Let's Talk

Aoric's gaze lingered on the book in his lap. he had started reading soon after he woke up and ate something, but most of what he read, he had forgotten already. He couldn't pay attention, his mind was constantly drifting away.

He knew he couldn't hide here in the cathedral all the time. The Sorcerer wasn't about to let him stay here until the city gates opened. That was still months away. And to be honest, this much religion was a bit too much for him. It was suffocating, and very much against his own world view. He wanted to leave. Well, he wanted to leave the city of Vesporum in its entirety, but that wasn't going to happen for a while longer.

"Lost in thought?" A voice whispered in his ear, startling him. Aoric jumped up and quickly stepped back, dropping the book on the floor in the process.

"You're very fidgety today." The Sorcerer chuckled. He circled around the sofa, took the book on the floor in hand and dusted it off. "'A Memory in Moonlight', not a bad choice at all." He sat down where Aoric was sitting moments ago. "It tells the story of the Werewolf Matriarch, and her two daughters."

Aoric sighed, he lowered himself onto the other sofa. "I didn't read it much." He said, shaking his head.

"I've noticed, you seemed lost in thought. You didn't even hear me approach." The Sorcerer's smile got on Aoric's nerves for some reason. He swallowed his annoyance and nodded. "I was just thinking about some things."

"Some things?" The Sorcerer tilted his head. "I see. Care to share?"

Aoric's lips formed a thin line. "About the people back at home." He replied with a cold voice. "I'm worried about them, and I wish I could go back to them."

"Outside of Vesporum?" The Sorcerer asked with a thoughtful expression. "As much as I do want to let you, or anyone who needs to, leave Vesporum, it's not possible with a murderer on the loose." He narrowed his eyes. "A murderer who is capable of killing ruts and a pureblood."

Aoric narrowed his eyes. "Wait." He muttered. "That's what the killings were? Someone targeting the… uh, vampires and werewolves?"

The Sorcerer shook his head. "Not both of them. So far, only werewolf ruts and a single werewolf pureblood has been killed."

"Someone is targeting the werewolves?" Aoric mumbled. "Vampires?"

The Sorcerer laughed. "Their leader suggested the same thing. Do you really think creatures that live for thousands of years would be so stupid to target their enemies so directly, when they are one of the two factions in Vesporum who actually have the ability to kill them?"

Aoric furrowed his brows. "Do you mean… being strong enough?"

The Sorcerer shook his head. "No, to kill a werewolf, you need a certain something. Same applies to vampires."

Aoric pondered a bit. "So… Someone else is killing the werewolves and framing the vampires?" He finally asked.

The Sorcerer grinned and clapped. "At least you're smart enough to deduce that from new information. Unlike a certain woman who has been a thorn in my side for a while now." Seeing Aoric's confused expression, he laughed. "I assume you already know who I am talking about." His voice turned cold, and his gaze locked with Aoric's. "Let's talk about that."

The lights seemed to dim, and all sound fell silent. Not even the crackling of the flames could be heard. Aoric felt a chill run down his spine. "Let's talk about what you really came to Vesporum for, Aoric Ashborne."

-

Sending the letters was one of the most difficult things Irene had ever done. The thought of the family heads, the strongest purebloods convening at one place was enough to make her want to hide somewhere.

She herself was in no danger by them of course, but a single misstep could cause family feuds that lasted for centuries, or even millennia. A single badly built sentence could send a bunch of furious purebloods after the bats, and if she caused such a war in Vesporum, the Sorcerer and his long forgotten gods would probably not let her live to see it.

She gulped. If she wasn't careful, she could destroy all of her Mother's work. The fragile peace she had built could be ruined.

She sighed and collapsed on the couch. Now, it was time to wait. They would convene tomorrow, at dusk. She had already prepared everything she needed. Everything she would say, all the little proof she had. She had come up with a plan to protect the ruts, a plan to find the murderer, a plan to put an end to this.

It would take a long time to do so though, and more than a few purebloods were going to be rather unhappy. But without knowing where the accursed blood filled vial of the bats was, and without having the blood from the cathedral in her possession, this was the best she could do.

"Here," Ivy's voice startled her. "Some tea. And you should get some rest." She gave her a small cup of tea, then stretched her arms. "Tomorrow is an important day, don't go there without proper rest."

Irene nodded. "I know, I'll head to sleep in a bit. I'm waiting for dusk at least."

"Just don't stay up too late." Ivy said. She was about to say something more, but a sudden noise startled both of them. Footsteps, in the garden.

Irene placed the cup of tea on the table, then quickly headed to the door, with Ivy in tow. A knock sounded on the door before they got there. Irene opened the door, expecting Lord Ruthvic.

"What the-" Ivy whispered as Irene's eyes widened. "You!" She snarled, her hand grabbed the young man's throat, she dragged him inside and hit him against the wall.

"Wait!" Aoric's voice was but a whisper as he gasped for air. "I got the blood!"