Immortal Love

8

One evening, as Engfa and Charlotte shared a quiet moment, Engfa felt an unsettling sensation wash over her—a pull, a summons she couldn't ignore. Her father, the ancient and powerful vampire who had sired her, was calling. She hadn't felt his presence in years, and the sudden intrusion filled her with dread.

Charlotte noticed the change in Engfa's demeanor immediately. "What is it?" she asked softly, curiosity evident in her eyes.

Engfa took a deep breath, her mind racing. "My father," she whispered. "He's calling me."

Charlotte's eyes widened. "Your father?"

Engfa nodded. "Yes. He's powerful, and he's always had a way of finding me. I think he's behind the vampire who attacked us."

Fear flickered across Charlotte's face, but she reached out and took Engfa's hand. "What will you do?"

"I have to go to him," Engfa replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "If I don't, he'll send more vampires after us."

"I'm coming with you," Charlotte said.

Engfa shook her head. "He won't hesitate to harm you."

But Charlotte's resolve was unyielding. "But we're in this together, remember? I'm not letting you face him alone."

Engfa's heart swelled with a mixture of fear and appreciation. She nodded, knowing there was no changing Charlotte's mind. "Alright. But you stay close to me."

The journey to her father's lair was fraught with tension. They traveled through the city's hidden passages, avoiding the prying eyes of other vampires. As they approached the ancient mansion that loomed like a shadowy fortress, Engfa felt the weight of centuries pressing down on her.

They entered the grand hall, its opulent decorations and dim lighting a stark contrast to the grim atmosphere. At the far end of the room stood Engfa's father, his imposing figure radiating an aura of power. His eyes, cold and calculating, fixed on Engfa and Charlotte as they approached.

"Engfa," he greeted, his voice smooth and commanding. "It's been a long time."

Engfa stood tall, her grip on Charlotte's hand firm. "Father," she replied, her tone respectful but guarded. "Why did you send a vampire after me?"

Her father's gaze flickered to Charlotte, a slight smile curling his lips. "I was curious about your... companion," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "A human, Engfa? Have you forgotten our ways?"

Engfa's eyes blazed with defiance. "No, I haven't forgotten. But Charlotte is different. She understands me, accepts me for who I am."

Her father's expression hardened. "You are a vampire, Engfa. Our kind do not form attachments with humans. They are fleeting, fragile."

Charlotte stepped forward, her voice steady. "I may be human, but my love for Engfa is not fragile. We are stronger together."

Engfa's father regarded Charlotte with a mixture of amusement and disdain. "Bold words for a mortal," he said. "But you do not understand the dangers you face."

Engfa's grip tightened on Charlotte's hand. "We will face those dangers together. I will not abandon her."

Her father's eyes narrowed. "You are defying centuries of tradition, Engfa. This path you choose is fraught with risk."

Engfa met his gaze unflinchingly. "I choose love. I choose Charlotte."

A tense silence filled the room, the air thick with unspoken words. Finally, her father sighed, a flicker of something almost like regret passing through his eyes. "Very well, Engfa. You have made your choice. But know this: if you bring harm to our kind through your actions, there will be consequences."

Engfa nodded, her resolve unshaken. "I understand."

Her father turned away, his voice a low rumble. "Go, then. But do not expect my protection."

Engfa and Charlotte left the mansion, their hearts pounding with a mixture of relief and anxiety. As they stepped back into the night, Engfa felt a sense of liberation, the weight of her father's expectations lifting from her shoulders.

"We did it," Charlotte whispered, her eyes shining with a mixture of triumph and love.

Engfa pulled her close, their foreheads touching. "Yes, we did," she replied softly.

As they walked away from the shadows of the past, Engfa knew their journey was far from over. But with Charlotte by her side, she felt a newfound strength, a hope that even in the darkest of nights, love could light their way.