Eternal Deathbed

III

(10:20 pm, Ruiterra Falls, Ruiterra Glacier)

Time seemed to move a bit slower here and I'm not sure why.

We made it to the Ruiterra Glacier and stopped in front of the big, beautiful hunk of ice, admiring how it glistened in the moonlight. I slightly open my wrap to see a still peacefully sleeping Melois in my arms. I smile to myself and gentle kiss her forehead, watching her reposition herself in her sleep. I wrap her back up and walk through the grand corridor of the glacier.

A chill immediately crawls up my spine, including the rest of my body, and hugs me tight, leaving goosebumps on my skin. Silence and distant sounds of walking were prevalent, along with a few chatters too, I assume from the other rooms of the place. The warmth of my layered coat and wrap secured me for the most part, but I was worried about Melo's temperature more than anything.

I walk through the great hall and see two flights of stairs on opposite sides of each other, both made of solid, clear, and glistening ice along with translucent to transparent rails on each side of each staircase. Taking the left staircase, I slowly make my way up whilst holding Melo tighter. The silence was breaking with each click of my knee-high boots, only making the place more chillier.

Finally reaching the top of the staircase, I see a vestibule along with double-doors that lead to the council.

Walking in, I see the Ruiterra Council all standing around each other, talking quietly about a seemingly serious matter. They all noticed me and turned their attention to me after the Council leader, Amiseh, signaled to them that they'll talk later.

"Ahh my dear Euphorium, welcome! Glad you could make it." she greets.

"Greetings Ma'am. I'm sorry my husband could not make it, he had some things to attend to tonight. But I have my dear Melois with me." I spoke calmly.

I open up my wrap and carefully poke her cheek a few times while pulling her up to rest against my upper body. She starts to wake up, revealing her sleepy coral eyes to me.

"Hi my dear. We are here inside of the building, look, say hi!" She turns where I pointed my finger, looking at the Ruittera Council. She gives a small wave and puts her head down on my shoulder, clutching my shirt.

She's a little nervous, she's not a people person unlike her father.

Melois received many compliments from the Council:

"Your little bun is so cute, Euphorium."

"She's so beautiful."

"Her hair compliments her eyes so well!"

"She looks like you and your mother"

I mentally flinched at the last compliment, but reassuring myself knowing that those genes run through the family, I allowed my senses to ease. Closing the double doors behind me, I walk closer to the Council. "What do we have to discuss?"

The room goes silent for a bit but then Amise gestured for me to sit down which I followed. I sat down at the edge of the fancy blue sofa, trying not to crease it too much. Gently patting Melois on her back, I feel her slowly drift off again, leaving me with just the Council. I didn't want her to hear just in case it was bad news ... like always.

I watched Amise slowly walk up to me. Lack of positive expression, all seriousness which made my tension and anxiousness spike once more.

"You and your family may be in grave danger."

(Great Oath Parlor; 12:10 am)

"Greetings everyone, thank you all for attending. I'm sure everyone has been alerted on the recent threat that has been brought to everyone's attention."

There are 10 high class vampire species scattered across the land and each and every vampire/vampiress representative, including the rare species types, had attended the emergency meeting.