Vampire Shadows

"I know right? It's lit!" Heather chirped.

"Wow, just, wow. It really is as amazing as you said" Max said, his mouth wide open. I guess I'm not the only one whose mind was blown. Max and I didn't see this coming.

"You gon' stand there and drool all day pretty face?" Josh asked, then used his hands to cover my mouth.

The heck?

"Come on! Let's go check things out" heather said, and I could swear I heard her squeal.

I kept staring at the place that was once a dirty old rock and now an entrance to the white coven empire.

The town is huge. It is located at the bottom of the mountain. I could see almost every part of it from where we were standing, making the buildings look tiny. And even though it looked destroyed, thanks to the war of course. It still looks amazing and one can tell that it used to be a great city.

At the farthest end of the town, I could see the castle looking tall and beautiful, as though the war didn't affect it. I don't know how it will look when I get close to it, but from here, it looks like something that belongs in a fantasy movie, with a princess,  a knight and stuff like that. The point is, the castle looks amazing

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"What's next?" I asked still staring at the beautiful masterpiece.

"Well, we need to get to the palace. According to the book, the stone was never taken from its position. That means it has always been in the castle" heather said but her attention didn't seem to be on what she was saying. Rather, she was fully concentrated on staring at the place, not in astonishment like max and I, but rather in a way that shows how much she missed this place.

I understand exactly how she feels, how it feels to lose one's home. It hurts more than I can explain.

"But the question is, where in the castle is it located?" Josh asked.

"That's something we will have to find out" Heather responded.

"Sooooo, let's go!" She added before clutching onto Josh and disappearing.

"Did they just leave us? We don't even know our way around this place" I said to Max who was the only person standing there.

"Well, we'll have to follow them. Hold on tight Kara" he said, his hands holding me tightly. In a blink of an eye, we also teleported.

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"Wow"  Seeing the castle up close, it looks better than any  fantasy movie.

It looked better than I imagined from afar.

White and silver walls, with different sophisticated statues and fountains.

And  on the walls, there are stones, colorless stones, and I can swear they are real diamonds.

I have never seen anything like this. The evil prince's castle was the best I've seen. But now, this beats it. Ten times better if I must say.

"Are you coming?" Max pulled me.

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The castle looks way better than it did on the outside. Marbles on the walls, golden chandeliers with crystals. The furniture, ohhhh God. Can something this sophisticated really exist? I'm sure no engineer or designer can think of all this.

Vampires are really smart and have a high taste. But they choose to stay lowkey and I think that is great, unlike humans always trying to show off the little knowledge they have.

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"So, where do we find them?" I asked, cuz clearly they are nowhere in sight and this castle is soo big, I'm sure we wouldn't be able to find them.

As if Josh could hear us the whole time, he did the mind link stuff, saying "Hey, guys, I think it's better we split up for now. You two should try finding the stone in every possible place. Heather and I will do the same"

"Okay, Josh!" I said, feeling excited that Max and I could spend time together. This might be an opportunity to get to know each other more, as cousins. That will be nice.

"Were you reading my thoughts again?" I raised a brow. The way he was staring at me made me suspect that. If he really was doing so, then I think I'll just bury myself in of shame.

"No, I wasn't" he simply said. I did feel like believing him, but then, thought of finding out for myself. I have never tried reading someone's thoughts and even though Nathan has never taught me, trying won't hurt I'm sure.

I tried my best to concentrate, then try exactly what I do when I want to communicate telepathically, but this time, without saying anything.

But I wasn't able to get even a bit of his thoughts. It's like his head was empty, or I just couldn't get into it.

"But, instead of growing suspicious all the time, why don't you stop it?" He asked, distracting me.

"I don't get"

"don't let us read your thoughts. Don't let anyone" he said looking around the place.

"Is that even something that's possible?" Cuz seriously, I can't tell if they're reading my thoughts or not. How on earth am I supposed to stop them?

"Yes, you can. Why do you think you couldn't read mine?" he started heading toward the long stairs and I followed suit.

