RESCUE

"And? Did you succeed?" Latona pressed as Carmelo reappeared next to her. She nervously tugged at a black strand of hair that had come loose from her hairstyle. She wasn't sure what answer she wanted to hear.

"Yes, we caught them!" Carmelo exclaimed triumphantly.

"They more or less caught themselves," Latona remarked with regret in her voice. "All you had to do was lower the gate! What a stroke of luck for you. Three vampires, and all without the Cardinal's machinations."

"For us, my dear, a stroke of luck for us! Do you want to see them?" 

Latona hesitated and then nodded. "Then come!"

With a small oil lamp in his hands, he led her down the stone steps and then through an archway. He chose a different corridor than the one the young vampires had taken. He stopped in front of a door and blew out the lamp.

"Very quiet now! You can see them through the glass. It muffles our sounds and our smell, but do not underestimate these creatures of the darkness!"

Carmelo opened the door and pushed Latona inside. They felt their way along the wall until they reached the stone where Carmelo had replaced it with a pane of glass. They now stood quite a distance above the floor of the old cistern, so their captives couldn't accidentally discover them.

Latona pressed her nose against the glass. "I see two. A dark-haired boy and a red-haired girl."

Carmelo pushed her aside. "Did we catch the wolf too? - No," he said after a while, disappointed.

"What? The wolf is still running around here somewhere?" Latona gripped the handle of the dagger she always wore under her cloak at night.

"Calm down. He must have fled. But I can't spot the second vampire girl. She couldn't have vanished into thin air!" Carmelo scanned the cistern once again, but there was nothing that could serve as a hiding place. However, he couldn't see up to the gate from this position.

"No? Not into thin air, but maybe into mist? I've heard of such things."

"So have I," he said slowly, "but I didn't believe it."

A scream echoed through the shaft.

Ivy scaled the smooth wall like a spider. She shouldn't and she didn't want to, but what did promises count for when it came to the continuation or the end of her existence - and not just hers! Alisa and Luciano would be destroyed too if they didn't manage to escape from this dungeon shaft before the sun shone through the gate. It was said that the fight was cruel and lasted for hours. Ivy felt the astonished gazes on her back, but she didn't let herself be distracted. She could fall too if she moved too hastily. And then she would have to start all over again. Time was running out!

The gate above her face drew closer. She could see the sky with its last fading stars. Ivy sent her thoughts out to Seymour. Where had he run off to? What was he planning? And why, damn it, had he led her into this trap in the first place? Seymour hadn't wanted her to follow him, she remembered. He had even forbidden it! And yet, Ivy was angrier at herself than at the wolf in this moment. And yet, he should have known that she wouldn't leave him alone in this old Roman labyrinth!

She reached out her hand towards the gate and shook it. It was stuck. While she examined the gate, a part of her mind scanned the area around the church and the closely spaced houses. Seymour must be nearby. She could feel him. And there was someone else too. Very close! She hadn't finished the thought when an arm shot down and fingers closed around her wrist. Ivy screamed. From below, Alisa's and Luciano's screams echoed like an echo. If the hand hadn't held her tightly, Ivy would have surely fallen at that moment.

"You could at least help me a little and hold onto the wall," a nasal voice sounded in her ear.

"Franz Leopold!" She had never been so relieved to hear his voice.

"What did you expect? Didn't you send Seymour to me for this reason?"

"He sent himself. Clever wolf! Did the others come along?"

"No," he said curtly. "But tell me, how did you get into such a dire situation?"

"I'm wondering the same thing." Ivy sighed. "Can you lift the gate?"

Franz Leopold tugged at it with both hands. "Not like this. Wait, let me see what I can find."

He hurried away. Ivy suddenly felt a sense of emptiness within her. That was nonsense! She had been able to help herself in every situation so far. - Except once. But she didn't want to think about that now. Fortunately, Franz Leopold returned at that moment with a long iron rod. "Here we go."

Ivy nodded. Franz Leopold threw his cloak to the ground. He slid one end of the rod under two gate bars, laid the long part over a stone block, and then pressed the other end down with all his strength. With a creak, the gate came loose. Before it could fall shut again, he had already let go of the rod and grabbed one of the crossbars. He pushed the gate fully open.

"You're skilled!" Ivy smiled at him.

"And quick," Franz Leopold added, who had already grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the hole.

Ivy stood close in front of him and looked up at him. "And strong!"

