For the past hundred days, I've woken up to the same thing: total darkness. It was easy for my hands to find and pull the handle. Silently, the top of my sarcophagus slid up along a pair of well-oiled rails. The exterior is completely smooth. It can only be opened from the inside.
My room is small but I like it. The room was fully furnished, with a bed that I barely used, a desk, a wardrobe with a secret exit, and a small, well-equipped library. I quickly dressed, walked through the reinforced door that led to the rest of the basement, and rushed up the steps to the study. Loth wasn't here, so I quickly opened two golden chalices with runes written on them and drank long gulps of the crimson contents.
These wine glasses are designed by Loth to keep liquids alive for a short period of time. This way, I get some nourishment from the donor and I never have to touch them again. It's not much though, just a pale replica of the real thing to quench thirst until the next bounty. It alone is not enough.
I closed my eyes and listened. Loth is not in the office, which means...
I left the part of the house that doubled as the doctor's office and went to Loth's private quarters. A woman is walking slowly down the stairs. Even though she was wearing conservative clothes and had some gray hair, when she saw me, she blushed like a girl.
"Hello, Mrs. Noble."
"Oh! Huh, Ariana! I didn't see you there. I was just um."
"Of course, Mrs. Noble, have a nice evening."
The mature girl turned a delicate tulip shade and exited awkwardly on wobbly legs. I smelled her scent as she walked past me. Oh my gosh, Loth, you went above and beyond this time.
Leaving our guest to his own devices, I continued, hearing Loth in the smoking room. I knocked politely.
"Good evening, Loth, how are you doing?"
"Good evening, Ali, please come in, please come in!"
Loth sat leisurely, wearing a very casual set of silk pants and jacket crossed over her muscular, hairy chest. He sipped whiskey from a low glass, looking at nothing.
"It's so nice of you to come, and I have three things to tell you."
"Oh?" I replied, suddenly alert.
"Nothing bad, I promise you. First of all, I found a letter from Jimena at the drop-off point. Here you go." He said, handing me a sealed envelope.
"The second thing is a little more subtle, you know. Would you please sit down?" he said, pointing to a leather couch. I did as he asked.
"I noticed that the nasty little weasel who abused poor Margaret was arrested yesterday. I should mention that I received a very thoughtful letter of thanks from her. She even offered to introduce you to her Favorite nephew, a banker from Savannah who happened to be looking for a wife.”
"pass".
"I will convey your regrets, miss. I am slightly worried about the condition of Weasel's hand. Now that you have fully complied with our agreement, you have every right to kill that bastard, however, I want to give you a suggestion, As an old monster to a young monster.”
"How unusually serious. Must tell."
"I know you were playing with that liar and you just bit and questioned another liar from three weeks ago. You treated them differently. Why?"
"I'm curious about Bishop's lies. It's like he can't stop, like his life depends on it. It's so fun to test the limits."
"So you did it on impulse, huh?"
"Yeah?"
Loth calmly placed the cup on the coffee table and crossed her fingers over her chest, a gesture that I now associate with lecturing.
"Many of our long-lived creatures do not value life as much as most mortals do. They often hesitate between torturing or killing. This is a natural mechanism that I have observed in all peaceful societies in which I have lived, and I believe, Caused by the need to live harmoniously. Killing becomes taboo. We outsiders don't need it. This is both a benefit and a huge risk.
You see, the more you listen to your instincts, the easier it is to go down the path of easy murder until the concepts of civility and peaceful coexistence lose their meaning. "
My master is the best example.
"Are you saying I shouldn't torture or kill?"
"Of course not, you are a vampire. Besides, it would be too hypocritical for me to make such a request of you, don't you think?"
I remember the only time we hunted a gang of gangsters together. They raid a remote farm and no one is spared. Loth has been...completely done. He doesn't mess around like I do. He was methodical and ruthless.
"I'm just suggesting that you set a code and try to stick to it."
"What if I decided it was okay to torture rapists and people who wore white at other people's weddings before I killed them?"
"So that's it. I'm not judging your criteria for deciding a person's fate, Ali. I'm just asking you to find one."
I pondered these words. Loth is experienced and what he said makes sense. I figured I could at least try.
"I have to think of one. If my life is in danger, it doesn't apply."
"Naturally. Now, onto something more pleasant. I apologize for the heated discussion and I have something to lighten the mood. I had a young English guy come to see me this afternoon. He wanted, what is it? Give me one Proposal I liked. Something like that. I thought you might want to hear it too, so I told him to be here at eight."
