Emmaline Tepes never expected to become the Guardian and protector of the young Richter Belmont, but she's made it work. Over the years she's watched over and guided him, mentoring him into a fine vampire hunter worthy of his family name.
When Re...
I opened the old chest under my bed that I hadn't touched in decades. "Hello old friend." I unfolded the Glaring Cloth once worn by Leon Belmont, and then by me many years ago. "It's been a long time." Putting on the cloak felt like rediscovering a part of myself. Examining myself in the mirror, swished the cape, smiling when fiber rippled in the sunlight like liquid metal. I hadn't worn it since Lydie's tragic death, but it still fit like a glove, even after centuries.
"Wow." Emma gawked. "It's been a hot minute since you've worn that ." She crossed her arms and smiled. "The return of the White Mage. Dad would be proud."
"Yes, I'm sure he would." I reached into the trunk and handed Emma a pendant with an angelic glyph and wings. "For you my daughter."
"The Mystic's Pendant." Emma's eyes glistened. "I gave this to my daughters and they passed it down generations."
"And those generations returned it to me before I left Wallachia." I placed it in her hands and closed her fingers. "It will prevent Shaft from draining your life energy."
"Thank you, Mother." Emma placed the pendant around her neck, matching her Mystic's cloak. "Are you ready for this?"
I picked up my staff, completing the Mage attire. "As I'll ever be." I sighed. "But I wish I didn't involve my entire brood."
"If we don't do something, who will." Emma held my hand. "Whatever's waiting in those catacombs, be it night creatures or dark secrets, we'll face it together."
"We shall." I agreed. At least....I hoped.
Our human companions gawked seeing two mages walk down the banister side by side, one in white and one in blue.
"Is that the goddamned Glaring Cloth!?" Richter exclaimed.
"The one and only." I nodded.
"How the hell did you get a hold of it?"
"I brought it from my old home." I cocked my brow. "Close your mouth Richter, you're a Belmont not a codfish." Maria giggled, that would be the last time I'd hear her laugh for a very long while.
"Now let's go." I propped my staff.
Machecoul lay in the shadow of the early morning when we made our way through the city streets. Tera led our company, guiding us to an unimpressive alley when she paused. She set aside a brick in the wall and pulled a hidden lever. The ground shook, revealing a hidden staircase leading below the city.
It was my turn to gawk. In the fourteen years I've lived here, I never guessed such a secret lay hidden beneath my feet!
"And you think you know a town." I remarked. "How long has that been there?"
"This was made long before the Abbot and his monks came from Malta." Tera explained.
"You just happened to stumble upon it one day while you were out picking flowers?" Richter crossed his arms.
"It goes to the cellars." Tera lit an orb at her fingers and led us into the depths.
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