"We should go see my father," Kael spoke up, and everyone just stared at him. Why did they have to go see his father? Why couldn't his father come to them? But then again, that would be a little rude, considering he's the King of Vampdom. The real issue, however, was that he couldn't come—especially not in the morning. But they didn't know that... except Kevin, of course.
When Kael was younger, he told his father that he wanted to be close to Penelope, to watch over her and protect her for as long as he could. So, they moved a little closer to the castle. His father made sure their home was well-hidden from the castle guards. He also ensured it wasn't too far from the kingdom, thanks to a teleportation gate that only the King and Queen of Vampdom could access. They possessed a magical key that could turn any wall into a portal.
Vesper had been Zan's eyes, ears, and sometimes even his mouth when the matter at hand seemed too trivial or immature for the King. Zan had done everything in his power to make Kael happy after his mother passed away, but nothing worked—except for Vesper and Penelope. He'd never seen his son so happy as when he showed him a picture of Penelope. It was then that Kael knew he had found his one true love, and nothing would tear them apart.
"He's a really wise man. He might have a clue, or some advice... we really need all the help we can get," Kael said, sensing the doubt in their eyes. Were they wondering if it was a trap? Was he trying to trick them into following him only to devour them?
Humans... Kael thought to himself, letting out a sad sigh. When will they understand...?
Some were hesitant but eventually nodded in approval, while a few shook their heads. Another vampire...
Julius opened his mouth to speak, but one of the guards beat him to it.
"How can we be sure you're not deceiving us? How do we know he can actually help?"
Kael had been expecting this. Took them a while to gather the courage to ask, he thought, his brows furrowing.
"How were you sure I could help?" Kael finally asked, meeting the guard's gaze. The guard quickly looked away in shame.
"I know what you're all thinking," Kael continued, his voice steady. "I'm taking you to a strange place, a place you don't know, probably my kingdom, to meet another vampire. I understand even though that's kind of offensive, but I get why you're scared. And honestly... I don't mind."
He paused for a moment, considering his next words.
"I can never kill an innocent human," Kael said, his voice firm. At least, that's what he thinks for now. He glanced over at Kevin.
"And we're vegetables or whatever you humans call it, Kevin gets that," Kael added, pointing to Kevin, who shyly waved.
Kevin had never been used to getting attention. Not that he craved it, but a little recognition here and there wouldn't hurt—especially from the king and queen. A little acknowledgment from them could go a long way, maybe even lead to a promotion. But getting noticed by them was a challenge. He had to start small, working hard, then gradually earning Julius's attention. The thought alone made him smile like a fool, looking like a total freak.
It wasn't that they never talked to him—they did. But most of the time, he just nodded awkwardly and looked away. He had been hired two years ago, which made him a newbie. The last person to be hired had been there for five years, so he understood that it would take time to adjust.
"If you don't want to come, that's fine. I'll go... and I'll take Vesper with me," Kael's words jolted Kevin back to reality.
"Of course you will. Why wouldn't you?" Vesper scoffed.
Some of them began to whine. If Kael left, how would they survive? They weren't as strong as him to fight the wild animals on their own, and while they weren't weak enough to not defend themselves or at least not run, they weren't sure they could handle it without him.
"We'll go," Julius's words almost made the souls of those who didn't want to leave leave their bodies. They were shocked—everyone was. Julius, of all people, was trusting him. It wasn't necessarily a bad idea, but it was definitely odd. But out of everyone, Kael was the most stunned. With his mouth agape, he stared at Julius as if the man were slowly transforming into a calm, gentle mouse.
"What?" Julius walked past him and entered one of the tents. "This doesn't make us friends," he whispered to Kael before going inside and shouting, "We leave tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sir!" everyone chorused—except Kael.
"That was easy," Kael muttered slowly.
"I know, right?" Kevin leaned in and whispered in his ear. Kael was so distracted by his emotions that he didn't even notice Kevin sneaking up on him.
"Geez, Kevin!" Kael flinched.
"Sorry, I got too excited," Kevin apologized.
"About what?"
"About meeting your father... another vampire." The last part came as a whisper, and then Kevin squealed like a little girl before bouncing off toward a tent.
"What's wrong with him?" Kael asked one of the guards, who just shrugged.
Kael hadn't known Kevin for very long, but the boy seemed far too excited to meet his father—odd, considering how afraid he had been of him at first.
"So it's true that humans change," he whispered to himself, surprised by his own words. His gaze drifted toward the tent Julius had just entered.
"Not him," Kael muttered with a small shrug. "I just wasn't expecting it to happen this fast."
