Nightclaw: Blood Moon Apex

Chapter 5: The Adults Are Talking

While Carla, Lily, and Theo were conversing with each other inside Lily and Theo's guest room, Dave, Valeria, and Esther had returned to the first floor and were sitting in the dining room, holding a chat of their own while each drinking a cup of tea; Esther also had a small plate of cozonac to go with his drink. 

"So that's what cozonac is....." Dave mused, looking at the slices of bread on Esther's dish. "I like the swirl design on it." 

"How are you holding up?" Valeria inquired quietly. "Must have been hard to lose a son. When Esther and I lost our master, Alfred.....everything just looked bleak for a really long time.....at first, we did not know how we planned to move forward." 

"It hurt me for a while as well, but I was forced to put on a straight face again quickly because of my job." Dave sighed. "Can't be soaking the papers with my tears, after all." 

"Did your superiors grant you any time off?" 

"No." 

The usually-unflappable countess blinked a few times while staring at Dave in stunned silence. ".....I beg your pardon?" 

"They didn't give me any time off. The day Murray passed away---and the day of his funeral, about a week later---were my only respites.....if you could even call them that. I worked every single day before, after, and in between." 

Valeria and Esther both visibly recoiled. "I wouldn't want to be you," Esther commented. "Even back when Valeria and I were working for Alfred, he was very understanding and lenient with us. Gave us free time whenever we felt like we needed it." He exhaled. "I still miss him to this day." 

"As do I," Valeria seconded. "That is why we have done our best to maintain the manor he left to the Rosenbloods." She took a sip from her cup of tea, then spoke with Dave again. "Remember the vampires in the upstairs guest room? The ones we left the girl to talk to?" 

"Right," Dave confirmed. 

"I have started to use the manor as a 'refuge' or 'safe space' for all mythological creatures; werewolves, vampires, you name it. A 'hotel', if you will. Here, they will be safe from those who see them as 'monsters' and wish them dead." 

Esther nodded. "Indeed. Though Alfred and I got off on the wrong foot before, he was accepting of pretty much everyone else, no matter who they were. Every single one of his other servants adored him, Valeria and I included. It's often said that the death of one with no enemies is a tragedy to all." 

"We have done our best to uphold his legacy and make everyone aware of the person he was," Valeria added. "And, during your family's last visit, there is no doubt we grew attached to Murray as well. Know that you and your daughter are not alone in your grief." 

Dave also took a sip from his cup of tea. "Thank you, Valeria.....it feels good to know that you're here for us. No doubt my boss will be hounding me to go back to work as soon as we're done here. .....Speaking of 'here', have you been keeping tabs on the Order of Blood at all? What about the town of Darkveil? How have they been holding up while we were gone?" 

For once, the countess seemed delighted to deliver some actual good news. "The townsfolk in Darkveil are just as supportive of the werewolves now as they were back then. Not to mention that, with Dwayne and his hunters gone, the Order of Blood no longer needs to infect innocents, and can focus their efforts on targeting criminals." 

"Sounds like the Order's doing pretty well for itself!" 

"They have kept the peace, no question there.....but they have missed their good friend, Nightclaw, greatly. They have never forgotten how she convinced them to change themselves for the better; to become heroes rather than killers. I don't believe that a single night goes by without at least one of them talking about her."