Chương 16: A Veil of Thorns - Chapter 16

Rhain stood on the balcony, overlooking the vast expanse of his estate. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery light that illuminated the darkness. He inhaled the cool night air, feeling the thrum of life that resonated through the earth and into his very being. His ears strained to see if there was any prey close by, and when he detected none, he decided to go out for a hunt.

He had kept himself from feeding, despite the deep hunger that Daisy had stirred within him. The craving for blood gnawed at his insides, but Rhain found a twisted satisfaction in pushing his limits, in denying himself the satisfaction of satiation.

Descending from the balcony and into the shadows, Rhain set off in search of prey. His senses sharpened, attuned to the beating hearts of the living creatures around him. It didn't take long for him to find what he sought – a lone man stumbling through the darkness, likely returning home after a night of drinking.

Rhain's eyes gleamed with excitement as he approached the man. Instead of attacking directly, he decided to let his predatory aura seep into the air, filling the man with a sense of impending doom. The man's heart raced with fear, and he began to run, desperately trying to escape the unseen threat.

For Rhain, the thrill of the hunt intensified as he pursued his prey. He savored the anticipation, the feeling of power that came from chasing down a frightened, vulnerable human. In his mind, he imagined that he was pursuing Daisy, her fear and desperation only heightening the taste of her blood.

But the drunk man didn't make the chase fun. He could barely run and stumbled on his feet and fell. Oh, but Daisy would not stumble. She had a strong survival instinct, and thinking of it made his gums ache.

He walked toward the man, who tried to crawl away, begging for his life.

"Who… who are you?"

Who? Rhain grinned wickedly. That wasn't the right question. He should ask what?

The drunkard managed to get up to his feet and try to run again. Rhain sighed. Why was he bothering himself with this one? He should find a fun prey but decided to be content with this one tonight.

He cornered him in a dark, narrow alley, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he realized there was no escape. With a sadistic smile, Rhain took hold of him, the man's struggles futile against his strength. He then sank his fangs into the man's neck, the warm blood coursing through his veins and bringing him the satisfaction he had denied himself for so long. As he fed, he only found satisfaction for a brief moment, the first few mouthfuls of blood, and he already wanted something else.

He wanted Daisy.

But as much as he wanted her, Rhain knew there was something more at stake. His own desires were secondary to the ultimate goal he had in mind.

Pulling his fangs from the man's neck, he pushed him aside, not bothering to erase his memory. He was drunk. Some fear no one would believe, would do him good and everyone enjoyed stories of the Vampyr, believing it to be nothing more than a myth.

Well, some part of what they believed was only that.

Rhain left the man crumbled in the alley, still reeling from the encounter. He decided to keep his mind occupied for a while, so he went to visit a place - a hidden sanctuary for his kind, or not so hidden.

His kind liked to mingle with the mortals from time to time, blending in with the prey and having a taste here and there. There were endless choices, and some liked it that way.

As he entered the castle, the atmosphere shifted. Shadows seemed to cling to the walls, and the air was thick with an otherworldly energy. This was Umbra Aeternum, a place where the supernatural gathered to revel in their dark desires, all while hiding in plain sight.

Umbra Aeternum was a magnificent structure, once an imposing fortress in medieval times, now transformed into a lavish haven for the creatures of the night. Its gothic architecture, with towering spires and intricate stained-glass windows, served as the perfect backdrop for the debauchery that unfolded within its walls.

The castle was a playground for the Vampyrs who inhabited it, a place where they could indulge their darkest appetites without fear of discovery. Mortals were brought here, either willingly or by force, to satiate the bloodlust of the creatures who called Umbra Aeternum home.

Rhain strode through the grand entrance, his footsteps echoing through the cavernous space. The sound of laughter and soft music drifted through the air as he made his way deeper into the castle. Vampyrs danced and drank, their eyes alight with predatory glee as they reveled in the decadence that surrounded them.

Rhain continued through the castle, the sounds of revelry growing fainter as he ventured deeper into its corridors. He soon found himself in a secluded wing, where only the elite and influential of his kind gathered.

He entered a dimly lit room, where a few familiar faces lounged on luxurious furnishings, engaged in casual conversation. They were all impeccably dressed and seemed unfazed by the presence of mortal women who attended to their every whim.

"Rhain! Here you are!" called Milos.

The man's speech was slightly slurred, and his movements somewhat unsteady, indicating that he had been indulging in intoxicating pleasures offered by the castle. Milos raised a glass filled with a deep crimson liquid, gesturing for Rhain to join him in a drink.

