While Elena was resting, feeling the profound exhaustion of healing and the weight of their new secret, John, Carmilla, and Thomas left the room and headed for the kitchen, as John felt an insistent, almost primal hunger.
As they walked through the castle corridors, the conversation was light and wholesome. They talked about trivial things, laughing at each other's old stories. John felt a warmth he hadn't realized he missed, simply hanging out with his family members in a moment free from danger.
"Thomas, tell John about that time when you were nine and you pissed your pants when you first saw a Wyvern in Nolan town," Carmilla teased, stifling a giggle behind her hand.
Thomas felt a spike of embarrassment but quickly recovered. "Carmilla, don't let me tell John that time you had a crush on Daniel Bean, the one with the ridiculously fluffy hair."
Carmilla gasped and rushed to Thomas, covering his mouth with her hand. "Don't you dare, Thomas!"
Thomas quickly removed her hand. "Then don't you start with me either! I also know stuff about you!"
John laughed, a genuine, hearty sound that felt good in his chest. "Guys, let's stop this. We are almost at the kitchen. Let's walk a little faster, I am very hungry for some meat."
As they walked, Carmilla gave John a curious look. "John, you're a vampire. Why do you want meat? We usually just drink blood for energy."
John paused for a moment, the shift in his metabolism still surprising him. "No reason… I just like to eat meat with blood. Chewing the meat and drinking blood is delicious for me. Let's not worry about it."
Carmilla narrowed her eyes. She had a feeling that John was not telling her something, but seeing his distraction caused by his hunger, she chose to ignore her thoughts for now.
They arrived at the vast, high-ceilinged castle kitchen. It was a hive of activity. One of the chefs was busy preparing a hearty stew for the human workers and servants, while another was draining blood from several large, elegant carcasses, including what looked like a rare Unicorn, into massive silver bowls for the castle's vampire residents. On one counter, pieces of raw, red meat were laid out.
John's eyes fixed on a glistening, crimson organ. He instinctively licked his lips. "Is that the Unicorn's heart?" John asked, his voice low and eager.
"It certainly is, Young Master," one of the chefs replied smoothly. He was a thin man with short dark hair and a thin-lined mustache. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am known as Ronald, one of the chefs here in the Crimson Castle. Is Master interested in eating the heart?"
John was transported back to the dark, survival-driven cave where he had ripped into the bear's raw flesh—a moment of primal power. The hunger for meat was suddenly overwhelming.
"Yes," John said, leaning over the counter. "Pass me dem heart."
Ronald, a professional who had seen strange appetites, still blinked once in surprise. He didn't expect the young heir to eat the delicacy raw. "Is Master sure I must not cook it?"
John shook his head emphatically. "Nah, give that to me raw."
"But it's cold raw meat, John, it would not taste good," Thomas said, wrinkling his nose in distaste.
Ronald put the heart on a white plate and slid it across the counter. "Well, not all vampires are the same, Master Thomas. As long as vampires get their daily dose of blood, the vampire body will function pretty normally like a human being, but most vampires don't eat raw meat. Most would prefer their food cooked, like how the humans eat their food."
John did not care about the discussion anymore; he was too hungry. He took the heart from the white plate and started to bite and chew with savage concentration. The raw flesh, still warm with remnants of the creature's life, tasted delicious—a burst of wild, earthy flavors that satisfied a hunger deeper than anything vampire blood could quench.
As John was chewing through the flesh, he looked up at the remains of the carcass. "By the way, Ronald, what about the Unicorn's horn? What do you guys do with it?"
"Great question, Master John," Ronald said. He went back to the counter where the Unicorn's horn lay, picked it up, and walked up to John. "The horn of a Unicorn is very special for people who practice magic. They use it for magic wands. Most vampires can't do magic, so we sell the horn of a Unicorn at a high price in an auction or we contact wizards and ask them if they want to buy."
"Can I touch it?" John asked, while taking another large bite of the Unicorn's heart.
"Most certainly, Young Master John." Ronald then handed the Unicorn's horn to John.
The moment John made contact with the horn, he could feel something entering his hands—a cool, subtle energy that was hard to explain. "Is this magic that I am feeling?"
"Yes, Master," Ronald confirmed. "Unicorns gather magic through their horns. The Crimsons actually have a few of them. We breed them and sell them to those who have money."
"John, let me also touch it," Carmilla asked. John handed her the horn. "Wow, this is sort of tingly in my hands. Do you also want to touch, Thomas?"
Thomas shook his head immediately. "No, I'll pass."
After eating the last piece of the heart, the primal urge was satisfied, leaving John feeling energized and clearer than he had in weeks. He asked, "So Ronald, what is so good about unicorn blood, besides its taste?"
