Chapter 7 （Caleb）A Deadly Encounter
Chapter 7 (Caleb)
A Deadly Encounter
T hree days. I couldn’t believe it. I’d been in this town for three days, and I still couldn’t find the damned bastard. At least I was rid of the thoughts about my past. I blamed exhaustion from flying from Ichoryllia to here in one day. I’d be careful not to make that mistake again. Still, I’d searched every street and followed every lead, but Nathan was nowhere to be seen every time. Following my keen senses, I was sure I’d heard his voice, but only a trace of his scent remained when I followed the sound.
I had killed aimlessly, quenching my thirst and pleasing my goddess, borrowing a bed every night. I had left the last house early, careful not to be spotted. News of the killed guards had spread fast. I was pissed. This was precisely why I usually disposed of my kills properly. I clicked my tongue in annoyance. I had only thought of the power I would gain from the goddess when agreeing to this bond. It was a rookie mistake. How did I get so enthralled with her to overlook that I’d need to obey her mindlessly? Of course, as the goddess of deception and betrayal, I should have expected to be deceived somehow. And now, she wanted me to spread chaos and disarray in the city, so I let the corpses of my kills be found in the streets, even if it went against everything that I was as an assassin. Though it didn’t matter how annoyed I was, the bond was done, and I’d need to deal with the consequences. At least the goddess’s powers were worth it, and it even kept my bloodlust at bay. I was more in control of myself than I’d ever been.
I soon arrived in a vast courtyard. The ground was paved with squared colorful rocks, creating circles and exotic patterns. An ancient tree stood in the center, magical lights floating between the leaves, giving the tree an enchanted air. A few tables were arranged around it, and people were sipping drinks and chatting in the peaceful atmosphere.
I crossed to the courtyard’s center, passing between the tables as I froze, breathless. Before me stood the woman I’d thought I’d lost so many years ago. Her black hair was long and straight, just as I remembered it. She had laughing brown eyes and wore a long white dress. There she was, sitting with an elven man.
I crossed to their table and whispered to her, “Sophia. How can this be? What are you doing here?”
The woman stopped talking and turned to face me, and the spell was broken. I apologized to the elven woman and her friend before walking away.
The thoughts of Sophia stayed with me. Her family had moved away, but she had become an adult and decided to move into my childhood house with me. It was broken, but it gave us a roof over our heads. I thought I could finally be happy. Free from the man who had tortured me all those years and with the woman I loved. I even dared to believe we could form a family one day.
Little did I know that our happiness would be short-lived. Sophia’s illness dashed my hopes. Alone and poor, it was then that I embraced my life as a murderer to pay for medicine to save her. I still remember the pain of her death. Never again would I find myself so weak and vulnerable. If there’s one thing my father was right about, it is that emotions are for the weak.
? I shook my head, walking away from the town square. Were the goddess’s powers playing tricks on me? Or maybe this town was more magical than I thought. Either way, it wasn’t like me to let the past get to me.
I walked aimlessly on the market street, keeping my eyes low, blending in with people and listening to conversations. A father was buying an apple for his son, a joyful look on the little elf’s face. I scoffed when I heard a girl cry about her breakup to her friends, saying he was the worst elf in the world—it was irritating how people only saw their side of things when their hearts got broken. People bargained with merchants everywhere, and the sound of coins being tossed around resonated on the wooden counters. It was dull to no end. Nothing of interest, but I kept walking, taking different paths, searching every street of the city without results. Hours had passed, and the night was already there. I scowled in frustration, and I decided to try the tavern. It was the best place to hear rumors. I needed a lead on Nathan’s location badly. In any case, I’d find my next kill in it too.
Elven taverns were different from any other I’d been to. The air was permeated by the scent of herbs and flowers mixed with alcohol, a strange but pleasant mixture. The room was lit by floating magic lights and decorated with vines and leaves. It felt more like being inside a tree than a building. The floor was made of black stone, but a few small round white pebbles sparkled, painting the ground in a star-like pattern. I was impressed by the beauty of the place. Honestly, I’d never seen anything like it, and certainly not in a human or vampire town would I have seen such beauty. Elves certainly had incredible crafting skills.
“Can I help you?” asked an elven woman. Her eyes were violet, and her hair brown. Despite her small stature, she exuded a strong aura. I wondered what it would be like to spend the evening with her. Would her blood taste as good as the energy she gave off?
