Something Immortal

49: Bloodline Part Two

Unlike the Vukanović residence, the Castle Ivanović rests on a secluded island near the Svanhild Falls, known as the Boaz Seabed. Although the castle used to serve as a primary base for the strigoi race, the annihilation of the members of the Ivanović clan left the bloodline vulnerable and the whole race felt it incumbent to hide their leader rather than risk exposing him.

This was not the first time Kali came to this part of the island, for he had met the child a few years back with his brother Kyro. And even if their exchange was brief, Kali could tell that Zoran Ivanović was not an ordinary child. He acts and speaks like an adult and this was a given factor since it has been established that every member of the Ivanović was born with intelligence and has the ability to communicate with both the living and the dead.

The castle can also be reached by paying a ferryman or if one would prefer to swim across the channel. The Keep was moderately large, with multiple levels and rooms, and upon entering, the main spacious dining area was the most prominent sight. The thing about strigoi was that they love their "food" and Kali knew exactly what kind of food keeps this race going. Because looking at a platter of flesh and bones that flank the decorative rug on top of the table, he has a pretty good idea of what has been served and laid out on the table prior to their visit. Even the goblets were smeared with blood.

Marko already communicated with the Khan through a spiritual feed and asked him to wait in the hallway. They led the Dragon Prince to the back of the room where the main table and the throne were found. The table also served as a primary seat for his advisors, most likely Sir Valko.

"Long time, no see, Kali," Zoran spoke and the draconian prince immediately raised his head to glance at the child sitting on the stool with his golden crown on top of his blonde mane. "I understand you have something to convey?"

"More like a suggestion," Kali uttered. "A very good suggestion."

"You sound confident when you know in this world, everything is a gamble. Very well, let us hear what you have to say."

The draconian prince looked at the person in front of him and could not imagine that this was the very same person he met a few years back because nothing much changed in his physical appearance. Zoran was a child. Period. Or at least, in comparison to strigoi or even draconian years. He has an appearance of a ten-year-old boy with curly blonde hair, round blue-violet peepers, and a very pale skin tone. Just like any other strigoi, he hides his fangs well and if one would take his cherub-like face, they might end up being entranced by his beauty that can be equated to a doll, almost lifeless but not. Nevertheless, the younger the body of the strigoi, the deadlier they were. In this race, the younger ones were always the voracious eater. They were never satisfied with just one feed, no wonder the dining area was filled with the most grotesque food source

"You want to put a price on their heads," Zoran concluded after hearing Kali's proposal. "Basically, you are telling everyone to hunt them, dead or alive."

"This will force them to run to their leader and out of their hiding."

"But we are also risking war here, Kali. We are not certain yet what kind of leader they are working with. Judging by the death of Lord Vegard, I'd say they are working for or with a draconian."

"I agree."

"And yet you still want to go through with this?" Zoran chuckled as the Dragon Prince did not even think twice as he nodded a confirmation. "You truly are different from your brother, Kali. Your methods work more preferable to our race...you are more dangerous, aggressive..."

"My lord," Marko, who was standing beside Kali in silence finally spoke. "We still need to inform our father, Sir Valko, about this."

"You think I can't decide on my own?"