Chapter Eighteen

Caspian's POV

Typical...

Witch building her home on old magic land, why am I not surprised....

After passing the threshold I could immediately feel that vampiric feeling that I had stepped into a powerful abode. But other than that, there was this issue of the house decor.

“Geez, what's with you witches and lack of aesthetics?“

Alexandria laughed, “I don't have time to be thinking of that for now, I'm more into my latest makings”

She playfully cackled. I took a look around the surrounding, altars, dry blood, bones, drying pan and even a grimoire and an ouija board.

“Typical” I whispered.

Maria and Alexandria were already talking in low voices. I rolled my eyes wondering why they were being all hush hush when I've clearly shown that I wasn't a threat.

Richard and Jasper were finding places to sit and Lyra was still observingly taking in the place. I stood at the door still letting the air take in my presence long enough to know I wasn't a threat or prey.

Lyra, on the other hand, began to move around the house. She stepped curiously to the altar, her fingers wrapping around a bone and picking it up.

“Lyra you shouldn't be touching just anything” Maria said with a trace of fatigue in her voice.

Alexandria turned around and her eyes widened when she saw Lyra with the bone.

“No!“ she snapped sharply but it was too late.

Jasper's shout also but through the room, “Wait, Lyra—”

He grabbed her shoulder the same time Alexandria had moved hastily.

A sharp wind blew fast like whispers of the dead.

Lyra turned rigid as Jasper gasped, their eyes turning unfocused and wide before they both collapsed.

I lunged forward with vampiric speed, catching Lyra before her skull met the floor.

Her body was warm against my cold one and her pulse was a bit too fast. Jasper had collapsed to the floor and Richard had checked on him.

He bone on the altar had cracked into two.

Alexandria swore quietly under her breath as she came forward.

I lifted Lyra up into my arms, feeling angry and annoyed. “Explain”

“She wasn't supposed to touch that object”

She said checking on her, “Or maybe she was”

“I do not enjoy a riddle”

“What I'm trying to say—”

Just then Jasper groaned and slowly woke up, sitting up with the help of his brother Richard.

“Oh my god my head” he touched his forehead, coming to.

“He... Saw us”

“Jasper, what are you talking about?“ Maria asked.

“Yeah, who are you talking about?“ Richard asked.

“Uh...“ he groaned, his eyes squinting slightly. “.... Matthew”

The words resounded in my ear, echoing as everywhere stilled.

~

Lyra woke up an hour after on the couch, where I sat beside the couch.

Her lashes flutters as she came to. She pushed herself upright slowly, groaning.

Alexandria stood nearby, arms folded and studying her like a particular interesting specimen. Maria hovered nearby, tension etched in her shoulders. Jasper sat against the wall, face pale and quiet.

Lyra's eyes found mine first, always did.

“What happened?“ she whispered.

“You blacked out” Maria said gently. “Both of you”

“Shared vision?“ Lyra whispered then looked at Jasper, “You saw it too?“

“Yes”

Her brows furrowed as she clenched her teeth contemplating.

“Who... Was that”

Everywhere turned silent.... Contemplative.

“Don't lie to me” she said and I sighed.

“Matthew” I said, “His name... Is Matthew”

Lyra's brows furrowed before she leaned back against the chair sighing, rubbing her head as if she knew that whoever he was in her vision was very dangerous. And she was right.

She opened her eyes again and looked at Alexandria.

“Uh... Thank you for helping us earlier”

“Uh...“ Alexandria blinked, then smiled clearly caught off guard, “You're welcome darling”

Then she stepped closer to her and smiled.

“And since you're looking for your mother, and your last attempt on blood magic failed spectacularly, I've decided I'll train you”

Lyra's head snapped up quickly, “Really”

“Lyra—” Maria groaned.

“I am strict” Alexandria continued smoothly. “Unforgiving, and I do not coddle, I won't be as soft as Maria just so you know, she must have told you about me I'm guessing”

“She did say... She had some... Eccentric weird friends, but I don't need coddling, finding my mother was the main reason I came to Transylvania in the first place and I must fulfill it” Lyra affirmed and something twisted in my chest.

Alexandria nodded without a care, “You'll earn your ingredients” she continued, “Some of them involves hunting strigois and others.... “

She glanced at me and smirked, “Involve stepping into vampire territory”

My brows furrowed slightly but Lyra did not hesitate. “That's fine”

“No” I said.

She looked at me calmly, “You're going to come with me so it will be alright” I immediately raised a brow at her slightly commanding tone, a hint of an amused smile on the corner of my lip.

Alexandria laughed, “She assigns protectors already”

“It's food, you're aware right?“ she looked at me smiling. I didn't say anything.

She stepped closer to Lyra, her fingers brushing aside the collar of her cloth.

The tattoo was unmistakable on her neck that was stretched forward.

A circular labyrinth, inked deep, and dark, spiraling inward endlessly.

Lyra too had glanced at it confusedly before she looked between Maria and Alexandria.

As if guessing Maria said,

“It's a.... Recognition pattern, you'll understand later on”

“Lyra hale, for you to survive the darkness of this murky water you have to be prepared, and focused. All that glitters isn't gold”

“Then teach me, whoever that man in my vision is—”

“Vampire “ I corrected and she looked at me.

“He is a very old vampire, and... A very very powerful one that you have attracted the attention of”