Castlevania Nocturne: A Sneak Peak

Sneak Peak: The Past Never Leaves

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!" I snapped." She can blend in better than anyone here, 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!"

"What do you mean?" My fingers quivered around my staff.

"Emma is the only way Erzsebet can fully regain her power! Cecile warned me about this, she told me to find Belmont not only to aid him, but to protect her! Because of who she is, because what the legend foretold! If Erzsebet gets a hold of Emma-!!"

" Back up a minute!!" I struck my staff into the ground, stilling the earth. "What legend? What foretelling? I don't understand." My heart raced in panic as my gyphs burned feverishly down my spine. "What has it got to do with Emma?"

"You don't remember." Annette's eyes widened. "Of course, you left your past behind you when it never occurred that the past never leaves, it becomes part of who you are. Even for zanj who walk as human." She exhaled a heavy sigh. "Long ago, Erzsebet had the powers of a god, but she was stripped of those powers by the guardians of humanity. The Watchers. It is said she could regain them by drinking the blood of her enemies' daughters. Now do you understand? It was by your clan Erzsebet was reduced, and it is by the blood of their daughters, your own children, she can truly return."

The staff shone brighter than the sun. I gasped, covering my mouth as my heart hammered against my ribs. "I have to find Emma." The light of my staff drew everyone else into the garden ready for battle.

"Amalie what's wrong!?" Richter brandished the vampire killed. "Have the night creatures come back?"

"Emma is in great danger." Annette replied severely. "We have to get to the Chateau before Erzsebet discovers her."

"What do you mean?" Richter questioned before realizing. "Emma went with Vance! Is she out of her fucking mind!?" He turned to me gobsmacked. " Did you know about this?"

"I did." I admitted guiltily.

"So did I." Tera stood beside me. "Emma didn't want you to know else you'd try to follow her."

"Well, of course I'd follow her she's walking into a nest!! Annette, how much time do we have?"

"There is none." Annette said urgent. "The more we wait around, the more Emma is at risk. We've wasted enough time."

I knew the decision was made by the fierce look in Richter's eyes. "We'll stay out of sight and find Emma . If it comes down to a fight...." Leather creaked as Richter gripped the Vampire Killer's handle.

"That's why I'm coming with you." I gripped my staff.

"No." Annette said sharply. "You're a zanj, the vampires will detect you the moment you step foot on the chateau grounds." The staff's glow faded, she was right.

" I will go in your stead, Amalie." Terra reassured, but Richter gently took her hands. "You need to rest, and we need to stay hidden." He gave Annette and Eduoard a side glance, whispering under his breath. "Frankly, four is already too many."

Richter's gaze softened at the mother afraid for her child. "We'll find Emma and bring her home."

I sighed. "Be careful Richter and don't do anything rash, for Emma's sake and for yours."

"I won't. We'll be careful, and we'll be safe." Richter promised.

Tera and I watched them make down the path beneath the moonlight, disappearing from view when they turned the corner. "Never did I imagine myself relying on Richter for my child's safety."

"Neither did I." Tera said quietly, taking my hand. "But our daughters are strong."

"They are." I nodded, pressing with all my soul to turn back and walk home. There was nothing else for use to do but wait and pray that all will be well.