Alcingeria

Chapter Thirty Four: Florence Escar

Chapter Thirty Four Florence Escar:

Monday June 28th 1690

Lawrence and I watched as the law enforcement officers dragged the man towards the hallway that led to Queen Yuka's thrown room. I made a snap decision. We had heard about the Vampire Mafia when Ceberus and William returned that day. Curious, I crept out of the ballroom after the guards passed the door.

"Sir! What are you doing!?" Lawrence said in a strained whisper.

I gave no explanation. They opened the door that led into the hallway and I slipped inside right as it shut, leaving the door between Lawrence and I. I silently crept along the side of the hallway. If those guards turned around, I'd be a dead man. I stayed quiet, drawing on my experience as a thief. Thankfully, the guards were so focused on subduing the man's struggles that they didn't notice me.

They reached the door on the end of the hall, the one that led to the throne room. They opened it and pushed the man through, following him. I hid behind ne of the rose bearing pedestals to avoid being seen by those already in the room. When the door shut, I breathed a sigh of relief, I could listen without being found.

"Bow, you rat!" One of the guards said roughly.

"Your majesty, this man has been convicted of aiding and abetting the Vampire Mafia here in Valgate."

There was a brief silence as Queen Yuka took this in.

"The Vampire Mafia?" She asked. "We have been working to apprehend them for nearly a week."

"Indeed, your majesty." He agreed. "With the knowledge that this man possesses, we will be able to find out much more about them."

"Boy," asked the Queen, heedless of his age. "What is your name?"

"Florence." The man said quickly. "Florence Escar."

Queen Yuka chuckled quietly.

"Florence, I will put forth a proposition for you. You are obviously free to accept or deny it at your own peril."

"Y-yes?"

"You may retain the information at the cost of your own life, or you can share it with us and you will be allowed to live."

"Y-your majesty," Florence protested. "You don't understand!"

"I don't understand what exactly?" She dully.

"If I tell you who I know is in the mafia and you allow me to live and return me to the city, I'll be lynched by someone who I don't know is with the mafia!" He explained hurriedly. "I've been told that countless human civilians here in Valgate have mafia connections, I've been told countless vampires across Vulrock have mafia connections, but I was never told the identities of the highly ranked members!"

"Mister Escar, I'm afraid that it is your own problem," she pressed. "Now, tell me all you know of the Vampire Mafia and I'll let you live."

"You don't understand!" He cried. "I'll die either way!"

"You are in quite the predicament, Mister Escar," she said indifferently. "If you don't give us the information, I'll ensure you wished you were killed by a vampire. Now, what do you choose? You alone decide your fate."

There was a moment of silence as Florence weighed his options. Even though he was part of the mafia, I still felt bad for him. His fate was sealed either way.