Eira sat on the edge of the bed, her breath still uneven.
The dancers had gathered around her looking worried. Their gowns rustled as they moved.
Sholi, the eldest of them, pressed a damp cloth to Eira's forehead, checking for fever of any kind. Another girl, Cali, gently touched her wrist, trying to feel her pulse.
Betai paced near the dresser, her brows furrowed so tightly, they almost clashed. "Sholi," she snapped. "why didn't you warn her?"
Sholi flinched, looking guilty. "I—I thought she knew. Everyone knows not to look at the Red King."
"She's new." Betai hissed. "You should've said something."
Everyone was tensed, and this made Eira feel sad for putting them in such a situation. She blinked slowly, her head still foggy. Her pulse drummed at the base of her throat.
"So that's why I couldn't look away…" She murmured.
Betai turned to her, eyes wide with fear. "You're lucky, Eira. If it had been the Red King himself who caught you looking, you'd be dead by now."
Eira shivered. The memory of the man's eyes locking onto hers sent a chill down her spine. It had felt like drowning in tar—slow, suffocating, and endless. After what felt like eternity, he had broken the stare, thereby releasing her body. Shaken by what had happened, she had fled the stage with the troupe in fear.
"It was that man with the white hair" she whispered. "He looked at me, and I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe."
"His name is Meshai. You're lucky he spared you." Betai whispered, as her expression softened. "That's the only reason you're still here."
Eira nodded.
The room fell quiet.
Then Sholi spoke, her voice low. "Most high-ranking vampires have magical powers tied to their bloodlines. They don't just drink blood. They command it. They can paralyze, kill, or drain you with a glance."
She paused, then continued. "The Red King and Meshai… they're the worst of them."
Eira swallowed hard. "I see…"
Betai sighed and knelt beside her, placing a steadying hand on her knee. "You scared the hell out of us." She said quietly. "One moment you were fine, the next you went white as death."
"I'm sorry." Eira said, guilt creeping into her tone. "I won't do it again, I promise."
Betai and the rest smiled as they hugged her.
The girls slowly slowly began to disperse, their footsteps fading into the corridor until only Betai and Eira remained. Betai got up to leave, and Eira followed her into her office.
"How did I do? The dance…" Eira asked as she paused at the door, scratching her arm.
Betai leaned against the edge of her desk and smiled faintly. "Despite everything… you danced beautifully, dear."
Eira smiled back. "Um…really? Thanks."
Betai's gaze lingered on her a moment longer before she stood and reached into a nearby shelf. She pulled out a small leather pouch and tossed it lightly toward Eira. "Here. A welcome gift."
Eira caught it, puzzled. When she loosened the drawstring, her breath hitched. Gold coins. Real ones. Heavy, and warm against her palm.
Alongside it was a heavy brass token that had the name 'Furries' carved on it, with the royal emblem of Arthwalth.
Her eyes widened. "Oh my God. I'm officially part of the troupe?"
Betai nodded. "Yes, you are."
Eira's chest swelled with something she hadn't felt in a long time, pride and happiness. "Thanks Betai. But you didn't have to…"
"I have to." Betai said simply. "People should be paid for their work."
Eira hesitated. "I can work for free. Just shelter and food is enough."
Betai raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
Eira smiled to mask the truth. Because she needed to stay close. She needed to gather resources to refine the memory elixir, so Betai can quickly remember who she really is—Sera Myles, her one and only best friend.
But Betai just shook her head. "No one works for free here. You earned this."
Eira nodded, tucking the coins away carefully. "Then I'll make sure to make you proud."
Betai laughed softly. "That's what I like to hear."
Eira left, and, like everyone else, retired for the night.
—
The next morning, Eira woke early and made her way to the kitchen, where Maun, the troupe's cook, was already preparing breakfast for everyone. Rya, Dalin, and Fedora were there too, sleeves rolled up, hair tied back, chatting as they worked.
"Good morning!" Eira greeted with a smile.
"Morning Eira!" they chorused. "Hope you slept well?"
"Quite well, thank you."
Rya handed her a bowl of flour. "Feeling better?"
"For the hundredth time," Eira laughed. "yes I'm fine. I was just looked at, not stabbed."
Fedora snorted. "That was still scary as hell."
Eira joined them, pressing her hands into the dough. The warmth of the kitchen, their laughter, and the way the utensils clattered softly—it felt like home. Almost.
Their conversation soon drifted to the ceremony.
"So…" Eira began casually, "how is the Red King really like?"
"The Red King?" Rya asked.
"Yeah… I mean— I lost my memory before I was arrested. So I don't remember much about this realm, or how the vampires ended up taking over."
The girls' face turned to that of pity. "We're so sorry about that, Eira."
Eira laughed nervously. "Um…thanks. I'll be fine with time."
Dalin wiped her hands, as her face fell. "Seventy years ago, they came out of hiding." She said. "The vampires. They said they wanted to save the world, and humans."
"They pretended to be saviors." Rya added bitterly. "Promised they'd stop the wars. Bring peace, and immortality."
Fedora scoffed. "It was all bullshit. They turned us into blood slaves."
Eira listened, heart pounding.
"They're all monsters, you know." Dalin said. "Especially the Red King."
Rya nodded. "He's the worst of them. Ruthless. Psychopathic. No conscience. No sympathy. He once burned an entire village because a child spilled wine on his robe."
Eira's stomach twisted, but she forced herself to ask. "Why do people still follow him then?"
Dalin sighed. "Because fear works better than faith. And because, obviously, no one's strong enough to stop him."
Eira looked down at her hands, knuckles white from kneading dough. She cursed under her breath. Fucking Eve. Of all things to throw me into, she gave me this bastard as a target.
"Are you okay?" Fedora asked her.
"Yeah, sorry." Eira said, forcing a nervous smile. "Just… overwhelmed."
Rya gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "You'll be fine. Just follow the rules."
Eira nodded. "What rules?"
"Don't look any vampire in the eye." Dalin said. "Especially the nobles."
"Yeah. And move out of the way if you see one coming." Fedora added.
"If they want to feed, just quietly let them." Rya said, grimly. "Stay calm. It doesn't hurt. Oh, and always stay with your fellow humans." She finished.
Eira shivered. "Got it."
She hesitated. "Meshai… the one who looked at me. Why is his aura so strong and dark?"
Rya's face darkened. "He's not just strong, but also ancient, and the second most powerful man in the realm."
"He's the King's adviser. Right hand man. Gatekeeper. Whatever you want to call it." Dalin piped in. "People fear him more than death. He's ruthless, cold and very thorough when dealing with people."
Eira nodded slowly. "Wow. He sounds like—alot."
"Oh he is, my dear. People fear him more than the king sometimes." Maun spoke up from near the stove.
Dread coiling deep in Eira's stomach as she analyzed all the info.
"If he is that bad…" Her voice faltered. "I don't even want to imagine what the King's like."
Rya met her eyes, somber. "Pray you never find out."
Eira did. Silently.
But she already knew she would. To get to the Red King, she would have to pass through Meshai, no doubt.