But before I could decide, I spotted a vampiress at the back of the tavern. I was surprised to see another of my race here. The guards had been clear that the city was closed to vampires. It either meant that she got into the town before they decided to close the gates or that she snuck in somehow. She wore black leather armor, and her braided hair was tied back in a ponytail. How she blended into the darkest part of the tavern made me realize that this was no ordinary vampire—experienced assassins could easily spot other members of their kind.
I gestured toward her to the waitress. “My friend is waiting for me.”
She looked at the vampiress and nodded. “Very well, follow me,” she said before walking toward the back of the tavern.
I followed the waitress, my eyes fixed on the vampiress. At first, she was concentrated on her own things, lost in her thoughts, but she quickly noticed that I was walking her way. I kept a straight face, keeping myself from smiling at the look she gave, visibly surprised to see me approaching.
The vampiress’ clothes screamed assassin. She was likely inexperienced. Years of working in the trade had taught me better. Unlike her, my jeans and shirt allowed me to pass as a simple visitor, which also gave me an advantage over her. I loved that she didn’t know that I, too, was an assassin .
“It’s so nice to see you,” I said to the vampiress when I finally reached her table, sitting opposite her without asking.
The vampiress smiled awkwardly, not wanting to ask questions in front of the waitress. She blurted, “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
The waitress turned to me. “What can I get you?”
I glanced around. Most of the elves were drinking refined colored drinks with flowers floating on top, a smell of alcohol wafting from them. Although it looked delicious, judging by the popularity of the drinks, I wasn’t sure I wanted to try it. My new friend had an empty glass of blood wine before her, but I wasn’t thirsty for blood.
“Do you have any beers in stock?” I asked politely.
The waitress nodded. “We have our elven microbrewery that produces a delicious blond beer.”
Microbreweries usually produced my favorite beers, with a distinctive flavor not replicated by more traditional breweries.
“Perfect, then I’ll have a pint of beer and bring my friend another glass of blood wine.”
The vampiress raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
“Perfect,” said the waitress before leaving to fetch our drinks.
The vampiress in front of me was furious. I could feel her discontent up to where I was, but I wasn’t about to get impressed. I held my head high and put on my best flirty smile.
Her skin-tight leather armor showed a nice amount of cleavage, and I fancied to see what it concealed. As a vampire, she’d be harder to convince than humans. My natural charm and muscles would help. After all, flirting was such a fun game.
“What are you doing here?” she asked coldly.
“Well, now. That’s no way to greet a friend,” I replied, feigning indignation.
She huffed. “The waitress isn’t here. I don’t know what game you’re playing, but you can stop.”
I stared into her bright eyes. If looks could kill, I’d be dead. She didn’t even ask questions about my silvery eyes. Fortunately, women were delightful beings I’d long since learned to tame. She’d even love it and beg me for more.
“Caleb. I saw a lonely vampire in an elven town and thought I’d keep you company.”
She stared at me coldly.
“Smile,” I whispered as I heard the waitress’ steps get closer.
Her eyes glanced at the waitress, and she put on a fake smile quickly. The tension between us broke as the waitress placed the drinks on the table. “Here are your drinks,” she announced cheerfully before leaving.
The vampiress held my gaze for a long moment. I knew she was trying to decide whether or not she could trust me.
“Stop bullshitting,” she spat.
“I have no idea what you mean,” I retorted .
She frowned.
I insisted. “I’m just a traveler visiting this beautiful city. I saw a beautiful vampiress, the only one in a tavern full of elves. You looked like she could use some company. But hey, if you want, I can leave, mademoiselle . . . ?”
I waited, letting my words roll around in the woman’s mind. I flashed my teeth and pulled up my shirt’s collar, ensuring it was correctly positioned. The vampiress sighed, staring at her glass of blood wine, twirling the stem between her middle finger and thumb thoughtfully. “My name is Amber.”
I almost grinned in satisfaction. She had decided to believe my story. I raised my glass. “Here’s to a beautiful evening with a beautiful woman.”
Her lips curled slightly, even as she rolled her eyes. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she was affected by my charms. She joined her glass to mine.
The elven ale tasted spicy and different from anything I’d tasted before. After a short silence, I asked, “What brings a charming vampire to the elven city?”
It was evident to me, but I had to find out more. Who did she want to kill? Who was she working for? Her face reminded me of someone, but I couldn’t remember where I’d seen her. Of course, as a vampire, I’d probably come across her in Ichoryllia, but I would only be satisfied once I knew more.
