Jonathan flew out of the Pembroke's borders and away from any prying eyes. When he put you down again, you saw that he was still shrouded in a black mist.
Even though he showed kind and helpful, he could be really dangerous...you were an Ekon like him, but you didn't like that strange aura around him.

《How do you feel, Miss Wright?》  The doctor asked you once he was back as before.

You wrapped yourself in your arms as if you suddenly felt cold.

《I'm fine...thank you, Doctor Reid.》

You appreciated his help, especially when you realized that McCullum's actions had taken an unexpected direction.
In that moment, Jonathan saw your lost gaze in your thoughts and looked worried.

《McCullum can be truly merciless when it comes to vampires...I hope I got there in time and he didn't do you any harm...》

The vampire shortened the distance between you two; at that point, he reached a hand in the direction of your neck where the hunter had just placed his harsh lips. His touch was completely different from that of the other man...on the contrary, Jonathan's caress couldn't arouse any emotion in you other than discomfort that inexplicably agitated your blood.

《I-I think I should go back...I left some important things and I need to get them back–》

《You mean those letters scattered on the street? I don't think it's a good idea to go back now and not alone...I can go and retrieve them personally, if this is not a problem for you.》

He made himself available to bring back your precious papers, until you remembered what McCullum had done to one of them, in front of you.

When you accepted, you went back to your room to await his arrival, but when you entered you saw the silhouette of Lady Ashbury sitting in front of a work table.

《Y/n, I was waiting for you.》  She said as she stood up. Until now, you have never denied her company when she came to see you...but this time, she looked at you with alert eyes and eager to give you some important news.

《I know someone who may know where your Creator is.》

《What is this "Creator"?》  You looked at her with a bewildered expression.

Elizabeth explained to you that this was what they called whoever turned humans into vampires depriving them of death.

《We can all be the Creator of another vampire...that's why we need to choose our prey carefully and make sure then it's dead. Unfortunately, these are mistakes that are often made, out of our control...》

There were still many things you still didn't know about being a vampire; Elizabeth went on by telling you who this contact of hers was...he was one of the most important and influential of the Ekon race, known as Lord Redgrave.
You didn't hesitate when you asked her where he was.

《He's the chairman and founder of the Ascalon Club, an organization made up of vampires of aristocratic lineage.》  She took a step towards you  《But getting in there isn't as easy as you think...the access to the club is strictly for men only.》

Even if the times were certainly not the best, it seemed almost strange to you that there was still something that prevented a woman from joining, especially within a club. Of course, this wasn't like everyone else and you imagined something really creepy and dangerous, until Lady Ashbury revealed its location, in the heart of the West End.

《The building is well known by the most prestigious men in the country, including humans.》  She concluded.

At that moment, the woman turned her back; even if she had revealed this information to you, it didn't mean you should have left...she was absolutely going to talk to Jonathan about it.

《We need to talk to Doctor Reid about this...》

But when she turned to look at you, there was only a dark trail running through her and the room window.
Lady Ashbury pursed her lips at the thought of what was to come shortly and vanished too, to seek her doctor friend at the Pembroke.

* * *

No matter who was, by now you had made your decision to find your possible Creator and you wouldn't have allowed anyone to stop you.
As always, the London sky was on your side and let it hide your identity from possible strangers. Due to the ongoing epidemic, the West End had also decided to limit traffic on the roads, especially at night, becoming an even more sinister and cold place.

Before reaching the inhabited area of ​​the neighborhood, where there was also your house, you noticed that it was swarming with sentries armed, well covered and with torches in hand...among them, you saw someone carrying a long spear with a cross on the end and you could hear some kind of prayer screamed, probably to ward off the evil that vampires were spreading in the city...you wondered if they too belonged to Guard of Priwen and that man's face suddenly returned to invade your mind.

Despite his bad temper and what he had done to your things, Geoffrey did nothing but stare at you. You didn't know why, but that tickle that his lips and beard had given you a wasn't as annoying as you thought.

