The Vampire's Court

Chapter 45- Hellfire

The night was heavy and thick with an oppressive stillness that seemed to cling to the manor like a shroud. Dimitri sat in his study, the only light coming from the flickering candles scattered across the room. Their soft, wavering glow barely touched the shadows that crept along the walls, deepening the sense of tension that hung in the air.

Gabriel was pacing near the window, his silhouette cast long and sharp against the drapes as he stared out into the darkness beyond. "You could cut the tension in this place with a knife," he muttered, his voice low and edged with frustration. "I wish something would just happen already. I'm tired of feeling on edge every damn minute."

Dimitri, seated behind his desk, glanced up from the map he had been studying, his gaze sharp. "Don't talk like that, Gabriel," he warned, his tone brooking no argument. "Wishing for something to happen is asking for trouble, and we've already got enough of that on our hands."

Gabriel turned from the window, the frustration clear in his eyes as he faced his brother. "I know, I know. But this waiting... it's driving me mad. Every minute feels like the calm before a storm, and I'm just waiting for it to break."

Andrei, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, stepped forward, his expression serious but calm. "We all feel it, brother. But Dimitri's right. We need to stay focused, especially with what's ahead. Letting our nerves get the better of us now could cost us later."

Dimitri nodded in agreement, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on his shoulders. "Speaking of what's ahead, let's go over the plans for Paris again," he said, drawing their attention back to the large, detailed map spread across the desk.

Gabriel finally settled into a chair across from Dimitri, the tension in his posture easing slightly as he leaned forward to study the map. "The catacombs," he said, his voice dropping to a more serious tone.

Andrei unfolded a smaller, worn map, marked with intricate lines and symbols that denoted the labyrinthine tunnels beneath Paris. "We'll be conducting our search while Seraphine and Narcisa are asleep," he began, tracing a finger along one of the routes that led deeper into the catacombs. "The key is to move quickly and quietly. The catacombs are vast, and if the information Mikael provided is correct, the entrance to the hidden chambers is somewhere along this route."

"And once we're inside?" Gabriel asked, his eyes following Andrei's finger as it moved across the map.

Dimitri's gaze darkened as he leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Once we're inside, we gather what we need. If there are thralls or anything else down there, we deal with them swiftly. This isn't a place where we can afford to linger. The catacombs are treacherous, and we can't risk being caught off guard."

Andrei nodded, his expression matching the gravity of Dimitri's words. "The catacombs aren't just a maze—they're a graveyard. If we're not careful, we could end up lost in there forever."

Gabriel sighed, his frustration from earlier replaced with a grim determination. "And what about Seraphine? She's sharp, Dimitri. She's going to notice something's off if we're gone too long."

Dimitri's jaw tightened, his thoughts turning to Seraphine. "I'll handle Seraphine," he said softly, his voice carrying a protective edge. "She's already starting to ask questions, but for now, it's best if she stays unaware of what we're dealing with. The less she knows, the safer she is."

Gabriel arched an eyebrow, a knowing look in his eyes. "And how long do you think you can keep her in the dark? She's not exactly the type to sit quietly and wait."

Dimitri met Gabriel's gaze, the weight of the unspoken truths between them hanging in the air. "I know. But I'll do what I must to protect her," he said, his voice resolute, even as the uncertainty gnawed at the back of his mind.