Claws of Eternity ✔️

Part 3 - Chapter 25: Apathy

GISELLE

A frightening facade lingered over Bran Castle as the companionship exited their carriage in front of it. The deep snow covered everything, the pathways, rocks, trees. In the whiteness of the surroundings, the castle's dark stone seemed even more dangerous. This place, as macabre as it looked, made Giselle's heart flutter with joy. The weight on her soul was bigger than ever, but the sight of the castle made her somewhat relax. Vlad was here. He would know what to do.

They travelled by ship all the way to the Adriatic Sea, where they entered the Habsburg territory – a safe zone. All through the trip, the only ones that talked to Giselle were Alacaris and Sergey. Not even Octavia or Andryj spoke a word to her. She had done a lot of things wrong in her life, but one thing she wasn't responsible for and that was the werewolf rebellion. She hoped at least Vlad would understand. Then again, she invited possible enemies straight to his home.

"Well, this is charming." Lerra stood next to Giselle and looked at the castle with a smirk on her lips.

Octavia rushed past Giselle straight to the huge, iron gate and knocked like she demanded the gate to open. She was immediately let in and the others followed.

"Hey, don't worry about her. She gets mad sometimes for no reason." Alacaris offered a reassuring smile.

"I thought she liked me." Giselle murmured as they walked together towards the inner gate, where they would finally enter the inside of the castle.

"Octavia is... complex." Alacaris' smile was stiff.

"She's a bitch." Sergey commented as he walked past them. "But I don't blame her. I would be a bitch too if I were that gorgeous."

"She didn't let me explain." Giselle said and Alacaris simply shrugged her shoulders.

They reached the inner gate and Vlad opened them. He somehow seemed older now and Giselle immediately knew something happened while they were gone. His beard was much longer and circles under his eyes darker. Octavia didn't even greet him, she marched inside the castle leaving them out in the cold.

They agreed Lerra and Devan would wait and let Sergey talk to Vlad first.

"Please, tell me you're bringing good news." Vlad said, his voice desperate.

"We're bringing something!" Sergey smiled nervously.

Giselle opened her mouth to start explaining, but Lerra stormed towards Vlad right in that moment, thus ruining their plan.

"God, this one really can't keep a low profile." Sergey mumbled under his breath and Giselle couldn't help but smile a little.

Lerra walked with confidence of a thousand soldiers, her dark red hair in a mesmerizing contrast with the snow around her, the black dress she wore gracefully swaying around her. She walked straight up to Vlad and offered her hand. Vlad's face turned to stone, but he managed a stiff, polite nod and took her hand.

"Voivode Draculesti, the pleasure is unmeasurable." She said and offered a wide smile. She would've been charming if she didn't radiate so much power; it ate through the charm and left nothing but intimidation.

"I'm not revolted." Vlad said, his face unchanging. A nervous giggle escaped Sergey's lips and he quickly jumped in.

"Vlad! We should welcome our guests politely!" Sergey tried.

That was when Devan decided it was time to walk in on this uncomfortable rendezvous. The witch, Luciana, and her little girl followed. Vlad's face turned from stone into pure disbelief. He scowled at Giselle.