Ivy
“Drachen has something to do with this.” The certainty that Killian’s Sire was responsible for his disappearance grew in her mind.
“What makes you say that?”
“I think he’s done something to him for failing to End me.”
“It’s possible. His Sire could’ve overpowered him.”
“Do you know where Drachen lives?” The leap in conversation made Finare’s eyes widen.
Finare’s reply was tentative, and he shifted on his feet as he stared at her. “I’m pretty sure he lives in Clerlet.”
“Let’s go.” Ivy spoke with determination, but Finare wasn’t driven by her words.
“We need to be careful, Ivy. If he took out Killian, we don’t stand a chance.”
Ivy looked down at the dagger in her hands and considered Finare’s warning.
Although he was right, she was overwhelmed by her desperation to locate Killian.
Inactivity only meant she’d be denied her answers for another night, not to mention prolonging whatever suffering Killian might be enduring.
Ivy knew that each wasted opportunity intensified Leseldh’s impatience, and she needed her answers now.
She was sure they were the only individuals looking for him.
Ivy returned her gaze to Finare’s, and she doubled down on her determination.
“How about we just head out there and look around? At least try to find Drachen’s place.”
“And if we find it?”
“Maybe he’ll be able to lead us to Killian.”
Finare pondered the suggestion, but Ivy was already moving.
Her fingers moved to fasten the holster, and as she did so, she realised it was far too big to fit around her thigh as Killian wore it, so she slung it over her shoulder instead.
She snatched up Killian’s keys before pulling open the door.
Finare let out a deep breath as he left the apartment, Ozias following. Ivy locked the door behind them.
Once back on the street, Ivy gave instructions to Ozias.
I need you to find Drachen for me, Ivy pushed an image of Drachen into Ozias’s mind. He lives in Clerlet.
I will search for him, Ozias confirmed, before taking flight.
They made their way back to Finare’s car and began the drive out to Clerlet.
Ivy’s feeling that they were on the right track intensified as they travelled. Ivy was hopeful that Ozias would be able to track Drachen down, and when he appeared at her window as the car sped along, she felt hope spark to life in her chest.
Ivy rolled the window down and peered out at her Erath.
Did you find him?
He is close. I will show you, Ozias responded before flying ahead of them.
“Finare, follow Ozias.” Ivy inched forward in her seat to track the Erath’s path through the windshield.
The city of Clerlet was much larger than Diarom, but rawer in appearance.
It was crammed with multi-storey buildings, nestled together in clumps of brick and stone, with tiny alleyways intersecting them.
The streets were halfway between the smooth pavements of Diarom, and the cobblestones of Zentroa.
They were lined with less decorative versions of the lanterns in the main city.
A heavy fog shrouded the city in a veil of mystery and unease.
There was little to no greenery in the centre of town, but as they moved to the residential outskirts where large houses were positioned on generous patches of land, most of the houses were covered in vines or surrounded by groves of trees.
Ozias flew up and landed on the fence of one such house, and Finare drove past it slowly.
It was a double-storey, stone structure.
The outer walls wore a green coat of vines, sprouting delicate white flowers that bloomed in the moonlight.
As Ivy cast her eyes upon the building, a shiver ran up her spine.
“So, we know where he lives. Now what?” Finare asked.
Ivy’s heart was racing, certain that she would find answers here.
“We’re going in the moment he leaves.”
Finare’s eyes widened in concern, but he didn’t argue as he drove away to park nearby. Ivy rolled her window down and communicated to Ozias as he flew towards the car.
Wait for Drachen to leave and tell me the moment he does.
Ozias banked and changed direction to carry out his instructions. With a plan in motion, Ivy’s could turn her mind to other matters. She turned to face her Broodmate.
“Hey Fin, I wanted to ask you something.” Ivy looked at her Broodmate. Finare merely raised his chin at her as a signal to continue.
“Do you know much about the effect Fae blood has on Vampires?”
“It’s said to be incredibly potent, and it supposedly makes you super horny.” There was disapproval in Finare’s voice, and Ivy felt the need to tread carefully. She was going to pose another question, but he added, “It’s extremely difficult to find a Fae that will offer their blood to a Vampire.”
“Why’s that?”
“Mostly because they don’t trust us not to lose our minds and devour them.
It’s also a very sacred offering, and it’s considered the highest honour to feed from them.
But it also comes at a hefty price. Rumour has it, there’s a Fae on the Ledger at Sabor Sanguine, but not only is the price exorbitant, they’re snapped up the moment they become available. ”
Interesting factoid aside, Finare’s explanation forced the events at the theatre into stark clarity. She looked away as she considered the information.
“What is it?” Finare’s voice was filled with curiosity.
Ivy pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and considered her words carefully, before explaining what happened at the theatre, and a summary of what followed. Finare’s eyes widened as she recounted the story, before a crease formed on his brow.
“That manipulative bastard!” Finare scowled as he ran his fingers through his hair.
Finare looked out the window. Ivy could feel his ire. A silence fell between them, and they both sat alone with their thoughts for a while. Ivy’s mind had drifted so far that when Ozias dropped onto the window frame on her side of the car, she jumped in fright.
His otherworldly voice rang in her mind. Drachen has just left the house.