I drifted back to my body, the cold bed of the hotel room grounding me once more in the physical world. The dim light of the single oil lamp flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls. My heart still raced from the intense encounter in Magnus' office. The weight of what I had learned pressed heavily on my chest.
Nikolai waited patiently, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that was both unnerving and reassuring. He could sense my distress, I was sure of it. His intensely dark aura felt as though he were radiating a comforting presence at all times. Even now, I couldn't help but feel drawn closer to him, drawn into his presence without realizing it.
After some time, he smiled like a dark moon in the evening sky. "You did well," he said, his voice a smooth, dark velvet. "What did you see?"
I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "Magnus..." The name tasted bitter in my mouth, almost tasting like blood. "...has been lying about who he is."
Nikolai's black aura shifted around me again, swirling like smoke on the surface of an ocean. I shivered instinctively. "Magnus?"
His expression slowly darkened, a flicker of unease crossing his features. I knew that his memories were fragmented, the result of centuries spent in a dormant state. He seemed to be struggling to piece together his past, and this new revelation was unsettling.
"Do you remember your friendship with Magnus?" I asked gently, hoping to jog his memory.
He was silent for a moment, his eyes distant as he delved into the recesses of his mind. "I have faint memories of a man," he began slowly. "At first, I thought it was my brother, but now I realize it was a human sorcerer who summoned me centuries ago. He was fascinated by vampire magic, and I slowly revealed some of its secrets to him, though not all. It would have been too dangerous. I didn't like humans, especially humans so powerful as to control vampires, knowing such things." Nikolai shook his head, his brows creased as if in confusion. "That sorcerer's name escaped my memory…" The air in the room grew tense as he struggled to recall something important.
I listened intently, my heart aching at the thought of the betrayal he had endured. "What happened then?"
Nikolai's expression grew colder, his eyes hardening. "The man became greedy and demanding. He tried to imprison me in a bottle, but I was too powerful for him. After I gave the talisman to my wife, Eleanor, so she could become a vampire, the man took it from her, killing her in the process."
"The talisman has complex rules," he continued. "Just possessing it doesn't mean you'll become a full-fledged vampire. There's more to it, secrets that I never revealed."
I nodded, the pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together in my mind. "Nikolai, I'm an initiate in the Shadow Covenant. The master of the lodge is Magnus Vandenberg. I think he's the man you're talking about."
A heavy silence fell between us, the weight of our shared revelations pressing down on us. I could see the turmoil in Nikolai's eyes, the pain of his lost memories, and the betrayal he had endured. Despite his cold demeanor, I could sense the depth of his emotions, the complex layers of his past shaping the man before me.
He stared at me blankly. "Are you sure?"
I met his gaze evenly. "Yes, I saw him during my astral journey. It must be him. I am sure of it, Nikolai."
"So the man you described... the one called Magnus..." A glimmer of excitement entered Nikolai's blue orbs, but it was gone just as quickly as it came. "How do we find him?"
"He stays in the lodge most of the time," I replied. "But probably he has his own house somewhere. He never mentioned it, though."
Nikolai rubbed his chin absently, deep in thought. Then, he stood up abruptly, walking toward the window. The morning breeze tugged at his dark hair as he stood in front of the open window, gazing out over the city. I could smell the damp chill of the early morning rain clinging to the trees surrounding him.
A heavy silence fell between us, the weight of our shared revelations pressing down on us. I could see the turmoil in Nikolai's eyes, the pain of his lost memories, and the betrayal he had endured. Despite his cold demeanor, I could sense the depth of his emotions, the complex layers of his past shaping the man before me.
He turned to me and said, "We need to make a potion. It's the only way to retrieve the talisman from Magnus. The potion will force him to vomit it out, as the talisman is inside his body, acting as its host."
I blinked in surprise. "You want us to poison him? That doesn't sound very ethical…"
"Not poison him, but he has to bring the talisman out," the vampire replied. He took a piece of paper nearby and began writing something.
"Gather these herbs," he instructed, handing me the list. "I will cast an energy onto them to enhance their potency. The potion will be powerful and will take effect shortly after he drinks it. But the challenge will be getting Magnus to consume it."
I glanced at the list, recognizing some of the herbs as rare and difficult to find. "I'll get started right away."
