The next morning, when John woke up, he stayed in bed for a few minutes. He thought about what was going to happen later that day. He felt a nervous energy about the trip. He wondered what he would talk about with his grandfather and what clothes he should wear. He was worried because he did not want to make his difficult relationship with Leonidas any worse.
Suddenly, thoughts of his life on Earth came to him. "I wonder how Mom and Dad are doing back on Earth. I miss them so much," he thought. He felt a sharp pang of homesickness.
The boy then got out of bed and headed for the door. Just as he opened it, the maid Rebecca was standing there. "Ah!" John was surprised by her sudden appearance.
"My apologies, Young Master. I was just about to open the door to deliver your breakfast," Rebecca said. She was holding a tray with a glass of blood.
"No, it is fine, Rebecca. How are you?" John asked. He took the glass of blood from the tray.
After the young vampire quickly drank the blood, he looked at Rebecca for a moment. He saw that her hairstyle was different. She had a lovely looking half-bun.
"I am doing fine, Young Master. Thank you for asking."
John smiled. "I am glad, Rebecca."
He placed the empty glass back on the tray and started toward the bathroom. As they were both about to go their separate ways, John called out to her.
"Rebecca!"
She looked back at him.
"You look really pretty today," he said with a genuine smile. He then continued to walk to the bathroom.
While John walked away, Rebecca stared at his back for a while. "Young Master is so sweet," she thought. A faint, real smile appeared on her face as she walked off to continue her duties.
John finally arrived at the grand bathroom. He focused his energy and pulled a bar of familiar, Earth-made soap from his storage ring. The hot water washed over him, clearing away his lingering sleepiness, but it could not wash away the heavy anxiety building in his stomach.
After drying himself with a thick, fluffy towel, he quickly changed. He reached into his storage ring again, retrieving the specific clothes he had chosen for today. He pulled on a pair of blue skinny jeans, slipped into his black sneakers, and threw on a white oversized T-shirt covered by a sharp black jacket.
He walked back to his room, sitting heavily on the edge of his large bed. The minutes stretched into hours. He sat there in the quiet space, listening to the distant sounds of the castle, his mind racing with terrifying thoughts of the upcoming trip.
Finally, a gentle sound broke the silence.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," John called out, his voice slightly tight.
Anna opened the heavy wooden door and stepped inside. She paused, her eyes scanning his modern outfit with a warm, curious smile. "Oh my, are you wearing clothes from Earth, John?"
"Yes, Grandma," John said. He was looking down at his lap, nervously fiddling with his hands. The reality of the grand trip with Leonidas was looming over him like a dark cloud.
Anna saw the nervous energy radiating from her grandson. Her expression softened, and she walked over to sit right next to him on the bed.
John immediately looked up at her, his eyes filled with a sudden, desperate hope. "Grandma, can I call my parents when I come back? I miss them very much."
She reached out and gently touched his hand. Her cool skin was smooth and comforting. "Certainly, my dear. In fact, they are going to come visit us next month! Your mother said that your dad is excited to introduce you to his family."
"Really? I cannot wait until next month then!" John was thrilled. The heavy anxiety lifted for a brief moment, replaced by pure, blinding joy.
But then, a darker thought crept into his mind. He thought about the other half of his bloodline. His bright smile faded, and he looked at his grandmother with deep, genuine worry. "Grandma, do you think my father's side of the family is going to hate me, just as Grandpa does, because I am part vampire?"
Anna felt a sharp ache in her chest. She did not know what to say. She knew the brutal, bloody history of their world. Werewolves and vampires were ancient enemies, and the wolves did not usually tolerate being around vampire kind. Looking into John's innocent, fearful eyes, she made a quick decision to shield him from that harsh truth.
"Grandma is sure your father's side of the family will accept you," she lied smoothly, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "And if they do not, then Grandma will always be right here for you."
This genuine promise washed over John. It made him feel incredibly happy and safe, giving him the exact mental fortitude he desperately needed to face his grandfather today.
A quiet sound at the wood interrupted the final, peaceful moments of their conversation.
Knock. Knock.
"You may enter, Elena dear," Anna said smoothly. Her sharp vampire senses already knew exactly who was standing on the other side of the wood.
Elena slowly opened the door and stepped into the room. Seeing the family matriarch sitting there, the maid immediately dropped into a deep, perfectly practiced bow, keeping her eyes respectfully lowered to the floor. "Greetings, My Lady."
Anna giggled lightly. The sound was bright against the heavy tension of the morning. She waved a dismissive hand, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You are probably here for John. I will give you two some privacy. But do not talk too long. It is almost time for John to leave."
She gave her grandson a meaningful, encouraging glance. Then, the matriarch stepped out into the hallway, pulling the heavy wooden door completely shut behind her.