"You're so thoughtful, Loth. I appreciate it."
"You're welcome, little girl," he added with a smile, "if he wants to slather me up and stuff me in his mouth like Aunt Freya said, I want you to eat him ."
I laughed as we talked about yesterday's hunt. No matter what happens, tonight is going to be fun!
"Cecil Rutherford Bingle, madam, at your service!"
The red-haired man took off his bowler hat and bowed perfectly. I couldn't believe my eyes. His chops, his broad waxed beard, his fur coat, everything about him made him look like the hero of a silly book about mummies and maidens. He had a ruggedly handsome face, a chin like a sledgehammer, and tanned skin like a perfect traveler. He even spoke like he was in the middle of a theater and had to be heard by the audience on the fourth floor! I was just in awe.
Luo Si smiled at me, showing a knowing look.
"It's my pleasure, Mr. Bingle"
"Hoho ho, don't be scared by my naughty look, miss, I promise you, I won't bite!"
What a coincidence.
"But the road is not safe, I say, and a gentleman must do all he can to keep himself safe! Now, I apologize if I seem abrupt, but the lateness of my arrival and the reason for my visit make me very Sorry, I beg you to hear what I have to say quickly, because this matter is urgent and you need to see Professor Delaney."
Not willing to retaliate in kind.
"Well, let's go back to the living room. Ali, my dear, will you please make a pot for our guests and drink with us?"
"Mr. Delaney, alas, alas, I don't need to tell you how to run your house, but what I am about to talk about is too serious and will hurt your sensitive feelings. If your niece hears these words, she will feel uncomfortable. If it’s comfortable, then I’ll be embarrassed.”
Loth had a serious and tragic expression. With his red nose and beard, he looks like a grizzled retired captain reminiscing about a doomed Arctic expedition.
"My esteemed guest, I appreciate your witty observation and I see that even in your hour of need you still show admirable concern for those around you, but I now ask that you trust me on this matter "As this involves my expertise, please bear with me as the need for her presence will be explained in due course."
"Very well, Mr. Delaney, lead the way!"
I asked the two men to prepare tea and cups. I find the ritual of making tea relaxing, which is one of the reasons Loth lets me use his precious reserves. It didn't matter that I didn't drink, the act of preparing it and the aroma of a successful brew was reward enough.
When I arrived elsewhere, Loth was busy explaining the subtle differences between two rune systems, one of which I was unfamiliar with.
After it was served, I sat on a comfortable leather sofa, leaning slightly to the side. Bingle gave me one last suspicious look and began to tell his story.
“Three years ago I was stationed in Gibraltar when I met a most peculiar and lovely woman named Flora Schaefer. The daughter of a Prussian Junker, she had a deep and profound interest in ancient history. Curious interest. When my service was over, I agreed to follow her on an expedition to Syria deep in Turkish territory. I will not recount our story now, because one evening is not enough to tell it clearly. I will only say that she Finding a stone tablet covered with strange runes, she studied it with a morbid fascination.
Seven months ago, I received a letter from her and learned that she had come to America, which surprised me. In fact, the only thing that matches these strange runes comes from a single amphora that was sold to an antique collector by a group of Aboriginal people who disappeared shortly after. The letter was vaguely worded but hinted at the need for a dangerous expedition. Alas, by the time I arrived, she had left to hire a group of infamous adventurers called the Valiant Companions. This was three months ago. I fear her eagerness may have cost her dearly.
I inquired about them and learned the most horrifying thing: they were now suspected of several heinous bandit crimes, such as robbery, kidnapping, and extortion. They have since fled the area around Savannah, evading the law. My companion was nowhere to be seen, and I feared the worst had happened.
In order to collect clues, I found her notebook among her personal belongings, but many of the notes in it were in runic letters that I couldn't understand. I was about to despair when a friend of mine mentioned you, Mr. Delaney. He said you are a scholar, a gentleman, and a sharpshooter, these are the qualities I desperately need. "
He nodded in understanding. He opened his notebook, pulled out a few drawings, and raised his eyebrows. He put them back where they belonged and continued talking.
"I understand the importance and urgency of your mission, Mr. Bingle. Before we proceed, I beg you to excuse my rudeness as I have something to discuss with my niece. Please allow us to leave for a moment."
I followed Loth out.
"Yeah?"
"He's going to invite me to join him on his adventure, and I'm going to accept because I'm bored and his story sounds interesting. I think you should join in, too."
“Isn’t every trip dangerous? What if I can’t find my prey?”
