Chapter 2
The fanged creature rendered Gianna motionless, as recognition dawned upon her—Fleur, the familiar figure behind the black shadow.
"Stop tailing me during my seclusion," Gianna warned.
The black figure approached slowly, rustling footsteps on leaves revealing a woman with intense black eyes. Her irises seemed to swallow the night's darkness. She concealed her fangs, perhaps hesitating to attack humans.
"Forgive me, Gianna. From a distance, I mistook you for a human," Fleur explained. "Living too close to them is risky for me."
Gianna chuckled. "Hungry?"
The woman clad in black offered a faint smile, revealing she was on a hunt.
"We're not meant to seize human authority. I can see you're struggling in a place that rejects vampire clans," Fleur sympathized.
"Your clan orchestrated my exile to this land. I might meet my end here soon," Gianna lamented.
"I won't let my friend perish here. You're a leader, and I have the right to shield you from humans, especially from the treacherous actions of your defected clan."
Gianna shook her head slowly. "It wouldn't be amusing to die from starvation. I'd have no honor as the leader of the vampire clan," she admitted. Fleur observed her attentively.
The rabbit, disturbed by the commotion caused by Fleur, managed to escape Gianna's grasp. Frustrated, Gianna decided to abandon the hunt, realizing the difficulty of capturing prey in this protected forest. She chose to adhere to Tohpati's prohibition against hunting in the urban forest.
"We shouldn't risk locals discovering a dying rabbit here," Gianna suggested.
"Shall I return and fetch some bags of animal blood for you?"
Gianna pondered for a moment, contemplating whether to seek Fleur's assistance for survival.
"No need. I'll ask Tohpati to bring food that includes animal blood," Gianna confidently stated.
Fleur tilted her head in curiosity. "Wouldn't that raise suspicions among his people? Many dislike animal blood, deeming it unfit for consumption," she pointed out.
Gianna considered it. "Then, in case of urgency, I'll consume his blood once more."
Observing Gianna, Fleur noticed the avoidance of eye contact. "Rumors say you two got married instead?"
Gianna's eyes widened. She had deliberately hidden her life during exile. To Fleur, she fibbed, admitting to obtaining a blood source from a slave. However, the truth revealed that Gianna had become a servant to a human herself.
Gianna narrowed her eyes, still unsettled. "How did you know?"
Fleur leaned in, her expression firm. "Why deflect? Just answer my question."
Gianna raised an eyebrow. "Is that how you address the highest clan leader?"
Fleur briefly bowed her head in a sign of apology. However, she lifted it defiantly, a spark of friendship replaced by authority.
"Vormelker has the right to be informed about every detail in Rathenau Clan matters. Our clan is entrusted by your predecessors. All secrets must be known—it's the rule set by our clan's ancestors," Fleur asserted, crossing her arms in a display of determination.
Fleur, as a mere member, confronted Gianna, the Rathenau Clan leader. Tension hung thick as Gianna, seemingly held captive, displayed an unexpected vulnerability.
Despite the dire situation, Gianna's eyes revealed a subtle thrill. The irony of a seemingly timid lady vampire leading the Rathenau Clan intrigued onlookers.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of truth, Fleur challenged Gianna about the veiled plans. "Tohpati married me solely to protect me. We don't share feelings of love," Gianna explained, attempting to maintain a facade.
Undeterred, Fleur countered, "Married vampires don't have feelings of love. They're doing it for procreation," unraveling the intricacies of alliances and secrets. As uncertainty thickened the air, the clash of alliances and personal convictions set the stage for a tale of intrigue within the vampire clans.
Vampires, devoid of the capacity for love, exist as undead creatures sustained by consuming the essence of life. This peculiar breed of monsters, capable of returning from death, has carved out its enduring world, marked by immortality and unique societal structures.
The origin of vampire clans can be traced back to the aftermath of World War I. Vampire ancestors surfaced during a feud sparked by humans spilling each other's blood, causing prolonged trauma to victimized families. Surprisingly, Rathenau's ancestor, holding a prominent position, decreed that attacking humans was forbidden. This decision stemmed from humans embracing these blood-sucking creatures who, in turn, aided residents affected by the large-scale battle.
The vampire clans, borne out of necessity and shaped by historical conflicts, now inhabit various territories. However, societal acceptance remains elusive for some, as their very presence is perceived as perilous, leading to a complex interplay of secrecy and rejection in the world they inhabit.
"That means, since you've already married a human, you can't have any descendants from them. It's risky for both sides," Fleur pointed out, eyeing Gianna closely. Gianna, deep in thought, defended, "That won't happen. We didn't even do anything after we got married." Fleur observed her best friend's body language, searching for signs of deception.
"Well, even under the circumstances you're forced to do what a couple should do, it's up to you. Just ensure you don't give birth to a human," Fleur advised.
"I won't," Gianna retorted, firm in her resolve.
They lock eyes, a stark contrast between them. Gianna, with her pale skin resembling an undead, stands out with snow-white hair. She navigates encounters with humans cautiously, well aware that her true identity puts her life at risk. Fleur, in contrast, maintains a more human appearance with tan skin, avoiding suspicion from others. She's committed to transforming her entire identity to shield Gianna from potential threats.
"I'm heading back to Morbantis to monitor the clan situation," Fleur announced. Gianna, acknowledging her leaving for the home of the highest clan, Rathenau, nodded. Before Fleur leaves, Gianna implores her to keep the details of her marriage confidential, assuring she'll address matters in due time.
Fleur maintained silence, trusting that Gianna's safety in the territory mattered more than their kindred existence.
"I'll be back to report the situation. Take care, Gianna," Fleur reiterated.
As Fleur vanished, tranquility settled in, interrupted only by the rustling trees heralding the impending rain. Having come up empty-handed from the hunt, Gianna opted to head home before Tohpati could spot her. The lingering mystery of how Fleur discovered Gianna's marriage to Tohpati puzzled them both, as Fleur found it odd that Gianna willingly married her prey.
***
A sleek black SUV zoomed into the parking lot, gliding towards the automatically opening garage door. The modern two-story house exuded an impressive radiance—luxurious yet minimalist ambiance, mirroring the distinct taste of its owner. Tohpati seamlessly entered through a door within his garage and made his way into the kitchen in search of his dinner.
But today, an unusual emptiness hung in the air. He searched for his maid, accustomed to finding her seated on the couch, cross-legged, with closed eyes—Gianna, who neither sleeps nor is human. Surprisingly, Tohpati, usually indifferent towards the vampire lady, now felt a sense of urgency in his quest for her. Hastening to Gianna's private room yielded nothing. His room proved empty. The clock neared eleven, leaving him bewildered by Gianna's sudden disappearance.