《And now why am I thinking about this...》

You shook your head to push that thought away, but you couldn't ignore that it wasn't going to be easy the next time you faced him again...
You followed the West End main road and stopped at the intersection; there were no particular smells that could help you, but you saw a man walking alone and elegantly dressed on the sidewalk opposite yours. He disappeared from your sight when turned into a small street, just behind the town hall.
You followed him without getting noticed, as he strolled those streets without any concern of what might happen to him, if he encountered an attacker and the reason was obvious...he gave off a smell similar to Doctor Reid and this made you realize that he was an Ekon vampire.

《Where is he going?》

The man continued until he stopped in front of a small door, which looked like the back of the town hall, reachable only by crossing a public garden. There, the door opened without showing who had welcomed him from inside.
You had no choice but to go in too, but you remembered Lady Ashbury's words and the fact that women were not allowed in there.

You searched around until your eyes saw a lighted window on the first floor...luckily, it was open. You concentrated and flew quickly in its direction.

You expected someone to be there, but you were alone. The study was dimly lit and reigned a deep silence, as if there was no one in the entire building...or so you thought.

In fact, the place was full of vampires and you perceived it through their smells completely different from those in the Pembroke.

You felt some frustration hearing them all together.

《I'm starting to think it wasn't a good idea to come here...》  You said in a low voice.

Suddenly, you discovered that you were never alone. Someone was hiding from the darkest spot of the room, where you couldn't see him but could feel his presence. You turned in the right direction when you heard a man chuckle.

《...what makes you think that?》

From a corner, a tall, thin man came out; he was dressed as a gentleman too, but he wasn't the same one that you saw outside. He was definitely older than you and it wasn't just for his gray hair...

《What is a young lady like you doing here? I want to warn you that this is not the right place for you, miss...》

With his arms folded behind his back, he walked over to stop in front of you. His skin was really pale and his ice-colored eyes studied you intensely. For a moment, you wondered if he knew you were a vampire like him...

《Forgive me for the intrusion, sir, but I'm here because I need to speak to a certain Lord Redgrave...I need to ask him something...》

You expressed yourself in a composed way hoping to be as convincing as possible. The unknown man put his fingers under his chin and rubbed it slowly.

《I see...could you please tell me your name, miss?》  When he said that, you opened your eyes wide fearing you were being rude.

《I-It's Y/n Wright. I'm really mortified...》  You made a slight bow as a gesture of apology, but the other just smiled.

《Mpf, you are worrying too much. And yes, I am Lord Redgrave and this is the Ascalon Club. I suppose I should make an exception this time and let you feel comfortable, while you are here...》

Then, he reached for your hand so he could kiss it; he still held it in his palm and stroked it with his thumb.

《You have really lovely skin, Miss Wright, and this sweet scent...did you realize the risk you might have encountered coming here?》

He said all of a sudden. You didn't understand what he meant by that.

《...I knew women weren't allowed.》  You took your eyes off him for a moment.  《Are you worried they could cause problems in such a place?》

《Here we are dealing with affairs that a woman shouldn't take care of. A distraction, if that's what you mean...》  When he finally let you go, he made you sit in an armchair in front of his desk.

《So, what do you want to know exactly, Miss Wright?》He asked.

《I'm looking for the one who turned me into this. I believe you know Lady Ashbury, she was the one who told me about you and this place.》  You explained; when you mentioned the red-haired woman's name, Lord Redgrave didn't seem surprised.

《Mmm, what makes you think it's not me?》  He asked with some sarcasm trying to create confusion in you.

《...forgive me sir, but I would know if you were my Creator.》

The more you looked at it, the more convinced you were of your answer. You were right, in any case, Lord Redgrave wasn't the vampire you were looking for.

《Anyway, if you have known Lady Ashbury, then you have already met Jonathan as well...》  He leaned forward resting his elbows on his desk, somewhat interested.

《I am quite satisfied that an Ekon like him is a member of this club.》

When you heard those words, you remained silent; you didn't imagine that Doctor Reid attended a place so different from Pembroke...apparently, he was also hiding secrets and the man in front of you seemed to know something too.

《Do you know what, Miss Wright? You are not that different from Jonathan...some time ago, he also came here with questions to ask me, but unlike you, I didn't have the answers he was once looking for...》  Lord Redgrave stood up from his seat and turned the corner of the desk to approach you at a slow pace.