After a quick breakfast and putting on fresh clothes, I made my way to the apothecary. The morning air was brisk, and I felt a twinge of nerves as I approached the shop. To my surprise, the door was already open, and I could see Emrys bustling around inside. His cheerful demeanor was a welcome sight.
"Good morning, Emrys!" I greeted him cheerfully, taking off my cloak and hanging it on its hook behind the door.
"Good morning, Masha," Emrys greeted me with a bright smile. "You're early today." As he spoke, his eyes sparkled and his aura shifted colors ever so slightly as a blush colored his cheeks. It was always amusing when Emrys blushed. He usually looked so serious and stern when working, but his blush could be downright adorable. I liked seeing Emrys's natural coloration whenever possible—it made him seem like someone else altogether—and he always blushed when he caught me staring. For me, it was a delicious secret to know that Emrys wasn't immune to my charms.
"I had to talk to you about a business matter anyway," I explained to Emrys. "Could you meet with me while I finish setting up the store?"
He nodded. "Of course, I can take care of the shop while you work. Would you like some coffee?"
"Please," I responded with a grateful smile. "Black with two sugars. Thank you."
"Coming right up, sweetheart," Emrys cooed, moving towards the backroom. "Let me get it ready for you while you prepare yourself for the work
I watched as Emrys disappeared behind the counter, the warm pink glow of his aura still shining softly within him. It was such a contrast to Nikolai's gloomy aura, which seemed almost suffocating. It was strange to notice how different the two were: Nikolai radiated darkness and power like a dark star, while Emrys's light and warmth seemed to come naturally, like sunbeams. The two were so different in appearance, yet somehow they are both amusing in their own way.
Emrys returned with the coffee cup moments later. "There you go, darling," he said. "Careful there; it'll scorch your tongue if you drink it too fast."
I laughed lightly as I held the cup carefully, watching as the steam curled around my fingers. "Thank you, Emrys," I replied. "This will help me concentrate better." I inhaled sharply through my nostrils, taking a sip of the steaming coffee and relishing the bitter taste. I savored the hot liquid as it traveled down my throat, making sure to keep the rest of the beverage inside my mouth, lest it spill.
We worked together in the apothecary that morning, filling orders and tending to customers. I found it easier to concentrate, although my mind was preoccupied with the task ahead. Every time I glanced at the storage room, my heart skipped a beat. I knew what I had to do, but the thought of stealing herbs made me anxious. Yet my need to complete my mission overwhelmed the uneasiness inside me and forced my feet to move, despite my hesitance.
When there was a lull in the customers, I slipped into the storage room. The shelves were lined with jars and bundles of dried plants, the air filled with their earthy scent. I carefully selected the herbs from Nikolai's list, taking only a tiny amount of each so that it wouldn't be noticeable.
As I was placing the last of the herbs into a small pouch, Emrys appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a mischievous grin. "What are you up to in here, Masha? Making a love potion?"
My face reddened immediately. "No, no, nothing like that… It was just, uh, collecting herbs."
"Oh yeah?" Emrys asked. "Doing some research or something?"
I paused nervously for a moment before answering. "Something like that…"
Emrys walked across the small room to where I was standing, peering down at me curiously. "It's alright Masha, I won't tell anyone, I promise."
I stared at him for a few moments, unsure of what to say. He must have sensed how ridiculous my face looked as he laughed suddenly, waving his hand dismissively.
"I'm just kidding. You should've seen your face."
I forced a laugh, trying to hide my relief. "You got me. I was just... organizing a bit. You know how Mr. Hawthorne likes everything in order."
Emrys chuckled. "Well, if you ever do make a love potion, let me know. I could use some help in that department."
I smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. "I'll keep that in mind."
We remained silent for several seconds before Emrys broke it. "Why don't you come to Red Dragon Inn and have lunch with me? We haven't eaten together in ages."
He looked up at the ceiling for a brief moment, considering his words. "Unless… Unless you're busy with something else…" he trailed off, looking back at me.
"Nope. I'm free. I just need to grab a couple of things." I smiled at him as I continued packing the remaining herbs into the bag I carried with me. "Maybe we can eat tomorrow?"
"That would be good," he answered. "I'd be happy to treat you to lunch. My treat."
The rest of the morning passed uneventfully, leaving me feeling restless by the time noon rolled around. My mind kept drifting to the events earlier in the day, thoughts constantly racing to the scene with Nikolai. It was almost painful, trying to recall the conversation and all the emotion it stirred in me. I could feel myself growing increasingly uncomfortable throughout the day.
