A shiver ran down Nerine's spine, but she masked it with a small nod. "Have you ever given him your blood?"
Clara flushed and shook her head. "No! Never."
A brief silence fell.
When they finished eating, Nerine reached for the tray to clear the dishes, but Clara jumped to her feet.
"My lady, no! Let me."
Nerine chuckled. "What? You look at me like I've never touched a dish before."
"Well…" Clara trailed off, smiling sheepishly. "You're acting like someone who's worked in a house, not lived in one."
Nerine shrugged, standing. "Maybe chores help me think. Or not think."
Clara nodded thoughtfully. "I understand that."
When Clara excused herself to take the dishes, Nerine found herself restless. Sitting alone was never her strength. With her mind made up, she headed for the door.
"If anyone asks," she murmured to herself, "I'm just walking to digest lunch."
She moved quietly down the corridors, choosing the less-traveled ones. Eventually, she came upon a hallway that looked dimmer, older. She didn't know she had reached the west wing.
The scent of aged wood and soft rose lingered in the air. She stepped through a small arch and into an open courtyard.
It was strange.....less manicured than the rest of the mansion. The flowers were dark, almost funereal, and at the center stood a lone apple tree, its leaves rustling gently.
Nerine tilted her head up and closed her eyes, savoring the soft breeze. She was finally alone.
Then she felt it...a gaze.
Her eyes opened and darted sideways. At a window in the connecting hallway, a figure stood watching her. Startled, she stepped forward cautiously.
As she neared, she realized it was a girl—young, pale, with long dark brown hair and wide eyes. Not threatening. Just… curious.
Nerine stepped closer to the window and smiled nervously. "Hi… I didn't mean to intrude. I'm Sofia."
The girl blinked, surprised, then smiled softly. "I'm Penelope."
Leaning against the stone wall beside the window, Nerine sighed. "I was just wandering. Thought I'd breathe a little air. I didn't know anyone was here."
"Alone?" Penelope asked.
Nerine smiled at her. "You're alone too."
Penelope frowned. "Not by choice. I'm not allowed out."
"Why not?"
"I promised my brother I wouldn't," she said softly.
There was something in her voice—a longing Nerine recognized.
"Would you like some company?" she asked gently.
Penelope's eyes widened. "No human's ever said that to me before.....or to any vampire."
Nerine's smile dimmed slightly. "Oh. I understand."
But before she could excuse herself, Penelope blurted, "How are you going to come in?"
Nerine's eyes lit up with mischief. "Leave the window."
Penelope stepped back. Nerine hiked up her skirts, leapt with a grunt, and awkwardly clambered through the window, nearly tripping.
Penelope stared. "You actually did it!"
Nerine dusted off her palms. "Told you. I needed a change of scenery."
The room was cozy, lined with books and scattered drawings. Penelope led her to the corner where her sketches lay on a small table.
"These are beautiful," Nerine said, flipping through them. "You've got talent."
Penelope flushed with pride. "I like drawing the trees. They change, even when I can't."
Nerine reached for a brush and comb from the dresser. "Mind if I try something?"
Penelope tilted her head. "What?"
"Your hair. It's gorgeous. Let me style it."
Giggling, Penelope sat. Nerine worked her fingers through the long locks, braiding, twisting, pinning gently. They chatted about stories, books, even gossiped.
Time slipped away.
Downstairs, Clara knocked on Nerine's door. No answer. She entered....it was empty.
Panic rose.
She ran to the other staff. "Lady Sofia is missing."
The alarm spread like fire.
By the time Kael returned, the sun had begun to dip. He stepped into the grand hall, greeted by anxious whispers.
"The lady....Lady Sofia....she's missing, my lord," one maid stammered. "She hasn't been seen since after lunch."
Kael's face darkened. His day had already been riddled with irritation from the council. Now this?
He stood in place for a heartbeat. Then his eyes sharpened.
" Let's check the west wing," he said. "Now."
In the quiet of Penelope's room, laughter echoed. Penelope was showing Nerine a hidden stash of chocolates when she paused, hearing the distant echo of voices.
"They're greeting him," she said suddenly.
"Who?" Nerine asked.
"My brother. He's back."
"Oh. Who's your brother?"
"Lord Kael."
Nerine froze. "What?!"
Penelope blinked. "Did I forget to mention...."
"You forgot to mention that?!" Nerine panicked, eyes darting to the door. "He can't find me here...."
The doorknob began to turn.
Without thinking, Nerine bolted to the window.
Penelope laughed. "Wait, you can't...."
But she was already on the window,jumping down, just as the door swung open.
Kael stepped into the room, finding Penelope looking entirely too innocent.
He narrowed his eyes. "Have you seen Lady Sofia?"
Penelope tilted her head with a mischievous smile. "No one by that name in here."
Outside, Nerine ducked behind the window, heart thudding in her chest, dirt smudged on her skirts and adrenaline in her veins.
This… was going to be a long evening.