Amber stared at her glass for a moment, lost in thought. I gave her the time she needed, studying as she drank in large gulps. Something was bothering her, and I wondered how much she had drunk. When she looked up again and into my eyes, I could see a trace of desire. I smirked. It would only take charm and time to get to her.
“Well,” she hesitated, then shook her head. “No, I shouldn’t.”
She gestured as she spoke and almost knocked her glass over, awkwardly replacing it, a sign that she already had several glasses. With her impaired judgment, I could take advantage of it.
“Shouldn’t what?” I asked with my most sincere look, my hand brushing the top of her hand.
Amber bit her lower lip. “Since you’re here, maybe you could help me?”
I licked my lips, thinking of the delicious way I could help her once we were alone. “Sure. That’s what friends are for.”
I leaned forward as she spoke, my face only inches from hers. “I’m looking for a vampire. A half-vampire, actually. Have you seen the former king, by any chance?”
My heart raced at those words. The fact that she was there confirmed that he was indeed in the elven city. Was she skilled? Who was she working for?
I shook my head. “I’m afraid I have no idea. I would expect him to be in Ichoryllia. Why would you be looking for the former king?” I asked.
I needed her to divulge what I already knew about her, that she was here to kill the former king. I needed to learn more about her skills and see if she could be an ally. Maybe I could use her help to kill Nathan, though I’d need to be the one claiming the gold.
She hesitated. Drunk or not, it would take a lot for an assassin to divulge who they were. Sensing she wouldn’t say it, I decided to push my luck. Persuasion was a delicate art of gambling. I knew I could lose it all, but I figured she was already charmed, so half of the work was done.
“Come on,” I leaned closer. She gasped when I took her hand in mine, her warm skin pleasant to the touch. I couldn’t go as far as to confront her dead-on with her being an assassin. She needed to say it on her own. “Maybe I can even help you look for him?” I suggested.
I released Amber’s hand, but she kept it on mine, grazing her nails on my skin as she thought. I knew I had won when she took a deep breath.
She spoke with resolve, “Okay, I can’t tell you everything, but I can tell you that he’s wanted for treason. I must find him and carry out Her Majesty’s order.”
It was not the answer I expected, but I could go from there. I cursed inwardly as the waitress dropped at our table, interrupting the moment. She picked up Amber’s empty glass and brought a new one. When she was gone, I answered, “And what is Her Majesty’s order?”
Amber raised a brow. “Surely you know the sentence reserved for traitors.”
Of course, I knew. It was death. She had just revealed she would kill Nathan without revealing she was an assassin. I realized then that she wasn’t as novice as I thought. I wouldn’t get more information from her.
“Fair enough,” I answered. “What if I were to apply the sentence for you?” I suggested. It was risky, but any citizen could handle a traitor. So, it was an answer any vampire could have given without necessarily being an assassin. I had to play my cards carefully.
She shook her head. “Thanks for the help, but I intend to take care of him alone.”
“Is there any way to make you change your mind?” I asked.
Her stare turned cold. “No. And I won’t let you get in my way.”
I was surprised by her sudden change but didn’t let it show. I knew now I needed to kill her. If she was after Nathan, I couldn’t let her live. He was my target and my contract.
“I’m sorry. It seems this conversation has gone awry,” I said apologetically. “Let me make it up to you. How about I treat you tonight?”
She sighed. “I may as well enjoy the evening since you won’t leave me alone.”
She ended her sentence with a hint of humor, her lip curling up, which relieved me. I would enjoy taking care of her. I wondered how many drinks it would take for her to untie the laces of her armor, leaving me to devour her skin. I took a deep breath. The night was just beginning.
“Let’s appreciate the evening together. After all, it’s not often that I have such enjoyable company.”
Amber raised her glass and took a sip. She didn’t talk much, so I busied myself with my usual stories, the ones I’d perfected that women loved. I was an expert at telling them precisely what they wanted to hear, whether it was a sad story so they felt sorry for you or a strong savior story so they admired your courage. All women had a weakness. They each hid secrets and shared the same insecurities, even though they were perfect, in my opinion .
As the evening progressed and she drank, her tongue loosened. Her words, fluid at first, became sluggish as she became intoxicated. She laughed loudly at my jokes, and I knew the time was close.
“You know, it’s been a while since I was in the company of a man.” Her tone was suggestive, and I licked my dry lips when her foot brushed on the inside of my leg under the table.
