Wraiths and Wine
Five hundred years ago
"What do you mean the ring can't be located?" Gabriel knelt before him, confusion etched across his features. His voice reverberated in the grand hall, slicing through the silence.
Idrus impatience surged, his anger simmering like molten lava beneath the surface. "We've scoured every inch of the realm and its neighbors," Gabriel explained, his tone tinged with fear. "But it's as if the ring has vanished into thin air. There are whispers of dark magic, but no solid leads."
Fists clenched, jaw tight, idrus struggled to contain his emotions. The loss of the ring, a symbol of his bond with Idriana, felt like a gaping wound in his soul. Just yesterday, he had lost his mate, and now this... It was almost too much to bear.
With a menacing growl, he ordered, "Find it. I won't rest until the one responsible faces justice for their actions."
Silence hung heavy in the air, the weight of his words suffocating. Gabriel's gaze lingered on him, a silent question in his eyes.
"We won't stop until the ring is returned, my lord," Gabriel pledged, his loyalty unwavering.
"Summon the dowager before you leave," the lord commanded, sinking back into his throne, his gaze fixed on the bleak sky beyond the window.
"Why do you wish to see her, my Lord?" Gabriel asked, his concern evident.
"Don't question me," he snapped, his patience wearing thin. "Just do as I say."
As Gabriel hurried away, Idrus was left alone with his thoughts. The agony of Idriana's death weighed heavily on him, a burden he alone bore. If only he had been more cautious, her death might have been prevented. The thought was unbearable.
The present time
In the grand hall of his realm, the atmosphere was charged with excitement and the alluring melody of the music. Idrus stood in the middle of it all. This evening marked a celebration of their victory over the lycans of Mypasia. They had been a nuisance, a constant irritation.
His mistresses, adorned in flowing dresses that accentuated their curves, stood by his side. Their fingers danced lightly over his body, their mouths grazing his skin in sensual caresses. They were a diversion, a temporary pleasure in a world filled by darkness.
The music swelled, enveloping him in its rhythm, and he surrendered to the dance, moving with ease and grace alongside his mistresses. The air was thick with the scent of blood and desire, stirring a primal urge within me. Idrus craved the taste of fresh blood, but his blood slaves were unwell, and he refused to feed from his mistresses anymore. The bitterness lingered on his tongue, it was disgusting. As he indulged in drink and smoke, he felt the piercing stares of Gabrielle and Manuel, his loyal advisor and guards, their eyes reflecting a mix of worry and disapproval.
Sipping from the goblet offered by one of his mistresses, he felt the warmth of the wine soothe his troubled mind. In that moment, he was not the sorrowful vampire lord haunted by memories of loss. No, he was a ruler, reveling in the glory of his triumphs and the admiration of his people.
As the festivities carried on around him, he couldn't help but sense a lingering emptiness within him. It was as if he was merely going through the motions, disconnected from the joyous activities surrounding hum
Before he could delve deeper into these thoughts, the doors of the hall swung open with a loud thud. His guards approached him urgently, their expressions conveying news that jolted him back to reality.
"Your Majesty," one of them gasped, clearly out of breath, "we bring news of the ring."
With a swift nod, he dismissed his companions, their disappointed whispers fading as they left the room. Taking his seat on the throne, he was flanked by Gabrielle and Manuel, hus ever-loyal allies.
The guard who had delivered the news stepped forward, his face etched with seriousness. "The high dowager has received word that the ring has been discovered in the realm of humans."
A Silence ran through the room, extinguishing the lingering warmth of the evening. The dowager, whose wisdom Idrus held in high regard, was known for her honesty.
His fists clenched, the memory of Idriana's stolen ring searing into his very being. The human realm, a realm of chaos , was a place he had forbidden his people from venturing into. Yet, it held the key to reclaiming what was lost, the only path to unlocking the secrets of his past.
Idrus stood up from his throne, locking eyes with Gabrielle and Manuel. "Summon two of our best warriors," he ordered. "They depart for the human realm at dawn. No one is to wear that ring."
"Come with me," he directed them as they exited the hall.
"Let's go see the high dowager."
Facing the high dowager, Idrus focused on the large, pulsating crystal ball emitting a captivating energy. Tension filled the air as he spoke to her in a deep, commanding voice.
"Where is it?" Urgency and frustration laced his words.
The dowager raised her hand, tracing intricate patterns in the air while chanting ancient incantations. The crystal shimmered, revealing glimpses of the human realm.
Squinting, he saw the image of the ring box on a dusty table. "Where exactly in the human realm?" He demanded, anger evident in my voice.
The high dowager smiled grimly. "It's in the possession of one of the most despicable beings," she answered with a shake of her head.
"Which of the beings?" He pressed, his patience running thin.
"The Wraiths." She said,
The high dowager's response was chilling. His confusion deepened as he tried to process the information. "Why would a Wraith choose to live among humans?" He asked, his thoughts spinning with possibilities.
"It seems this one has integrated itself into human society," the high dowager clarified.
His determination grew as he clenched his fists and set his jaw. "We will track it down, no matter where it hides. We will not rest until we reclaim what is rightfully ours."