Claws of Eternity ✔️

Chapter 15: Dreadful

VLAD

"Andryj, please tell the council we will be meeting shortly after I finish my conversation with Giselle." Vlad told him. They stood at the door and Vlad hoped Giselle didn't care what they talked about because he abruptly remembered his wife. "And Andryj, please bring some flowers for Alina. She has been on edge ever since her sister's daughter showed up."

When Andryj left nodding, Vlad returned to his seat in front of Giselle.

"What of your upbringing?" Vlad was becoming desperate, the entire afternoon he's spent trying to learn more about the young woman fate brought into his home. But all he's learned is that she was impossibly good at not answering questions.

"Mother wasn't around much, dying when I was four and all that. And father, some might say he did a very good job and others, that I'd be better off being raised by wolves." Giselle smiled politely and Vlad thought of the thorough facade she had on. With every day, she's reminded him more of her mother.

"But you know the customs of a court?" Vlad asked. He still hasn't gotten used to her resembling Leona so much, he's tried focusing on differences. He's noticed one thing, where Leona was an honest woman, Giselle's every word was intertwined with a lie.

"I can shoot a moving target. I suppose that would be valuable amongst lots of courts, considering the King is mostly sitting." She said, her lips stretched into a sweet smile. Vlad kept a straight face but the girl knew she was doing her magic.

"Did you read the books I gave you?" Vlad asked. He's given her everything he had on the history of their own species, as well as the witch and werewolf history. She's been here two weeks now and didn't have a lot of problems adjusting.

"I did read History of the three figures, but I did not read The Monarchy, it sounded like a manifesto and those are too political for me." Vlad laughed out loud.

"How do you know these..."

"Words? I read a lot of books. Although, it might also be the Devil speaking through my mouth or so I've been told."

It would've been a shame, thought Vlad, if she'd stayed at Carcassonne, her spirit dying there. But he still hasn't gotten what he wanted from this young woman.

"You do need to learn our ways, Giselle."

"I do know that, Vlad," she emphasized his name. "But my mother sent me here for a reason and first I need to find out what that is. I know she was a witch, and a dark one, for that matter."

"I've been looking into the dark arts, one of my counsellors translating the Daemon Tongue."

"The Daemon Tongue?" Giselle interrupted Vlad. The spark in her eye was apparent, she knew something he didn't and that was what he feared most. This girl was keeping secrets just like Leona was.

"It's an old tale, the only proof are the scriptures, the dark books." He began, hoping that if he opened up she would follow. "They say the Daemon Tongue was the common tongue vampires, witches and werewolves spoke when they first arrived. Then again, the Monarchy claims now that only vampires are of a different origin, they won't acknowledge witches or the wolves."

"But you disagree." She pointed out and Vlad nodded.

"Let's say your mother presented some non-reputable evidence." Vlad felt her loosening up and he realised he would finally find something out.

"My mother left some letters, written in a language I don't understand. My friend from Carcassonne crossed herself when she saw them. Could we translate them for me?"

Vlad nodded carefully. Translating those letters with her would provide him with much needed time to gain influence over her. Before everyone else decided to convince Giselle to play on their side. Before she realised how powerful she might be.