The Inkeeper

Chapter 2

Integra was sighing from where she was standing behind the bar, waiting for Dimitriv to come back from whatever appointment he went to, all the way in back water Surrey. It wasn't in his doing to be back so late.

Sighing, she looked at those that were at the inn, waiting for the innkeeper to arrive.

Shaking her head, she could still remember finding this place on the end of Knockturn alley, an Inn, not unlike the Leaky Cauldron, but instead of catering to witches and wizards, this Inn catered to supernatural creatures, and those in tune with the creature inside themselves.

The innkeeper, a younger Dimitriv, if one could count a vampire from Roman times younger, had been there to welcome her into the inn, telling her that it was his job to look after everyone that arrives. Looking after them, treating their wounds if it should be needed, gave them a bed and a hot meal, and in case they needed it, he could give them information. Someone of his age knew more than others could dream about.

But, being the innkeeper came at a price, he couldn't leave for long periods of time, and if he did, it would kill him. The Inn was in a way, part of his soul, part of his existence, and until he found a worthy successor, he would be responsible for it.

Many a times has she said she'd take over when he got tired of running this place. But everytime he would just smile and pat her head, shaking his head, "you're not cut out for this, my dear, you're welcome to stay as long as you want, but you'll never be able to own this place."

The first few times she had been mad, but now, as she grew older, she understood that she would be bored of this place in a few years, without being able to leave, she'd never see the world, not in the way that she dreamed about it.

Plus; in the end, she was still only part creature, and mostly human, she'd never live as long as he had done, and as most creatures did. With the undiluted magical blood in their veins, they were made to live much longer than humans.

So, the new Innkeeper had to be someone almost immortal, or as close at it could be, before Dimitriv would give this place up.

Hearing footsteps by the door, she turned and smiled as Dimitriv took a step into the room, only to stop and stare at what he was holding into his hands.

"Is that a child?"

Looking at the bundle in his arms, the vampire nodded, "yes, my heir."

Integra blinked, "you went and stole a child, so it could be your heir?"

Looking around, she saw more than one person looking at the vampire as if he was nuts. Thinking that he had stolen a human child of all things, to become his heir, when he wouldn't let her take over as a quarter fae.

Dimitriv smiled, "use your senses, child, what do you see, what do you smell, what do you perceive?"

Integra tilted her head, forgoing her 'normal' senses, and tuning into the ones she so rarely used. Blinking once, twice, and once more before gasping.