Draven found Odalys's corpse crashed into the grass fields between the Noctaris and Whiteyes estate.
He didn't bother burying her or moving the body.
She would remain where she fell. Naked and broken.
---
Draven entered back into the Noctaris estate, and as he walked through its hallways, he received many strange looks.
Maids asked if he wanted a change of clothes or to run a bath for him, but he did not want any of that.
He needed to talk to Dracula, and he found the man dusting away in the throne room.
When his friend noticed his ripped clothes and dishevelled hair, he looked at Draven with an eyebrow raised.
"Odalys?" He said, to Draven's surprise as he continued dusting the throne.
"How did you know she would run away?" The vampire lord asked.
Was it that obvious? Was I the only one who failed to predict Odalys' intentions?
"I didn't know she would run away," he replied, "but I had a feeling she would try something foolish. The clan that she had spent a millennium building had been destroyed in a mere day. I expected her to have some sort of retaliation."
That made sense to Draven. Sometimes he failed to see the gravity of his actions.
"She's dead, I assume?"
Draven nodded his head.
"Dead and left in the fields. But there's a bigger worry. In her basement was some sort of contraption, gifted to her by the humans. She called it "Science". It granted her powers greater than she would have ever been able to achieve herself."
Dracula stopped what he was doing and scratched at his chin. It seemed to be new news to him as well.
"Hmmm," Dracula said in deep thought. "It seems we've overlooked a strong enemy."
"We have. However, it doesn't change our goals; it only shortens the time that we have to achieve them. Our target is still Lunaris and the werewolves, and we need to deal with them before the Humans are able to continue gaining power."
I'll need to speed up my training with Lucian. He needs to be prepared as quickly as possible.
"Yes, sounds good to me. But have you forgotten about Serena? You still need to strengthen your relationship with her to determine whether she'll be one of our leaders during the battle."
Ah yes...
Draven had completely forgotten.
"I will see to it now. In the meantime, check in on Vespera. I haven't had a chance to speak to the woman alone yet; we need to make sure she's a capable leader."
"Oh trust me, she is," Draven responded. "But I will check anyway my brother, don't you worry."
The two nodded to each other and began to part ways. But before Draven could leave the room, Dracula shouted something over his shoulder.
"Oh, and please have a bath and change your clothes before speaking to the young lady. You look terrible!"
The two vampires looked at each other for a few moments, before falling into a fit of laughter.
---
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in."
Draven opened the door of the chambers to find Serena sitting on her bed.
As the number two ranked Nocturnal Knight saw who was visiting her, her cheeks instantly blushed.
She only wore her night clothes which clung to her skin and revealed the shape of her curves, so she was filled with embarrassment.
She must have thought it was one of her lady friends. I've caught her off guard...
Draven had to stop his mouth from twisting into a smile, lest the woman grow into further discomfort.
"M-master Draven," she said with a stutter, as she attempted to cover her chest with her knees. "What brings you here?"
Draven closed the door behind him but kept his distance. He didn't want to invade her personal space.
Unless she invited him.
"What are your thoughts on my ruling of the clan?" He asked her out of nowhere, and the question seemed to make her jump.
"I am pleased with it, of course. You are one of- No, the greatest leader in history. Your leadership will be what saves our clan from these tough times."
Draven could tell that she was speaking the truth. However, there was something she was not mentioning.
He had, of course, noticed the way that she spoke to him, a tone lacking the respect that everybody else had for him.
What was it?
"So why does it seem like you have a problem with my return?" He asked the question bluntly, not caring to dance around answers.
Serena's face grew red, as though she had been caught out in a lie.
After a few moments, she finally answered. A sadness heavy on her voice.
"It's nothing to do with you... It's me. The reason you had to wake up from your slumber is that I failed to lead the clan. It is my fault, and everybody knows it."
A tear fell onto her cheek as she spoke the words, knees curled up to her chest as she sat down.
Her white hair and red eyes made her look beautiful. Like a true pure-blooded vampire.
It all made sense to Draven now.
Her contempt was not for me but for herself.
Without saying any words, he walked over to the crying woman. As he stood over her, he placed his hand on her head and rested it on his chest.
The woman seemed not to mind, as she sobbed onto him, dampening his already torn suit.
"You've gotten things mistaken, Serena. You were given an impossible task to begin with."
The words seemed to confuse the lady, as she looked up at him with questions in her eyes.
"There is only one person who can truly lead the Noctaris Vampires," he continued. "And that is me, the founder."
Their eyes continued to remain locked, but his pride no longer seemed to bother Serena.
Instead, it comforted her.
"Do not worry, Serena. The burdens of leadership have been lifted from your shoulders... I am here now."
The tears of the woman began to flow heavier, and Draven was now satisfied.
I have seemed to solve a puzzle. One that has been bothering me since my awakening...
He rubbed his hands through her hair.
This woman cannot lead a group, she is too mentally weak. Instead, I will keep her by my side.
I must tell Dracula that we need to find a new leader... Perhaps the Third-ranked of the Nocturnal Knight?
He couldn't seem to remember who she was, but there was always time to find out.