SEYMOUR

She waited until all sounds had faded in the Domus Aurea, then carefully pushed the lid of her sarcophagus back open. She could hear his heavy breathing, in which pain resonated, as if he were screaming it out in words. Ivy swung herself over the stone edge and crouched down beside Seymour on the floor. She enveloped his face with her slender hands.

"It was a silver blade, I know. I saw it. But you will recover! We will get through this together, but for now, I must find a place where you can heal. Stay perfectly still. You must not lose any more blood. I'll be back soon."

Seymour only whimpered in response. Ivy gently stroked him once more, then hurried out. She listened and sent her thoughts in all directions. There was no one else around anymore. From the quarters of the servants, she received some scattered thoughts, but even the servants and companions seemed to have all retired to their coffins and surrendered to sleep. Ivy ran through the corridors and peered into chambers until she found a small stone enclosure that seemed suitable. She hurried back to the octagonal hall, hoisted one of the narrow resting beds, on which the Elders often lay, over her head, and balanced it back to the small chamber. She wouldn't be able to transport a stone sarcophagus here alone, but in a room in the west wing, where the impure ones rested, she found an empty wooden coffin. It was old and worm-eaten, the fabric lining musty and damp, and already crumbling, but Ivy didn't mind. She retrieved the pillows from her sarcophagus, then helped Seymour sit up and dragged him into the chamber, whose main advantage lay in the heavy bolt with which one could lock the door from both the outside and the inside. She looked at the deep cut with concern. It was still bleeding. She pressed a cloth tightly against the wound and tied it firmly, causing Seymour to groan.

"Oh, my dearest protector, this must unfortunately be done." The guttural Gaelic sounded rough. She herself noticed how weak her voice was. She felt drained and powerless and longed for rest. Seymour nudged her towards the old coffin.

"Yes, I obey! I can hardly keep my eyes open anymore. I'll take care of everything when I wake up." She slid the bolt in place, kissed Seymour goodbye on the forehead, and then lay down in the coffin. The lid swung shut.

Alisa opened her eyes. Had all of that really happened? What a night! Her next thought was of Seymour. Hopefully, the wolf would recover. She needed to see how he was doing. Alisa futilely tried to push the heavy lid aside. Furious, she pounded against the stone until it finally moved and Hindrik's face appeared.

"Good evening!"

"Why is this taking so long?" she snapped at him and got up. A quick glance around the room showed her that Chiara and Joanne were just emerging from their coffins, but there was no sign of Ivy and Seymour. Her sarcophagus was open and empty. Completely empty! Not even Ivy's pillows remained inside. Hindrik looked as surprised as Alisa. He shrugged. "You don't need to ask me! When I left you, she was right where she belonged, and the lid was securely closed." However, the two hadn't disappeared without a trace. Drops of blood ran like a red pearl necklace to the door and out into the corridor. Alisa followed them.

"Hey, you need to change. You can't go to class like this!" called Hindrik, but she ignored him and hurried down the corridor, following the fine trail of blood until she stopped in front of a door with massive iron bands.

Alisa knocked on the wood. "Ivy? Seymour? Are you in there?" She tried the handle, but the door seemed to be locked from the inside.

"Alisa! Go on ahead. I'll be right there," she heard Ivy's voice.

Alisa knocked again.

"How is Seymour? Can I do anything for him? Why did you lock yourself in here?" 

"He's not doing well. He needs rest. Go on, I'll be right there!"

With her hand still raised, Alisa hesitated. It hurt her that her friend didn't want her by her side in this hour of pain. Alisa considered knocking again and demanding entry, but she felt that she was no longer alone in the secluded corridor. She spun around.

"Oh, it's you," Franz Leopold greeted her with little enthusiasm. Despite the early evening hour, he already looked as if he had just left a fashion salon. The bloodstained clothes were gone, shirt and tailcoat impeccable, hair combed and held together with a diamond pin at the nape of his neck.

"She's in there with Seymour, isn't she?" He stepped beside Alisa.

