As we left the boss to his grim task, Daelen and I moved through the dark corridors of the sewer, the silence around us filled with a potent mix of anticipation and unease. When we had put enough distance between us and the hideout, I finally spoke.
"All right, Daelen," I began, my voice echoing off the surrounding damp walls, "as much as I detest this environment, it's a good place for honesty. So, tell me, what are you? What did you do to that man?"
Daelen hesitated, a sliver of reluctance crossing his features before he replied, "I am what you might call an elf, yes, but of a different nature. Some call us "Sanguine Elves," others, less kindly, call us bloodsuckers. We feed on the life force of others, not just for sustenance, but for power. It rejuvenates us, keeps us strong... and in some cases," he glanced back toward the direction of the hideout, "can be used to eliminate threats... efficiently."
My mind raced with this new information. Vampires were creatures of myth in my previous life, yet here was as close as one could get walking beside me, discussing feeding habits as if he were describing a preference for red over white wine.
"I see," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "In that case, we will need to establish some boundaries. If you can control this... hunger, and use it to our advantage, I see no reason why you shouldn't be part of my... let's call it, the 'night crew.' Just remember the rules."
Daelen nodded once sharply, an understanding passing between us. "I can abide by that, Prince. but are you not curious as to why I am in the city?"
"If it isn't to do with me or the royalty, I am not overly concerned, but since you brought it up, I will lend you my ear," I said casually as I picked the dried sludge from me.
Daelen remained silent for a moment as if weighing his words, and then he looked at me with renewed seriousness. "I came on behalf of my people," he said finally. "We are few in number, and... misunderstood. I'm here seeking a sanctuary for those like me, a place where we can live without fear of persecution or worse. The underbelly of the city, with its secrets and gray areas, seemed a possible sanctuary."
I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him fully. The idea of offering sanctuary to a vampire—or Sanguine Elf—was an odd one, certainly not what I had expected when I started this night, but this was my new world. Here, I was setting the parameters.
"If you prove to be an ally, and your people can respect the laws of this land, I am inclined to consider your request," I said, the businessman in me recognizing the potential advantages such an alliance could offer. "But understand this, Daelen: I expect loyalty and control. No harm comes to the innocents of this kingdom."
Daelen's lilac eyes met mine, and I could see the sharp intelligence within them, the elf weighing the offer. "Agreed," he said after a pause. "As long as our terms are met, you will have our fealty."
Satisfied but not dropping my guard, I motioned for us to keep moving. As we pressed on through the labyrinthine network of the underbelly, I began outlining my next steps—contacting the other gangs, consolidating my hold over the city's unseen layers, and most importantly, finding a way to maintain the balance between this dark world and my daylight duties as a prince.
"Child of the night."
The voice sent chills down my back and made both Daelen and I stop in our tracks. I looked around, but I had no idea where the voice was coming from. For the first time, I felt a real sense of uneasiness wash over me.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" I demanded, putting heat in my voice to cover my unease.
Laughter came from all angles, and I had to fight not to shiver as the sounds passed over my body. Something was not right here.
"You are strong, but so young. So ambitious, but missing so many pieces of the puzzle that makes up this world."
Well, this voice wasn't wrong, clearly. Whatever this thing was, I had no idea, and my mind was racing. The best that I could come up with was to try and learn more.
"Am I in your territory? Or have I done something to anger you?" I asked, and the laughter battered me again. I also could not see Daelen anymore, adding to my anxiety. I was starting to feel like I should have brought a weapon.
The disembodied laughter subsided, replaced by an eerie silence that seemed to press down on the dank walls of the sewer.
"No territory of mine, young Master Craftsman," the voice finally responded, emerging from the darkness like a whisper of smoke. "But this world you aim to control is far more layered than the maps you study."
If my hair had not been fully standing on end before, it was now. This creature seemed to know way too much about me, but I didn't know what to do about it. One part of me was terrified, but the larger part had my blood pumping. I refused to die just when I was getting my ducks in line!
"Alright, I get it. You know me, but I don't know you. What is it that you want from me?" I growled, but then was forced to step back as a massive spider body with a female body where the head should be appeared from the darkness faster than I could comprehend. Within an instant, I could almost taste her breath, the creature was so close to me.
The creature's form was out of nightmares, and I could feel the primal part of my brain urging me to flee. But it was that same instinct—so akin to what I had once been—that held my feet firm. She was part of this world, and I needed to face it head-on.
"I want to see if the rumors are true," the creature said, her voice smooth and chilling as her many eyes studied me with an insect's dispassionate curiosity. "If you are the one who will tip the scales in this kingdom. If you have the strength not only of body but of will."
The challenge in her words, the glint of intrigue in her multifaceted eyes—everything about her suggested she was a creature of considerable power and knowledge. I straightened my back, letting her feel the full force of my resolve.
"I am," I answered firmly. "And I will prove it. Your cryptic warnings and tests won't deter me. I'll make my path, and those who threaten this city, who threaten peace, or who stand against the crown, will have to answer to me."
The spider-woman retracted slightly, and for a moment, her many eyes flickered as if impressed. "Bold," she hissed. "Very well. I will watch your path with great interest, Gideon Von Alphonse Rose Vienerstien. If you live up to your word, perhaps we will have more to discuss."
With fluid grace, she retreated into the shadows, vanishing as quickly as she had appeared, leaving behind a silence so profound it was as if she had never been there at all. For a moment, I pondered the gravity of what had occurred. I was being scrutinized by beings I couldn't even fathom, and yet my determination didn't waver.
Feeling a little out of my element, I found Daelen, who tried to question me about what happened, but I ignored him. I just wanted to get out of this sewer as fast as possible without seeming like I was rushing. I would be lying if I said that the interaction with the spider woman didn't put me on a razor's edge.