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The scene comes alive in a tense, almost piercing silence as Kiel, his anger still simmering, exits the dining hall. The heavy oak door slowly swings shut behind him, its deep, resonant thud echoing through the corridor.
As Kiel turns to make his way down the hall, he notices Rafael still standing at the door post, his stance tall and unyielding. Their eyes meet in a sudden, unblinking contest of wills, each trying to divine the other's true intentions.
But Kiel's stare was more intense, looking deep into Rafael's eyes as though he was trying to unravel a deep secret buried behind the latter's blue eyes but Rafael wouldn't waver nor blink his eyes.
After a few moments, Kiel finally speaks, his voice low and threatening. Kiel leans in, his voice a dangerous whisper. "I know you've always been loyal to Lothanna. But be careful, Rafael. I suspect he's not telling you everything. Remember, you owe your loyalty to the coven, not to any one vampire."
Rafael's face remains impassive, his eyes meeting Kiel's without wavering. "I serve at my master's pleasure." He says evenly, his voice firm and not defying. "— and I will continue to do so!"
Kiel's eyes narrow, his lip curling slightly in distaste. "A human servant, how quaint. And yet, even humans can be swayed by loyalty, or greed, or fear."
Rafael's expression remains unchanged, but Kiel senses a subtle shift in his stance, a defensive tension in his shoulders. "I am not easily swayed. I have served Lothanna for many years. I know him better than you."
Kiel lets out a low chuckle, more like a growl. "We shall see, Rafael." He enunciated, still maintaining his dangerous demeanor.
Kiel turns to leave, his footsteps echoing in the hall. But before he reaches the end of the corridor, he calls out over his shoulder, his voice dripping with malice. "Just remember, humans are easily disposable. If you're not careful, you may find yourself as food for the wolves. Or in this case, the vampires." It wasn't a threat — but a warning.
Rafael remains silent as Kiel disappears from sight, leaving him alone in the hall. His face is impassive, but his mind is racing. He knows Kiel is right — the coven is not to be underestimated; but he has no reason whatsoever to desert Lothanna.
***
Kiel, even though he's just got into a heated argument with his cousin after seeing themselves for the first time in a couple of months, wasn't ready to go home just yet.
He had been longing to come check up on his hybrid nephew but needed a good reason for him, the coven's warning came in at the right time. On times like this, Kiel usually spend up to a week or more with Lothanna before returning back to his home — and at most — a month.
The two men had their difference, coupled with the fact that they aren't the same, still, they're each others trust — and even if Kiel is hard on the outside and playing along with the coven, he would never watch anyone hurt his nephew.
"He's just going through puberty, I will just let his rudeness slide as always." Kiel muttered under his breath as he cuts through another hallway, his cold hands buried in his pants pocket.
At the end of the second hallway, a maid almost bumped into him, fidgeting at the sight of the huge man before her. Even though Kiel had done nothing scary, his chilling aura couldn't be defiled — and everyone is aware of how he despise human — each humans avoiding contact with him.
"I —I'm.... S —sorry..." She stuttered, unable to complete her words, her lips quivering in fear like a drenched one-day-old chick, her gaze fixated on the polished marbled floor.
But Kiel was in no mood to savour in the human fear. "Get out...!" He commanded, his voice cold and firm. "I don't want to see you. Just go!"
Without saying a word, the maid quickly scurried away from Kiel's presence, not wasting yet another second. And just then, a sweet yet unfamiliar scent hit Kiel's nose, his sense heightened at that moment.
Kiel's nostrils flared, and his fangs extended involuntarily. The scent was tantalizing, luring him deeper into the castle. He sniffed the air, following the aroma like a predator on the hunt.
It was a scent unlike any he had encountered before — both sweet and musky, with a hint of something wild and untamed. Kiel realized he couldn't resist the scent no matter how hard he tried to.
In the end, Kiel find himself giving in to the scent, and as he traced its trail, he could feel his thirst for blood stirring, his eyes glowing a fierce, wild yellow. He soon realized that the source of the scent was coming from a room further down the hall, the door slightly ajar.
It was Lothanna's room.
Kiel paused, inhaling deeply, the scent of the blood overpowering his senses. He reached for the doorknob, lost in the high spirit of the aroma, when suddenly, a strong grip closed around his wrist.
Kiel spun around, snarling at the intruder, only to find Lothanna's hard, golden eyes glaring back at him in a challenging manner. "Let go, Lothanna..." He called out, his voice low and dangerous, already blinded by his demanding thirst.
Lothanna's grip tightened. "What do you think you're doing?" He demanded, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "This is my room, Kiel, you shouldn't be intruding my privacy!"
"Your privacy...?" Kiel hissed, replying through gritted teeth, his eyes glinting with barely suppressed ferocity. "This intoxicating scent. Why is it coming from your room?"
Lothanna raised his brows, unable to comprehend how Kiel was able to detect Cara's scent from faraway. "What are you talking about...?" He countered, the frown on his face deepening.
"Who's in your room, Lot?" Kiel find himself asking, still fighting his thirst as hard as he can — this wasn't so him, and he feel like he's losing himself over the scent. "Bring her out!"
"No, I can't! You're in my domain and I won't let you lay a finger on her!" He fiercely replied. For his uncle to behave this way, there's only one reason behind it. "I won't because she's my wife..."