"What? So that's why I couldn't read it!! No fair"

"Chill Kara, I'll teach you how to do it too, but first, let's concentrate on finding clues," he said.

The walk up is not as easy as I thought it would. How can there be such a long distance between two floors? we have been walking and it doesn't seem like we'll get there anytime soon.

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"Hey, let's take a break if you are tired," Max said

"No, it's okay, we are almost there," I was panting heavily. oh who was I kidding, I was soo exhausted.

"Do we have to climb up the stairs? what if we miss something down there?" I asked with a meaningful look.

Like seriously, we don't even know our way around this place. I think starting from the first room is the best, that way, we will get to know the places we have covered easily.

"I doubt we'll find anything there. It's too open. We are searching for one of their most prized possessions, they wouldn't keep it in plain sight"

"I guess you have a point Max," I said and he gave me a bright, heart melting smile.

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"Finally!" we made it up the stairs.

"You know we could have teleported in the first place," Max said, and I felt my whole world crashing. Yes, we could have done that, it would have helped save a lot of time and of course, loads of energy. I feel exhausted now, I can barely feel my legs and it's all Max's fault. How could he do this to me?

"You let me go through all that shit when you could just tell me to teleport!" I barked but he didn't seem affected by my anger. I guess he saw it coming.

"Why?" I added.

"Because, one, I enjoyed the walk, it helped me stretch my legs. Two, I don't see why I need to remind you that you are a Vampire and your powers aren't just there for fancy, but to help you when you are in need" the first point was stupid! The second one did make sense but I'm still not buying it! Who on earth those such a thing?

"I know my powers are there and I'm not supposed to be reminded that I have them. But hey, you can't blame me, I'm not really used to all this being a vampire stuffs" I was glaring at Max, but at the same time, I the lovely scene in front of me. This floor looks nothing like the previous one. It has doors arranged one after the other, each one leading to a room I guess. This place is really huge. Are we seriously going to search every room?

"And that's exactly what I'm doing. helping you. Making sure you stop forgetting and it becomes a part of you" he said, pushing the first door open. It led to a beautifully well furnished room. It wasn't a bedroom, there was no bed. It was more of a tiny living room.

"Yeah, you know you can help me by telling me! You didn't have to make me almost lose my legs!"

"Saying things just to teach someone is a boring and old fashioned way. Definitely not something I enjoy doing." he said as we walked and started checking around.

"Oh wow, so much for not being old fashioned!" I barked. He didn't say anything, we both started opening cabinets and drawers. It won't be easy, but this is the only option we are left with.

And that's how we kept going.

The second room was way more sophisticated and spacious than the first, it took us a lot more time to check every corner and move to the next.

The third was a bed room and the fourth too.

The fifth looked like an office and I wondered why rooms that aren't even related are kept in the same place. bedrooms and offices aren't supposed to be mixed up like that. It seemed off but who am I to judge, this is an ancient vampire castle.

The sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and finally the last room on the floor. It's not the tenth one btw, I stopped counting at number 9 but I guess this should be around 31.

It was big and spacious with a lit decor. Just like the others we've checked b4 actually.

Our hunt might be a waste of time but I'm glad I had the opportunity to explore such vintage heritage.

"What's this?" Max said, raising a flat stuff covered in dust.

He cleaned the thick specks of dirt on it and to our surprise, it was an envelope.

"Open it," I said, getting a bit impatient.  Just as if he was waiting for my order, he tore it open, a piece of paper falling out of it.

"It's a letter," he said unfolding it and reading it out loud.

"Dear Bartholomew," he paused and stared at me for a while.

That was Max's last name, my mother's last name and of course, our grandfather's name.

"I hope you are fine. I did not want to distress your peaceful life. But I am, indeed in need of you.

The war is getting out of hand and I am positive you have already heard.

I repeat I do not want to negate or jinx your life, but I do hope you will come to our aid. You are the only soldier I can trust with the Stone's information. We shall meet in the hidden Library once you get this.

Signed, king Regaleon"

"Woah…"

"We need to contact Josh immediately"