Lady Dhampir
Chapter 32

"Are you really taking Lucian with you?" asked Raphael.

Milena glanced at him, surprised her brother already knew. They were in one of their family carriages, headed to that secret location Milena was supposed to go to. She had insisted on her Vampire brother to come with her, though he wasn't too fond of the idea. It was close to midnight and freezing outside. "He's bored and annoying. I might as well take him with me and have him give me a hand. I hate his whining"

"Father will be glad, to be honest... He and Grandmother don't know what to do with him. I think he's doing great as a knight, though."

"Being a knight is a bit light for a duke," sighed Milena. "As Lucian said, things would be different if he was involved in a war or something. But except for protecting our family and lands, there isn't much honor to get nowadays..." "Maybe accompanying you will do him some good. You could use an extra bodyguard, Millie."

She didn't respond, caressing Blanche's fur as the cat was purring on her lap. The snow outside made the trip longer than it should have been. The carriage could have gone too deep in the snow or slid into one of the dangerously iced paths had they not been careful.

Only Vampires went out at this time of the night, filling the city streets with their silent steps. Milena felt like a stranger to them, though. She wasn't as silent or graceful. Raphael sighed too. He didn't fit in completely either.

"I miss Mother, sometimes," he suddenly whispered. "I was very close to her since I was born, not to Father, she knew... Somehow she always knew my secret, like you."

"It's fine, Big Brother. You can talk when you feel like it. I'll always support you, I promise."

Raphael smiled at his younger sister. Why was it that Milena was always the strongest of them? Was it because she had endured so much already? He just loved his little sister more than anything. He may be weak, but he'd sacrifice anything for Milena. He didn't care much about their wealth or titles. As long as he could be of some help to her...

"You'll do as we said while I'm gone, right?" asked Milena. "I need someone to watch the aristocrats and nobles here."

Raphael made a little arrogant smirk.

"Worry not, Millie. I'm the best at that."

Raphael had one thing to be proud of: he was incredibly handsome. Even among Vampires, he took pride in being a very attractive young man, and especially popular among young noble ladies. Moreover, he was still available, and a high-ranking noble at that. This asset allowed him into the most private parties held by nobles, ones Milena was still too young to attend. Using his charms, Raphael kept an eye on each faction, gathering every rumor or tip he could from them. He knew nothing about the envelope, though, and was just as intrigued as she was.

Their carriage stopped in a deserted alley, in one of the most remote parts of the city. Milena had no pies here and was completely unfamiliar with this place. As soon as they left their vehicle, someone wearing a black mask came to them, guiding them in complete silence to a nearby mansion.

Milena didn't recognize that place, but according to Raphael, this was a very private hotel belonging to a wealthy noble. The siblings were taken inside and Blanche shifted into a big snake, laying on Milena's shoulders and circling her arms like a leather scarf. The man guiding them didn't say a thing, but Milena was too busy observing their surroundings. Was it because they were only Vampires in there? It was all too dark for her taste. She had to adjust her vision to see anything and held onto Raphael's arm when they climbed stairs.

Finally, they reached a large room, a circular one, with only one massive red stained glass window. A few candles had been lit up, though it wasn't enough for Milena to see everything. She glanced at her brother, but Raphael was looking at something above them. She squinted her eyes in the same direction.

Five dark silhouettes were standing on the upper floor, all in dark cloaks with faces she couldn't see. She wasn't even able to say if those were men or women, but they were obviously Vampires, barely breathing and silent as shadows. "Milena De Crescent. The great-granddaughter of Maribella De Crescent. You are only sixteen, yet of a bright mind and strong lineage, like your ancestor. The Society of Vampires has kept an eye on you since you returned to your family." Milena stayed silent. She had yet to know what they wanted with her, and the way they ignored her brother didn't please her either. Raphael was holding her hand, standing behind her with a protective stance.

"You hold great power for someone so young. It is not something we can ignore. We do not usually get involved with non-Vampires. However, a Dhampir is a special case. One we've never faced before. Hence, it is of relevant importance we assert which side you are on, young Duchess."

So this is what they wanted. Since her Dhampir condition had them confused, they summoned her here to check directly if she was more Human or Vampire, if she had chosen a side. Milena felt frustrated that she couldn't see their faces. Impossible to say which families they were from, or which factions.

"What do you drink?" suddenly asked a feminine voice.

Milena glared her way.

"Why should I answer?" she retorted.

"How impudent!"

"Young lady, this Society is a very old and noble one-"

"And very interested in my body condition," interrupted Milena. "I am unaware of why I should answer such questions when I'm talking to strangers. This could be a trap set by my family's enemies." "Don't you know of the Society of Vampires! Your great grandmother-"

"My grandmother taught me to be wary of strangers. And I am not impressed by a bunch of people wearing dark cloaks in closed rooms. If you want anything from me, you'll have to lay out why I should listen to you and waste some of my sleeping time here." Raphael couldn't help but smirk. Milena's clear voice was as proud and fierce as ever, no matter who she was facing. The dark silhouettes were about to shout back when one of them suddenly laughed. A sixth one, coming from somewhere in front of them, at their level.

