Secret Bloodline

Crypts

The next day, Camila, Zayn, and Shawn prepare to go down to the vampire crypts to retrieve the Book of Blood.

"So why exactly are there crypts under crypts?" Camila asks Normani.

"Believe it or not, from the 1500s to the 1600s, Paris was the destination for European vampires. There was a whole society of us. We used the crypts beneath the catacombs as not just our hideout but as our home," Normani explains.

"But why a crypt?" Camila asks.

"Perhaps that's the wrong word. It was more like a large underground complex. Almost like a city hidden under the city," Normani says.

"Ring a bell, Shawn?" Camila looks at the boy.

"It should. The Shadow Den was loosely modeled after the Paris crypts after all," Shawn nods.

"It was... Beautiful. In its way. But the Order of Dawn found us. There was a massive battle. They bricked off the main entrances, trapping us like fucking mice," Normani frowns.

"Oh, God..." Camila frowns.

"So many of us perished that night and after that, nothing was the same. Our community never recovered," Normani says.

She wipes away the tear that fell down her cheek as she takes a deep breath, composing herself.

"The crypts are a monument to what we've lost. A reminder of the tragedy we've had to face because of the Order of Dawn," Normani says.

"Normani... I'm so sorry. That's so horrible," Camila says.

"Thank you, Camila. I wish things had gone differently," Normani says.

"Have you ever gone back down there?" Camila asks.

"I've wanted to. But it wouldn't be safe to go on my own and I wouldn't want to endanger anyone else," Normani says.

"But you're totally fine with us going?" Shawn asks.

"You have a sword on your back," Normani smiles.

"Touche," Shawn nods.

"Can you tell us more about the Book of Blood?" Camila asks.

"It's an ancient text dating back centuries. It contains lost lore, even from the time of The First Vampire," Normani explains.

"How did it end up in the crypts?" Zayn asks.

"Marquis Ambroise acquired it sometime in the late 1500s. His only request was to be buried with it," Normani informs.

"Was he a vampire?" Shawn asks.

"No, mortal. But he rubbed elbows with the vampire society so much that they decided to let him live in the crypts," Normani says.

"He sounds a bit like a fanboy," Camila says.

"Oh, he was... But the stories that man could tell," Normani smiles. The dark-skinned girl gazes off, lost in memory.

Camila laces up her boots, Shawn double checks his weapons, and Zayn shoulders a pack full of tools.

"Thanks for bringing these, Normani. We have no idea what we'll find down there," Zayn speaks.

"Of course. The crypts haven't been explored in centuries. I figured you should be prepared for anything," Normani nods.

"You aren't coming with us?" Camila asks.

"I wasn't planning on it but I am a bit curious about what may have been left down there," Normani says.

"More of the reason. Come with us," Camila smiles.