They had been on the road for about five hours, it was close to midnight now. Tariq had carved a concealing rune into the underside of the dashboard before they had left the last town they came across. It would keep their presence hidden from any unwanted attention. Now Alric stood beside the car pump in hand refuelling the tank. Not far off Eirik and Tariq made their way back from the dimly lit roadside shop, plastic bags in hand. The scent of fried meat and baked bread wafted behind them.
Fifteen minutes later they were back on the road.
"Wallachia" Tariq said while staring out the window "Home to the oldest and most powerful vampires in existence, not to mention all the other dangerous Velari that reside there." He leaned back in his seat and turned his gaze towards the front. "Who do you think is our guy?"
Eirik didn't answer his eyes were fixed on the road ahead, it was Alric who replied.
"Mmmmh like you said Wallachia is home to a lot of powerful beings, it's hard to pinpoint who exactly it may be and I highly doubt that the entire Vampire horde is helping our targets" Alric glanced at the rearview mirror "I believe that a single vampire is helping them, perhaps one in Dracula's court."
Eirik exhaled loudly through his nose. "The Count .... That's one Velari we definitely do not want catching their attention"
"Indeed" Alric said. "He'd kill us without a second thought and we are entering his realm uninvited. We are literally courting death."
"We don't have a choice" Eirik said "We can't announce our presence hoping they would grant us entry. and even if we did why would he care that a member of his court is allied with a witch and a Werewolf against the Lykans, who mind you are their biggest enemy"
"Then we ought to tread carefully" Tariq said. "So how do you suggest we go about this?"
"We drive as close as we can to Wallachia as we can. Then from there we have to enter the realm via gateway on foot" Alric replied.
Like Lykoryon, Wallachia is a mystical realm that no longer existed on the mortal plane. It existed parallel to the mortal realm n a pocket dimension that mirrored it and was cloaked in ancient magic. Not only vampires dwelt there but all manner of creatures and monsters.
Ghouls undead creatures that served vampires, shapeshifters capable of shifting into different animals at will though one could master a maximum of five shapes at a time. Skinwalkers dwelt there too, beings that stitched the skin of their victims to their own. It allowed them to absorb their memories, knowledge and power though an echo of the originals power. They smelt of rotten flesh and death.
Demons resided in Wallachia as well. They looked human, beautiful and flawless until they transformed into their demon forms. The males had red skin with black horns protruding from their heads. Black claws tipped each finger and their muscles bulged with power. The females though smaller and slender were just as deadly. They did not spot horns but rather a whip like tail that could impale a man clean through.
They drove on for about two more hours and were now about ten kilometres from the gateway that would portal them into Wallachia. Alric drove the car off the main road and parked it deep within the underbrush, hidden from any wandering eyes.
"We go on foot from here" Alric said as he stepped out of the vehicle and tapped the watch on his wrist. A glowing map shimmered on its surface with a single blinking dot pulsing steadily, the tracker.
"The closer we get the more danger we face. We must move quietly and stealthily so as to not draw any unwanted attention" Alric said. "Wallachia's gateway is guarded by hellish creatures such as hellhounds."
Hellhounds were dog like creatures from hell and were big as a small bear. Quite vicious and deadly, they could inflict mortal wounds that would never heal. A bite or scratch never healed causing many Velari to stay clear of them. They were also the best guard dogs.
The trio moved silently and quickly through the Romanian forest. Though the night was dark with the moon casting no light their enhanced senses enabled them to weave through the forest as if it was as clear as day. Tariq was in the middle having activated a rune etched into his arm sharpening his senses allowing to match the others in stride.
Halfway through the map began to flicker. Blinking rapidly at first then eventually fizzing with static.
'The gateway must be interfering with the signal" Alric said frowning.
Tariq closed his eyes briefly. "No matter, I can sense the gateway. I can guide us the rest of the way." He took the lead the others following close behind. They moved swiftly, dried branches crunching softly underfoot.
And then.
A voice, smooth as velvet and laced with distain called out from above.
"Well... well...well. What do we have here?"
They froze, eyes shooting upward.
Perched on a thick tree branch above them was a tall man with bone pale skin and shoulder length black hair pushed back like waves frozen in ink. He wore a long-tailored coat over a dark shirt and jeans. Leaning lazily against the trunk, he landed down with eyes the colour of blood. He had a Romanian accent.
"I told you I sensed intruders" came a second voice.
Another vampire sat casually on a branch of a neighbouring tree, legs dangling a smug smile on his face. He was paler still, with neatly cropped hair and an actual glint in his eyes. His coat flared slightly in the wind like a predator's cloak. He too shared the same accent.
Vampires.
"I never understood the vampire obsession of dressing in all black" Tariq muttered 'Is it a fashion statement or a cry for help."
The first vampire narrowed his eyes, smile unfaltering. "It would be wise to hold your tongue spellcaster. You trespass on our land and still you find the strength to mock. Shall I cut that tongue of yours to teach you some manners. What business do you three have sneaking into Wallachia like thieves?" he added coldly.
"Our business is our own vampire." Alric said stepping forward. "Do not concern yourself with matters your blood deprived brains would not understand."
They smiled. Perfect dazzling white teeth.
"Perhaps we should educate" The second vampire said leaping from his branch. He landed gracefully, his log coat fluttering around him like wings. "In a small matter called manners."
"No one house trains mutts anymore "the first vampire sighed, dropping beside him with the same unnatural grace. "Their witch is just as uncivilised"
"You know what they say" the second vampire said "The company you keep."
The first kept his smile. "But worry not gentlemen, for we are well versed in the art of discipline. You are in good hand."
Eirik's fangs slid into place, claws unsheathing with a soft click, his eyes gleaming in the dark. "Shall we?" he asked.
"We shall" Alric growled stepping beside him. Tariq's arms glowing with magic as he summoned his power. The vampires just tilted their heads in amusement.
"Where are our manners?" Said the one with long hair. He said mockingly placing a hand on his chest. "I am Constantin Dragos and this charming creature beside me is Vladan Ilescu."
"And you are?" Vladan asked smirking.
"And we don't care" Eirik replied flatly.
Constantin's grin widened. "It matters not who you are" Vladan replied his own own claws extending. Unlike a Lykan's c vampire's claws were more like a cat. They were sharper and slightly curved. "You will soon cease to exist in the next few moments. Your names forgotten long before your bodies grow cold."
Tariq smiled. "Shall we put a wager to that vampire?"
"Oh spellcaster" Vladan said, voice dipping with mock sorrow "You will be the first to fall"