‘Lady Lynn.’ His voice was soft and his mannerisms were very gentle. It surprised me, given the way the prince and Chessa carried themselves.

‘Please forgive me for not introducing myself sooner.’ He gave me a deep bow.

‘I am Casimir Kalchik. I have been wanting to thank you for protecting his highness ever since this morning, but Captain Klarić stated that you were occupied with your training and asked us not to interrupt. Is it alright for me to take up a moment of your time?’

I thought back on Nadali’s “baseline determination” and what I must have looked like. I felt very grateful to Alexander, whom I assumed Casimir was referring to, for not letting them see me that way.

‘Of course, lord Casimir. How are you and lady Chessa? Have you fully recovered? I was a little out of it, but I did hear that you were wounded.’

His eyes widened a little.

‘Please, call me Casimir, my lady. I have not yet inherited my family’s title, you see,’ he said a little sheepishly.

‘Then I insist you call me just Lynn as well, Casimir,’ I answered a little cheekily.

He hesitated for a moment.

‘Very well... Lynn.’ For a moment I thought I saw a blush appear on his cheeks, but he continued speaking as before.

‘My sister and I have received good care, thank you for inquiring after our health.’

Sorrow crept into his eyes. ‘What happened this morning… it is truly regrettable. His highness, too, is deeply saddened by the events.’

Despite dropping the formalities, he remained extremely polite. Somehow, it made me feel like pinching his rosy cheeks… Seriously, this had to stop. First the prince, now Casimir. What was up with these vampires and their auras?

A woman appeared in front of me, her bright blue eyes blazing.

‘What do you think you’re doing?’ she said to me in an alarmingly calm manner.

I took a step back.

‘Chessa,’ Casimir uttered, but before he could say anything else Chessa gave him a menacing glare and he decided to remain quiet.

She turned back to me and glanced me over once, before settling her chilling gaze on me.

Fear spread through my body like a cold, wet mist creeps through your clothes. I, too, decided it was better to not say anything. I didn’t have much choice, though. My body wouldn’t have responded anyway.

She stood there a full minute, studying my features. If I didn’t feel so scared, I would have suggested she join the Guard as head of interrogation. I would have said anything to get her out of my face.

Finally, she decided I had shivered enough and leaned back a little. My body relaxed and I let go of the breath I had been holding. Warmth returned to my body.

‘Don’t bother my brother again, human. His time isn’t to be wasted on the likes of you.’

She grabbed her brother by the arm and started dragging him away.

‘Ah, Chessa… wait, you’re being rude… Chessa, please let-, Chessa...’

I could only stare as they disappeared behind the corner.

Still trying to fathom what just happened, I continued up the stairs and went back to my room. I still had some reading to do, and the vampire siblings had made me curious about their powers. And about how I could make Chessa warm up to me so I wouldn’t turn into a human popsicle.

Balthezar and Lunelis, here I come.

I spent the remainder of the evening reading and preparing myself for the training Nadali was so kind to give me the next morning.

⭑⭑⭑

‘DAMN IT!’

The raging man threw his glass against the wall. The red content slowly trickled down the faded wallpaper. ‘First the sword and now this!’

‘I’m sorry master, there were some… complications,’ the young vampire said. Shadows swirled in and out of his body, while he nervously waited for his master’s reaction.

The master turned to him. His eyes were red and his fangs protruded.

‘What kind of complications?’ the man near growled.

The young vampire had long gotten familiar with the features of the pure-blood, so unlike his own, but the sight still instilled fear in him.

‘There was a woman...she covered the Atharu prince with a curtain. No one should have seen it coming. Not even our spies know how she managed.’

‘A woman?’ The master had an incredulous look on his face.

The young vampire took this as a sign to continue. ‘She isn’t a part of the guard. She seems to be a guest that arrived the night you returned, master.’

A smile appeared on the master’s face.

‘Lynn.’

⭑⭑⭑

☾

The next few days went as you can expect when you get trained by two militia types.

Because of the attack, no one was allowed to leave the fort except for missions or patrols, which were now both done in larger groups. The meeting with the erilaz and the deliberation with the prince had been postponed, as the Captain was too busy with trying to apprehend the two behind the bombing, as well as explaining to his superiors how the attack could have happened. Something no one had an explanation for, with the only person that might have had a clue having been cremated on the spot.

Alexander questioned me and Nikolai a number of times, about what we had heard and seen in the garden and during the horrible event that followed. Neither of us could add anything useful, however. I did tell them about the voice I had heard, but since I didn’t know the person the voice belonged to, that too was just another mystery.

