Lauren diligently packed away the clothes she had just purchased from Alanna's Astral Couture shop, getting ready to call it a day and head home. She carefully folded the final dress, zipping up her bag with satisfaction as she absorbed the tranquil silence enveloping her room.
Just as she began to relish in the solitude, her blissful quietness was abruptly shattered by the ringing of her phone. Sighing softly, she reached for the device, glancing curiously at the unfamiliar number and the surprising name that accompanied it.
"The Presidency," she murmured to herself, brows furrowing in confusion as she answered the call.
"Hello, this is Lauren speaking," she said, her voice laced with a hint of suspicion.
"Hello, agent Lauren. This is President Charis," the caller's voice resonated coolly through the phone, momentarily catching Lauren off guard. The realization of the caller's identity sent a rush of astonishment surging through her.
"Madam President," she responded, struggling to conceal her surprise. A faint smile danced on President Charis' lips, amused by the formality of Lauren's greeting.
"I can imagine your curiosity about this unexpected call. Allow me to get straight to the point. Agent Lauren, I have developed a genuine fondness for you, which is why I am personally extending an invitation for you to attend my upcoming birthday celebration this Friday. I sincerely hope that you will accept my invitation," President Charis smoothly articulated her proposition.
Lauren found herself momentarily speechless, her mind reeling at the thought of receiving a personal invitation from the president herself. "What are the odds?" she pondered in astonishment. The president's laughter resonated through the line as she asked, "Are you still there?"
"Yes, ma'am," Lauren replied, her voice composed despite the racing thoughts in her mind. President Charis asked eagerly, "Well, what do you say about the invitation?"
"It is truly an honor, Madam President. I would be delighted to attend," Lauren replied confidently. The president's voice exuded satisfaction as she declared, "That settles it then. My secretary will send an e-vite to your email shortly. Expect to receive it soon. Have a pleasant evening, Lauren," and with that, the call ended.
Lauren stared at her phone, still in a daze from the conversation with the president. Shaking her head in disbelief, a radiant smile graced her lips as she placed the phone gently on the bed. Continuing her packing, she cast one last glance around the room, a sense of excitement stirring within her.
"I will be back," she whispered to herself.
As she stepped into the hallway, her path intersected with the head maid and a group of junior staff members, who hurried toward her, eager to assist.
"Good evening, ma'am. Please allow us to carry your bags to the car," the junior staff members chimed in unison.
"Oh, certainly," Lauren replied graciously, handing her bags to them. Turning her attention to the head maid, she inquired, "Excuse me, do you happen to know where my aunt is?"
"Madam Veronica is currently in her study," the head maid replied. Lauren's face brightened with gratitude, and she apologized for the inconvenience caused. "Oh, thank you. I'm sorry for taking up your time."
The head maid waved off her concerns, assuring her, "It's no trouble at all, ma'am. Allow me to lead you there. Please follow me." Lauren followed closely behind the head maid, a sense of anticipation building within her as they made their way toward her aunt's study.
---
Damien entered through the grand doors of the Great Assembly Hall, his entourage of six towering vampire bodyguards, each emanating an aura of power and secrecy, trailing behind him.
As his presence filled the room, whispers flitted through the air among the gathering vampires, their eyes locked on him, instant recognition etched upon their faces.
"Do you not see the figure before us? Is that not the eccentric prince, Damien Voltorie?" one vampire murmured in hushed tones.
"It is indeed he! Who gave him the invitation to this exclusive summit?" queried another.
"Should he not be here? After all, is he not the heir of the ancient Voltorie vampire lineage?" a confident vampire asserted.
"You mean the lineage that was supposedly wiped out by the relentless lycans eons ago? Ah, yes, that very family!" snickered another vampire, inciting laughter among the group.
Prince Voltorie strode on, unperturbed by the chatter that surrounded him, and found his seat at the edge of the grand room.
His purpose for attending the summit was singular, and he remained resolute in his silence, observing as vampire after vampire streamed into the meeting hall. A gathering of more than a hundred distinguished vampires, each bearing the insignia of their royal oligarchical bloodlines.
"Esteemed vampires, ladies, and gentlemen, welcome to our annual Conclave, and prince damien Voltorie, how nice of you to join us" announced Victor, a venerable member of the Vampire Council, a wry smile playing on his lips.
Damien paid little heed to the condescending remark and fixed his gaze straight ahead, his mind focused solely on his objective.
Without further ado, Victor delved into the proceedings of the summit. His voice resonated through the hall as he addressed the assemblage, every eye trained upon him, eager to listen the revelations that awaited.
"Our discussion today centers around a collection of ancient prophecies that have come into our possession," Victor proclaimed, his gaze sweeping across the expectant faces of his fellow vampires.
The air grew heavy with anticipation as the weight of the prophecies settled upon the room.
"The first prophecy in our possession speaks of a revelation none could fathom—a declaration that the long-lost progenitor of our vampire lineage, King Draco Voltorie, is alive," he paused, gauging the reactions that pulsed through the room, particularly the response of Damien Voltorie, the son of the presumed deceased king.
A veil of astonishment fell upon victors countenance as he absorbed the inscrutable expression on Damien's face.
The room grew still, anticipation heavy in the air, as the elder continued to speak, unraveling the enigmatic threads of the prophecy that entwined with Damien's fate.
"And as the prophecy foretells, a descendant of the Benneth coven, a gifted sorceress, holds the key to unraveling the whereabouts of his highness," Victor's gaze locked onto Damien once more, his words imbued with profound meaning.
"In light of recent revelations, my source reveals that the witch in question answers to the name of Lauren Turner.
She currently serves as the captain of the Special Forces within the NDI—an organization existing in the realm of humans. And, pray tell, she is also a dear confidante of our own Prince Damien Voltorie, who, I dare say, must already be aware of this prophecy ," the elder disclosed.
A tidal wave of murmurs surged through the hall, each vampire reacting to the disclosure in their own way. Damien, however, maintained an air of indifference, his expression betraying an utter lack of interest in the proceedings, defying the accusatory gazes that bore into him.
One of the council elders, his gaze piercing, directed a probing question at Damien, a flicker of recognition illuminating his features. Damien recognized the vampire, sensing a distant familiarity clouded by the passage of time.
"Prince Damien, were you aware of this prophecy prior to today?" the elder inquired, scrutinizing him intently.
"I was," Damien replied with brevity, his response causing yet another commotion to ignite within the hall.
"Why, then, have you neglected to bring this matter before the council or compelled the witch to disclose the whereabouts of your father?" pressed another council member, seeking clarity amidst the rising tension.
Damien's response was swift and impassive, his words reverberating through the room with calculated precision.
"I never thought myself a member of this assembly. Furthermore, why would I coerce her into divulging secrets she herself is blissfully ignorant of? She exists in a realm entirely different from the existence of vampires or any supernatural realms," he countered.
"Then fetch her before us, for the king is our only hope against the encroaching darkness," boomed the head council member, unaware that his exhortation unwittingly echoed the essence of the second prophecy that Victor had intended to address in due time.
The head council member revealed yet another prophecy, its message veiled in riddles that held the fate of the vampire realm in balance.
The seers had foretold of an imminent and grave threat, an encroaching evil set to befall their world. Only the strongest vampire from the prestigious Voltorie bloodline had the power to thwart this impending catastrophe.
In a commanding and threatening tone, the head council member declared,
"Retrieve the girl within a week, or we shall dispatch our forces to seize her." His gaze bore intensely into Damien, the tension in the room growing palpable.