Beauty and the Vampires

We both were sitting in the main hall across a round table.Rosalinda was standing beside me.Damian was sitting cross legged on the opposite side flanked by his three other advisors.

"I wish to negotiate brother.War is certainly not in the interest of both the empires.Moreover, Father would not be pleased at the prospect of a battle." I stated in a calm, serious tone.

"Well I must say you have matured over the years brother.The last time we met you had very different views on the matter." He gave a lopsided smile that I very well recognized.

I returned the gesture with a sideways smile, "People change brother.A century is a long time."

"Certainly." He nodded briefly, never leaving my gaze.

"So what is it that you so desire that you had my Chief Advisor kidnapped?" His voice dripped with sarcasm while he raised his eyebrows.

"What do you know about the Mystic Woods?" I placed both my palms on the table.

"Ah! Is that why you abducted my advisor?To ask me about a fairy tale place that exists in kids' story books?" He asked in a bored tone.

"Some things are hidden in the garb of a fairy tale.I am well aware that the Mystic Woods is a reality and you know the way to the place that takes you to the Council of Wise Women." I stated.

"If I had the privilege of meeting those beauties I would have taken control of the entire world by now rather than sharing it with a kid like you who still believes in fairy tales." He smiled sarcastically and his eyes twinkled in amusement.

I could sense Rosalinda beginning to lose temper but I knew my brother too well to get provoked by his little tactics.He had the habit of irritating his rivals so that they lose their temper and commit a mistake.

I quietly signalled her with my hand to keep her emotions in control.I maintained my composure but my eyes were still busy scrutinizing his every move.

"Gabe stays with me Damian.I'll give you two days' time to think and decide if you want your man dead or alive." I got up and turned to leave with Rosalinda closely following me.I didn't miss the smirk that Damian gave me.

I reached my room and asked Rosalinda to send a message to Aiden regarding Gabe.Gabe required special arrangement as he was the Chief Advisor of Blackmist and that made him a very powerful vampire.

Aiden,

Hope you are handling the affairs of the Empire really well.

You must have received the gift I sent from Blackmist.Remember that we need him alive.Keep him separate from the others and deploy our best men to guard him.Not a soul should come to know about him.

Wait for my further orders.

Lord Nicholas

Word had spread that Gabe had been sent on an official tour.Ofcourse that was expected as Damian didn't want any panic like situation to arise in his empire.

It was night time and I was sitting in the study, my mind whirling with many thoughts.I had pushed Damian a little too far this time.I had to take care to remain one step ahead of him.No one knew what his next move might be.

Then there was this enigmatic place of The Mystic Woods.We in the royal family had heard stories about this surreal place that existed somewhere afar.Though Father always maintained that it was just a fairy tale I had my own doubts.

Then there were this Council of Wise Women considered to be immortal.No one knew about their origin but they were considered to be a lot powerful.

I would have never believed in their existence if I hadn't received the information from my insiders that Damian knew about the place and the council.

As I was lost in my own world of thoughts, I heard the sound of something breaking outside.I got up from my arm chair and using my vampire speed, headed straight outside.

There was a table just outside my room with a broken vase of flowers on the floor.The flowers were lying scattered and the broken pieces of vase spread everywhere.

It was strange that I couldn't sense the presence of someone trying to eavesdrop outside my door.The palace certainly had a flair for suspense and mystery.I called Conrad.

"My Lord! We have been keeping a close watch on everyone since we've been here and so far we have not found anything suspicious in nature." Conrad now stood in my room with his hands folded in front.

I lit my cigar and puffed clouds of smoke in the air, "I trust your abilities Conrad but what happened tonight can't be overlooked.I wasn't able to sense the presence of the intruder.What does that mean?" My eyes flashed red for a moment but I managed to control my underlying temper.

"My Lord! It's my duty to keep every lapse in check.I'll surely find the intruder in two days.If I am unsuccessful, the Lord of Nightfall can have me executed." He took a low bow.

I uncrossed my legs and leaned forward, looking at Conrad with full intensity, "You better keep that promise of yours Conrad.It would be a waste to have a fine man like you killed." My voice was calm but it had an underlying chilling effect.

He nodded, his face stoic, gave a bow and left.

I chuckled.It would be nice to play this cat and mouse game after a long, long time.My skills needed sharpening after all.

I closed my eyes and leaned back on my chair and it gently rocked back and forth.

It was then that I heard someone's soft breathing outside my door and I instantly recognized who that was.