The stranger took a few steps forward and took his hood off, revealing his face. He was younger than Raphael thought. Maybe in his thirties, with lean features and long black hair braided over his shoulder. He bowed politely.

"I'll take the first step and introduce myself, Lady De Crescent. Alban De Carseus, Marquess of the De Carseus house."

Milena didn't expect that. An aristocrat? She thought only old noble families would be included in this kind of Society... Yet, the De Carseus family was known for only obtaining their titles through military achievements, not inherited titles. Alban De Carseus, in particular, was one of the most eminent members of this family. Milena had never interacted with them, though.

"I didn't expect someone like you, Marquess," admitted Milena.

The man smiled.

"I'm full of surprises, young lady. The De Carseus family is very interested in what you will become, regardless of the Society of Vampires."

"Why me?" asked Milena. "You should be putting your hopes in Prince Rayan or Lady De Nova, yet I'm the one you invited here tonight."

"Do not get arrogant, young lady," said the woman. "We are watching them as well."

"Then you were not satisfied with their answers," replied Milena. "Otherwise, you wouldn't bother with a Dhampir. But considering that the Vampire factions are split between the Supremacists and the Progressives, I guess you have no choice but to check all of your options." Seeing as none of them were responding, Milena knew she was right. They were not on any side, then. Only the side of Vampires.

She crossed her arms. They obviously didn't trust Rachael or Rayan. So they decided to test her... She didn't know much about the Society of Vampires, but knowing that her great-grandmother had been among them was enough for Milena to at least listen to what they had to offer.

"If I do agree to answer your questions, what of it?"

"We may consider inviting you into the lower circles of the Society," said a man on the left. "It is a great honor."

"I have no need for honor."

"You would also receive information and useful contacts from within. It may even help you at unexpected times..."

"Your Dhampir condition forbids you from ever going into the upper ranks, however. Think carefully about this, Lady De Crescent," said the woman from earlier.

Things were already clear enough to Milena, though. They intended to keep her as an option, yet they couldn't acknowledge her as a full-fledged Vampire. A trump card.

"Fine. I'll listen to your questions. In exchange, I want pieces of information."

"You are in no position to-!"

But the Marquess De Carseus raised his hand to interrupt his peer.

"Is there specific information you want, Lady De Crescent?"

"Anything you have on the recent attacks in the slums, the blood slave trafficking, or the Supremacists. Do not pretend you are ignorant of any of those, or this Society is more useless than I thought."

Despite her bold and arrogant attitude, she knew she was in a stronger position. Milena had nothing to lose, but to those people, she was a potential future Queen they may need to rely upon. They probably knew how close she was to Prince Ellias too... "Fine... As far as we know, the Vampire is a stray dog. He doesn't belong to any family. Probably a rogue gone mad by himself."

"The slave trafficking has nothing to do with us. If Vampires are behind it, they are doing it behind our backs."

"The Society is against Human trading and s*****y. We may have Supremacists among us, but this is not supported by the Society."

Milena's purple eyes got a bit darker. In other words, they didn't care if Supremacists had infiltrated them, as long as they remained anonymous. They would rather act blindly than lose some of their members...

"What is the Society's goal, then?"

Her sudden question took them by surprise, but one of them, someone with the voice of an old woman, answered.

"To protect Vampires. Us Vampires need Humans to survive, but they do not need us. The Society of Vampires was created to be sure our kind would survive in a world of Humans, even if we do not reign."

So they don't care if Humans were above, below, or equal to them, as long as they could survive. It wasn't what Milena expected. She expected a group more powerful than that, but so far, she thought they probably weren't very active. "Fine, then. Let my brother Raphael enter your Society."

"You cannot present someone to take your place!"

"As you noticed, I am not a Vampire, and I have no intention to take sides. Raphael is one. He can enter any of your circles, and his position is already clear. If you want to make a deal with me, Raphael will be your man." Despite his own surprise, her brother stayed silent and did not betray any emotion, as if he was expecting this. He only wished to know what his sister was thinking...

"There have been countless cases of siblings turning on each other before. Aren't you afraid this brother of yours will change sides?"

"No."

They were surprised by her straightforward answer. Why was she so sure of herself?

"Are you willing to take her place to protect your sister, young Duke?" asked the woman.

Raphael chuckled. They had no idea Milena was actually the one trying hard to protect him and his secret, not the other way around.

"I am."

"... Fine. Raphael De Crescent may join the Society of Vampires, on the condition he will be of use to us in contacting his sister Milena De Crescent."