The rain had finally stopped, but the air was still heavy with the storm's aftermath. My estate was quiet, save for the occasional drip of water from the eaves and the soft footfalls of Swain as he moved through the halls, attending to whatever mundane task occupied his mind. I stood by the window, watching the clouds roll lazily across the sky, my thoughts drifting in and out of the night's chaos.
The accident had happened right in front of my home—an unfortunate event I'd witnessed only in flashes of lightning and the brief screech of tires. I had no personal investment in the matter. Human affairs often ran themselves into the ground, especially during storms like that one. Still, something about it had stuck with me. Maybe it was the sound of metal on metal, or perhaps it was the sight of the vehicle flipping, a cruel reminder that even the frailest lives clung to a fragile thread.
A knock at the door pulled me from my reverie. Swain appeared a moment later, gliding into the room with his usual grace. His pale face was unreadable, though I could tell by the slight crease in his brow that he wasn't pleased.
"Master Alistair," he began, his tone low, "there are officers at the door. Human and hybrid."
I turned, raising an eyebrow. "Officers? What could they possibly want?"
"They said they're here regarding the accident from last night. They would like to speak with you."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Very well. Show them in."
Swain bowed slightly and disappeared back down the hall. I straightened my coat, brushing off the lingering rainwater that had clung to the edges from my earlier walk through the gardens. Humans and hybrids visiting my estate wasn't a frequent occurrence, though I had grown accustomed to their presence over the years. The world was changing, and with it came the necessity to tolerate the mingling of our kinds. Not that I cared much for their petty concerns.
Moments later, Swain returned, leading two figures into the room. The human officer was young, barely out of his twenties by the look of him, with a stiff posture and a nervous energy that betrayed his inexperience. His hybrid counterpart, on the other hand, was older, perhaps in his forties, with the unmistakable calm of someone who had seen far worse than a simple car accident. His fangs were just barely visible as he greeted me, a subtle reminder of his mixed heritage.
"Your Highness," the hybrid officer said, inclining his head respectfully. "I'm Officer Monroe, and this is Officer Hayes. We're with the local precinct, investigating the accident that occurred last night near your property."
I nodded, gesturing for them to sit. "I'm aware of the accident, though I can't say I was directly involved. What exactly are you here for?"
Hayes, the human, shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing at Monroe before speaking. "We're just following up with witnesses in the area. The weather made it difficult to get a clear picture of what happened, but we know two vehicles were involved. One of them flipped, and the occupants were injured."
His voice wavered slightly, as if the idea of speaking to a vampire, let alone a royal one, unnerved him. I resisted the urge to smirk. Humans were always like that around us, uncertain whether to fear or respect the power they sensed but couldn't fully understand.
Monroe, however, was unfazed. "We were hoping you might have seen something from your window, given the proximity of the accident to your estate."
I leaned back in my chair, folding my hands in my lap. "As I said, I was aware of the accident. I heard the crash, saw the flash of lights, but the storm was… quite fierce. It was difficult to make out any details."
Hayes scribbled something down in his notebook, though I doubted it was of any importance. The truth was, I hadn't cared enough to pay much attention at the time. I had my own affairs to worry about, and human tragedies were far from my concern. Still, I could see the wheels turning in Monroe's mind as he watched me.
"Did you notice anything unusual before the accident?" Monroe asked, his voice measured. "Any other vehicles, maybe? Or people outside your home?"
I narrowed my eyes slightly. "No, nothing out of the ordinary. As you're aware, this area is quite secluded. Not many people pass through here unless they have business."
Monroe nodded, but there was a gleam of suspicion in his gaze. I could feel it. He wasn't accusing me of anything, not directly, but there was always that undercurrent of distrust between hybrids and purebloods. They knew their place, but they also knew they could never fully be one of us.
Swain, ever vigilant, stepped forward. "If I may, Officer Monroe," he interjected smoothly, "Master Alistair's estate is monitored at all times. Should you require footage from our security cameras, I would be happy to provide it."
Monroe's lips twitched into a thin smile. "That won't be necessary—at least not yet. We're just gathering information for now."
Hayes cleared his throat, his nervousness returning as he glanced between Monroe and me. "We're just trying to piece together what happened. The rain made it nearly impossible to see the road, and the family involved… well, they were lucky to survive."
Something about his tone caught my attention. "The family?" I asked, my curiosity piqued despite myself.
Monroe nodded. "A father and his young son. The boy's in stable condition, but the father was badly injured. They were taken to the hospital not long after the crash."
I frowned. I hadn't realized there were children involved. Humans, yes, but still. There was something unsettling about the idea of a child in that wreckage.
"I see," I said slowly, my gaze drifting back toward the window. The storm had passed, but the remnants of its fury lingered in the air, heavy and thick.
Monroe stood, signaling the end of their visit. "Thank you for your time, Your Highness. If anything comes to mind, or if you remember any details from the night, don't hesitate to reach out."
Swain escorted them to the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I stood by the window again, watching as they disappeared down the long driveway. A child… trapped in that mess of rain and twisted metal.
For reasons I couldn't explain, the image lingered in my mind longer than it should have.