The room went deadly silent. The implications of Gary's words were clear - not only was there a Dhampir alive, but there were others as well. The very thought sent a chill down the spine of every Vampire in the room.
"How many are there?" one of the leaders whispered, their voice quivering with fear.
No one had an answer to that question, and the quietness that followed was heavy with dread. The room seemed to be closing in on them, and they all felt a growing sense of panic. What were they going to do?
Freya stood up from her seat without the King's permission. One of the royal guards; the one at the left hand wanted to snap at her. But the king and him made eye contact; indicating he shouldn't.
"I want to make something clear," Freya said, her voice ringing with authority. "If anyone here knows of the existence of a Dhampir, or if anyone here has been involved in the creation of a Dhampir, you must come forward now. Anyone who is found guilty of such a crime will be punished to the full extent of our laws. We cannot allow this to happen again. The threat to our way of life is too great."
There was a murmur of agreement from the other leaders, and they all looked around at each other, their eyes searching for any sign of guilt or fear.
"That message also includes you, My King." Freya said as all of the leaders daze turned to the King.
"What the hell is wrong with you. Can't you show some magnitude of respect for the King." One of the royal guards shouted at everyone. These words weren't meant for Freya only. They were meant for all.
The reason why Freya said those words were because. Out of all the Vampires in this room. The King had been the one leaving the Vampires settlement for some time and thus have interacted with Humans.
"I understand your concerns," the King said, his voice calm and reassuring. "But I want to make it clear that I would never do such a thing. I am the law keeper of this land, and I take my duty to protect our people very seriously. I am as concerned as all of you about the possible presence of a Dhampir, but I assure you that I am not involved. We must find the source of this threat, and put an end to it."
The King's words were met with a collective sigh of relief.
Inside the king's heart. He was troubled, Do they know he had already created a Dhampir? Was his daughter the one who did it?
"What do you suggest we do. My King." One of the male leaders said to the King.
The king scratched his beard for a second and then spoke: "Spread the news to the Vampires Settlement. Tell them about the Dhampir's. Tell that whoever created them should come forward and face the penalities for his action or else his entire love ones would also be punished as well as him."
"As for the Vampires Knights and Soldiers. They should all start training instantly and those Rings - Solar shield share those rings to all Vampires as much as possible."
"Our greatest weakness is the sun and it is what the Dhampir's use against us."
All the leaders then nodded their heads in agreement of what the king had just said.
"My King. May i speak." Gary said.
"You may speak." The King replied.
Gary stood up from his seat and spoke. "My King. Is it not advisable that all the Vampires from 10 years of age downwards should train. I feel like the 'WAR OF OLDS' is coming."
Immediately Gary said those words a huge silence covered the room as everyone of them could feel the weight of those words. If the War of Olds comes back. They wouldn't stand a chance. They remembered what it did to their race. How it almost wiped them all out of the face of the Earth.
"That's agreed." The King said. "Tomorrow morning, we are going to inform all the Vampires about the new law."
"Every person above the age of ten either Male or female is expected to prepare for war and thus let's train. We don't know when the Dhampir's are going to attack. They might even know the location of this settlement." The King said.
*******
The meeting had ended and the King was now in the palace, in his room. So many thoughts were running through his head.
*Knock Knock
The sound of somebody knocking the door could be heard.
"come in." The King said.
Two guards walked in. They were the two guards the King was closest to. The two who knew he had a daughter that was a Dhampir.
"Have you tried to contact him." The king said.
"Yes, Sir." One of the guards replied. "He is replying. Maybe we should wait for sometime."
"But my King." Another Guards said. "What if Alex doesn't do what you told him to. What if he doesn't keep an eye on her. What if he doesn't protect her."
"He would." The king said firmly. "He knows what would happen to his family. If anything happens to her."
"If I may, Your Majesty," one of the guards spoke up, "perhaps I could be of assistance. I could go to Fort Valor Military Academy, keeping an eye on her and ensuring her safety."
The king considered the suggestion for a moment. "That could be a wise decision," he said. "I would be grateful if you could help protect my daughter. I know that the academy is a safe place, but I would feel more at ease knowing that you are there with her."
The guard bowed his head in acknowledgement.
"What is her name." The guard asked.
"She bears the name Catherine..." The king said.
"Catherine Nightshade." the other guard replied with a smile.
"No. She bears the name Catherine Nicholas. That's the name, she bears on Earth. Her surname isn't thesame with mine. So no one would raise any suspicions." The king replied.
"I want you to leave right now." The King Commanded. "Go to the school Immediately."
And with that the two guards left and the one the king had sent to the school had one thought in his head.
'My King, I cannot let you do this. You do not understand how dangerous a Dhampir can be. They are ruthless killers who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. If your daughter is allowed to live, it could put your entire kingdom at risk. I must do what is necessary, even if it means going against your wishes.' The guard thought.
*******
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