Lily
I was perched on top of a horse. Yes a HORSE. I felt a surge of unease due to the fact that animals, with their feral unpredictability, always sparked a primal fear within me.
“Luna may not possess Callipso’s grace or speed, but she’s reliable,” Theo’s voice was a calming presence behind me, his hands firmly guiding the reins. “The city’s no longer safe—for either of us. Your home could endanger your family. I must return to my estate; urgent matters demand my attention. We’ll head there, if you don’t object. Though, if you prefer to seek refuge elsewhere, that’s an option too.”
Dawn’s first light crept across the sky, casting a soft glow on the deserted square. I absorbed Theo’s words, the gravity of our situation settling in. “I’ll accompany you,” I finally said, “but we must stop at my house first. I need to gather some essentials.”
I petted Luna's side, which soothed me from my inner turmoil.
His reply was a whisper at my shoulder,
“Of course, we can do that.”
I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath until that moment. I shifted slightly, distancing myself from his nearness, yet I could almost hear the smile in his voice.
●●●
Vincent
“What was that creature you killed? Its eyes… they were purple. That’s not human, right?” Lily’s inquiry broke the silence.
Choosing my words carefully, I responded, “They’re known as Daemons. I believed we’d seen the last of them after… after Val’s departure. But it seems their schemes are much larger than we thought.”
“Are they after you now?” she pressed, her voice tinged with concern.
I hesitated, recalling ghost-Val’s cryptic warning.
“The Lucius that Val mentioned is a head of the daemon clan, and it seems that he has set his sights on you. The daemon back at the house came for you, Lily.”
Though I couldn’t see her face, I sensed her fear.
“Fear not. I’ll bring you to a sanctuary beyond Lucius’s reach. We’ll uncover his motives. Matteo’s gathering intel as we speak.”
Her laughter caught me off guard. “So, I meet a dashing stranger, encounter a spectral figure, and now I’m targeted by non-humans? Any sane person would seek help, but here I am, embarking on an adventure with you. For some reason, I trust you.”
Her words drew a chuckle from me but her admission of her trust in me spread a warmth somewhere inside me.
“You’re not concerned about leaving your family and home?”
Her smile was bittersweet. “My home feels more like a cage. I doubt I’ll be missed. I'm not very close to my parents. I can't remember the last conversation I had with papa, and mama seems more concerned about children of others than her own. But, I’ll leave a note, just in case.”
Her candidness stirred empathy within me. I resolved to make amends with my own family upon my return.
Seeking to lighten the mood, she asked, “What exactly are daemons?”
“They’re swift, nearly invisible in motion, which complicates things when they come to fight. Although they eat food like us, their vitality stems not from it, but from blood—animal or human.”
Her sudden realization was palpable. Even Luna jolted. “Vampires! So the legends are true.”
I grinned. “Unlike the myths, they can endure sunlight, lack pale complexions, and not all are devilishly handsome.”
Her laughter echoed as we approached the gates of her estate.
YOU ARE READING
Veiled Whispers
خيال (فانتازيا)In Eldar's grand realm, Princess Lily Hawthorn finds a diary in an old bookstore that connects her to Theo Vincent, a mysterious singer. As she reads the diary of an unknown prince, reality and magic merge, drawing Theo into her world. Together, th...
