Norell's thoughts faded as his awareness returned to the present, where a horrified woman stared at him with the caution of someone facing a monster.
What could this girl possibly know? he tried to convince himself.
But Ana trusted her instincts. She knew he was the one driving the women of the village mad, making them do terrible things to prove their love. And even if the scent of his cloak was so exquisite it could bring anyone to their knees, Ana had come to believe Norell was the one behind the horrors in Villa Azul.
-I don't know what you've been told about me. Some demonize us for being creatures of the shadows, but nothing could be further from the truth -he said, with a victim act worthy of cinema-
-They're lies -Ana replied, her voice as calm as it was firm- You know exactly what's happening to those women. Why are you doing this?
-I only give them a reason to live...
-What?! -she exclaimed- You call dying alone and insane in a mansion a 'reason to live'? I don't know why you haven't done anything to me yet, but I won't bend to you, or to anyone -Ana concluded, regaining her true spirit-
Norell felt a sudden drop in energy, as if he hadn't rested in days. The reason was obvious—Ana had completely lost interest in him. For the first time in centuries of drifting through darkened halls, this time it was the mist that dragged him away against his will. Suddenly, with a violent rush of black fog, Ana was left alone again in her room.
The shadow pulled the vampire through the same river of darkness he had seen five hundred years ago, when Esmeralda rescued him. This time, it seemed the mist wanted to say something.
It wasn't until several moments later that the fog vanished, leaving him once again in front of his savior, who was lounging on the oak table. Norell bowed dramatically.
-My lady.
Esmeralda emptied one of her goblets and looked at the man with a mix of scorn and disinterest, as if he were her subordinate.
-Can you explain what just happened? -she asked, indignant-
-Well... I was about to convince her, but someone told her something...
-Her who? -she asked, now paying much more attention-
-A girl living in the house with the wide windows. Nothing to worry about.
-Look, these things happen. Especially with your method, since you barely use potions or enchantments. But what can't happen is you draining energy -she said seriously-
-What?
-Your seal connects you to the order reciprocally. That means if your energy weakens, it drains ours too.
Norell looked down at his seal, which now glowed oddly. It had never done that before.
-I-I'm sorry... I didn't know that...
-It's fine, darling -Esmeralda's voice softened into something sweet and understanding- Let it be a good lesson for you—women can be ungrateful harpies.
She caressed Norell's neck and shoulders sensually. He remained silent.
-I'll pay her a little visit myself. She'll learn the opportunity she missed... until she begs.
-No! -the vampire reacted-
Esmeralda's eyes widened, her brow furrowing in genuine surprise. It was the first time Norell had defied her will, and she couldn't understand why.
-I mean... it's not necessary -he corrected himself, seeing her bewilderment- I can fix this.
-How...? -Esmeralda was still puzzled-
-I-I could start using more potions... Yes, that. I'll use potions and spells if needed. And if none of that works, you'll step in -he added, kissing her hand- as always.
The vampire woman smiled and rolled her eyes, offering the closest thing to a blush she was capable of.
-You have until tomorrow. If I sense another energy dip, I'll carve that brat's face with my nails -Esmeralda warned—a rare reversal from her-
-I won't disappoint you, my lady -Norell said, shaking his cloak until it dissolved into a shadowy mantle-
At the far edge of our reality, Ana had barely slept at all. It had been a night full of revelations—she'd finally found the missing piece, but now a whole world of possibilities had opened up.
Who was Norell, really? And why did he drive women to madness, making them take appalling decisions? One thing was clear: nothing good could come of this.
She had breakfast barely acknowledging Evangelina, who timidly meowed from a kitchen corner. She was so absorbed in researching the Nordic symbols that she almost forgot to answer Sofía, who kept asking what had happened last night.
-I think a spectral entity visits me at night -Ana wrote, trying not to reveal too much-
-I'll bet it does! -Sofía replied- Might even be more than one.
-No, I mean I think I can actually see it.
-That's rare—usually spirits don't manifest physically.
-What do you mean? -Ana was starting to get nervous-
-I mean that. I've never known someone who literally saw a ghost, but you don't need to see it to know it's there -her friend explained-
-I don't think it was a ghost. More like a dark creature or something.
-A vampire, ha ha! -she replied jokingly-
-I'm being serious...
Sofía took a few seconds to respond, then finally wrote:
-Are you seriously saying you saw a vampire?
-No, no, I couldn't say for sure -she lied- It's more of a 'what if' kind of question.
-I don't know much about vampires. Just what I've read in some teen novels. As far as I know, they're just a myth from four hundred years ago. I doubt you saw one.