"I don't think this will be a problem, at least not in the early stages. I expect there will be a lot of violence. I ask because I recognize the runes on the stele and amphora. Those are vampire runes. ."
"Really? On the tongue?"
"Yes. They are very rare in secular circles, and their presence outside of vampire cities makes no sense. I'm curious how the trail got here. I also need to note that remote areas of the world are insane Where the people are hiding, strange runes are closely related to them."
"snort."
"There's one major problem if you join, though, and that's your character. Mr. Bingle is shrewder than he looks and I have no doubt he'll figure out the problem pretty quickly. If we have to shut him up , I would be very disappointed.”
"I'm afraid this is unavoidable if we travel together. What do you suggest?"
"Well, I took a look at Mrs. Schaefer's notebook, and there's a lot about magic in it, although I doubt she was a practitioner herself. I'm sure Bingle knows a lot about magic, and suspect I'm only scratching the surface. Otherwise. , he’ll defend himself beforehand and not believe it so as not to look like a madman. We can pretend you’re under a spell.”
"Curse? Does that mean I'm a cursed person?"
"Yes."
"Would he believe it?"
"He will if you tell him the story. Vampires are very persuasive. I'm sure you'll figure it out."
"What should we do with him when we find out the truth?" I'd rather know in advance. I won't make the connection or swear if we end up getting rid of him. "
"If we could hide most of your physical strength and my deadliest magical weapons, he would have expected it. If so, he would naturally think that we are just two weirdos, and we wouldn't have to kill him It's different. If we reveal the inhuman qualities, that's different. He's going to want to know the truth."
"It would be abhorrent to kill him if we were fighting alongside him."
"So let's make sure that doesn't happen."
I wouldn't even suggest killing him and restoring everything ourselves. This man was Loth's supplicant, he was also his guest, and he was always honorable. It's not right to kill him.
We walked back, and as I sat down, Loth turned to me.
"Cecile, I beg you to forgive my rudeness. I had to ask my niece if she would share the details of this tragedy.
But before we begin, Cecil, I have to ask you. Do you believe in magic? Do you believe that there are things in the dark corners of the world that should not exist in a civilized society? Do you believe that there is any knowledge that is better left unlearned?"
"Mr. Delaney, no, Loth. I dare not say that because who in their right mind would believe such childish nonsense! My eyes did not deceive me when I was in Syria. What I have seen and things with which we have struggled, which can never be written down in the compendium of natural history.”
"Indeed, that leads me to the story of my poor Ariana."
In a trembling voice, I told Bingle about my father, the African explorer. How he hunted dangerous game, and how one day he discovered a strange altar while tracking a ferocious lion in the Serengeti plains. On the altar is a statue of a bat. Out of curiosity, he took it to a local wizard. He was told that the statue was associated with a powerful spirit, that of a night hunter. A greedy, bloodthirsty beast. He was told that the night hunter would share its gifts in offering a suitable sacrifice. My father was amused and took the sickly statue home as a gruesome trophy. Year after year passed, and no one thought of it until my father's eyesight failed and he was forced to retire. Alas, the thrill of the hunt was undeniable, and he became increasingly fascinated. What if he could still chase down the most dangerous prey and bring them down? What if he could move at night like the deadliest leopard? The thought consumed him until he couldn't stand it anymore.
I tried in vain to stop him and distract him. One night, I saw a light in the distance and became suspicious. As I got closer, the most horrific sight appeared and I almost fainted. Lying on the grass were my father, the cursed statue and the bleeding corpse of the family dog. My father turned to me, and the madness in his eyes made me recoil in fear.
"Behold, Ariana, we are blessed!" he said in a great and terrible voice. Then he laughed and ran into the woods with a most unnatural pace and energy. I waited for him to come back, and at dawn I saw him on the horizon. He let out a terrible scream as the sun shone upon him. He fell to the ground, unconscious. I immediately set out to save him, but as soon as I walked out, a sharp pain seized me and I had to retreat. Such a sacrifice seemed inappropriate. Indeed, how could such a monstrous entity accept anything but the most precious of flesh? We were deemed unworthy. In exchange for sight, my father and his bloodline were cursed to never walk in the sun on pain of death. What's worse is that I now have to follow their habit and drink the blood of living people!
I left home without looking back and went to seek help from my dear uncle, who was famously well-informed. He protected me and we have been working together to find a cure ever since. "
As I finished reading this hollow story, warm tears fell freely from Cecil Rutherford Bingle's weathered face. When he spoke, his voice shook with emotion.
