The summons

The summons came in an hour before the sun went down, when the world was still light and lit. Baldassare shook Duncan roughly as he closed his eyes for a few seconds, in order to look for the girl in his dreams but they didn't connect. Vampires didn't have to sleep at day; they slept for years when their body turned weak and ragged, as a way to regain their strength and the vigor of a hundred years to go by.

The children were sleeping soundly and Emmanuel has returned from his night mission over the walls; he put down his spear and Elianna appeared in the kitchen, cooking for her guests. Nevertheless, the two guests excused themselves showing no interest in sharing a human taste cooking. Duncan changed his clothes into what Baldassare brought. He wore thick black gloves and a light fur cloak made from foxes with a hood that covered his head.

"By all means," Baldassare started. "What will you do now? You are expected to win against all other candidates."