-Well, it's not like ghosts are scientifically proven -Ana retorted sarcastically-
-Hey, I'm not saying they don't exist. It just sounds a little... strange. I'll do some digging, maybe those Nordic symbols are related.
-Okay. No rush -Ana lied one last time before ending the chat-
She felt she desperately needed fresh air, before the weight of so many theories crushed her.
She had to be ready for tonight—he would return—and she needed an effective way to repel him. But what?
-I think I know what happened to your grandmother -Ana texted Leon-
The reply came quickly.
-I'm free in an hour, I'll head over -her friend wrote back-
Ana was still debating whether she truly wanted to share the situation. For some reason, time made her think maybe Norell should give his version of events. But how could anyone reason with a vampire? Besides, he clearly didn't care about the madness his victims had endured.
She needed to talk to someone, if only to get a more objective take. Was Leon that person? Doubtful—but she had no one else to turn to.
Leon's truck shattered the silence of the village with an echo perhaps no one else heard. He stepped out as energetically as ever, scanning for the young woman.
This time, they sat outside, in the back garden. Ana had barely spent time there, except to tidy up some plants that seemed ready to engulf the house—until she hired a gardening team.
Leon looked at her expectantly, as if he had little to contribute but was eager to know what had happened.
-There's a creature—something moving in the shadows—I see it at night.
Ana finally spoke, once again feeling the quiet comfort of her friend's presence. Leon listened silently, not daring to interrupt.
-At first, I thought they were bad dreams. I barely remembered anything the next morning, so I ignored it. But then, overnight, I remembered everything. This creature is responsible for your grandmother's madness.
-But what is it? What does it look like?
-It's a man. Maybe around thirty, wearing a black cloak, blonde hair, and red eyes.
-Right...
Leon still couldn't see how it all connected.
-He uses some kind of... perfume? Or something. He gives off a captivating scent—unlike anything I've ever smelled. Almost hypnotic...
Ana's gaze drifted into memory, her voice so syrupy it was hard to believe she didn't enjoy it.
Leon noticed—and couldn't help reacting:
-I don't get it. Are you saying you like the creature visiting you at night? -he scoffed, disgusted-
Ana looked up, as surprised as she was embarrassed. Maybe she'd let herself get carried away. But—was Leon jealous?
Did Leon like Ana? Maybe.
Maybe from the start, he'd found her pretty and used that as an excuse to talk.
Maybe over time, as they spent more time together, his initial attraction had turned into real feelings.
It all felt so surreal. Now he wasn't just investigating his family's past—he was caught in a web of unrequited love.
-Hey, I didn't mean it like that -Ana said, still confused- It really is a scent—maybe enchanted. Think about it—it drove your grandmother mad. It's not just some nice cologne.
-And how do we know this supposed creature is connected to what happened to my grandma? -he asked, annoyed-
-His name appears in her letter.
-What letter? The one with the symbols?
-Yes...
-And how do you know what it says...? -he asked, puzzled—then quickly caught on- You showed the letter to someone else.
-But you gave me permission!
-To talk about everything else! We specifically said nothing about what happens in the guest room!
-Leon, I would never do something you didn't want! I swear I asked you! -she pleaded-
Leon had indeed given her permission to send the photo to Sofía, but the whole thing felt so strange—and his feelings so confused—his emotions erupted into anger.
-Maybe it was a mistake to share this with you... -he muttered, standing up-
Ana followed, the situation rattling her nerves.
-Hey! What are you talking about? We're discovering this together.
-No. You're in love with some ghost who visits you at night -Leon pointed- Even saying it out loud sounds ridiculous.
-It's not a ghost...
-See?! It's absurd. I can't believe it. You used me to get more info on that thing.
He turned and grabbed his coat, heading for the door.
-Please, Leon, it's not like that. I'm telling you this because I need your help -Ana stopped him, grabbing his arm-
Leon froze. Life had never been kind to him when it came to love or relationships. For most people, it would be hard not to take it personally—for him, it was impossible.
So unconsciously, he needed someone to insist he still mattered.
Consciously... he needed it too.
-Tell me... -he finally said, still hesitant-
-I need help—and so do you, a little. Just sit down, and I'll explain how I think this is all connected.
-And your 'friend' can't hear us? -he asked- I mean, theoretically, you said he can come in here.
Ana vaguely recalled the eerie feeling of being watched, the humanoid figures she once thought she saw in the foliage—but she chose to omit that part. At least for now.
-I've never seen him except at night in my room.
-That sounds... really bad -Leon joked with a half smile, taking off his coat-
They exchanged a brief look, followed by a flicker of nervousness completely out of place.
Maybe it was the first time they'd truly laughed together.
END OF CHAPTER 13