Adela Augusta Blood Famine

Chapter Thirteen

Adela

"Adela! You promised! Now let me out of here!" The man shouted at her.

"Watch your tone!" Zeva shouted back at the man who she presumed was Chaise.

"Why, because I'm a human?"

"No, you blind fool. Because she is royalty, and I won't stand by and listen to you disrespect her."

"She disrespects herself by going back on her word."

Zeva responded by unsheathing her sword.

"Wait!" Adela spoke at last. "He's right."

She looked to Zeva, who reluctantly sheathed her sword. She seemed like she belonged here, but what was her purpose?

She still wasn't entirely sure of everything that was going on, and she wasn't keen on letting this human know about her condition. From what Zeva had told her before she left her chambers, Adela was indeed the princess and Aquilo's daughter. She knew that much to be true. She knew how society operated, and her place in it, but had no personal memories of any of it. Apparently, she had let Zeva know that she promised to help this man in anticipation of her memory leaving her. But she wasn't sure what help she could be since she hardly knew so little herself.

She was reluctant to follow Zeva down into the dungeons as she tried to learn more about herself, and she was hoping to remain hidden for as long as possible. Or at least until she could assess the situation. Zeva and Chaise however messed that up with all their bickering. Despite being skeptical of Zeva she had no choice but to consider her an ally, and thus everything else she said to be true. That or she'd have to side with Lessus and though he had yet to kill anyone in front of her she preferred Zeva. She seemed loyal without wanting to suck up. So if Zeva claimed that she made a promise to somebody she intended to keep it. Whether she remembered it or not.

"Zeva." Adela addressed the other vampire. "Can you let him out?"

"They don't give me keys."

"What? I thought you were captain of the guard or something." Chaise blurted.

"I am." Zeva mumbled.

"And yet you can't even get me out of this stinkin' cell."

"I didn't say that." Zeva crouched down and produced a set of tools from her belt. She fiddled with the cell door and in less than a minute the clicking of the lock sounded through the dimly lit halls.

"That's a shady if not helpful skill to have." Chaise said.

"Do you want to go back in?"

"Enough." Adela cut in again.

Zeva eyed her cautiously. A warning perhaps. Despite Adela holding authority over this vampire, it was apparent she didn't often use it in such a manner.

"So where are you at with Diya? Are you ready to declare her innocent?"

How rash this human was, curious. From what she could remember was that humans feared vampires, not openly defied and yelled at them, and most certainly not her. It seems down in this dungeon her name and rank bore little weight. In this small circle, they were all equals. More or less.

"How long have we known each other?" Adela asked, trying to make the question sound more rhetorical, and less so for her own lack of knowledge.

"Like a gloomin' month. And I wouldn't say we know each other. I saved your neck once. Because it was convenient for me that's it. Now you're supposed to help save my friend."

Adela blinked at him slowly as if his words were old news. She didn't know why but it seemed reflexive for her to hide her emotions. Her father's personal teachings she assumed. He'd saved her life? Well, that certainly seemed like a good reason to make someone a promise. Adela folded her hands neatly behind her back trying to sound as formal as possible. "I can't just simply declare a human innocent. Not without some sort of proof or proper backing."

"Well, how do you intend to help us then? What good is your freakishly long title if you can't even pardon a simple old woman."

"Nothing is simple when it comes to witches," Zeva said, raising her voice.

Adela blinked more quickly this time. She had no idea. She didn't even remember the name of this person she was to save. What was the name again? Nope, even that knowledge escaped her. She looked to Zeva hoping she'd lend her some help.

Zeva met Adela's eyes, then the man's. She leaned back casually against the wall before speaking, regaining her composure. "My lady, I think your best bet is to travel to the provenance of Mallory."

Adela couldn't help but notice there was a weight in the way that Zeva spoke her words. Though she appeared relaxed there seemed to be history or at the very least, a problem. Mallory. What did she know about it? Adela sifted through what little knowledge was left in her brain. It was the most southern territory. Her own vampiric house was central in Teyrnon. Then Crichton... ugh, unfortunately, memories flooded back to her like unwanted apparitions. That Provenance was Northeast from here. And then there was one more. What was it... Aernon? Somewhere North of where they were as well?

"You've heard of Mallory haven't you?" Chaise asked, eyeing her suspiciously as if she was a small child he caught in a lie.

"Of course I have."

"Okay, because for a second there your face was all-" Chaise gestured across his own trying to make his point but failing to find the words. "-I don't know. Vacant."

"And what of you. You just repeated Mallory's name as though you detest it." Zeva cut in. Though whether it was for her behalf or her own, Adela was unsure was not sure.

"I just... know someone who lives there." Chaise said.

From what Adela could tell it wasn't someone he was keen on seeing anytime soon.

"I think I see where you're going with this though."

Interest flashed in Zevas eyes, her eyebrows lifting. "Hm, you're more clever than I gave you credit for. And your circles overlap like busy ripples."

"I'm not even gonna pretend I know what you mean." Chaise looked at Adela, and his face turned to one of discomfort to find her looking back at him.

He looked to Zeva and then herself again. "Hey, I know I'm just some human, but I'd recommend picking the serious face or the confused one. Jumping between the two is confusing me."

Zeva let an innocent smile spread across her lips."My lady, The rumors about the hunters are true. Mallory is home to the famous if not somewhat urban legend the Dawn blades. They're witch hunters, and professionals. Bring one of them in, and there would be no higher authority on witches."

Zeva's smile quickly disappeared and her eyes snapped to the darkened corridor. Adela could hear it too. Someone was approaching. Chaise seemed sharp enough to catch on and had the most reason to look tense. Then the vampire stepped out into the light. Lessus.

"Your royal highness, Lady Adela, our king, and your father wishes to have a word with you." He then looked over to Zeva and Chaise. "All of you."

**Author's Note**

A little longer but still not a novel. Irony... Well just slap this together with Chaise's and you got yourself a decent chapter. Anywho we are seeing more of Zeva, learning about other vampire ran countries, and what was that I heard them mention? The Dawn blades? Ooo sounds cool. All his talk of witches. Will we meet one soon, or have we already?