The moment the latch clicked, John stood up from the mattress. He walked straight to Elena and pulled her into a warm, tight hug. She stiffened for a fraction of a second before melting into the embrace. She did not know why, but every single time John hugged her, she felt a profound sense of shock. In the strict hierarchy of the Crimson Castle, a person of his high nobility had absolutely no reason to show this kind of open, physical affection to a servant. It went against everything she had learned in her hundred years of service.
After they gently pulled away from each other, they both sat down on the edge of the large bed. Sitting next to each other, the massive room suddenly felt very small and intimate.
Elena looked at his modern Earth clothes with curiosity. "If I may ask, where is the Young Master going to today?" she asked softly, keeping her voice barely above a whisper.
John let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping. "Well, Grandpa is going to a business meeting somewhere far away. Grandma asked me to go with him so we can try to improve our relationship. As you know, he does not like me very much at all," John admitted. The sudden deflation in his voice was heartbreaking to hear.
Elena reached out and gently touched his shoulder, trying to offer whatever small comfort she could. "Why does the Lord not like you, Young Master? You are very talented, and you are very special."
John turned his head and gave her a forced, deeply sad smile. The secret weight of his werewolf bloodline pressed heavily on his mind. "It is something I cannot tell you just yet."
Elena immediately lowered her head. "Of course, Young Master. Please forgive me for asking," she replied quickly. Yet, when she looked back up, her eyes were filled with nothing but pure understanding.
"Do not worry about it," John reassured her softly. "I will tell you the truth another time. I just hope you will not hate me as well once you finally know." The old, familiar fear of judgment surfaced in his chest, making his heart ache. He could not bear the thought of Elena looking at him with the same cold disgust his grandfather did.
She instantly grabbed his hand. Her vampire touch was cool, but her grip was incredibly firm and grounding. "Young Master, I will never hate you," Elena declared with absolute certainty. "Remember, you saved my life. I could never forget that."
Elena's simple, steadfast words made John's human heart soar. A wave of immense relief washed over him. They sat there in silence for a few more minutes. They simply enjoyed the quiet, safe comfort of each other's company. It was a perfect moment of peace.
Then, they heard another sharp sound at the wood.
Knock. Knock.
Elena stood up gracefully and went to open the door. One of the other maids was standing in the hallway, sent specifically to deliver a message from the courtyard. Elena nodded to the servant, then closed the door and looked back at John. Her eyes were sad, and her voice was heavy with deep reluctance.
"Young Master, the carriage is waiting. It is time for you to leave."
John took a deep breath, trying to push down his returning anxiety. He walked up to the vampire maid and gave her one last, deep hug, burying his face in her shoulder for just a second. "I will see you soon," he whispered. "When I come back, I want us to watch a movie together on my laptop. Okay?"
Elena nodded, her beautiful eyes wide with a silent promise. "Okay."
====
John made his way through the massive halls and finally headed outside into the crisp morning air. In the center of the sprawling stone courtyard, Carlos Decker had already arrived. The man was standing proudly next to a large, incredibly luxurious carriage made of polished dark wood and silver accents. John walked up and stood silently by the carriage door. He waited there for a few minutes, the nervous knot in his stomach growing tighter with every passing second as he anticipated his grandfather's arrival.
Finally, the heavy main doors of the castle opened. Leonidas and Anna emerged together, their presence immediately commanding the attention of everyone in the courtyard. The moment Leonidas caught sight of John waiting patiently by the carriage, the patriarch's expression darkened. He shot the boy a single, chilling look of unadulterated contempt.
The sheer force of that glare hit John like a physical blow. He instantly felt a crushing wave of sadness. Seeing the deep disappointment and raw irritation so clearly reflected in his grandfather's powerful, ancient face made all his earlier hopes begin to crumble.
Decker, ever the polished and perfect host, stepped forward and gave a deep, respectful bow. His movements were smooth and calculated. "Greetings, My Lord. Greetings, My Lady," Decker said, his voice dripping with polite loyalty. "I brought the best carriage I could find to make this journey as comfortable as possible for you."
Leonidas kept his cold eyes fixed ahead, eager to get this over with. "Good job, Decker. Let us depart as soon as possible," the patriarch commanded. His voice was tight and heavy with authority.
Decker kept his head lowered slightly, playing his part perfectly. "My Lord, my client said that it will take a few days to finalize the contract. However, he has arranged a luxury place where My Lord can stay during the negotiations. He hopes that this will not disappoint My Lord."
Hearing this, Leonidas felt a sudden surge of sharp irritation. He hated wasting time, and he wanted to return to his fortress as quickly as possible. However, his rational mind took over. The promise of this mysterious deal benefiting the Crimson family greatly was simply too important to risk over a minor delay. He swallowed his annoyance. "No problem," he conceded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Anna stepped forward, her smile warm and completely masking the tension of the moment. "Perfect. Take your time, my dear," she said to her husband.