When my working hours were over, I bid Emrys goodbye and headed back to the hotel, the pouch of herbs securely hidden in my bag. The walk felt longer than usual, each step weighed down by the gravity of what I was about to do. I hurried back to my hotel room, eager to meet Nikolai and discuss our next steps.
When I entered my room, I found Nikolai waiting for me, his piercing eyes scanning my face for any sign of success. He sat at the edge of his bed, his body tense and rigid. A look of nervousness etched on his features.
"Did you get all the ingredients?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.
I nodded, pulling the herbs out of my bag and showing them to him. "Yes, I managed to gather everything we needed."
Nikolai's expression softened slightly, but the intensity in his eyes remained. "Good. Now, we need to talk about how you're going to trick Magnus into drinking the potion. It's not going to be easy."
I sat down, feeling the weight of the task ahead of me. "How exactly do you expect me to do that? Magnus is always on guard. How am I supposed to fool him into taking the potion without getting caught? I'd doubt that he'd be easily fooled."
The vampire's gaze never wavered. "You'll need to be subtle. Find a way to drop the potion into his drink when he's not looking. The potion is powerful and will take effect quickly, but you must be cautious."
I swallowed. I doubted that Magnus, the charming and unpredictable Magnus, could read my intentions. Despite our short time together, I had noticed his knack for reading people, perhaps even better than most women. Maybe it was because he was an ancient vampire who could read minds, although he had never mentioned it before. It wouldn't be wise to reveal all your magical skills, after all. People, especially magicians, could take advantage of them and exploit your weaknesses and limitations. It was best to keep certain information about myself hidden.
"Is that all?" I asked, hoping to divert my train of thought. Dwelling on thoughts of Magnus would only heighten my nerves. I let out a deep sigh. "I can't believe I've ended up in this dangerously foolish situation. I'm just an herbalist in the apothecary, nothing more. And now, if Magnus catches me, I'll surely face punishment or worse."
"You're also a magician," Nikolai reminded me with his smooth and stern voice. "Why fear an ancient human vampire? Your kind even dares to summon demons from the depths of hell. They're worse than vampires. Besides, I'll provide some assistance. My memories are becoming clearer each day."
"Assist me?" I scoffed. "Nikolai, you rarely leave this room, and you haven't regained much of your strength. You barely eat, and I don't know where you find your energy besides from the talisman. Can you come with me, or can you deceive Magnus on your own?"
His face remained expressionless, but I noticed a slight twitch in his finger. "Do you dare to underestimate me?"
"I didn't mean it like that," I said hurriedly, shaking my head and raising my hands defensively. "Of course, you're strong. You saved my life once. But I can't imagine how I could deceive Magnus. He's... he's incredibly powerful. And he's not even fully human. I have my amulet and my magical skills, but I don't think I can accomplish this task alone. I'm just a beginner, a novice, not an adept."
Nikolai's calculating eyes narrowed. "You've underestimated not only me but also yourself. I'm disappointed, Masha."
"I didn't mean—"
"Don't speak," he snapped. His eyes flashed dangerously as he cornered me against the wall, causing me to shriek. "You're wrong. I'm stronger than you can imagine. No one can challenge me. I can't be killed by mere humans and vampires, but Magnus might not stand a chance in my presence. So unless you truly wish to end this partnership, it seems you'll have to accept that fact and work with me to defeat him."
He released me and stared for a moment. The anger faded from his expression, replaced by a cold mask of indifference. He began pacing the floor with quick, purposeful strides, his eyes fixed on the ground. Abruptly, he turned to the window, gazing into the darkness. I was speechless. What had possessed me to say such terrible things? Anxiety had overtaken me. Then again, vampires could be as unpredictable as a lightning strike. Maybe I had been overthinking and speaking too hastily.
"Please forgive me, Nikolai," I said quietly.
He lifted his head slightly, but his eyes didn't meet mine.
I was about to ask more questions when Nikolai suddenly turned and tensed, his eyes narrowing. "Someone's coming," he whispered, moving swiftly to hide in the other room just as a knock sounded at the door.
Heart pounding, I opened the door to find a hotel staff member standing there. "Miss Montclair, you have a visitor named Victor Darkstone."