"What a terrible story, dear, what a terrible, terrible fate! Oh, cruelty of cruelties, to place such a burden on the shoulders of such a kind soul, such a gentle temperament! If I can help …”
I shook my head, my eyes moist with excitement, my face still slightly red despite my pale face.
"Mr. Binger, this thing seems doomed, but at least I have my dear uncle to look after me. I hope for companionship and help, because if I cannot save myself, my heart can safely trust me You should help others.”
Bingle let out a terrible sob as emotion overtook him again. Loth grabbed my shoulders with a fatherly hand, his face also filled with sadness and regret. I heard him whisper as he turned to wipe his tears.
"Seven out of ten."
What?! Man is crying, I deserve at least nine points! Bah bah bah.
"Cecile, you can ask yourself why I am telling you this delicate news, sir. I want to explain why my niece deserves to hear this kind of story." She is also well-versed in the language of death. Ariana, can you look at this?”
I picked up my notebook and read what was recorded on the amphora.
"Salt".
"Salt?"
"Yes, salt, the alchemical reagent. It's Akkadian, derived from Akkadian inscriptions. Note the sharp indentations. The runes were designed to be carved into stone tablets with a stylus."
"What does it mean?"
"This was probably taken from alchemy. It hints at some kind of laboratory, maybe even something bigger."
"Who would perform alchemy in a long-dead language?" Bingle asked.
"Maybe someone who learned alchemy from a dead civilization."
Or someone who was there when it was alive.
Loth cleared his throat, and the adventurer came out of his reverie and looked at him.
"My dear Mr. Bingle, if I understand you correctly, you need my expertise to decipher Mrs. Shaffer's notes, and you are asking me to join this expedition, is that correct?"
Bingle blushed with embarrassment when his request was stated so bluntly.
"Well, I know I'm asking for too much, well, but the situation requires me to put my pride aside! Indeed, Flora's life is definitely in danger, and I'm willing to sacrifice my reputation if I can bring her back safe and alive. Please forgive me for this bold request, and you must know that our Bingle family is not without means. Of course, I will compensate you for your efforts, but I know that for a gentleman like you, the realization of adventure, knowledge and honor is more important!"
I never thought Bingle could judge Loth so accurately, albeit for the wrong reasons. I could tell his curiosity was piqued. An amphorae covered in ancient runes, found here? Even I’m curious.
"Don't be anxious, Mr. Bingle, if your appeal for help does not fall on deaf ears. I am willing, nay, eager to help you rescue your friends from those villains. We will set out to-morrow to find what you asked for. Those brave companions so we can determine the whereabouts of Miss Shafer. I have several acquaintances in law enforcement who would be eager to tell me their current whereabouts. Maybe these lawbreakers will accept discussion, and if not, we can use violence or subterfuge to obtain this knowledge from them.”
The conversation devolved into trivial matters, and after a manly handshake, Bingle was gone. Loth and I went to his studio.
The large room that takes up half of the first and second floors is his sanctuary. I'd only been in there a few times, and never alone, so I was a little surprised when he pulled me in.
"Ariana, I want to ask you a favor. I'm exhausted..."
I couldn't help but giggle. He laughed, a little embarrassed.
"Yeah, I didn't anticipate Clara's appetite. Anyway, I'm tired. Can you pack it for me?"
"certainly."
He pointed out what he wanted to bring and I spent a few hours moving the heavy equipment and gadgets to the heavy wagon. Even if he wasn't going to use it, I considered his heavy armor a safety measure.
I myself carried the practical equipment he had made for me, as well as my rifle, knife, and notebooks on ancient languages. I went to the kitchen and prepared a lot of food for the trip. After I was done, I went back to my room.
I chose a piece of paper. It was torn from an ad and had a few words on it.
"I love you, daughter, and don't forget your promise."
A tear smudged the ink a little.
I put it in a locket and hung it around my neck.
Finally, I decided to open Ximena's letter. Most of it was news about herself, but one line caught my attention.
"We have received confirmation that the Lady of the South has lost its entire crew off the coast of Senegal."
This is the ship in which my master travels. I don't know what happened to him. I've been told that older vampires can enter a state of stasis if trapped somewhere, so it's possible he's still alive in an iron coffin, lying in the dark depths of the ocean.
I don't know what I thought.
The artificial tendrils of twisted love made me long to rescue him, but they soon fell silent.
I was relieved that I wouldn't see him again. I hate it when I lose my mind when he's around me.
I was afraid of what would happen to him when he was released. This is inevitable.
Okay, stop moping. This is beyond my control.
I hauled the sarcophagus to the carriage, secured it, and called it a day.
