Midnight Crusade

Chapter 12

Vivian is an aether reservoir. The words tumbled through his head again and again as he ran to Niccolo's. An aether reservoir. It made him feel sick, a dull panic tackling his senses. It was the next day, but Viktor's words wouldn't leave his mind. An aether reservoir. An aether reservoir. This was a nightmare he couldn't wake up from.

Slowing his pace, Kit watched as the estate grew from behind snow covered pines, dark brick blending into the gray sky. It wasn't that Kit hated coming to the estate, but he definitely did not like it. There was something about the manor that Kit just couldn't get past, something about being surrounded by a plethora of other vampires that set off his senses.

Entering the estate, Kit went directly for Niccolo's office. He paused at the large wooden doors before lifting his fist and knocking.

"Enter." Niccolo's voice sounded from the other side of the door.

Opening the door, Kit stepped into the office, finding the elder vampire sitting down behind his desk. Kit approached the desk but stayed quiet, knowing that Niccolo was in the middle of something. He could tell from the way the man hunched over the desk, pen flying in his hand.

Then Niccolo released a breath and sat back in his chair. "What brings you here?"

Kit swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat. "Vivian is an aether reservoir."

Eyes the color of rubies stared him down, showing absolutely no reaction to the news. "An aether reservoir?" Niccolo finally said, Kit nodding. "Well, that is troubling. Who all knows?"

"Besides the two of us, Viktor and a witch named Ophelia." Kit replied, trying to quell the anxiety that made his heart rattle in his chest. He thought about mentioning the fact that Ophelia also happened to be a friend of Vivians, but decided to leave that out for later.

Niccolo hums softly before pushing away from his desk and standing. "This is not good news." The vampire spoke, rounding his desk. "The question becomes, do we become involved?"

"What do you mean?" Kit asked.

"Vivian is going to need protection, more than what we're already offering her." The vampire spoke, leaning against the desk and crossing his arms. "She may even need to come out here."

"To the estate?"

Niccolo nods. "It will be dangerous to continue to let her live her life in Lake Ashton."

"So what, we kidnap her? Force her to stay here?"

"No." The elder vampire says simply, raising one hand to their chin. "We would have to convince her that living in New Ashton is dangerous."

"And how would we do that?" Kit shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

Niccolo seemed to think for a moment, looking around his office. "Bring her here in a few days, I'll do the convincing."

Kit wanted to argue, but he knew he would get nowhere with Niccolo. So instead he nodded his head and stayed quiet.

"Also, that human you brought in," Niccolo began, pulling crimson eyes to him, "I was able to turn him, but he hasn't been adjusting well. He refuses to drink."

"How much longer does he have?" Kit asks, worry clear in his voice.

The elder vampire eyed him. "A few hours. It's a good thing you came when you did. Maybe you can convince him to drink."

"You really think I am the one to do that?" Kit almost laughs at the notion.

"You were human once." Niccolo said, the words like a punch to Kit's guts. "You can empathize with what he's going through."