LUCIAN
Lucian's scowl deepened as Miguel approached, his expression darkening."Where have you been?" He demanded.
Miguel's neutral expression didn't waver. "Got caught up in something."
Lucian snapped, his irritation palpable. "What's going on, Miguel? You're late."
Miguel raised an eyebrow. "I got lost. Why are you so upset? Something happened?"
Lucian's jaw clenched. "I also got caught up in something." "What were you really doing?"
Miguel's smile was effortless. "Just enjoying the city, I'm your younger brother not your baby brother, by the way. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
Lucian's eyes flashed with annoyance. "I should believe you just happened to get lost on the way here?"
Miguel shrugged. "Maybe a little. The alleys all look the same."
"Let's get this over with," Lucian said, turning toward the bakery.
CARMILLA
Carmilla hastened her pace, anxiety gnawing at her stomach as she approached Alya's stand. She spotted her friend hastily packing up her wares.
"Alya, what's wrong?" Carmilla asked, concern etched on her face.
Alya's eyes darted around nervously. "What are you doing here? It's not safe, Carmilla. The guards are cracking down."
Carmilla's heart sank. "What do you mean?"
Alya's voice dropped to a whisper. "The guards are searching for something, someone, and I fear it's you."
Her heart dropped. "We need to get out of here."
"Let's get some food first," Alya suggested, her voice trembling.
Carmilla attempted a weak smile. "Well, at least we can drown our fears in soup."
Alya forced a smile. "Let's just hurry up, we can talk at home."
"Calm down Alya, I can handle myself."
Alya glanced at Carmilla's lip, her expression concerned. "What happened? You're hurt."
Carmilla ran her tongue over the small cut on her lips. "Oh, I got some beautiful silk for you, you wouldn't believe what happened."
Alya's frown deepened. "Milla, what happened to your lip?"
Carmilla sighed, "A guard slapped me. I was... 'detained' for a moment."
Alya's eyes flashed with anger. "Why? Those pigs. Are you okay?"
Carmilla nodded. "Yeah, he wanted to know what was in my bag. I'm fine, it's nothing."
"We need to be more careful," Alya whispered. "If they're targeting you, we can't risk drawing attention."
Carmilla shrugged. "We can't be sure they're looking for me."
Alya snorted. "A coincidence? They show up a day after your bakery incident? Please."
Carmilla's thoughts drifted to Miguel, but she pushed the thought aside. "Maybe it's just paranoia."
As they got home, Alya finally relaxed after she bolted the door shut behind them.
"What's on your mind?" Alya asked, noticing her friend's distant expression.
Carmilla plopped onto the bed. She pulled out the pouch of gold coins and began counting them.
Alya shrieked. "Where did you get that much gold?"
Carmilla laughed. "A magician never reveals her secrets."
Alya's curiosity got the better of her. "Spill it."
Carmilla grinned. "I met this guy. You know tall, blue eyes, brown hair, and a cocky attitude. Thought he owned the place."
Alya's eyes widened. "And?"
Carmilla chuckled. "Let's just say he was generous."
Alya couldn't stop laughing. "I almost feel sorry for him."
"Then I met another guy," Carmilla said, a smile playing on her lips. "Ember eyes, light brown hair, and a charming smile. He helped me when the guard was chasing me. We took a walk he's really cool.
Alya's eyes narrowed. "Ouuu you like him."
Carmilla blushed. "No, I'm just appreciative. But then he mentioned the bakery..."
Alya's expression turned serious. "What did he say exactly?"
Carmilla's brow furrowed. "He asked where the bakery was. I left but...maybe he just wanted a snack right?"
Alya laughed "Yea really good timing , I'm sure he just wanted an innocent cookie. We need to be careful. If these guys are connected to the guards..."
Carmilla frowned. "I don't think Miguel is connected to the other guy or the guards..."
Alya smiled and said "Miguel, that's his name huh?"
Carmilla playfully rolled her eyes as she shoved a piece of bread in Alya's mouth "Shut up."
Alya mumbled through the bread grinning. "Did he ask for directions to the bakery or to your heart?"
Carmilla playfully shoved Alya. "You're ridiculous."
MIGUEL
Miguel stared at the body, but his mind wandered to Her. No name, yet she consumed his thoughts.
