The Vampire's Moonlit Throne

Ravenor's steps echoed in the dark hallways of the palace as something dangled from within his long, cold fingers.

Earlier when he had picked her up, his eyes had shifted to the small necklace hanging around her neck, a delicate piece of jewelry gleaming in the faint moonlight. Without hesitation, he had reached down, plucking it from her neck with deft fingers.

Glancing at the necklace again, a smile played on his lips, one that held no warmth. He twirled the necklace between his fingers as he turned to his chamber, his cunning thoughts already weaving a web of possibilities.

Whatever invisible power she held, it was tied to her origins, to the village she came from and he intended to find out every single detail.

—

"Lock her up," he said coldly as took small sips from his night tea that Lady Seraphine had just brought.

Lady Seraphine was the only one allowed in his chamber because she belonged to the only bloodline he could trust, his own. She was Ravenor's step-aunt but this woman had never gotten her due status. It was because she was an unwanted child his grandfather had with a human. Her mother died while giving birth to her and to make it worse, Seraphine didn't seem to inherit any powers from her father's bloodline.

A mere weak human, she had been called.

Both Ravenor's grandmother and mother hated her with a passion but Seraphine had always thought of Ravenor as her own child. He too was fond of her and was also the only one who treated her with respect. When he left the grand palace, she had begged him to take her with him.

And that's how she became the caretaker of Ravenor's castle.

"Lock her up?" she repeated, her brows raising in question. "But—"

"But take care of her," he interrupted, his tone making it clear there would be no argument. "Make sure there are no sharp objects in the room. I want her alive and well."

Seraphine inclined her head slightly, knowing better than to push further. She moved to leave, but Ravenor stopped her with a raised hand.

"One more thing," he added, his fingers gripping the necklace tightly before tucking it into his pocket. "I want you send a messenger to bring in Helan tomorrow."

Lady Seraphine nodded obediently and left.

—

Elara stirred in the soft covers, her mind clawing its way out of unconsciousness like a drowning swimmer reaching for air. Her head throbbed, and the world around her spun as she blinked against the dim light of the room.

The memory of the forest came flooding back, her heart lurching in her chest as she recalled the shadows coming to life around her, the voices, the whispers. She had collapsed, hadn't she? But now…

Her fingers instinctively moved to her neck, seeking the familiar cool touch of the necklace. Her heart stopped.

It was gone.

Her breathing quickened, panic rising like a tide inside her. "No…" she whispered, her voice shaky, her fingers scrabbling desperately at her throat as if the necklace might reappear if she wished hard enough. "No, no, no…"

The necklace was more than just a piece of jewelry—it was a connection to her parents, to everything she had lost. It was the last reminder of who she was.

And now it was gone.

Her pulse thundered in her ears as the room around her seemed to shrink.

She couldn't breathe.

"Elara." Lady Seraphine's voice cut through her panic, and Elara barely registered the woman's presence as she sat up, her hands trembling.

"Where is it?" Elara demanded, her voice hoarse. "Where's my necklace?"

Seraphine's expression remained calm, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes. "You need to rest. You've been through a lot."

"I don't care!" Elara shouted, her voice cracking as she stood, her legs shaky beneath her. "I need my necklace! Where is it? I didn't lose it in the forest. I remember it was with me all the time."

Her heart pounded, her mind racing with frantic thoughts. She felt like she was losing herself, her sanity slipping through her fingers. Without the necklace, everything felt wrong, like a piece of her was missing. She needed it back, now.

"Elara, calm down," Seraphine said firmly, stepping forward. "You're not well–"

"Don't touch me!" Elara snapped, jerking away from her. "Just tell me where it is! You took it? Didn't you?"

"Why would I?" Lady Seraphine was very calm compared to her.

"I swear to Lord, I will kill your Master if he had taken my necklace. I will kill him!" Elara shouted with all the might that was left in her lungs.

The frustration and anger that had been threatening to choke her was finally getting its way out. She felt like she would claw her hair out any moment now.

The door behind them slammed open, and a familiar, chilling presence filled the room.

He entered with his usual calm, predatory grace, his gaze flicking between Elara and Seraphine before settling on the girl's trembling form. His lips curled into a faint smile, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Well," he said, his voice dripping with mockery, "Did I just hear you threatening to commit a crime?"