"Extremely astute observation!" she retorted sharply.

"Ah, and you're annoyed that she won't let you in," Franz Leopold raised his eyebrows and put on that expression again that made her want to slap him.

"No, I'm just worried. Seymour seems to have taken a nasty hit."

"I know! He ruined my silk shirt with his blood," Alisa glared at him angrily. "If that's your biggest worry! I wonder anyway how that could happen. As soon as Ivy is in your company, Seymour gets injured and she's almost destroyed. I'm impressed!"

Franz Leopold stepped so close to her that their noses almost touched. "If I hadn't turned back, you three heroes would now be nothing but piles of ash scattered by the wind! So don't blame me for the wolf getting hurt. I brought them back in time before sunrise. Where were you when it got critical? Already safe in your coffin? That's true friendship!"

Just because his accusation seemed justified, anger flared hot in Alisa. She felt guilty for not staying by Ivy's side, but running ahead with Luciano instead. How could she have foreseen that their escape would suddenly take such a dramatic turn? Her pride prevented her from admitting the mistake and confessing her guilt to Franz Leopold. It was easier to just glare at him in silence.

The bolt was pulled back, the door swung open a crack, but only enough for Ivy to squeeze through. Alisa tried to catch a glimpse of the wolf, but Ivy quickly closed the door again and locked it from the outside.

"How is he? Can we do anything?" Ivy shook her head. Her hair looked more gray today, and her face was marked by exhaustion. Alisa feared she had also been injured, but Ivy denied it.

"It's just worry. Come, let's go to the hall. Then I have to bring Seymour something to strengthen him."

"Yes, we need to get him some meat." Why hadn't she thought of that earlier? Ivy said nothing, but hurried down the corridor ahead of her. Franz Leopold followed them at some distance.

In the hall with the golden ceiling, almost all the students had already gathered. Chiara nudged Luciano in the side as the three entered. Her expression clearly showed that she was bursting with curiosity. She waved and shoved Tammo on her other side so forcefully that he almost fell off the bench. Franz Leopold went on to his cousins.

"Sit down!" Chiara commanded and pushed two cups towards them. "What an unusual company! Did you cure our Beau of his malice? Or how can I explain this new friendship?" Luciano beside her grumbled unwillingly.

"There's no question of friendship!" Alisa retorted. "However, I would also like to know what he wanted outside Ivy's chamber." She looked at her friend inquiringly, but Ivy drank silently and asked for more. Zita served her. None of the three were surprised that the servant was very serious tonight. Surely she knew by now that Raphaela wouldn't be coming back.

"Where were you? What was it about? Some bet, some say. Luciano won't tell me anything. He seems to have been struck by silence since yesterday and can apparently only distribute angry looks!"

He tossed such a look at his cousin once again. She defiantly raised her chin, but the impression was undone by her smile, which brought out the dimple in her pretty, round face. Overall, she looked very feminine and seductive again with her laced bodice and the deep neckline adorned with black lace, which played around the curve of her chest.

"I demand that you report to me in detail about last night. You can't imagine the excitement when dawn was breaking and you still hadn't returned. The rumor mill had plenty to offer! Besides, they say old Marcello and Raphaela were destroyed! I've never liked him, but it's really a shame about her."

Alisa hesitated. She didn't want to talk about it, not only because they had fallen into this trap. "Maybe later," she deflected, trying to restrain Chiara.

"You're just as bad as Luciano!" She pouted her lips. "Maybe I should go to Franz Leopold and ask him!"

"Yes, you should definitely do that," Luciano advised sarcastically. Perhaps he hoped to finally get rid of her and her torrent of words to inquire about Seymour. But he didn't get that far, because at that moment Professoressa Enrica, Professore Ruguccio, and Conte Claudio entered. The teachers respectfully made way for the head of the family. The Conte stepped forward. Silence fell over the hall. Luciano drew his head in. This couldn't mean anything good!

