Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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One of my tasks for today is related to the three hooded guys who approached me during the last event organized by the Council that I attended.

I'm to find a chance to be on my own and see if anyone will try to kidnap me again. If they do, I will let it happen. When I reach wherever they take me, I will trigger the beacon for Marius will come with his team to rescue me.

Aldus's task is to observe if anyone at the event is acting strangely or is missing.

Calista is part of the rescue team. She will operate portals that will bring my rescue team as close as possible to my location.

Calista is not proficient with runes or portals, but Aldus gave her an enchanted pendant and instructions on how to use it. I thought that Aldus will let Marius handle this, but thanks to this operation, I realized how other than Aldus, I was the only one who could operate his portals.

Aldus said that as soon as this mission is over, Calista needs to return the pendant.

I knew that Aldus is secretive and zealously protects his knowledge and resources, but I didn't know that they are off-limits even for Calista while Aldus shared much more with me.

It made me feel important.

Calista complained when she found out that her access to Aldus's portals is temporary. "I am your sister!"

"And as my sister, you should reach greatness on your own.", Aldus said matter-of-factly. "If I give you access to things I have, you will have no need to come up with your own solutions to the problems you are facing. Do you want to live in my shadow forever?"

Calista was outraged. "How come Rina gets access?"

"Serina is my daughter. It's normal for children to inherit their parents. Besides, she is helping me in my research and making breakthroughs of her own while you… party."

Calista was giving me nasty looks for several days after that, but she knew I have no real power in this case. It was Aldus's decision.

If I end up kidnapped, my rescue will depend on Calista, and I know that she will not jeopardize my safety because of a petty grudge, but I hope that she doesn't forget the instructions.

This plan is based on assumptions that someone wants to kidnap me, and the unfortunate event at the Castle which involved three hooded creatures was not just a random thing. Another assumption is that they will make a similar attempt today. And we are all counting on the theory how I'm not their real target, but only a token that can be used against Aldus.

Too many assumptions, but it was the only thing we had.

Other than letting myself be kidnapped, I had another role in today's event.

This one was more sophisticated, and it involved creating waves in the power struggle within the Council.

A little background first…

Officially, all members of the Council are equal.

Unofficially, two individuals are at the center of every power struggle within the Council.

Egoth and Omniel.

Those two are unified in their quest for the Council to have the main decisionmaker (aka the Head), however, that's as far as their interests are aligned because each of them wants to be the one to take that spot.

This is not about good vs bad or right vs wrong, it's all about who will come at the top, and they are willing to do anything to reach there.

Egoth and Omniel have about the same number of councilmembers supporting them, putting them in a stalemate that is lasting for centuries.

The only way for either of them to get ahead is to find support from powerful creatures outside of the Council, and this is where Aldus becomes relevant.

As much as both Egoth and Omniel want Aldus on their side, they won't allow him to join the other one.

Aldus always stayed away from politics. He was never interested in power. However, Aldus is a Mezzanotte, and it's impossible for him to become invisible.

Other than the influence Aldus has over vampires because of his family's background, Aldus also has many creatures that owe him as his patients and customers. Alchemy is a very lucrative profession, and benefits extend beyond money.

On top of that, no one knows how many familiars Aldus created over the centuries. Some of them work openly for him, like Marius, while others are hidden in the shadows (or in plain sight) awaiting orders.

On the surface, Aldus Mezzanotte is a man who spends his time tinkering with experiments, but he has an unimaginable network of people who are ready to do his bidding.

As such, Aldus is dangerous, and both Egoth and Omniel (and their minions) tried to approach Aldus and get his support, but Aldus always refused to associate himself with either of them.

Aldus made sure I familiarize myself with Egoth and Omniel, as they are both very scheming characters and there is a chance that one of them (or both) is behind my attempted kidnapping.

Egoth is a demon who in his natural form has a muscular humanoid body, bat-like wings, and a head of an ox. He is our host for today's event.

Omniel is a cherub who in his natural form has a lion's body, angel-like wings, and a head of a human.

I am glad that for these events everyone keeps their human appearances, otherwise, I wouldn't know if I would scream in panic while running for my life, or maybe I would pet them. One of the two. Neither appropriate.

I met both Egoth and Omniel during the event in the Castle I attended, but it was only a brief hi-hello before Aldus ushered me away from them, so I didn't get a chance to form an opinion.

Now back to my part of the task…

My target for this event is councilmember Gilbert and I am to find the opportunity to befriend him, or at least to make it look so for the outsiders who are watching.

Gilbert is close to Omniel and by spending time with him, I will create an impression that Aldus might support Omniel. That should rattle the cage and we will see what comes out of it.

We reached the castle-like mansion that was made out of gray stones, and the car stopped in front of a bridge.

I thought that we will drive inside, but it seems that our host didn't want to risk us smuggling something we shouldn't in the car.

The building in front of us was made out of densely stacked wide towers, and it looked ancient, giving a feeling like it has many stories to tell.

I linked my arm with Aldus's, and we walked over the bridge while I peered below at the moat filled with stagnant water that surrounded the castle.

There were no ducks or frogs in the water. It looked dead and it contributed to the overall ominous atmosphere that was spreading around the castle.

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