His grim expression brightened, mirroring her smile. "That too, although it doesn't take much to pull your featherweight out." He laid the iron gate down as if it were made of thin wooden slats, but he didn't step back. She could feel his cool breath on her cheek. As if compelled, he slowly raised his hand and approached her face. Ivy's fingers clasped his before he touched her cheek. He had wonderful, slender hands, flawless yet strong. "Thank you, Leo! That was very brave of you." Ivy let go of him and traced the contours of his beautiful face with her fingertips. She felt him shudder under her touch.

"Leo," he repeated. "I like that." And for the first time, the cold arrogance completely disappeared from his gaze, replaced by a warm glow that made his dark eyes shine.

"Hey, up there! What's going on?" Luciano's voice sounded muffled from the depths.

"Are you maybe going to get us out of here too?"

"No, not really," said Franz Leopold. The moment passed.

"You don't need to contradict me or beg for your friends. I understand that there would be a commotion if we didn't bring them back. Wait here!" He hurried out of the narrow courtyard, crossed the square, and disappeared into the church.

"I didn't intend to beg," said Ivy, but he was already gone. Seymour approached her, but she avoided his gaze and crossed her arms defensively across her chest.

"How much longer will this take?" Luciano's voice came. And Alisa added with concern: "It's already suspiciously bright down here. How much time do we have left?"

"Enough, if you don't act too foolishly while climbing," Franz Leopold replied. He had returned from the church with a thick rope in his hands.

"That's good!" Ivy praised. "Where did you find that?"

"It's the bell rope," he replied shortly, tying one end to the heavy grate and letting the other fall into the shaft. A few moments later, Alisa stood beside them in the courtyard. It took Luciano much longer. Ivy considered offering him help, but his hands eventually emerged, and with a groan, he crawled over the edge. Breathing heavily, he remained lying there.

"Chubby, you should get up now if we're not all going to be roasted!" Luciano struggled to his feet and looked openly at his rival. "Thank you. It was brave of you to come back. I never thought I'd have to say something like that to you of all people."

"Then save it. Let's just get out of here!"

"Faster! Faster!" Carmelo panted, hastening down the corridor. "They mustn't escape us."

"What do you plan to do? Fight four of them at once? And don't forget the wolf!"

"They are young. Come on! Besides, I don't want to attack them right now. I want to know where they have their hideout. Time is running out! They need to get back to their coffins as soon as possible. And just in case, I still have this!" He drew the silver sword from its sheath as they ran.

Latona stumbled after him. It was pitch dark, and she could barely see where she was going. She ran her hand along the wall, hoping the ground remained level. Then the outlines of the stairs appeared in front of her, leading behind the church. She gathered her skirt and coat and hurried after Carmelo, who had already reached the top step.

"Don't dawdle now! Where's your knife?" He slowed his pace and cautiously followed the church wall toward the ruins until they could see the passage leading to the courtyard where the cistern shaft ended. "They're coming! Quickly, we mustn't lose them! Stay in cover as long as possible."

Four figures darted out of the passage and ran across the churchyard. They turned into the next alley. The wolf dashed ahead of them. Carmelo and Latona ran after them, but the distance grew with each step.

Alisa grabbed Luciano's hand. "Run! Where do we need to go?"

He hurried between the looming walls out onto the church square. "Over there and then to the right."

Ivy and Franz Leopold followed them. Seymour howled and raced ahead. Suddenly, he stopped and turned around.

"We're being followed," Franz Leopold said to Ivy.

"Yes, I know, two people. - Seymour, what are you doing? Stay here!" But the wolf didn't listen to her. He ran down the alley toward their pursuers.

"Come back!" Ivy skidded to a stop and turned around. "Seymour!"

"Keep running! We'll catch up with you," Franz Leopold called to the others. Alisa nodded and dragged Luciano around the next corner. Franz Leopold grabbed Ivy's wrist. "He'll come back on his own. A wolf can take care of himself. Come on!"

"No! They have weapons. Silver weapons!" In her mind, she saw the man raise his sword. Seymour rushed towards them. His companion let out a scream and backed away. The wolf leaped, teeth bared. The man dodged to the side and thrust with the silver blade. The wolf yelped and fell to the ground. As the vampire hunter withdrew the sword, the edge was red with blood.

Franz Leopold tightened his grip on Ivy's arm. He was about to reply that silver blades weren't half as bad for the wolf as they were for herself when Ivy bit him so hard in the hand that he let go in shock and pain. Blood flowed from four deep wounds and dripped to the ground. Behind the next alley, the wolf howled miserably.