If the nocturnal competitors had hoped until then that their excursion to the Castel Sant'Angelo would have no consequences for them, they were now proven wrong. Alisa couldn't remember ever seeing the Conte like this. His face was twisted into a mask of anger, his body radiated the aggressiveness of a big cat. She nudged Luciano with her elbow and whispered a few words to him.

Luciano shook his head timidly. "No, I've only seen him like this twice before, and it wasn't pleasant. For anyone who crossed his path!"

"Anna Christina, Alisa, Ivy-Máire, Franz Leopold, Karl Philipp, and Luciano!" the Conte called out in a thundering voice. "Come with me!"

Not even the Dracas dared to object. Alisa caught a sympathetic glance from Malcolm. Well, that was still better than the schadenfreude beginning to spread on some other faces. Nevertheless, she didn't want to be pitied by him! She tried to put on a confident smile and followed the others out with her head held high.

Escorted by their professors, the Conte led the six students into a lavishly decorated chamber. He himself sat in a folding chair, the others remained standing. "What were you thinking?!" He probably didn't really expect an answer, so Alisa, like the others, remained silent and lowered her gaze a little. The Conte jumped up and paced back and forth with his arms crossed, getting worked up. When he finished, the room itself seemed to hold its breath.

"Now, for your punishment. Tonight, all young vampires will visit the Valle Theater and watch a play by Carlo Goldoni. All of them - except for you! You will immediately return to your coffins and reflect on your recklessness. Tonight and for two more nights!"

That was cruel! Three nights locked up motionless - alone with the tormenting craving for blood. Yes, he knew exactly what he was doing! Nevertheless, the Conte smiled more bitterly than triumphantly.

"Don't even try to leave your coffins when we're gone. I've instructed the Unreinen to weigh down your lids with stones. And now go."

Alisa glanced at Ivy. What would become of Seymour if she couldn't take care of him?

Boldly, Ivy stepped forward. "Conte Claudio, I cannot accept your punishment. Not now."

"So, you can't? You mean, you don't deserve it?"

Ivy inclined her head. "I accept any punishment - but not now. First, I must care for Seymour's health. No, don't tell me your shadows will take care of him. I alone can go to him. Therefore, I ask you to postpone my punishment." She raised her head and engaged in the battle of gazes. To Alisa's and probably everyone else's surprise, Conte Claudio was the first to turn away and stride back to his folding chair.

"Very well, go to your wolf. You can ask Leandro for advice. He should check if there's anything in the library that can help you. Also, speak with the venerable Giuseppe. There's not much he hasn't encountered during his time as the family leader. And now, go." Ivy sank into an elegant curtsy. "Conte Claudio, I thank you for your foresight." And with these strange words, she left the chamber. For a while, no one said a word.

Conte Claudio straightened his back. "It's time. We need to change for the theater. Go! Professor Ruguccio will accompany you to your coffins."

Luciano slunk out of the room with his head hanging low. However, the three Dracas hadn't lost any of their proud demeanor. Alisa tried to mimic them. "Professor?" she dared to ask. Her voice sounded unnaturally thin and high.

"Yes?" She wasn't surprised by the brusque tone.

"In the dungeon were the burnt remains," she swallowed, "the remains of Raphaela and the venerable Marcello. And I found a piece of a red mask." She retrieved the crumpled red velvet and placed it in the outstretched hand.

The professor nodded curtly. "Yes, I'm already aware of that. The Conte will take care of it."

Alisa nodded silently and swallowed down the questions that burned on her tongue. Perhaps she should wait for a later time when things had calmed down a bit.

"So, until in three days," Luciano said softly as they reached Alisa and Ivy's chamber. The professor gave Hindrik and Rajka, Anna Christina's handmaiden, a few more instructions, then ushered Luciano and the others to their sleeping chambers.

"Lie down," Hindrik said gruffly.

"Are you angry with me?" She had never seen him so grim before.

"Yes - no. I understand that you're young and it's your right to act thoughtlessly, but it frightens me how close you came to destruction."

