Astraea returned to the cabin, noticing Ophelia peering out one of the house windows. She didn't give her another thought and proceeded to her bedroom. Ophelia remained still, watching as the young girl moved past her and down the rear hallway.
"She's matured," Ophelia mused, her opinion laced with a hint of approval. The changes in Astraea were evident; her emotions had dulled, a transformation Ophelia considered beneficial. Yet, as she observed Astraea's growing coldness, she felt a pang of something she couldn't identify—perhaps nostalgia for a humanity now lost to her. The thin line of her lips stretched into a faint, humorless smile at the thought.
The sun dipped below the horizon, signaling the arrival of night, but Astraea rarely went to bed at this hour. However, mentally exhausted from the day's events, she collapsed onto her bed, struggling to find sleep. Minutes passed, her frustration mounting, and she finally decided to return to the dining room—the very space where Ophelia had been gazing.
Taking a seat at the table, Astraea turned to face Ophelia, who stood at the opposite side of the room. "Did you know?" Her voice was barely a whisper, but Ophelia understood the weight of her question.
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean." Ophelia's tone was emotionless, her expression serious. Astraea couldn't discern if Ophelia was lying; her heartbeat was a distant memory, echoing the woman's near-death existence.
"Why aren't you asking why David isn't here?" Astraea attempted to pry, hoping to provoke Ophelia into revealing more.
Instead, Ophelia countered, "Why should I care? He was merely your travel partner. I wouldn't bat an eye if he disappeared for a year."
"Did you know he died?" Astraea's heart raced, but she was taken aback when Ophelia responded without hesitation.
"I did." Astraea's shock was palpable; she hadn't anticipated such a swift admission. "You're probably wondering why I didn't inform you sooner. This is to illustrate your lack of ability to compel me to divulge information, a skill you'll need in the future."
Astraea frowned, recognizing the truth in Ophelia's words. The only benefits she had gained from becoming a vampire were enhanced strength, speed, and sharper senses. The rest would require diligence and effort.
Ophelia exited the dining room without further comment, leaving Astraea to stew in her thoughts. Eventually, fatigue overwhelmed her, and she resolved to force herself to sleep, no matter how long it took.
That night, Astraea lay awake, unable to shake the ominous feeling that something terrible was about to unfold. In the morning, the two women shared a silent breakfast, tension thick in the air. Finally, Ophelia broke the silence. "Can you tell me what's wrong?"
"I have a feeling something horrible is going to happen," Astraea admitted, her voice trembling.
Ophelia let out a laugh that echoed eerily in the quiet room. "Trust your instincts. Always trust your instincts; a mere doubt could lead to your death. So, what do you think will happen?"
Astraea nodded, contemplating Ophelia's words but struggling to comprehend them. If she felt something bad was coming, all she could do was wait. Her instincts wouldn't reveal when or where danger would strike.
"Regardless, today is your last day of leisure. Visit those you met yesterday or do whatever you like. But be warned: you won't be leaving until you master both vampire and witchcraft techniques." With that, Ophelia departed.
As Astraea watched her leave, a thought struck her. What does she do all day? She had never seen Ophelia venture outdoors, always retreating to her room. Was it possible for someone to spend an entire day staring into space? The questions plagued her mind, but she quickly shook them off, deciding it wasn't her concern.
Astraea stepped out of the hut and into the woods, following the path she had seen the previous day. Despite her dislike for the winter chill, the air felt invigorating against her skin. She observed the bare trees that signaled the season's arrival, pausing to frown at them. The anger she used to feel toward the lifeless branches had faded. Instead, she felt a burning attraction to something—or someone—and a simmering resentment toward her brother. The two emotions balanced precariously within her.
As she continued along the pathway, Astraea sensed eyes watching her. Suddenly, she whipped her head around, so swiftly that a human would have suffered whiplash, but found nothing. A scent lingered in the air, unfamiliar yet pervasive—she concluded it must be a hunter. Ophelia's warnings echoed in her mind, but she dismissed them and kept walking.
---
The throne room was now Astrophel's favorite place, a constant reminder of his usurpation. The man he had intimidated into submission returned early to report his findings. Astrophel's sneer deepened as he motioned for him to begin.
"I discovered her in the kingdom of Zlork." Astrophel shot up from his chair, a wicked chuckle escaping him as he approached the frightened assassin, stepping on his outstretched hand.
"How does this report sound so much like last week's?" Astrophel's voice dripped with disdain. "Because it's the same one!" The urge to destroy something surged within him, but he clenched his teeth and glared at the man before him. "Have you sent someone to capture her?"
"Yes, your Majesty." Astrophel drew his blade, running his palm along its edge, savoring the cold steel. "If I don't have her here today, I'll be very upset. You know what that means?"
____________________
When Astraea arrived in town, she decided to visit Jane and the boy, seeking solace in their company. It felt comforting, and she hoped to spend a few more days with them. Yet, under house arrest, those plans were now uncertain.
She approached the two-story building and pushed the door open, but the sight that met her was far from what she expected. The interior was a gruesome tableau of dismembered bodies and blood-soaked walls. But amidst the carnage, one corpse drew her attention.
The owner of the bar lay on the floor, her back turned to Astraea, seemingly covering something. Astraea rushed forward, instinctively reaching for the figure beneath the woman.
"Is that you?" The boy from the day before lay beneath the owner, his blond hair matted with blood, the bangs obscuring his tear-streaked face. Astraea could hear his whimpers, raw and anguished.
"Where is she?" A muffled voice echoed from the street outside. The distance made it hard to hear, but Astraea caught the word "princess" and understood they were searching for her.
"We need to get out of here!" Astraea urged, adrenaline surging through her.
The boy glanced at Jane's lifeless form before nodding, scrambling to his feet. Astraea peered out the window, waiting for the two Valen soldiers to search elsewhere before grabbing the boy and fleeing into the woods.
They paused for breath, panting heavily. "Come live with me," Astraea offered.
The boy shook his head vigorously. "I don't want to be a burden."
"You won't be staying with me for free," Astraea retorted with a scoff. "I just haven't figured out what I want from you yet."
"I don't have any money," he replied, panic in his eyes.
"Fine," Astraea said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "I won't call you 'boy' anymore. Did Jane give you a name?" When he shook his head, Astraea frowned, deliberating. She wasn't an expert at naming people.
"From now on, you're Alon."
For those who don't remember, Alon was Astraea's father's name.