The sky over the vampire city was indeed a perpetual shroud of darkness, the air filled with only the scent of damp stones and the environs litted by lamps and the occasional flicker of torchlight from the winding streets.
The Vampire's King stood before the towering iron door of the temple. He exhaled, his breath curling on the cold air before he reached out, pushing the doors open with a single , effortless motion.
The temple's interior was dim, lit only by the flickering glow of black candles that burned without melting, casting eerie long shadows along the walls .
Maids in gray robes and grey hair bowed deeply as he passed, their voices hushed in reverence.
"Your Majesty."
"Welcome, Your Majesty ."
He did not pause and neither did he acknowledge them, his boots echoing against the polished onyx floor as he strode forward.
At the end of the hall, the head maid, a young woman who looked quite different and youthful unlike the tons of haggard and old looking maids with grey hair that lined the hall.
She stepped foward and dipped into a low curtsy.
"Your Majesty ". She said in a raspy voice . "The Seer is waiting for you inside. Please, follow me."
Without a word, he followed her into the heart of the temple.
The room they entered was sparse, almost unnervingly so. A decanter or wine , a single bed draped in black silk, a round table of dark mahogany and a lone chair.
And there, perched on the edge of the bed was the seer.
Thalia.
Her back was turned to them as she leaned over a trembling maid, her fingers tangled in the girl's golden curls.
The maid's eyes were wide and her breath came in shallow gasps, her wide eyes were locked onto Thalia's face as if mesmerised, her lips parted in a silent gasp.
Then, with a slow, delliberate action, Thalia inhaled deeply as she drew something from her, something invisible, yet vital.
The more she inhaled, her own skin became flushed with the stolen vitality. The maid's rosy cheeks hollowed, her once youthful face withering before her eyes.
Her plump lips began thinning, her skin withering like a parchment left too long in the sun and her golden curls were now grey.
Within moments, the vibrant young woman collapsed onto the floor, her body now frail and haggard as her breaths ragged.
Thalia sighed with a smile , stretching her arms as if waking from a pleasant dream. She lifted a silver hand mirror, admiring her reflection. Her skin now ever more flawless and her lips full and red even more.
The King watched, unmoved as the maid collapsed on the floor. Thalia was not only the only seer of the vampire clan but she was also something more.
She's a physic vampire.
"Take care of the new maid". She said dismissively, not bothering to glance at the head maid.
The head maid bowed, her expression stoic as she helped the withered girl to her feet and leading her away unbothered.
This was like an orientation activity for all the new maids in the temple before they could be accepted and it was no surprise that all the maids looked older than they seems except for the head maid only.
Because she was the seer's confidant and younger sister so she hadn't consumed her vitality.
The door clicked shut behind them.
Only then did Thalia turn to face the King, her lips curving into a slow, knowing smile.
"Long time, Thalia". The King mused , his voice a low nonchalant rumble that resonated through the room.
He shrugged off his heavy red coat, revealing a loose black shirt and black pants which clung perfectly to his frame.
He draped the coat over the chair and seated himself at the head of the table with regal ease.
She chuckled in response, rising in a fluid motion. Her gown which was as black as midnight whispered against the floor as she stepped forward, bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty". She purred.
Then, without turning, she addressed the remaining maids. "Leave us."
They fled without a word.
Thalia moved to a decanter of wine , pouring a goblet of dark wine.
She placed it before him on the table but he did not touch it, his fingers steepled and his expression unreadable.
"You said it was urgent ". He said. "I received your message".
Thalia exhaled, her playful demeanor now nowhere to be found.
She stood abruptly, pacing before the flickering candlelight.
"Nikolai". She began, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I had that dream again. Only this time, it was more vivid. More real and close".
Nikolai remained still, his blue eyes fixed on her waiting for her to continue. He did not flinch at the use of his given name, they had known each other too long for formalities.
"I'm afraid the curse will soon be triggered". Thalia said, her fingers tightening around the goblet of wine in her hands.
For a moment, silence stretched between them until Nikolai laughed. He finally took the goblet, taking a slow and deliberate sip before settling it down again.
A single drop of wine clung to his lower lips and he wiped it away with his thumb.
"To think I was actually a little worried". He mused. "Your urgent message had me expecting something of actual importance."
Thalia whirled on him, her dark eyes flashing with irritation as she dropped her goblet of wine of the table irritatedly.
"Like what, Nikolai? Like what exactly were you expecting?". She snapped. "What could possibly be more important than this? You can't be nonchalant about it!".
"Actually I can, Thalia ". He cut her off, standing in one fluid motion.
He strode toward her, closing the distance between them , his huge frame towering over her.
Without hesitation, he then began unbuckling the top button of his shirt revealing the smooth expanse of his chest.
And right there, curled over his heart was a tattooed drawing of a black serpentine ouroboros with it's jaw's forever locked around it's own tail, devouring it.
But this was no mere tattoo.
It was a mark.
A curse.
"This has been here for centuries, Thalia". He said, his voice dangerously calm as he continued tapping his chest.
"Without so much as a change. It has never faded. Never stirred. And here I still stand, alive and unharmed. At this point, I consider it nothing more than a decoration. A tattoo maybe."
Thalia's hands clenched into fists as her lips pressed into a thin line. "You can't just dismiss it a tattoo, Nikolai. It is a curse. And it's just waiting…."
"I've heard this endless tune of yours countless times ". He interrupted her, his hands buttoning his shirt back. "For centuries, Thalia. Over and over you've warned me. And yet? Nothing. I told you several times, something like this doesn't exist. I know you're worried about me but no ".
"I refuse to be scared of the ghost of a dead witch when no other witch remains to enforce it. No magic lingers to give it power. It's nothing but a relic of a dead woman's spite at this point."
"But the dream". She insisted, her voice trembling.
"Dreams are just dreams ". He shrugged.
"Not mine". She hissed. "I could almost feel it this time and believe me it's an omen. A sign of impending doom. I've been having those dreams for centuries and believe me when I say it means something and this time , it's so clear and close so ….."
Nikolai scoffed, grabbing his coat from the chair. "So I should fear the ghost of a dead witch?. Really, Thalia?. You're one of the strongest and fearless warrior I've ever known and here you are cowering before the ghost of a dead witch ".
She stepped forward, gripping his arm. "But…"
"If you truly are worried about me then find a way to get rid of this mark". He said with a tone of finality and stormed out without any glance back.
Behind him, Thalia released a shaky breath. Her fingers trembled against the edge of the table, her knuckles turning white with the force.
Yet, the fear in her eyes did not fade.