"They've injured him!" Ivy ran off. Franz Leopold didn't hesitate and ran after her. But when he arrived at the spot where the fight must have taken place, he found only Ivy kneeling beside a pool of fresh blood. It was the wolf's blood, he immediately smelled. The humans had obviously escaped unharmed. They were running for their lives. The man with the sword disappeared around the next corner, the woman, no, the girl, who could barely be older than herself, looked around panickedly once more and then followed him. "Something scared them off," Franz Leopold looked at Ivy in surprise as she rose as if in a trance. "Did Seymour chase them away?"

Ivy slowly shook her head. "You're right, something terrified them, but it wasn't Seymour," she said in a voice that seemed unfamiliar to him. "He's badly hurt. Can't you hear him whimpering? Go to Seymour and bring him here. Leo, he's here. Very close by."

She turned around and stumbled with uncertain steps into a dark passage that must lead to a courtyard or to the back alley between the two dilapidated houses. Franz Leopold watched her confusedly. Who was she talking about? Her wolf? Why didn't she go to him herself?

"Crazy Irishwoman!" Franz Leopold cursed to himself. He had just decided to follow Ivy when he heard the pitiful whimpering of the wolf. If he didn't come back on his own, he must be more seriously injured than he had assumed. Well, then he would just have to save the wolf. Grudgingly, Franz Leopold walked down the alley. He didn't need to search for the animal. The trail of blood led him to it.

"There you are!" Franz Leopold looked down at the blood-stained fur. The blade had struck the animal on the upper right hind leg, leaving a gaping wound from which blood still flowed. The wolf must be in great pain. He licked and bit at the wound, whimpering and turning in circles, his hind leg buckling beneath him.

"Stay still! I'll have to carry you," sighed Franz Leopold. "The tailcoat will have to be thrown away afterward! The shadows certainly won't get the blood out." Seymour growled and bared his teeth as he sank to one knee in front of him. He snapped at his hands. "Hey! I'm just trying to help you." The wolf recoiled from him. "Stupid beast!"

He considered leaving Seymour to his fate and returning to the Domus Aurea. The sky was already turning pink in the east. Seymour resumed biting at his wound, whimpering plaintively. Franz Leopold decided to make one last attempt. With his palms outstretched, he slid a bit closer.

"What do you think Ivy will do to me if I come back without you? So stop snapping at me. If you keep acting like this, the sun will catch us. Maybe you don't care about that with me, but do you seriously think your precious Ivy would leave you behind here? No, she'd probably be crazy enough to let herself burn for you!" The wolf's hackles lay flat. He whimpered softly but no longer threatened the young vampire, even as Franz Leopold wrapped his arms around his body and hoisted him over his shoulders.

"And now let's go find your mistress and drag her back to her coffin if necessary. It's high time!"

Ivy stumbled through a dark archway into the courtyard beyond. She felt torn apart. She needed to get to Seymour. She had to! He was in bad shape, she could feel it. And yet she had to obey the voice calling her. Why couldn't Franz Leopold hear her? It was so all-encompassing, so overpowering that she felt like her head was trapped in a huge bell being struck with a hammer. The pain seemed to be splitting her skull.

"Stop resisting my call," the voice said, surprisingly gentle now. "You can't fight it, and resisting only causes you pain. Your companion will take care of the wolf. Just let go of the thought and come closer."

She followed the voice to the passage leading to the back alley. There he stood in the shadow. The aura of power surrounding him was overwhelming. How tall he was! But she couldn't see his face. She only saw the long, wide cloak with the hood pulled over his head. His hands were large and bony. A golden lizard with emerald green eyes wound around his left ring finger. Unintentionally, Ivy knelt down, clasped her hands in front of her body, and lowered her gaze. The green bracelet slipped out from under her sleeve to her wrist. She heard the shadow hiss. His emotions swept past her like a gust of wind.

"So you drove away the vampire hunters, causing them to flee in terror," he said.

He laughed softly. A cold, grating sound. "Yes, that was me. I've only been observing them so far, but today they were like annoying flies in my face that needed to be swatted away."

"So you could have prevented the murders of the Nosferas? Why didn't you?"

He made a casual gesture, causing the lizard's eyes to flash. "One must focus one's senses and powers on what's essential. Oh yes, I can feel your anger, but you too will have to learn it over the course of your eternal existence if you don't want to perish."