“I don’t understand how such a beautiful woman hasn’t found a man yet,” I complimented Amber.
“Well, you found me,” she suggested.
“Indeed,” I answered. I devoured her with my eyes. It wouldn’t take much more, but I kept the conversation going, not wanting to leave too early.
Amber leaned against her hand as she lost herself in my eyes. She had gone from cold as ice to hot and melting in her panties. Whenever the waitress came to the table, I motioned for her to bring my friend a new glass of blood wine. She’d had several drinks by now and had become very receptive.
The tavern was almost empty. I asked seductively, “Why don’t we go somewhere else?”
Amber bit the tip of her fingernail, the smell of her arousal making my cock twitch. “I thought you’d never ask.”
I didn’t have a hotel room or a place to stay in this town, so I wasn’t sure where to take her. She stood up, holding on to the table momentarily to keep from falling.
“I have a room upstairs,” she mentioned in a bewitching voice.
I loved her audacity. Her intentions were very clear. I put my arm around her hips, inhaling the orchid scent of her skin.
“Maybe I should make sure you don’t fall.”
Amber laughed at my remark and settled against me. Her moist lips brushed against my ear lobe as she spoke. Her breath was hot, a pleasant sensation of goosebumps rising in my neck as she whispered, “Follow me.”
I followed my sweet assassin as she staggered to her room, holding her firmly against me. Her hibiscus scent bewitched me, my fangs protruding over my lip from anticipation, already hard for her.
We finally reached her room, and Amber locked the door behind us. As soon as it was done, I pressed her to the wall, holding her wrists above her head as she moaned into our kiss. A growl of desire escaped my chest, and Amber tied her legs around my waist, thrusting her hips at the bulge in my pants as she went.
“Hmm, such a good girl,” I commented between kisses.
“To the bed,” Amber begged, out of breath.
I grabbed her bottom in my hands and walked to the bed while she was still attached to me. She stopped me before the bed and pushed me onto it. The way she looked at me—like she wanted to devour me—was getting me so hard. Her predatory instinct was coming to life, and I was happy to play prey, eager to watch her blossom.
She moved toward me, and I finally undid the laces of her armor while she undid my shirt, running her hands over my chest muscles. I sighed in admiration, her breasts free at last, and licked her erect nipples, a moan escaping her lips, a sweet song to my ears .
She withdrew two swords from the scabbards she wore on her calves, tossing them nonchalantly to the ground as if it were an ordinary gesture. I was amused to see her pull out a knife hidden under her armor, inside her thigh, near her panties. She wouldn’t let just anyone slip their fingers in there, but now weaponless, she was at my mercy.
I removed the rest of her clothes, running my finger through her wet folds as I went. Amber moaned, and I laid her on the bed. I watched with hunger as she writhed on the sheets while I rubbed her clit, the desire filling me, my cock begging to be free of these restrictive pants. Only when she shook from pleasure did I remove my clothes in turn, yearning to take her. I couldn’t hold back a moan as her mouth found its way onto my cock, licking the tip, almost making me regret that I’d need to kill her.
“Fuck, such a good girl,” I breathed as I ran my fingers through her hair, tugging it lightly as her head bobbed along my shaft.
“Take me,” she begged.
She dropped to her knees on the bed, and I aligned with her, penetrating her hot, wet center and holding her hips firmly against me.
“Say it. Say my name,” I ordered as I pushed further.
“Caleb,” she cried, her walls closing in on me.
I continued to rock her, seeking my release as pleasure washed over me. I joined my cries to hers when she reached ecstasy, finally getting my release.
She dropped onto the bed, exhausted. I leaned over her. Her eyes were already closed, drunk with pleasure and alcohol. I wouldn’t drink her blood. I wasn’t thirsty, having had enough the day before. Moreover, I avoided drinking from other vampires, preferring the blood of humans and elves.
I pulled out my sharp nails and sliced her carotid artery. She only had time to open her eyes for a moment in surprise. Her hands tried to grasp the emptiness in front of her as she tried to say something but couldn’t; her voice drowned in blood. It didn’t last long, just long enough for me to see her confused gaze plunge into mine. Her arms quickly fell back as her blood quickly spilled onto the bed. She no longer had the strength to fight and let herself go. A few seconds later, she crossed into the world of the dead. I pushed her body to the floor, hoping not to soak the bed with blood.
“Sorry, gorgeous. Nathan is mine.”
I lay on the bed in a spot that was still dry, satisfied that I could spend the night here.