The sun was sinking behind the horizon, casting long shadows over the land. The only thing that stood out in the dim light was Blackrock Castle, a majestic structure that dominated the hilltop. It looked more like a palace than a castle, with its elegant spires, arched windows, and intricate carvings. But it also had a touch of the futuristic, with sleek metal panels, glowing lights, and advanced security systems. It was a fusion of the old and the new, a testament to the power and wealth of its owner.
But the owner was nowhere to be seen. He had not set foot in the castle for over a decade, leaving it to his loyal servants and guards. The castle felt lonely, as if it missed its master who lay in a deep slumber. It was as though it was awaiting the day he would awake and they would be reunited.
It faced the Ambrogio School of Supernatural Arts and Sciences which was at the bottom of the hill and more lively when compared to this ancient castle.
Inside Blackrock castle in the drawing room, a young man clad in red and black attire sat carelessly with his feet up on the chaise.
The drawing room was the perfect combination of the old and the new. The white and gold furniture, such as the sofa, the armchairs, and the coffee table, contrasted with the dark wood panelling on the walls and the floor. The decor was a mix of medieval and futuristic elements, such as the tapestries depicting bloody battles, the holographic screens displaying news and entertainment, and the sleek gadgets that controlled the lighting and temperature. The large French windows opened to a magnificent view where the sun was setting in a blaze of orange and purple. The room was filled with warmth and light, creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere.
On the walls, there were several portraits of the Blackrock ancestry, all wearing stern expressions and regal attire. They were the former owners of the castle, who had built it as a symbol of their wealth and influence. They had a long and illustrious history, involving alchemy, war, and mystery. But one painting stood out from the rest: it was covered with a red cloth as if hiding a secret. The double doors were suddenly pushed open and two more people entered the room.
One was Elder Song and next to him was his wife, the beautiful Countess Marianna.
Elder Song slammed Anthony's feet off the chaise. "Just because His Majesty is not here it doesn't mean you should do whatever you want," he scolded and Anthony sneered. He was the direct subordinate to the werewolf King, Corin.
"Why did Ayra call me here? I had to cancel my date because of her yet she is late," said Anthony while rubbing his fingertips.
Countess Marianna sat down as she rubbed her temple. She seemed quite exhausted and it was showing on her face. "I am not sure but it sounded urgent," she said and just as she finished speaking the doors were pushed open again.
Ayra burst into the drawing room, looking like she had been running the entire way. Her chest heaved as she looked at the three of them. They were the only people on the school premises who might have the power to destroy the protection array around King Sirius' catacomb.
She marched towards them, her eyes blazing. "Which one of you did it?" she demanded. "Which one of you touched the Vampire King's catacomb?"
The three people looked at her with different reactions. Elder Song furrowed his brows and Countess Marianna was shocked her face turning as white as a sheet of paper.
"What do you mean?" she asked her voice trembling.
"What I mean is that I caught a student with no innate power in the catacomb and I chased her but returned halfway because I was worried for King Sirius but when I got there he was gone."
Anthony with a wicked grin laughed out loud finding this amusing. "I don't even know which catacomb he is resting in so why am I here? Us werewolves had nothing to do with it," he said as he got up to leave.
Anthony wasn't lying. King Sirius' catacomb was unmarked. It was one of several unmarked catacombs built for the vampires on these grounds. Only a select few knew where to find it and that didn't include him.
"That doesn't exclude you now shut up and sit down," commanded Ayra her eyes glowing with a radiant yellow light the threat in her voice apparent.
Anthony who didn't follow anyone's ordersapart from his King growled his clenched fists transforming his eyes into a menacing red glow. "I don't take orders from you," he said and Elder Song got in between them.
"Let's calm down first. This isn't the right place to settle our grievances," he said and the pair glared at each other as though daring one another to throw the first punch.
Anthony suddenly laughed menacingly before sitting back down. "I will forgive you because you are gorgeous... sorceress supreme," he said but this infuriated Ayra further. She lunged forward but Countess Marianna grabbed her arm and with a pleading tone she said,
"Ayra, didn't you put a protection array on the catacomb? You said the spell can't be broken easily so... who could have?"
"It could be Ervina. Why didn't you call her here," suggested Elder Song but Ayra pursed her lips. Ervina was the last person she wanted to approach right now that's why she started with these three.
"I suggest you find that student first and stop wasting my time. I can't believe I cancelled my plans for this shit," complained Anthony before walking past her bumping her shoulder along the way.
Ayra clenched her fists till her knuckles turned white. She was trying to suppress her rage but in the end, she lost that war. She turned around and was about to unleash an attack when Countess Marianna stood up and blocked her path.
"Get out of the way," she said through gritted teeth on the verge of erupting.
"You can't do this here," she whispered almost pleading. Ayra managed to calm down a little but she was still seething in anger.
Anthony whose steps had paused with his back towards them couldn't help but sneer. He put his hands in his pocket and said coolie, "As expected you have no balls. Too bad Circe isn't here to do your dirty work... Oh, that's right. You killed her with your own hand."
"You...!" yelled Ayra but she had no words. She watched as Anthony's haughty figure exited the drawing room. The room fell into a momentary silence.
"Do you remember what she looked like?" asked Elder Song and Ayra sat back on the couch while massaging her forehead trying to recall what she looked like. "Red hair... ugly dress."
***
Meanwhile, red hair and ugly dress pushed the door of the corner store seeming to be in a very good mood. She nodded her head at the cashier with a smile like a ray of sunshine shooting straight into his heart. He nodded back at her but his gaze followed her as she walked around the store.
He shifted his chair slightly to take a good look at her in the aisle as she bent down to pick up something. He lowered his gaze a little ashamed but he couldn't resist taking another glance. Suddenly his view was blocked by someone.
Meanwhile, Circe headed straight to the self-ramen cooking station at the back of the store, where she selected a spicy beef flavour and added some extra toppings. She pressed the start button and waited for the machine to heat up the water and cook the noodles.
While she waited, she browsed the shelves and picked up a milkshake bottle, a shrimp cutlet sandwich, and a bottle of water. After two days of not eating her stomach was almost plastered onto her back from hunger.
She was about to go to the counter when she heard a commotion. She grabbed her ramen cup and walked to the front of the store.
"If you aren't going to buy anything get out of here, freak," said the cashier scolding someone. He might have been scolding him but he couldn't hide the fear in his voice.
He reached for the emergency button underneath the counter but before he pressed it, Circe walked over and put her items on the counter and smiled at the cashier.
"Don't worry about him. I know him. He is with me," she said instantly defusing the situation.
"But...," he said only for his voice to die down. He couldn't see the man's face but he could almost see the bloodthirst in his eyes.
The cashier looked doubtful, but he removed his hand from the emergency button. He scanned Circe's items and told her the total. Circe tapped her card and then grabbed the cloaked man's arm and pulled him to the window counter seating. She pressed his shoulder down forcing him to sit and placed the food in front of him.
"Wait for me. I will be right back," she said. She went back to the ramen station and got the chicken flavour this time. She got another bottle of milkshake and went to the counter to pay.
The cashier glanced at the man sitting with his back towards them and he whispered, "Are you sure you know him?"
Circe's lips quirked with a glint of mischief flashing in her eyes. "Yes, he is my boyfriend."
The cashier, "..."