He turned away and headed into his own tent, which had been reserved especially for him. No one wanted to share space with a vampire—maybe Kevin would have, but most thought it best to keep things that way. Besides, Julius had insisted Kael have his own tent as a sign of respect.
Everyone retreated into their tents, dousing the fire and calling it a night.
But out in the distance, something—or someone—wasn't ready to rest. Not yet. Not with Kael still around.
Morning came quickly. Kael hadn't slept well which should considering he will be needed a lot of energy for the journey ahead, but something felt off. Maybe it was the nervousness of seeing his father again after everything that had happened. But then again his instincts were right.
She was in grave danger.
"Are you ready?"
Kael felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to find Kevin awkwardly leaning over him, a wide grin plastered on his face.
"Are you alright?" Kael took a step back, eyeing him warily. "You're not sick, right?"
It sounded less like a question and more like a command.
"I'm perfectly fine, just a little hungover," Kevin burped, and Kael twisted his face in disgust before saying,
"If Julius finds out you brought alcohol, along..." Kael paused, narrowing his eyes and staring directly into Kevin's bleary ones. "You. Are. Done."
"I know, but it's just one bottle. It won't hurt. I'll just avoid getting too close to him. Plus, I'm not the only one who appreciates the power of alcohol," Kevin giggled, while Kael just shook his head.
After everyone had eaten breakfast and packed up, Julius announced it was time to head out. "Kael will be leading the way since we don't know the way to his house."
Kael smiled and walked to the front. "This way," he said, pointing before beginning to lead the group.
It was already noon. They had just resumed their journey after a short break—and yes, they were walking under the blazing sun. According to Kael and Vesper, they were getting close to their destination.
As they walked, most people were busy chatting among themselves—though not everyone. Some were too afraid of Kael to speak. Those ones silently prayed, while others were on the verge of tears, doing everything they could to keep even a single drop from falling. They didn't want Julius—or anyone—to notice.
But Kael noticed. He saw it all, and just scoffed.
"Cowards," he muttered under his breath.
"Who?" Kevin, who had been walking beside him all along, turned with curiosity. He then pointed at himself. "Me?" A hint of sadness flickered in his eyes.
"No, not you. I said cowards—plural. It's nothing, just a thought." Kael kicked at the sand as he spoke.
"If you say so," Kevin replied with a sad smile, which quickly shifted into a bright grin. He nudged Kael at the waist, noticing how deep in thought he was.
"You know what would be great? If you used your speed. We'd get there faster." He winked.
"No way, Kevin. That was a one-time thing—for you. And there are way too many of us. I can't carry everyone at once, or even one by one." Kael shook his head disapprovingly.
"True… but still, there's nothing wrong with you and me zooming off," Kevin said, trying to persuade him. He was exhausted. It felt like his legs would collapse beneath him at any moment. This walk felt like marching through hell—except for Kael, who looked and felt like he'd just stepped out of a deep freezer.
*If only I could not feel the heat like him,* Kevin thought with a sigh.
He wasn't the only one. Most of them were thinking the same. And while they walked, the rest prayed harder.
"What!" a voice shouted from the front.
Kevin screamed. "Aaaahhh!"
Everyone turned to look at him, confusion on their faces. Some even wore expressions of disgust. But after a moment, they all turned back to face forward.
Kevin, meanwhile, was frozen with fear. He hadn't even realized it yet—but in his panic, he had jumped straight into Kael's arms.
The cause of his terror?
Vesper.
He had overheard their conversation and, without warning, flew right into Kevin's face—shocking and terrifying him nearly to the point of a heart attack.
"Are you going to get down from Kael's arms," Vesper snarled, "or keep whining like a baby?"
"Oh—sorry," Kevin muttered, cheeks turning slightly pink. He quickly climbed down, then turned to face Vesper.
"What's your problem?"
"My problem is you acting like a baby," Vesper snapped. Then, with an exaggerated pout, He mimicked, "'Oh Kael, hold me in your hands and let's fly!'"
Some of the guards chuckled at the impression.
"I didn't say that!" Kevin replied, flustered, wishing the ground would just open up and swallow him whole.
The two of them launched into a full-blown argument—voices rising, insults flying. Their bickering was loud enough to make several people stop walking and glance over, curious or annoyed.
Meanwhile, Kael was too wrapped up in his own thoughts to notice the noise. Something felt… off. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but a creeping sense of unease had been gnawing at him since they resumed their journey. Were they being followed? Or was he just paranoid from too many sleepless nights?