By the time Myhra and the others returned from the temple, the afternoon sun hung heavy in the sky, casting long shadows across the dusty path. Their journey back was slow, the air thick with the scent of incense clinging to their clothes.
As they neared home, a rhythmic thudding of hooves broke through the chatter. Oda rode toward them, his horse kicking up little clouds of earth. Before he could even pull the reins to a stop, Minu squealed in delight and darted forward. Oda leaned down effortlessly, lifting the little one onto the back of the horse. She clung to him, giggling as the animal trotted beside the group.
Grandmother led the way, her steady steps guiding the procession. Chhaya walked amidst a cluster of women, their voices a low hum of conversation, their bangles jingling in rhythm with their steps.
At the very end of the group, trailing behind like a lingering thought, was Myhra. She glanced back at the temple one last time before stepping forward, her feet carrying her away even as her mind lingered behind.
Upon returning, Myhra went straight to check on Yittann. He should be waking soon from the spell's hold, but the boy remained still, showing no signs of stirring. She watched his slow, steady breaths, her sharp eyes tracing the fading bruises and mending wounds. The healing potion was working, and she chose not to disturb him. Being a child vampire, God only knew how many years it had been since he'd truly slept.
Meanwhile, outside the quiet room, Minu animatedly recounted the entire incident to Oda, her sister's ever-loyal assistant. The young man listened with rapt attention, his brows furrowing at the details.
"You're telling me commander fought someone in the castle?" he asked, his voice edged with concern.
Minu nodded, pausing only to bite into the fruit Oda had peeled for her—a fair price for her secrets, in her opinion. She chewed thoughtfully before adding in a hushed tone, "Don't mention it to Myhra. I overheard them talking."
Oda gave her a slow, knowing grin—his signature mischievous smile.
In his sitting position, Oda leaned back against the wooden post, cleaning the knife he had used to peel the fruit between his fingers. His easygoing expression didn't fool Minu—she knew the gears in his head were turning.
Suddenly, a voice cut through their quiet exchange.
"And what more did you overhear, Minu?" Carli asked, striding toward them with her usual confidence. Her red hair glinted under the afternoon sun, and her sharp green eyes flicked between the two. Though her tone was casual, there was an unmistakable edge to it.
Oda was quick to salute the senior lady.
Minu smirked. "I only sell my secrets to one person at a time."
Carli chuckled, shaking her head. "Is that some kind of blood oath of yours?" She shot Oda a glance before turning her attention back to Minu. But beneath her amusement, the weight of the conversation hung between them.
They all knew the truth—Myhra had fought someone at the castle, and whatever had happened there, it wasn't something to take lightly.
Inside, Myhra dipped a cloth into cool water, dabbing Yittann's forehead. The boy remained unconscious, his breathing steady but unnaturally quiet. She pressed her palm lightly over his chest, feeling the faint hum of energy beneath his skin. He was healing, but there was something else—something distant, like a presence lurking just beyond reach.
A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Commander," Oda called, pushing the door open just enough to step in. "Captain Carli is here. You sent for her."
Myhra exhaled, setting the damp cloth aside.
She rose to her feet and stepped out into the courtyard, where Carli waited, arms crossed. Minu stood beside her, clearly in the middle of an argument—one that ceased the moment Myhra arrived.
"You wanted to talk," Carli said, cutting straight to the point.
Myhra nodded, gesturing for her to follow. As they walked a few paces away from listening ears, Oda lingered behind, watching them with his usual unreadable expression.
"I found someone at the castle," Myhra said in a low voice. "A boy."
Carli arched a brow. "A boy?"
"Not just any boy," Myhra corrected, lowering her voice further. "He's a cursed blood vampire."
Carli's face barely changed, but Myhra saw the way her fingers twitched at her side. Her expression turned calculating. "You're sure?"
Myhra nodded. "He was imprisoned there, half-starved, drained of magic. Someone wanted to keep him weak. I think he was meant to be forgotten." She hesitated. "But they'll come looking for him."
Carli let out a slow breath, glancing toward the closed door behind them. " Don't tell me you want to take him to the Silver Council."
"I don't, but Grandma gave a warning. You have connections there," Myhra pointed out. "Your brother works with them. He can help us get..."
Carli rubbed the back of her neck, her gaze flickering with something unreadable. "My brother doesn't just 'work' for them. He's part of their inner circle now. If we bring this boy in, there's no hiding him. They'll dig up everything they can on him—his lineage, his purpose, his past." She paused. "Are you sure about that?"
Myhra's jaw tightened. She wasn't sure yet. But she didn't have a choice.
"If we don't take him there, someone else will report from the village," she said. Knowing well her own grandmother won't hesitate to do it. "And I'd rather be the one calling the shots when that happens."
Carli studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright. When do we have to leave then?"
"Tomorrow. We'll leave at first light." Myha replied.
From the steps, Minu piped up, her voice carrying despite the distance. "You're leaving?"
Myhra turned toward Minu, her expression softening just a fraction. "Have to," she said simply.
Minu frowned, gripping the edge of the wooden railing. "For how long?"
Myhra didn't have a good answer to that. "As long as it takes."
Behind her, Carli exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. "The journey to the Silver Council isn't short, and once we're there, getting things done won't be easy. The council doesn't like surprises—especially ones wrapped in vampire skin."
Oda, still flipping his knife absentmindedly, arched a brow. "You're saying they might not take kindly to us showing up with a half-dead bloodsucker?"
Carli shot him a look. "That's exactly what I'm saying."
Myhra remained silent, her gaze drifting back to the closed door where Yittann still lay unconscious. "Then we'll just have to make them listen."
Minu chewed on her lip, hesitating before she hopped down the steps and marched up to Myhra. "Take me with you."
"Wish I could, but you need to train," Myhra said immediately.
Minu scowled. "I can do without training? That's not fair."
Myhra placed a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Fair or not, it's necessary. You don't me to fight and watch your back at the same time? You need to be strong enough to hold your own when the time comes."
Minu's frustration didn't waver, but she didn't argue. She kicked at the dirt, muttering, "You always say 'when the time comes.' When exactly is that?"
Myhra sighed, squeezing her shoulder. She hope for it to never come.
Carli, watching the exchange with mild impatience, clapped her hands together. "Alright, heartwarming sibling moment aside, we still have a lot to do before sunrise." She turned to Myhra. "We'll need supplies, weapons, and I assume you don't have a spare horse tucked away?"
Oda, still leaning lazily against the post, grinned. "I might know a guy."
Carli gave him a pointed look. "Your 'guy' isn't the one who tried to sell me a three-legged mule last time, is he?"
Oda retorted in mock offense. "That was an honest mistake. Besides, I've got better contacts now. Commander, please trust your servant."
Myhra gave him a side glance. "Fine. Handle it."
Oda grinned, clearly pleased with himself. "Consider it done. You'll have the best horses in the village—maybe even ones with all four legs this time."
Carli groaned. "I swear, if you bring me another half-lame mule, I swear this time I will roast you alive."
Oda placed a hand over his heart. "Captain, your lack of faith wounds me."
Myhra ignored their exchange, her focus shifting back to Minu, who still stood stiffly in place. The younger girl wasn't pouting, but she was close.
As Myhra turned back toward the door, the distant toll of the temple bells echoed through the air—a slow, ringing chime that sent an uneasy shiver down her spine.
She had a feeling this journey was only the beginning.