Castlevania Nocturne: A Sneak Peak

Sneak Peak

There was no way I could fall asleep that night, knowing Emma was in the midst of danger. I kept my myself busy, practicing my arcane magic, sparring with my staff, organizing the pharmacy, tending the garden, anything that could distract my mind from my daughter and the incredible peril she put herself in.

I murmured aloud. "She fought a war across the ocean where you couldn't help. This is nothing in comparison." I had to keep telling myself that Emma was a strong and intelligent woman with centuries of experience and the powers of both her parents combined. "She can handle herself, and she isn't alone. Vance is with her."

Yet, I'm still her mother, and she is my child. I'll never stop worrying about her, not even after three hundred and thirteen years.

I stood up from tending the thyme hearing Annette's footprints. The former slave watched me confused, as if expecting me to do something important or command her to action.

"We should act soon."

I nodded in agreement. " And we will, but we can't rush into things, not until we fully understand the nature of our enemy."

"You should understand the nature of our enemy." Annette replied curtly.

"But I do not." I admitted casual. "Which is why Vance is investigating the chateau. We'll wait for him to return and tell us what he knows, then we'll act." I began poking holes in the dirt with my staff. "Any further action would be rash and risky."

Annette observed me as if I were a rare species. "The priestess told me there were things you do not remember. When you chose to remain in human flesh, you also chose to leave your past behind you, and forget everything you were before ."

"Not everything." I dropped seeds into the holes from my pockets. "Just the things that didn't matter. I'm still me, I've always been me, even when I forgot all that I am. I remember what's important, and I have newer experiences and memories to build on them."

I covered the holes with my staff and turned to Annette. I wanted her to look me in the eyes and see the difference between human and angel. She got it the moment I caught her gaze in mine, most humans do.

"I've seen eyes like yours before." Annette stared.

"You probably have." I nodded. "I'm not the only one mucking about with the mortals. We're all over the world and hidden in plain sight." My staff glowed lightly in my hand. "And we are still connected to the Celestial realm despite living in human flesh. We're still connected to the Crossroads, even if we can no longer travel them."

My gaze softened. "I knew you were coming, Annette. Your divine guardians contacted me through dreams. I saw them at the Crossroads and they told me to help you.That's what I'm going to do." I gazed at the direction of the Chateau. "But I need you to trust me, and those I've put my trust into."

Annette knew who I meant. "You trust this vampire not to betray you?" Annette asked tensely.

"With my life." I said with full certainty. "He's earned it Annette, through centuries of protecting Emma when I couldn't. Even now I can breathe easier knowing he's watching over her at....." I cut myself off with a hiss. Dammit!!

The ground trembled from Annette's shock. "Emma is at the chateau?"

"She is." I admitted, mentally cursing myself for letting it slip. "She's accompanying Vance in his investigation. She didn't want anyone to know, except for Tera and I, because you'd follow or try to convince her not to."

"And you let her go." Annette said furiously. "You let your own daughter walk into a den of monsters! Where Bathory is making a grand entrance!"

"Annette, Emma is part vampire! She can blend in better than anyone can, and she's smart enough not to pick a fight with this so-called Messiah. "

"It doesn't matter." The earth sifted around her feet. "Once she discovers who Emma is, everything is lost!"