You blinked looking up.
《D-do you mean that you know who my Creator could be? If so sir, tell me, please!》

His grey, dead eyes watched your reaction closely.
《Sure, I will answer your question...but I would like you to offer me something in exchange for that.》

You weren't quite clear what his intentions were, although you would have tried everything to take a step forward and closer to your alleged Creator.

《...what do you want from me?》

Just as had happened with Jonathan, Lord Redgrave emanated a strange and overwhelming force, perhaps even stronger. He took a step towards you, reaching behind the back of the chair you were sitting on.

《Your blood, Miss Wright.》

* * *

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at Pembroke Hospital had become somewhat tense. After what Lady Ashbury had told him, Jonathan had rushed into the Swansea office to report the same news to him.

《If what you say is true, then Miss Wright may be taking a big risk...but are you really sure of that, Jonathan?》He asked worried and almost shocked.

《Absolutely, I can't be wrong. Believe me when I tell you that Miss Wright is...》

But Jonathan paused to speak leaving a perplexed Edgar; he turned in the direction of the door.

《Who is there?》Swansea asked; the door was opened and slammed violently on the other side.

《Come on Reid, go ahead.》

The two doctors didn't expect Geoffrey McCullum to appear. In particular, Swansea seemed very surprised to see that he cared about your situation.

《So, Miss Wright is an Ekon with a human smell...this is an amazing discovery, I've never heard of a similar case among vampires before!》  Swansea seemed delighted, while the other two guests remained serious and silent.

《But I still don't understand what the trigger could be, because it is undoubtedly a side effect of the transformation...I have to do some personal research before coming to a possible conclusion...》

The doctor walked back and forth inside his office talking to himself. He didn't realize he was left alone.

Jonathan was the first to leave; McCullum followed him to understand what his shady intentions were.

《For this time I ask you not to interfere, McCullum, I absolutely must find Miss Wright, before it's too late...》  The vampire doctor quickened his pace but remained stalked by the other.

《Watch how you talk. Do you really think you can do as you please?》  But he only got a deep look from the doctor.

《I have to save her, no matter what.》

Jonathan was determined to find and bring you back; Geoffrey said nothing, simply limited himself to a contemptuous and annoyed expression.
The fact that vampire had silenced him caused some annoyance into him...he couldn't let him win again.

《Tsk, that little leech does nothing but cause trouble...》

He thought, obviously referring to you, as he walked through the West End.

* * *

Your fingers were sweating as they tried to find the doorknob and escape from that damn place.
You hadn't stopped staring at the eyes of the vampire who was in front of you, as he could have seriously attacked you at any moment, but Lord Redgrave didn't move an inch and seemed more and more amused by your sudden fear towards him.

《Mpf, don't worry my dear, since you're a vampire you won't feel anything...of course, if you let me do it right.》

The ancient vampire didn't allow you to leave the room, as he stretched his hands over your delicate and untouched neck.

《P-please don't do it, that's not right!》  You didn't understand why a vampire would need to suck another vampire's blood, until you felt the way he smelled your skin.

《Mmm, what a fresh and sweet smell it comes from here. Who would have thought I would hear it on a young Ekon like you...very interesting...》  He said as he moved away your hair uncovering your neck more.

He was unexpectedly strong despite his appearance and it wasn't easy to break free from him.
Suddenly, you heard strange noises similar to growls coming from the bottom of the building.

《Apparently, someone is starting to fidget downstairs...you know what will happen if they come here, right?》  Of course, Lord Redgrave was referring to the other vampires in the club; your scent had even reached their noses and now they craved for that.

He wrapped his arm around your back immobilizing you; he bent your thin neck slightly to one side to prepare it for the bite.

《Just one. Now, stay still.》

He whispered in your ear as he uncovered his pointy canines. The scene was terrifying and even though it had happened to you before, that was the first time you saw a vampire trying to attack you.

You didn't believe it was really happening.

《S-stop it...! No!》

For a moment, you thought that someone was going to come there to save you, but then you remembered that you had gone there alone, naively believing that you were placing your trust in a much more experienced and crafty vampire than you.