With a casual, almost possessive air, he reached over to the woman seated beside him, guiding her hand up and gesturing for him to drink.

"Rhain doesn't like it that way," Edric said as Rhain went to sit down, looking around for the a certain familiar face.

"Ah, you like them when they struggle. The old ones are still primitive." Milos chuckled.

David, who was also an older vampire, sitting alone with no female beside him, spoke in their defense. "You don't hunt, you don't eat. That is normally how it is done. Everyone is becoming lazy these days."

"That is how it WAS done. Humans have found more sufficient ways, and so have we." Edric interjected.

Rhain smirked as he listened to the conversation unfold.

"We are predators by nature," David explained. "The hunt awakens something primal within us, something that makes us feel truly alive. It's true that humans have found more efficient ways to obtain their sustenance, but we are not humans. We are creatures of the night, hunters who revel in the chase and the power that it grants us. If we forsake that, we risk losing touch with our true selves, becoming nothing more than idle parasites." He then turned to him. "Rhain, help me out."

"Ouch. Parasites?" Edric grimaced, shaking his head. "That's a bit harsh, don't you think? We're not like parasites who take without giving anything back. Yes, we take blood from humans, but we have so much to offer in return." He turned to the woman in his arms. "Isn't that right, my sweet?"

A blush crept to her cheeks, and she nodded. Too bad she would remember none of those things, if she managed to get out alive.

"Rhain," said a familiar voice, interrupting their conversation. Rhain looked up to see Tiberius, the head of the council and one of the oldest of his kind. "Join me for a glass of wine." He said, his voice holding authority.

Grateful for the timely interruption, Rhain excused himself from the group and followed Tiberius into his exclusive chamber. No women were around. Tiberius, being older, also enjoyed the hunt and didn't like easy prey.

"There are vampires on the loose, leaving obvious trails behind," Tiberius said as he went to sit on one of the lavish couches in his room. He motioned for Rhain to sit down as well.

Rhain sank into the sofa with a sigh. "I am too busy to chase them down."

"And important task keeps you so busy?" Tiberius wondered.

Rhain trusted Tiberius. He had saved his brother and kept him safe until now, but he didn't want to be overheard. "You will know soon," he told him.

Tiberius nodded. "And what is it with the marriage thing going on?"

Rhain chuckled. "Ah… just a hunt. Besides, as the Marquess I have to take a bride at some point."

"Is she the one, then? You will be exposing her to a whole new world. You will have to trust her."

"The one?" Rhain raised a brow.

Tiberius shrugged. "I believe there is the one."

"I see . Still romantic at heart."

Tiberius chuckled. "There is no point in all of this without love."

Love?

Rhain knew nothing about love except love for family, and in that case, Daisy was the one. The one who would help him get his brother back.

After spending some time with Tiberius, Rhain found himself outside Daisy's home instead of his own. He stood still, hands buried deep within the pockets of his coat. He enjoyed testing his limits, pushing the boundaries of his hunger to the point where the pain became a twisted form of pleasure. But wasn't he taking it too far now to come all the way here to see her?

He contemplated turning around and leaving, but curiosity got the better of him. He entered through the back door, using his prenatural powers to unlock the door.

His steps were silent, and he easily blended into the darkness. His senses led him to where Daisy was sleeping.

The family dynamic was interesting, and he already knew the stepmother was cruel, but the father was much worse. The man was a spineless, pathetic excuse for a parent.

Rhain stood over Daisy as she slept, moonlight filtering through the window, casting a soft glow on her features. Her delicate face looked so peaceful in slumber, her lips slightly parted as she breathed softly. Her chest rose and fell gently, her breath a quiet whisper in the stillness of the room. Her eyelashes fluttered, hinting at the dreams that played behind her closed lids.

Rhain crouched down, his face close to hers. She was beautiful even with her eyes shut. Those warm brown eyes, that always watched him with suspicion, sometimes with fury, not knowing he was deliberately infuriating her. All of it, the anger, the arousal, and the fear—made her heart beat faster and painted her cheeks with the blush of life.

Her blood sang to him like a siren's call, but her lips, so soft and inviting, tempted him with a different kind of desire. They were the color of a tender rose, just waiting to be tasted, to be claimed by his own.

Rhain took a deep, unneeded breath, containing the dual desires that threatened to conquer him. With a final, lingering glance at her sleeping form, he forced himself to step back. As silently as he had entered, he slipped away into the shadows, leaving Daisy to her nightmares. The world was full of far more dangerous things than she was dreaming of, and he was one of them.

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