"That frightens me too. How could something like that happen? For months now, these vampire hunters have been wreaking havoc in Rome and have killed more than half a dozen Nosferas, but the Conte hasn't been able to stop them? Alisa grasped Hindrik's hand. They were alone in the sleeping chamber.

"What has he been doing all this time? I hear about patrols of his servants, but aren't they just for show? Wasn't he even pleased that one or two inconvenient venerables disappeared? And now an Unreine. What does it matter? One can easily create a replacement for Raphaela!" Her voice sounded bitter.

Hindrik shrugged. "I've asked myself similar questions. I think the evil lies in his sluggish nature. But the latest events may have shaken him up. Anyway, I'll keep an eye on him. If nothing happens from his side, I'll notify Dame Elina. Perhaps we'll have to end the school year earlier than planned."

"What? You would drag us back to Hamburg?" Alisa exclaimed.

"If I have to fear for your safety here, yes!"

"And the other students? They can fall under the vampire hunter's silver sword or be burned by the sun in his well dungeon!"

"Ah, the academy is having an effect!" He smiled. "You're worried about the young members of the other families?"

"At least about a few. I wouldn't be too distressed if some were missing." She grimaced.

"In any case, I can only speak for my Vamalia," Hindrik continued. "What happens to the others is the concern of their family heads."

Professor Ruguccio returned and put an end to the conversation. Quickly, Hindrik closed the lid and placed a heavy stone slab on top, although Alisa wouldn't have had the strength to lift the lid anyway. So she remained alone in her stone sarcophagus. She folded her hands over her chest as she did every morning. Only it wasn't morning, and she didn't fall into the usual stupor. Soon, Alisa tossed restlessly from side to side. She couldn't hear anything at all. Were they all on their way to the theater? Or did the lid completely block out the sounds? She hadn't noticed that before.

How long a night could be when one only had their thoughts as companions - and the hunger that would eventually come! How were the others faring? For Luciano, the torment was surely unbearable. The Dracas were probably too arrogant to know anything about weakness. And Ivy? She worried about Seymour, tended to his wound, and brought him food. Again, Alisa wondered why the Conte had granted her request. Seymour was indeed a loyal companion and a beautiful animal, but just a wolf that a servant could have taken care of just as well these three nights. Strange, very strange. As much as Alisa liked Ivy, there were so many questions about her that she couldn't answer. Just as humans were surrounded by an aura of warmth, Ivy was enveloped in an aura of mysteries.

His steps were completely silent as he approached the door leading to the small chamber. He could still discern the wolf's blood trail and Ivy's scent above it. Franz Leopold pressed his fingertips against the rough wood and focused on the space beyond until he heard her voice. Ivy seemed to be pacing back and forth, causing her words to fluctuate in volume.

"I apologize for nothing! Yes, it was reckless, but do you seriously expect me to abandon my friends? You also didn't anticipate the risk we were taking! It's terrifying that we barely escaped, but at least we did escape and all are well - except for you, of course. And yet I will not swear an oath to you that I don't know if I can keep - if I want to keep!," her voice softened. Presumably, Ivy had stopped walking. "I only swear one thing, that I will not rest until you are completely healthy again, my protector."

Suddenly, she screamed, "Franz Leopold! I can feel your thoughts! Disappear, immediately, and never dare to eavesdrop on me again!"

Her anger hit him so fiercely that he had to press his hands against his temples. Uncontrollably, he staggered back and hit the back of his head against the wall. Franz Leopold felt his skull. No, he wasn't bleeding. What did this woman think she was? No one was allowed to speak to him like that! No one! He tried to stoke his anger further, but he couldn't prevent it from collapsing within him. He raised the hand, still bearing traces of her deep bite, and touched his cheek. "Leo," he whispered and couldn't prevent himself from smiling.

"What are you still doing here?" Professor Ruguccio's voice rudely interrupted his dreams. "I had given Matthias strict instructions. How dare you evade your just punishment?" He didn't allow Franz Leopold to respond. "If you do not immediately go to your coffin, I will personally extend your captivity for another three days."

Franz Leopold preferred to obey. It wasn't his first defeat this night.