She then looked directly at John over Leonidas's shoulder. She gave her grandson a tiny, secret wink. It was a silent, comforting sign that her clever plan from the night before had worked. She then turned her attention back to Decker, her voice becoming calm and firm.
"Decker, my grandson is going to accompany you as well. I hope that is not a problem."
Decker was only quiet for a moment. His plan was only meant for Leonidas, but he quickly realized the boy would be easy to handle. He did not truly care, as both the Lord and the boy would eventually die anyway. He forced a wide, gracious smile at Anna. "Certainly, My Lady, the Young Master is always welcome. Please," he said, gesturing dramatically for both the Lord and the young vampire to enter the luxurious carriage.
The heavy door closed with a muted thud, and the carriage immediately set off. It drove at a shocking pace for nearly five hours. You might have thought the large vehicle was too heavy to move so quickly, but it was not pulled by ordinary horses. Instead, it was harnessed to Yellow Belly Bay Horses. This distinct breed possessed incredible speed and raw power and was exclusively used by the wealthy nobility for long-distance travel. These horses were significantly bigger than normal horses and, most importantly, stored water inside specialized bellies, allowing them to travel for many hours without needing to stop to drink or rest.
Inside the fancy carriage, the air was heavy. Leonidas sat across from John like a huge, silent statue. Carlos Decker would sometimes try to start a polite talk with the Patriarch, but Leonidas always replied in short, cold answers. John, feeling the chilling coldness from his grandfather, mostly looked out the window at the fast-moving world or took short, restless naps.
After another hour passed, Decker glanced discreetly at his pocket watch. "It's almost time," he thought, a cold thrill running through him.
John could not take the quiet anymore. Feeling a sudden, desperate surge of bravery, he decided he needed to break the unbearable silence. He looked over at his grandfather. Leonidas had his eyes closed and his massive arms folded firmly across his chest, leaning back against the leather seat.
John hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding against his ribs. "Grandpa, I have a question."
Leonidas did not even bother to open his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was a flat, freezing command that cut through the air like a blade. "Do not call me grandpa, and do not ask me any questions."
Decker watched the brutal exchange from the corner of his eye. He remembered a private conversation he had with the Lord in his office. Leonidas had called the boy a 'defect vampire' and openly expressed his disgust that John did not possess the full strength of a pureblood.
"Damn, what is wrong with this guy?" the traitor thought, watching the crushed look on John's face. "Even if the kid is weak, he is still his own flesh and blood. To treat the boy like absolute garbage while pampering the other grandchildren is pathetic." For a brief second, Decker used the Lord's cruelty as a cynical justification for his own imminent betrayal. A cold monster like Leonidas deserved exactly what was coming to him.
Decker cleared his throat. He was ready to start his dark plan. He reached for a beautiful silver teapot that sat on a small wooden table fixed to the floor. "Excuse me, My Lord. Would you care for some lemon rose tea to pass the time?"
Leonidas finally opened his eyes. The deep, dark red of his eyes shone for a moment in the dim light of the carriage. "Certainly," the patriarch grunted.
Decker poured the steaming, fragrant liquid into a porcelain cup and handed it to the Lord. He then looked over at John, his smile perfectly crafted and professionally inviting. "Would you also want some tea, Young Master?"
John sank lower into his velvet seat. He was feeling deeply hurt and incredibly sad by his grandfather's latest, cruel rejection. The lump in his throat made him lose his appetite entirely. He shook his head, staring blankly at the floor of the carriage. "No, thank you, sir."
Decker wanted to be sure the boy drank it. "Are you sure? This is very good tea. It will make you feel much better," Decker pushed. He kept his fake smile pointed at John. He held the silver teapot out just a little more.
Leonidas opened his eyes. He was already tired of the man's talking. His voice was sharp and hard. "Leave the boy. He said no."
Decker stopped right away. He hid his anger and gave a smooth, polite nod. "Yes, My Lord," Decker replied, bowing his head. He poured the hot, sweet tea into a fine white cup and handed it directly to the Patriarch. Leonidas took the cup, blew on the hot liquid, and took a long, deep drink. The deadly trap was set.
Two heavy hours of quiet passed inside the dark cabin. John looked out the glass window. The green trees blurred past them. Then, the big carriage began to slow down. The heavy wheels rolled off the smooth main road. They crunched loudly on the rough dirt and rocks.
Leonidas moved in his leather seat. He had no more patience left for this trip. "Decker, how long before we get to where we are going?"
Decker looked up. His polite, loyal act finally broke. It fell apart completely. A dark, evil smile took over his face. It was the smile of a hunter who finally caught his prey, and it made John's blood turn cold.
"We are here, My Lord," Decker said. His voice was no longer nice. It was full of hate.
He slowly raised his hand into the air. He stared right into the ancient vampire's red eyes. Then, he snapped his fingers. The loud crack echoed through the small cabin.
"Activate!"