Ronald took the white plate, wiping a smudge of crimson from the edge before putting it in the kitchen sink. "Well, unicorn blood can prolong a person's lifespan, but because we vampires are already immortal, we don't need that benefit. However, the effect that it does have is that it can cleanse and revitalize the blood in a person's body. This can be very beneficial to a vampire to grow stronger, especially the young ones. Furthermore, we do not use all the blood; some of the bloods are put in vials to be traded or sold."
John was amazed. "Damn, the Crimsons probably make a lot of money."
"Yes, but we have other ways that we make income, which is not for me to discuss right now," Ronald said diplomatically.
John nodded. "I understand. Can I have some more meat and blood to drink, Ronald?"
"Certainly, Young Master John."
After John ate his fill and wiped the blood from his mouth, he felt the urgent need to follow up on his own agenda. "Guys, I have to go somewhere," he told his cousins.
"Sure, we are going horse-riding at the back, come join us if you're finished," Carmilla said, giving him a curious glance. She and Thomas then walked out of the kitchen.
John quickly thanked the chef for the food and left the kitchen. After leaving, John thought about making a quick detour in the castle and headed for the Armory.
When John arrived at his destination, he saw a familiar face he hadn't seen for a while. "Porto! My man, howzit going?"
Porto, a sturdy man who maintained the weapons, gave a light bow. "Greetings, Young Master John. How may I be of service?"
John came forward and grabbed Porto's hand with genuine sincerity. "I came here because I wanted to thank you for recommending me that fixed-blade knife and the dagger. Those were very useful when I was in the forest." John's words made Porto feel very happy inside.
"Thank you, Young Master. I hope I can be more useful for Master in the future."
"Well, you can be, Porto. So you have heard about what happened to me and Elena in the forest?"
"Yes, Young Master, the tale of what happened spread throughout the Crimson Castle, and all of us admire Young Master very much."
John couldn't help feeling pleased about being admired. "What do you mean, Porto? Talk to me."
"Young Master is admired for not leaving the maid Elena to die in the forest. Also, she is older with value nowhere near Young Master's. Young Master cared for the maid and brought her home with the help of Master Caden, of course. On top of that, Young Master also survived the pursuit of a werewolf at the age of fourteen, even though there are a lot of exceptional individuals who can easily defeat that werewolf. Young Master is still a novice and I believe just recently unlocked Master's powers."
John grinned, puffed with pride. "Wow, Porto, I am really awesome, am I?"
"Yes, Young Master John."
John cleared his throat and leaned in slightly, adopting a serious, heir-like tone. "Okay, coming back to being useful, it has come to my attention that a werewolf's bite is poisonous to a vampire, and I heard that we have antidotes here. So, I would appreciate it if you can give me an antidote, just for safety reasons." John's aim was to secure a conventional cure to prevent ever having to use his own blood again.
"Of course, Young Master, please follow me."
Porto led John away from the weapons display. They walked and entered a door located at the back of the Armory room. Past the door was a hallway that led them into another room: the Alchemy Room. The room was impressive, lined with cabinets full of vials and flasks filled with all kinds of liquid substances. It was neatly ordered, with each cabinet sporting a sign above it indicating what was contained within.
Porto led John to a section clearly labeled "Antidotes," where he opened a wooden cabinet and retrieved a vial filled with a grayish liquid. He presented it to John. "Here, Master. I believe this is what you are looking for."
John took the vial from Porto and smiled, securing the vial in his pocket. "Porto, thank you for helping me. You're the man, you know that right?"
"No, Master, it is an honor to serve you," Porto said humbly.
"Okay, Porto, I gotta bounce. Enjoy yo day."
"I am here if Young Master needs anything," Porto said, bowing lightly as John waved while leaving.
John immediately headed to Reina's room. When he reached the door, he gave a few knocks and heard her reply, "Come in."
John entered the room and saw Reina sitting in front of the mirror, busy brushing her long, silky black hair.
"Hello, Aunt Reina."
Reina turned her head, tying her hair into a neat ponytail. "John, what can I do for you?"
John looked down while scratching his head, suddenly shy. "Well, I came here to say thank you."
Reina walked towards John, her expression softened by genuine relief. "Thank you for what, John?"
John also walked forward and gave Reina a hug. "Thank you for helping me. I would have never survived without your training."
Reina was a little startled by the embrace, but a soft expression came over her face, and she wrapped her arms around him. "You don't need to thank me, John. You worked hard, and I am thankful that you came back. I was very worried about you."
After pulling back, John asked, "Aunt Reina, do you maybe know where Caden is? I haven't got the chance to thank him personally."
Reina looked up and she smiled mysteriously. "Then you should look behind you, John."
When John turned his head, he saw a figure standing silently by the door.
Caden smiled. "Greetings, John."