Beauty and the Vampires

Damian's POV

"Any progress with the Silvermoon pack?" I glanced at the tall, red haired vampire now sitting across from my table.

His green eyes sparkled as he spoke, "We are trying to track the alpha of the pack.We should get the results soon Damian." He smiled baring his sharp teeth in perfect alignment.

I closed my eyes and hummed in response.

"How is Lucas?" I asked.

"Still in the prison and he has refused to divulge any details but we have our ways." His eyes glowed red for a fleeting moment and then went back to being their original green.

I gave him a lopsided smile.

"Good.You should go back to The Grand Old Castle now James.Now we wouldn't want The Great Pure Blood Vampire to get an inkling of the absence of his Chief Advisor, would we?"

He chuckled,"Don't worry Damian.You know I have a way of handling everything."

"That's why you're my best friend since decades James.Silas' betrayal made things easy." I gave him a knowing look.

He nodded and smiled slightly.We shook hands and he turned back to the exit door.

I lit my cigar, my mind taking me back to the day I had heard about Nicholas' arrival from the messenger.

I was running past the trees in super human vampire speed.My surroundings were a blur as the trees passed by in a whoosh.I reached at the entrance of a cave and I halted.

"My brother wishes to visit me." I spoke with a slight amusement in my voice at the dark empty cave.

"The younger brother finally calls on his elder brother after a century eh?" A shivering voice reached my ears as an old lady with a long wand in her hand came into view.Though I could see perfectly well in the dark.

A twisted smile formed on my face and I corrected her, "It's the Lord of Nightfall calling on the Lord of Blackmist Esmeralda."

She gave out a light chuckle, showing her crooked teeth,"The Lord of Blackmist has already formed hard opinions."

" And you have to verify them." I stated promptly.

She went inside and came out with a bowl and some herbs and potions. She sat cross legged on the floor and started pouring the herbs in the bowl all the while chanting something in an alien language. I looked at her with an expressionless face, just waiting for her to give some concrete information.

After a few minutes of more chanting and more stirring of the contents in the bowl, she spoke looking pointedly at me, "Your brother seeks something valuable my lord.His visit is going to start a new chapter in both of your lives.This visit either brings the two most powerful men in the history together or divides them forever!"

My face hardened and was as stoic as ever, not showing the slightest bit of the whirlwind of emotions going on inside me. I nodded once at her and without another word took off in my vampire speed towards the castle.

I knew what the valuable thing was.My brother had come in search of the elixir.I dropped the exhausted cigar on the floor and crushed it with my right foot. Esmeralda's prophecy had never faltered.She was a witch and was trained by none other than The Old Witch herself.I went to my personal bar and my eyes wandered over the fine collection I possessed. I took one of the bottles and poured myself half a glass.My lips touched the cool liquid and I took a small sip.Cigars and alcohol had always been my constant companions in solitude.

Nicholas' POV

"My Lord! We've heard that The Great Pure Blood Vampire's forces are looking for Silas." Rosalinda was talking to me as I flipped pages of the children's fairytale book.

"Why do you think Belle fell in love with a beast?" I asked her not looking away from the book.

"My Lord! I have never read any of the fairy tales." She replied.

"Ah! The curse of being a vampire!Your combat skills are exemplary Rosa but I feel these tales have a charm of their own." I looked at her with a smirk on my face.

"The Lord of Nightfall is taking interest in fairy tales? The little girl has rubbed off on you." She smiled lightly.

I looked at her for a second and then continued, "She's a darling little human, isn't she?" I smiled warmly and then the next moment I could feel my eyes glowing red and I spoke in a low, chilling voice, "See to it that my dear father doesn't find out about Silas."

Rosalinda nodded in response and went away.I closed my eyes for a brief moment and when I opened them they were their original blue.

"Come in Alice." A warm smile spread on my lips.I could hear her soft breathing from outside my chamber.That little girl had the ability to calm my senses.

She peeked inside my room and I tilted my head at her.She slowly made her way inside with her doll holding in one hand.She had grown fond of that doll.

"Nick! I wanted to thank you for getting Anna a charming husband." She smiled.

"Glad to know Rosalinda did her job well." I replied.

"Nick why do you keep long hair?" She asked, curiosity filling her eyes.

I chuckled, "I like to stay different Al."

"Can I touch them?" She asked hopefully.

I laughed and nodded at her.I bent down and she slowly brought her hand and touched my blonde hair.She moved her fingers through them and smiled.

"I love them!" She stated happily.

I chuckled. Alice had the ability to make me smile at the smallest of things.She was a sweetheart.

"Ok princess! You need to go to your room now and take some rest." I stated.

She frowned but agreed.Later in the day I got busy with meetings and more meetings. I had made it a point to receive messages from the Nightfall Empire from time to time.

I was now listening to one.

Lord Nicholas

Greetings!

Your orders are being followed strictly and the Empire is functioning smoothly. We have made a few important deals and procured 50,000 slaves for the royal castle. The rogues are being taken care of and there has not been much menace from their side now.

There are a few important deals which require your presence and they can be taken care of once you reach here.

Yours Faithfully

Aiden

Royal Advisor

Aiden was one of my most trusted officials and one of the advisors. He was in charge of the empire in my absence.

"Thank you Jake. You may leave." Jake, who was reading the message gave a bow and left.

Such messages had become a routine now. My immediate worry was to hide Silas' death from my father. Why was he looking for him after so many years was beyond me. Or it meant that father had renewed his efforts to find the elixir.That meant more competition.

I chuckled to myself.That also meant more fun!