I stared at Lucian, my mind reeling with questions. For some reason, I was taking this whole thing about vampires and witches surprisingly well. Maybe it was because Lucian had saved me twice now, but I felt a strange sense of calm around him. I wasn't even scared of him, despite being a vampire. There was something about him that put me at ease, something that made me trust him.
But as I thought about the people who had abducted me, my calm demeanor began to fade. "What about the people who took me?" I asked Lucian, my voice firm. "What's their deal?"
Lucian's expression turned serious, and he leaned forward, his eyes locked on mine. "They're a group known as the Fringes," he said, his voice low and menacing. "A motley crew of mixed-blood vampires, newborns, witches... and who knows, maybe even some pure-blooded vampires who've turned against their own kind."
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I listened to Lucian's words. The Fringes sounded like a formidable and unpredictable group, and I had no idea why they were after me.
"They're looking for the pendant you were given." Lucian continued, his eyes flicking to my neck. "It's said to hold immense power, power that could tip the balance of the supernatural world."
I touched my neck instinctively, my fingers tracing my collar bone. "What's so special about it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Lucian's eyes seemed to gleam in the dim light, and he leaned back in his chair. "The pendant is a powerful artifact, one that's been passed down through generations of pure-blooded vampires," he said. "And the Fringes will stop at nothing to get it."
I felt a surge of fear mixed with determination. I didn't know what the pendant's power meant, but I knew I didn't want the Fringes to get their hands on it.
Lucian's eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward, his interest piqued. "You're not with the pendant?" he repeated, his voice low and thoughtful.
I shook my head, a small smile on my face. "No, I lost it during an accident when I was a child," I said, my mind flashing back to the memories of that day. "I don't even remember much about it, to be honest."
Lucian's expression turned thoughtful, and he leaned back in his chair. "I see," he said, his voice low and contemplative. "Well, that changes things. If you're not wearing the pendant, then what exactly do they want from you?"
I shrugged, feeling a sense of unease. "I have no idea," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I think it's connected to my past, somehow.
Lucian looked at me and said, "Alright, that's enough questions for the day. Rest up, we're going to the mansion soon."
I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions at the prospect of heading to the mansion. I had so many questions still unanswered, but I knew I needed to rest and prepare for what was to come. Lucian's words were a reminder that my life was about to change in ways I couldn't even imagine.
I stood up, stretching my arms and yawning. "Okay, I'll rest," I said, my voice soft.
Lucian nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Good. You need to be ready for what's ahead."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me to wonder what the mansion held, and what my life would be like from now on.
As the dusk sky painted the world in hues of orange and pink, we left the apartment and entered the sleek, black car that awaited us. The soft leather creaked beneath me as I settled into the seat, and the gentle hum of the engine vibrated through the vehicle as we began our journey to the mansion. A comfortable silence filled the car, and I found myself relaxing into the plush seats as I gazed out the window at the passing scenery.
The world outside was a blur of lights and shadows, but my mind was sharp, replaying the events of the past few days and trying to make sense of the supernatural world I'd stumbled into. Lucian sat beside me, his eyes fixed on some point ahead, his expression unreadable. I felt a sense of calm wash over me, despite the uncertainty that lay ahead.
As the car wound its way through the roads, the scenery outside changed from bustling streets to manicured lawns and finally, to the grand entrance of the mansion. The car came to a smooth halt in front of the house, and I felt a flutter in my chest as I gazed up at the imposing structure.
As I alighted from the car, I saw the butler and the chef standing in front of the house, their eyes fixed on us. The butler's expression was as stoic as ever, but the chef's face was a different story altogether. He looked guilty, his eyes darting nervously between Lucian and me. I wondered what he could have done to warrant such a look.
The butler strode over to Lucian, and with a courteous bow, collected the car key from him. "I'll park the car, sir," he said, his voice smooth as silk.
As the butler drove the car away, Lucian came around to meet me at the entrance. The chef, still looking guilty, caught my eye, and before I could react, he bowed his head so low I thought he'd topple over.
"I'm sorry, Miss Eleanor," he said, his voice trembling. "Please forgive me."
I was taken aback by his sudden display of remorse. I hurried to lift him up, my hands grasping his arms as I tried to reassure him. "Why are you apologizing?" I asked, my voice soft. "It's not your fault, and besides, I'm okay now."
The chef looked up at me, relief washing over his face like a wave. "Thank you, Miss Eleanor," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I was worried... I thought I'd failed you somehow."
I smiled, trying to put him at ease. "You've done nothing wrong," I said, my voice gentle. "Let's go inside, shall we?"
The chef nodded, still looking a bit shaken, but the guilt seemed to be fading from his eyes. As we stepped into the mansion, I couldn't help but wonder what had caused his distress, and what lay ahead for me in this strange new world.