You clearly felt his fangs penetrate your skin, unexpectedly soft for his taste, causing you a sudden and deep pain. Your neck began to get wet with your own blood, which you couldn't smell clearly, but made a distinguished man like Lord Redgrave lose control.

You felt the way he eagerly sucked the area, but without as much pain as before...on the other hand, your energies ran out quickly, but he had grabbed you so that you didn't fall to the ground. You didn't even have the strength to speak.

《I can't move anymore...it's slowly leaving my body...》  You thought closing your eyes with bitterness.

* * *

Geoffrey and Jonathan reached the West End's center, which hadn't changed at all in the meantime.

The doctor knew which way to go to get to Ascalon Club, while the hunter wondered how many vampires there were and how many he could kill.

When they reached the secret entrance, Jonathan gently knocked on the door...he intended to enter the building without arousing any suspicion, but the other laughed amused.

《Heh, I see you feel comfortable in such a place...what makes you think she's not?》  McCullum referred to you in his last words, but only got a serious answer from Jonathan.

《Women, even vampires, cannot enter here. If my theory is correct, she should be inside–》  Suddenly he stopped talking.

《What now?》  Geoffrey raised his eyebrow suspiciously.

The air had been covered with an intense smell of blood that McCullum obviously couldn't sense, but it was enough for him to look at Jonathan's face to understand that something was wrong.

《I can clearly smell her blood...something bad has happened, most likely.》

McCullum looked at Reid's thoughtful face; he couldn't blame him...now, he knew you were too naive and stubborn at the same time to do such bullshit.
Either way, he intended to cause as many kills as possible and prepared his loyal sword to accompany him...but Jonathan stopped him.

《I don't think it's a good idea to get in together...》Then, he took a long sigh as he saw the other man go and put down the door.

《Tsk! You know how much I care, Reid.》

The vampire behind the door took a step back in disbelief. After all, he was known among vampires and they knew what kind of man Geoffrey McCullum was...but they never expected him, the captain of the Priwen Guard, to sneak into their establishment.

With one clean blow, he pierced the Ekon without any regard drawing the attention of others.

《Yes...come on, show me what you can do!》

Like a raging madman, McCullum fought each and every one of them; of course, Jonathan reacted too, as they hindered his research. Then, he wondered where you were and why you hadn't shown yourself...

When the situation seemed to be under control, the figure of Lord Redgrave appeared on the steps of the main staircase.

《Nice to see you back here, Jonathan Reid.》  He spoke as if nothing had happened.

《Miss Wright is here, isn't she? Where is she now?》  The vampire doctor asked, but the older one showed a simple smile.

He snapped his fingers and your elegant figure appeared out of the darkness. McCullum looked up and noticed something odd in you.

《She is beautiful, don't you think?》

Behind you, Redgrave gently lifted your chin. Both of them noticed your condition...you were unconscious, with the silk of your dress stained with blood at your chest and a deep bite on the neck, from which the blood still flowed.
Jonathan stood still, despite the intensity of your scent, while Geoffrey's hand trembled on his sword...he didn't know why, but seeing you in that state made his blood boil.

When he released you, Jonathan sprinted forward so he could grab you before you hit the ground. He could see your poor condition up close and endure the sight and smell of blood.

He had no other choice. He walked over to McCullum with you on his arms.

《Take her away!》

Geoffrey disagreed with him and snorted when he saw no other choice too.
His eyes fell on your pale and sleeping face, but unfortunately stained with blood.

When he took you and not with little delicacy he wasn't surprised that you were so light. Without further thought, he ran to the exit ignoring the approaching Ekons, as Jonathan covered his escape with ranged attacks.

Now, the smell of your blood was spreading even on the streets of the West End without any restraint.
Your head fell back slightly exposing the wound more; for some strange reason, it still hadn't healed.

Geoffrey couldn't do anything about it but tighten his grip on you...your breathing, as well as your heartbeat, had stopped.

He moved away far enough from the town hall. Your condition didn't improve even though you were no longer mortal and the wait seemed to have no end.

As a vampire hunter, he could have dealt the final blow to you or abandoned you to your fate killing you, but he didn't make any of those choices...on the contrary, his short temper gave way to frustration.

《Shit!》

He thought and left without letting you go.