Lucky for me, I had no time to feel bored in the meantime, however, between Nadali’s and Nikolai’s training, trying to recover physically and mentally from that, and finishing my reading.

Nikolai went about as easy on me as Nadali did, and I got well acquainted with the Lampades that ran the fortress’ spa.

Nohea and Kala kept me updated on the search for the couple behind the bombing.

Luckily, their quarrel had drawn witnesses and a forensic artist managed to make sketches based on their accounts. The city’s portal and gates were being closely watched, so hopefully, with nowhere to run, it was just a matter of time before the two were caught.

Although the place was starting to feel like a home away from home, and I had nothing to complain about, I couldn’t help but get more and more restless as the days passed. The longer it took to find that horrible man and woman, the longer saving Annabelle had to wait.

I was about to offer to join the search, when we finally received the news. The culprits had tried to skip town last night, but were caught by a city guard.

When Alexander told me, I was so happy I jumped into his arms. He didn’t exactly hug me back, but he did give me a soft pat on the head. Nohea later told me it was bigger news than the arrest.

I did have to be patient for a little longer, while the two got interrogated. I almost suggested Alexander ask Chessa to join. I was sure she would have them talk before lunch.

With the weight lifted off my chest, I found it easier to focus during sword practice. Nikolai seemed more relaxed, as well. He had hidden it well, but I didn’t doubt he too must have been worried about the situation. Probably for a different reason, but we had a good training nonetheless.

‘So, Lynn,’ Nikolai said when we were done. ‘Now that the fort is no longer on high alert, how about we go for a stroll through the city tomorrow?’

I slowly lowered the towel I’d used to dry my face. ‘You mean it?’ My heart started to beat rapidly again.

‘Sure. We might even get you a souvenir. That way you can remember your exciting stay here when you go home.’

‘Yes!’ I exclaimed. I hardly knew what to do with myself from happiness. My mouth opened and closed a few times, but in the end I only managed a ‘Whoo!’.

Nikolai chuckled. ‘Alright then. We’ll skip tomorrow’s lesson and go straight after lunch. Now go shower, stinky.’

‘Yes, sir!’

I hopped back to my room.

☾

‘Slow down, the city won’t go anywhere,’ Nikolai said, and continued sipping on his juice.

‘If I don’t finish my meal, we’re not going anywhere either,’ I retorted, and took another big bite.

‘Did you know you have an awful lot in common with a hamster? Really, you could be related.’ He took another sip.

I gave him a glare, and filled up my cheeks again.

‘Definitely related.’

I finished my meal and jumped up. Nikolai took his sweet time getting up and I had to hold myself back from throwing my tray at him. ‘Would you hurry it up?’

Nikolai took a moment to think.

‘Hmmm…. no.’

I sighed from exasperation.

He finally reached my side. ‘Ready to go, then?’

‘Yes!’

I started to turn, but Nikolai grabbed my arm. His face had a serious look.

‘Look, Lynn. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I need you to promise to stay close to me and not run off on your own. Arrest or not, it is still dangerous outside, especially for a young woman that wouldn’t be able to defend herself from even a child from this world.’

I wanted to talk back to him, but I knew he was right. If Balthezar had taught me anything, it was that vampires weren’t to be messed with. They were strong, most were older than I would ever get, and I had no experience with this world.

‘I promise,’ I said with a heavy heart.

Nikolai’s face softened into his usual smug smile. ‘Good. Let’s go get Sasha’s permission, grab you a coat, and go sightseeing.’

‘Wait, you didn’t-’ Nikolai grabbed me by the shoulders and pushed me toward the Captain’s office.

‘No worries, he’ll be much too busy to say no, you’ll see.’

When we got to the office, Alexander was having a discussion with a higher-ranked guardsmen. I recognized her from the bombing.

‘Captain, would it be alright if-’

‘Not now, Nikolai.’

‘Just wanted you permission to show Lynn the city.’

‘Do what you want.’ Alexander continued his conversation. We were about to enter the Grand Hall, when we heard him call after us.

‘NIKOLAI!’

‘We’ll be back before dinner!’ Nikolai quickly pushed me through the doors. We continued to the entree.

‘Now we just need to find a coat your size.’ He started to look through the other guardsmen’s coats, pulled a woolen jacket from the rack and handed it to me.

‘Is this alright?’ I asked, while putting it on.

‘Looks good on you.’

‘That’s not what I meant.’

Nikolai put on his own coat and opened the door that led outside.

‘No one will mind, now come on,’ he said with a mischievous smile.

I followed after him, and stepped outside. The weather was pleasant, with a gentle sun and little wind.

The guards at the gate greeted us and let us through. As we passed the high stone wall, more and more of the city came into view.

The sight was wonderful.