Lucian's voice broke the silence, but Miguel didn't register the words. Every cell in his body fixated on her.
"Get your head in the game, Miguel. What's going on with you?"
Miguel's gaze snapped back to Lucian. "Just trying to process the scene, Luke. No need to snap, what crawled up your ass?"
Lucian's growled. "Process the scene? You've been spaced out since we arrived. What's distracting you?"
Miguel shrugged "Luke, don't make it more than it is."
Lucian stepped closer, his voice low and menacing. "Don't play dumb with me, Miguel. I brought you here to work, so work."
Miguel's expression turned cold. "Back off Lucian."
The guards shifted uncomfortably, exchanging uneasy glances between the princes.
Lucian stormed outside, seeking fresh air to clear his head. But Her face haunted him, soft white skin, beautiful hair, that dress, those lips, those honey eyes.
Miguel followed, "Luke, talk to me. What's going on?"
Lucian spun around, his eyes blazing. "You think I don't see it? You're not focused."
Miguel's jaw clenched. "That's not fair, Luke. I'm doing my job, you're mad about something else."
Lucian sneered, ignoring the comment. "Job? You call that a job? You're barely holding it together."
Miguel's voice dropped. "Shut up, Luke. You don't know what you're talking about."
Lucian's gaze narrowed. "Oh, I don't? Then tell me, Miguel. What's going on?"
Miguel's eyes locked onto Lucian's "You tell me what's wrong. "
Lucian's fist slammed into the wall, his anger boiling over. "Incompetent guards."
Miguel's eyes narrowed. "What happened, Luke? What set you off?"
Lucian's jaw clenched. "Just...it doesn't matter."
Miguel pressed on. "What did the guards do, Luke?"
Lucian's gaze evaded Miguel's, "Drop it, Miguel. Not discussing it." "I'm fine. Just focus on the case."
His anger slowly subsided, after several punches to the wall. "Look I'm sorry. Let's focus on the case."
Miguel nodded, as they returned to the body, Lucian's composure regained.
"Report," Lucian ordered, his voice firm.
Miguel began, "Multiple lacerations, severe blood loss. Fang marks on the neck, consistent with vampire attacks."
Lucian's gaze hardened. "Any clues to the vampire's identity?"
Miguel shook his head. "Nothing conclusive."
Lucian nodded curtly. "Wrap it up. Dispose of the body."
Miguel frowned. "We should at least bury him, Luke. Show some respect."
Lucian's expression turned cold. "Do what I said. I really don't care how." "I'm returning to the palace. You're in charge, Miguel."
Miguel instructed the guards to bury the body, then chased after Lucian. "Hey, wait up," He called out.
Lucian slowly turned around, hands in his pockets, distaste on his face. "Oh, have you come to invite me to his burial?"
Miguel laughed. "Relax, c'mon. So, now tell me what got to you today."
Lucian frowned. "You really don't quit, do you?"
Miguel laughed. "Nope. So, start talking."
Lucian hesitated, then said, "I met a girl earlier."
A smirk appeared on Miguel's face. "Oh, this is about a girl?"
Lucian shoved him. "She stole my gold coins. I couldn't believe a girl outsmarted me."
Miguel laughed. "Oh, well, you're not used to smart girls are you? You usually hang out with the ones that...keep you entertained."
Lucian chuckled, shaking his head. "Shut up man."
Miguel grinned mischievously. "Come on, Luke. What's her name?"
Lucian's expression turned serious. "I don't know. But she's...different."
Miguel raised an eyebrow. "Different? That's...new."
Lucian's gaze drifted off, lost in thought. "Yeah, she's got this thing I can't get my fingers on."
Miguel's grin widened. "Yea I bet you wanna get your fingers on it so bad. I think I need to meet this girl."
Lucian's eyes snapped back to Miguel's, clearly saying back off. "No, you don't."
Miguel laughed. "Oh, now I'm definitely going to meet her. I smell love."
"You've obviously lost it, " Lucian laughed as he continued. "Because all I smell are rottening bodies and bad food."
Miguel chuckled. "You're avoiding the topic, Luke."
Lucian shook his head, smiling. "There's no topic to avoid."
Miguel raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Luke. I've never seen you like this."
Lucian fought the smile spreading on his face, he had never seen himself like this either. "Drop it, Miguel."