Once the last light of day had disappeared beyond the horizon, Rafael arose swifty. Even knowing Zephora was somehow gone, he went straight to the room where he'd last seen her lying in slumber. She did not know that he had checked in on her shortly before dawn to ensure to himself she was alright. Even though Draedyn had seemed to come around to their point of view, he still felt wary. He didn't like the protective feelings, as well as the hunger to taste her sweet life's blood, that surged through him simultaneously. On the one hand he wanted to protect her, and on the other, he knew he was the one she really needed protection from. If he could claim any kind of control over the demon he felt inside, he would stay as far away from Zephora as possible. Yet he knew, even with that knowledge, he would not. He knew she would go home, and even if she didn't go there directly, it was only a matter of time before he found her. After all, he could track anyone and anything.
Rafael looked around the guest bedroom. She had left nothing behind, except for the the dress and shoes she had worn. He held the dress to his nose. Her scent still lingered there, teasing him. He couldn't help the amused grin that came to his face. If she wanted to play a game of cat and mouse, he was more than willing oblige her.
Rafael sensed Jale near. A moment later he appeared behind him. "How'd she manage to get away?" Jale asked in surprise.
"I should be asking you that question. I thought you said it was impossible for her to leave?" Rafael replied giving his friend a hard time.
Jale shrugged his shoulders. "I obviously underestimated the girl. Same as you."
It didn't take much investigating before Rafael was finally able to get a rough idea of how Zephora had managed her escape. The tree limbs that were recently broken, gave Rafael unwelcome images of Zephora jumping from one tree to another nearly twenty feet, with only a few flimsy branches to break her fall. "The foolish girl could have been seriously injured! What was she thinking." Rafael exclaimed.
"My guess would be, she wanted to get as far away from you as possible and at any cost." Jale responded with a little chuckle.
Rafael glared at Jale. "How do you know it's me she was trying to get a way from?"
"Oh, I don't know, maybe because I am handsome and charming... while you on the other hand, have the personality of granite." Jale poked fun at Rafael.
Jale didn't have time to react before Rafael threw him through the air. Rafael couldn't help but laugh at Jale's stunned expression when he found himself thrown into a nearby tree. Wood splinters billowed out around him. Jale stood quickly, brushing himself off.
"You really need to work on your sense of humor." Jale suggested.
"What's wrong with my sense of humor? I thought it was rather funny seeing you fly through the air." Rafael responded casually.
"Haha... So what about Zephora then? What's your plan now?" Jale inquired, changing the subject.
"Same as before—" Rafael started to say, before abruptly stopping. Then paused, as his senses picked up another person near.
"I think we're about to have company." Rafael warned.
Jale raised an eyebrow and asked, "Pleasant company?"
"I wouldn't count on it." Rafael said under his breath.
Rafael watched as a blurry form came speeding toward them. The form came to a stop only feet away. It materialized into the image of the last vampire Rafael wanted to encounter at the moment.
Rafael glared at the fool of a vampire standing there. He was shorter than most vampires, with pale pasty skin. There wasn't anything this vampire wouldn't do, to gain the favor of the Council. He had absolutely no scruples. He also happened to despise Rafael. Rafael had to admit the feeling was mutual. Right then he didn't have time to deal with worms.
"What do you want, Victor?" Rafael asked with obvious annoyance.
"Hello Rafael, I bring greetings from Micklaus." Victor said with forced politeness.
"Stop with the pleasantries, and tell me why you are here. I know it's not to bring me happy greetings." Raphael said impatiently.
"I'd be careful, if I were you. Micklaus is most unhappy with your lack of results. You have not completed your assignment. Not only haven't you aquired the girl, rumors are circulating about your involvement with a strange coven with mixed species." Victor informed Rafael, with a voice filled with superiority and a hint of glee at Master Micklaus' displeasure of him.
Rafael felt his fangs scraping his bottom lip and was sure his eyes were as red as blood. He felt his anger grow. The Council had never questioned him before, or his results. Now, not only were they questioning those results, but they were also adding insult to injury by sending an inferior vampire to chastise him.
"I do not answer to you! Tell Micklaus to speak to me personally instead of sending a cockroach." Rafael responded venomously.
Victor hissed, baring his fangs. "Call me what you will, but after the fire, only the cockroach remains."
"Not when I crush it beneath my boot." Rafael spat. Before he could lung for Victor, Jale held him back.
"He is protected by the council, if you kill him, it will only cause more problems for you." Jale tried to reason with Rafael, barely holding him back.
Victor laughed. "He's right, you know. That's the best part, knowing you want to kill me, but you can't."
"You better get to the point, or you will regret it!" Jale snapped, he too losing his patience with Victor.
"Micklaus demands your presence. In three evenings, the inter species gala is being held. He insists you be there, and with the girl. If you do not, you will be made an example of. Which is something I would relish seeing. I personally hope you do not succeed in finding her." Victor relayed his message, menacingly.
"Oh, I'll be there and with Amelie." Rafael promised. Then he stalked toward the smaller vampire. "One day Victor, you will not be protected by The Council, and when that day comes..." Rafael let his threat trail off. He then watched Victor swallow the lump in his throat. For all of Victor's talk, he truly was a coward. And he truly despised cowardly scum like Victor.
Victor didn't wait around for any more threats. Just as quickly as he had arrived he was gone again. Leaving Rafael, extremely pissed off. He and Jale stood in silence each left alone to their own thoughts.
Finally, Jale broke the silence. "Since when does the council threaten you?"
"They don't. I don't like what's going on." Rafael addmitted.
"Well, whatever it is, it really stinks." Jale said, then added as an afterthought. "Why do you think Draedyn left the council after so long? And what happened, that now he despises them?"
