Vampire Nightlife

"The wilderness?" Lawrence Tenebris said. "Then we must rally all of the Hunters–"

"I'm afraid that would be impossible at this point, Councilman Tenebris." an aged Vampire strolled up to the group.

Lukas didn't think he'd actually see an elderly Vampire after much history about Vampires being able to take whatever form they wished to take, but then he remembered that the Vampires have waned in power.

"What do you mean?" Lily's father turned in ire to the Guildmaster of Hunters. "This is my daughter that we're talking about–"

"She is but one daughter among your other children, Councilman. Hardly a reason to risk my Hunters who have already dwindled in number after your council failed to recruit elites and discover the reason for their accelerating disappearance." the old man coldly said.

Lukas felt the old man glance his way, but he could have also looked in Stacy's direction.

"Lukas!" another voice, Chaerin's, echoed across the ballroom and she was running towards his direction but then stopped in her tracks when she saw the Guildmaster. It appeared that she knew the old man in person.

"Ah, but then, there certainly could be a group who might just be willing and are available to do the work." the Guildmaster said.

Lukas frowned and stood in between the old Vampire's gaze and Chaerin. Despite the fact that Vampires have weakened over time, the old man's gaze was smoldering and his pressure was immense–but Lukas held on.

A satisfied look formed on the old man's face.

"You. You're willing to search for your lovely friend's cure aren't you?" the old man asked triumphantly. It was almost impossible to notice that Emerys di Verdant was close by and also listening closely.

[A Challenge Has Been Directed Your Way]

For everything that had happened–Lukas wished that the automatic answer that would have come out of his lips was a resounding yes. And yet for a split second, he wavered and faltered from making that word.

Wasn't Lukas' initial goal in life was to keep a peaceful life for himself? He may have treasured Lily, but surely his life weighed more than hers–or at least, he knew that he was incapable of actually saving her own his own.

And yet wasn't that so selfish?

Lukas should be able to say yes! He was going to say yes!

"I–"

"Guildmaster, I'm going whether you would like me or not." Theodore spoke out from the crowd and stepped forward. He gave a look in Lukas' direction, but mostly addressed the old man.

The old Vampire grunted, but then looked in Lukas' way.

"I am also going to look for this blood gourd." Lukas finally said. He didn't care about the gaze Lawrence Tenebris and the rest of the people sent his way, and yet if there was anyone who could have changed this decision of his.

"No!" Chaerin exclaimed and gripped his arm tightly. Her nails dug into his skin as she looked at him frantically–an almost desperate look in her eyes that bordered nearly into insanity. "You can't do this, Lukas!"

"Chaerin…" Lukas knew that this was a betrayal to Chaerin. He hadn't even thought of what she might have felt risking his life like this and yet–

"I've already lost my parents," Chaerin's eyes welled up with tears. "I can't lose you too."

The heartbroken and forlorn expression of Chaerin chipped at the pieces of Lukas' heart. If he could have said no to Lily, then he would have at least chosen to live for Chaerin's sake and yet…

"If you're that insistent on not losing him, then perhaps you should join him in this search for the blood gourd, hmmm?" the Guildmaster said with a smile. He was more than happy to have the girl be forced to leave.

"I-I…" Chaerin faltered, she looked at Lukas and then looked towards the empty tables where her sister once was. "My sister, Chelsea…"

Lukas took a deep breath and squeezed the girl's shoulder. "Don't let him bully you into doing what he wants, okay, Chaerin? You're better than this and won't let yourself get manipulated, alright?"

The Guildmaster's eyes bulged in anger, and he raised his cane–but Emerys di Verdant finally stepped in and grabbed her grandfather's arm. She raised her head and cleared her throat.

"I can authorize Theodore and Lukas to go on this search for the blood gourd, but we still need someone who can identify and bring it back safely for Miss Tenebris."

Anastasia 'Stacy' Vardoken stood uneasily in the group. She may have been the one who had suggested this as a cure for Lily but… could she really be part of the search mission?

Serena Weisse's expression was curt and cold. She could have been a possible candidate herself, but nobody in the city of Lux would ever allow for it and yet Anastasia could–she looked at the girl's direction at the same time as Lukas.

"I know that this is hard to ask…" Lukas began.

"Damn right it is!" Stacy said and glowered in Lukas' direction. "I wanted to help, but not like this. My brother and I barely have any rights as it is, barely treated as Vampires and now you're expecting me to go out of my way to save this girl's life?"

"Stacy–"

"I've already helped you enough with your relationship woes haven't I?" Stacy said.

"Come on, that's different from this!" Lukas said.

"Miss Vardoken. If you assist Lukas in this endeavor, know that you will be rewarded greatly." Serena Weisse said.

"What?" The Guildmaster's eyes widened at the same time as Stacy.

"I am sure that Councilman Tenebris would be indebted to you after you help with this situation naturally." Serena Weisse said, glancing at the councilman. "And even if not, know that I will personally reward you myself."

"If you do this, I will…" Lawrence Tenebris started out stiffly, but then looked at Stacy earnestly. "I need my daughter alive, you hear me? I'll do whatever you want. Get you and your brother the life you wanted in exchange for this. Money? Clear your name–"

"Hold on a second, Councilman." The Guildmaster tried to intervene. "You must be out of your goddamn mind–"

"...I'll do it." Stacy finally said.

Lukas stared at her in surprise. A part of him wondered if she did it because of what Serena and Councilman Tenebris offered or mostly just to rub it in the face of the Guildmaster.