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"He really did say that?" Gerber asked again.

I shrugged, hesitating to tell her that even me felt threatened by Count Vlad's tone. I couldn't agree more that he could be right. The way lord Minir became gentle and killed someone for me was unbelievable. I mean, what am I anyway? I'm just a mere blood slave who has now become his blood bride. For who knows how long until he will get tired of my taste and decide to switch on a new one. 

I laid back on the bed, my corset still tight on my chest, but I didn't mind it. Gerber sat beside me, helping me sit again, so she can start brushing on my long, jet-black hair. Her hands were soft and careful on my hair as if they were golden strands. 

"I don't know much about Count Vlad, but he means well. These vampires are heartless, Sol. Once they'll know that something is threatening their kind, they will not hesitate to finish them off. But no worries. As long as Lord Minir will shelter you, you will remain unharmed by any generations of those bloodsucking monsters." 

Gerber comforted my uneasiness. To be assured by someone in this kind of situation is a big help to my weak mind. 

I strolled through the hallways with nothing but a candle in my hand. The sun is slowly sinking once again, leaving us to the dark night. As I decided to turn towards the library, I realized that the door was open, revealing Atlas with a few books in her hand. She was staring at them, absorbing the leather covers in her head. 

I wanted to wait until she's done. But that's impossible and will only make her suspicious of my presence. She can smell my scent, so I think it's better to just walk straight to the library's door. When I reached the large and half-opened Victorian doors, she glanced at me with her cold eyes.

"Sol... "

"I was looking for a nice book to read." 

She smiled, "I took some books from where I lived before. You might want to read these... " 

"Thank you, Atlas. It's so thoughtful of you to remember it." 

"Indeed, it is... " 

And with that, she left in the shadows.

She disappeared without a trace. It crept me out before, especially when I blink, and she just disappears. But not anymore. It's like a normal thing to witness. I locked the library door behind me. I know for a fact that during nighttime, no one comes in here other than me. Or do they even come here? I have no idea. 

The books were old, some pages are rotten and smell like mushrooms in a wet forest. I smiled when I realized that these books were precious. And they were all about my kind, the Helsings. 

For hours, all I did was read and get drowned in these pile of books. I have never been flooded with knowledge unlike before. The more I got absorbed into the pages, the more this hatred towards the corrupted vampires grew. It was eye-opening. 

Written on the page was,

Helsings are natural leaders who sought to protect and rule the kingdom of Doria. With them is a power that no other creature holds. It is both divinity and sorcery. But not all the helsings have the power to do what it takes. There is only one priestess in every tribe and a High Priestess that rules over them all. 

As always. A High Priestess. 

The other book was all about the High Priestess. It said in there that, 

The High Priestess is a shadow of the Universe. She controls the elements of this world, and provides peace and aid to her people. A helsing woman can only become a priestess once the Moon calls on her. 

I sighed and closed the book. Different stories in different books. How am I supposed to know which one si true or not? 

But before I could even put the book to the table, a paper fell on the floor. I sighed again, feeling a little annoyed of everything that has happened to this world. Perhaps I should become a politician someday, since I think a lot about the crisis of this kingdom. 

It was a folded paper. I was about to unfold it when someone knocked from outside. I immediately placed a few books on top of the books that Atlas brought and hurried over to unlock the door. 

Furthermore, I opened it and smiled, "Hello..." 

"I was looking for you." 

It was Lord Minir. 

"Oh, I was just reading some books." 

He squinted his eyes and I widened my smile, so he wouldn't suspect me of any mischiefs. 

"I'm going to the Palace tomorrow. The Hara came to visit." 

"Hara?" 

Lord Minir smirked, "Yes, the Hara Mistress." 

"And why are you telling me this?"

"So you will be prepared. I'm taking you with me." 

I glanced back to the pile of books, "But why?" 

He side-eyed me, "Are you questioning my decisions, blood bride?" 

Blood bride... right. 

"It is your duty as a blood bride to accompany me wherever I go. You're no longer a blood slave, woman."

I nodded, lowering my head. He added, "Look at me." 

Hesitating, I looked up at him. 

He smiled, "Bride... hm. Let me take you to your chamber now." 

I opened my mouth to protest, but he left me no choice but to follow him when he began grabbing me gently by my arm. I looked back at the opened library door. God, I'll just go back once he'll leave me alone. As we continued to walk, it felt like the floor below us turned into liquid. 

I looked down at my wobbly feet. My breathing became slow when I realized that the scenery before us changed. It was a field with burning trees and the palace was covered in blood. The ashes were collected down my feet like a winter holiday. Where am I... 

"M-Master..." 

I tried to call on Lord Minir because we're still walking despite the chaos that surrounded us. But before he could even flinch at me, I saw blood hugging on his white shirt, and his hands were nails as sharp as the lion's. Anxiety attacked me when he turned around and our eyes met. His cold, hellish eyes met mine. And there was no hint of mercy in it. No emotion other than the thirst for blood. 

I blinked and everything disappeared. It was like I was pulled back to my consciousness. 

"What? " Lord Minir asked me, his eyebrows furrowed in the most annoyed way. 

I was startled. I could even barely move from my position. 

What just happened?