"That's an excellent question. Since he's more likely to open up to you, how about you see what you can learn?" Rafael requested.
"And what are you going to be doing while I get chummy with Drae?"
Rafael grinned. "I'm going hunting."
*******
"You're sure you saw her go in this shop?" Rafael asked the young man again. He had tracked Zephora to a spell caster trading post. After asking around he had come across the young warlock who remembered seeing a dark haired girl that fit Zephora's description. While most spell caster's didn't have the bad history with vampires, like moon howler's, they still had their reservations about having dealings with his kind. In their trading markets, however, they were used to different species coming to trade and barter. This made his presence there less suspicious.
"Yes sir, I'm sure it was her. I have seen her go into that shop a few times." The young man looked a little flushed. He was obviously attracted to her. Rafael tried to control the possessive urge that went through him at the kids statement. He wasn't surprised that Zephora would leave an impression, yet he didn't like the idea of any male looking at her that way.
Rafael was feeling extremely anxious and he didn't like it. The state he had found Zephora's home in had come as a shock. He wasn't sure what happened, but it appeared Zephora and her friends had abandoned the place. One thing he knew for certain, there were two scents had that had stood out to him. One belonged to Amelie and the other Zephora. Zephora's had been stronger, leading him to believe she had been there more recently. Amelie's had been there too, though he couldn't say if it was from her being there the first time, but he didn't think so.
Rafael found himself in a dilemma. Should he follow Amelie or Zephora. He knew he was on thin ice with the council, but he had to admit, Micklaus' tactics rubbed him the wrong way.
In the end, he rationalized following Zephora. Her scent was the strongest and would be the easiest to follow. And he was certain that Zephora would lead him straight to Amelie. Her desire to help Amelie was just a strong as before. Though, now that he knew about Zephora's past, he had to admit he was surprised she was willing to help any vampire. Then again, she never seemed to stop surprising him.
He left his informant where he stood and walked the distance to the shop. He looked at the sign that read, Darby's Second Hand Finds. Without a moment's hesitation, he entered the shop. He took a moment to look around. There was a strange assortment of nick nacks and other old objects. A suit of armor was displayed along one wall, a large broad sword next to it. There were old clocks and all manner of books. He even noticed a few shrunken heads hanging from a display. He shook his head. Spell caster's were always an eclectic bunch. He couldn't help but wonder what brought Zephora to a place like this. Then he remembered her spell caster friend. What was her name? That's right Pixie. It must have something to do with her.
"Is there anything I can help you find" a female voice called from behind. Rafael turned to see a middle aged, slightly overweight female standing there. It took him a moment before her realized she must work there. He flashed her a charming smile. One he found most female's couldn't seem to resist. He wasn't surprised when she blushed. He could already tell, she would probably tell him anything he wanted to know.
"I certainly hope so. I am actually looking for someone. A friend of mine came here earlier. She's average height, with dark curly hair. Usually wears leather boots..." Rafael trailed off at the end when the shop keeper started nodding her head.
" Yes, I remember her. She came in looking for books. She didn't say what exactly. At one point I heard her talking to another woman that was reading at the back table. She's a regular here...Pixie I think is her name." Rafael listened intently as the shop keeper told him what she knew. "Then something odd happened. One minute they were talking and the next thing you know, they had left out the back."
"Thank you. That's most helpful." Rafael threw her another smile. "You wouldn't happen to remember what this Pixie was reading do you."
"Sure. I think it's still on the table. I've been busy with customers all day and haven't had a chance to tidy anything up yet." The woman rattled on as she walked to the back with Rafael following close behind. She picked up an old leather bound volume and handed it to him. Reading the front he was intrigued. Fire Drake's: The myths and the legends.
Rafael flipped through the pages. He wasn't certain what he was looking for but one thing he knew; the spell caster wouldn't be looking at a book like that for no reason. He did find it curious that about half way through the book, a page had been torn out completely.
"Could I purchase this book?" Rafael inquired and then added when he saw the shop keeper give him a curious look. "This looks like a very interesting read. Definitely something I would be interested in."
"Of course. If you'll follow me, I'll check you out—I mean I'll ring you up at the front." The shop keeper stammered in embarrassment. Rafael just gave her another smile.
Once he'd left the shop, Rafael made his way to the back of the building. He was able to pick up Zephora's scent and now that he recognized it, Pixie's scent as well. He was able to follow they're trail for some time leading him to a mill of some kind. After asking around he learned that two young women fitting their description, had been asking for a ride North East and had been last seen with two elves.
"Do you happen to know who these elves were, by chance?" He asked his informant.
"I believe it was Gambit...yes Gambit and the other elf was Paxel. They're most likely at the pub right now. That's where they always go once they drop off a shipment."
Rafael found the elves at the pub, just like he'd been told. At first they didn't seem inclined to say anything.
"You mean them any harm?" The elf that called himself Gambit, grunted.
"No, I don't mean them any harm. I promise, I am only concerned for their welfare. But there are some out there that do mean them harm and I need to make sure they're alright." Rafael insisted. He looked straight into Gambits eyes without flinching. The elf must have believed him.
"I can't tell you where they ended up, but I can tell you where we dropped them off." Gambit finally said.
Rafael left the pub and stepped out into the night air. He looked toward the North East in the direction he needed to go. It wouldn't be long before he would catch up with Zephora at this rate. He was sure she would be very surprised to see him. He looked forward to reminding her about a certain favor she owed him. A favor that he looked forward to calling in.
AN: I'm happy to say, I managed to get this chapter done a day early this week. I hope you enjoy! Also, Happy Mother's Day this Sunday! Hope all you mom's out there get a little pampering this weekend. You deserve it!
Stay Healthy and Happy!❤️