"What do you want from me?"

"Ah, we're getting to the essential things! You and I. So we finally meet, Ivy-Máire. I've been looking forward to our meeting for a long time, but - let's say - I was not destined to find you."

"What do you want from me?"

"Not so hastily. I'll tell you in due time. For now, you just need to know…" He paused.

"Ivy? Where are you?" It was Franz Leopold's voice. "Stop these games! Damn it, come now, or I'll leave you here!" No, don't go!, she thought as intensely as she could, because speaking or even shouting seemed impossible to her.

"Perhaps I lost track of time a little," said the towering shadow. "For the moment, you're dismissed. You won't speak to anyone about our meeting! Rejoice, Ivy-Máire, we'll meet again soon!" Ivy quickly looked up, but she couldn't see a trace of him anymore. No sound, no smell. Even his aura of power had disappeared. She rose ponderously and stepped to the spot where he had stood. There was something there. A ring, similar to the one he had worn, but much smaller. Ivy picked it up and put it on her finger. It fit as if it had been made for her. And perhaps it was.

"Ivy! For heaven's sake, what on earth are you thinking?" She turned around. "Seymour! What about him?" She rushed to him. The wolf whimpered.

"The stab is deep, but it shouldn't be too bad. Come, we can sort out everything else when we're back! I can already smell the sun!" Ivy just nodded and ran ahead. Franz Leopold caught up with her despite the burden on his shoulders.

The brightness of early morning blinded them. The day would bring scorching heat. Their forerunners enveloped their bodies and weakened them. It felt like wading through water. For now, the two young vampires were faster than any human, but every step demanded more strength.

"We shouldn't go across the open ruins field," Franz Leopold said through clenched teeth. The exertion furrowed his brow. "We'll be protected by the shadows longer in the narrow alleys."

"But there are already people out at this time. Look, they're streaming out of their houses everywhere to start their day's work."

They ducked behind a broken wall and hurried on as the two men in coarse work clothes went out of sight. Finally, the walls of the Colosseum loomed before them, and behind them rose the hill hiding the Domus Aurea, lush with fresh greenery. Two figures rushed toward them. One bulky and dark, the other wiry with blonde curls standing unusually tousled from his head.

Hindrik reached them first, "Thank hell! Is everything ok with you?"

"Seymour is seriously injured!"

Matthias took the wolf from his young master and ran ahead with the animal in his arms. Hindrik lifted Ivy and ran after them, ignoring her protests. As the morning sun lit up the upper arches of the Colosseum in red, the vampires slipped through the hidden door into the safety of the Domus Aurea.

"There you are at last!" exclaimed Alisa, embracing Ivy so tightly it seemed she might break her ribs. Franz Leopold stood beside her. Alisa yawned and staggered to the side. "What happened? Tell me! Did you see the vampire hunters? Are you both okay?"

Franz Leopold nodded. "Yes, a man and a girl, barely older than ourselves."

Alisa leaned against her sarcophagus. Fatigue crept over her, and it felt as though weights pressed down on her eyelids. Hindrik entered behind Ivy, followed by Matthias, who held the blood-stained Seymour in his arms. The sight momentarily dispelled the leaden heaviness from Alisa. "By all demons, what happened to him? Is he severely injured?"

Ivy nodded and took the wolf from the impure one's arms. "I don't know how to help him yet." She exuded despair, which enveloped her like a cloud.

Franz Leopold raised his arm and reached out to Ivy, but his servant blocked his way. "It is time for you, my lord!" His demeanor and tone were unusually decisive. He slid his arm under his ward's elbow and pulled him out of the chamber.

Alisa noticed that Franz Leopold, too, was struggling against sleep with waning strength. She forced her gaze back to Ivy and Seymour, staggering toward them to offer comfort and assistance, even as the fog in her mind thickened and she felt the ground moving in gentle waves.

Hindrik put his arm around her. "It's time for you too!" Alisa tried to protest but could only yawn and allow herself to be carried without resistance to her resting place.

Hindrik placed Alisa in the coffin and adjusted her pillows. "Enough for today!" With a firm push, he closed the lid over her. The familiar darkness enveloped her, and she couldn't resist the natural urge of vampires any longer. Her eyes closed, her breath stalled, her body sank into a rigidity that would only loosen once the last rays of sun had faded on the other side of the Tiber.