The crimson light of the setting sun painted the streets of Moscow in shades of blood, a fitting backdrop for the King of Vampires as he walked with an air of controlled dominance through his domain. Urd Geales, with his golden hair and cold, unreadable gaze, cut a figure of absolute authority. The faint murmurs of submission from lesser vampires echoed as he passed, their fear of him palpable yet unspoken.

At his side, Ky Luc moved with an ease that belied his own fearsome reputation. The Fifth Progenitor had just delivered his report—more details from Lest Karr that highlighted the growing unrest in their fragmented territories. Their destination was the opera house, a rare solace in Urd's otherwise relentless existence.

As they walked, the pungent, metallic scent of fresh blood assaulted their senses, sharp and undeniable. Urd's crimson eyes narrowed imperceptibly, and Ky, ever the eager subordinate, immediately stepped forward.

"Lord Urd, I'll handle this," Ky said, his tone dutiful yet tinged with anticipation. Before Urd could respond, the brown-haired vampire disappeared into the shadows, leaving his king to proceed at his measured pace.

But Urd was not alone for long. A tug at the hem of his coat drew his gaze downward. A familiar small figure—golden fur and piercing blue eyes—stood at his feet.

"Artemis," he murmured, his voice a low rumble of recognition. The feline meowed softly, her small, blood-speckled paw reaching out again as if imploring him.

He bent to pick her up, his movements uncharacteristically gentle. She nuzzled against his hand, and for the briefest moment, Urd's gaze softened. He set her down carefully, noting the direction she began to walk, stopping to look back at him every few paces.

"You want me to follow you," he said, more a statement than a question. He sighed but fell into step behind her, his sharp senses honing in on the increasing intensity of the blood-scent.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

The source of the smell was unmistakable by the time they reached a small, dark alley. Urd's predatory instincts sharpened, but his expression remained impassive. Artemis fluffed her fur and hissed, her small body trembling as she crept closer to the shadows.

Two young human children lay lifeless on the ground, their small frames marred by vicious stab wounds. The scene was grotesque—a stark violation of Urd's strict rules against senseless violence in his domain.

Urd's gaze flicked to Artemis, who growled low in her throat, her blue eyes fixed on something ahead. He followed her line of sight and saw Ky Luc standing over a young boy, a knife trembling in the human's hand as Ky's grip held him immobile. A third child, a girl, lay nearby, her breaths shallow and ragged as life ebbed from her small body.

"My lord?" Ky's voice was steady, but there was an edge to it. "Shouldn't you be at the opera?"

Urd ignored the question, his focus on the boy whose defiance flickered in his tear-streaked face. The sight stirred something dark and ancient in Urd's chest—a reminder of humanity's fragility and their futile attempts at resistance.

"What's going on here?" Urd asked, his tone cold and measured, each word a blade slicing through the air.

"This is still unknown," Ky replied, his tone deferential. "We'll interrogate this one."

Before Ky could hand the boy off to the waiting guards, the human made a desperate move, throwing the knife directly at Urd. It arced through the air, clumsy and unthreatening, but its trajectory aimed dangerously close to Artemis.

Urd's reaction was immediate. His foot shot out, intercepting the blade midair and sending it clattering harmlessly to the ground. His gaze turned to the boy, now pale with terror.

"How dare you," one of the guards hissed, stepping forward.

"Take him," Urd commanded, his tone brooking no argument. "Question him thoroughly."

The guards seized the boy and dragged him away, his defiance crumbling into panicked cries. Urd turned to Artemis, who was pawing cautiously toward the dying girl. The child's lips moved soundlessly as her hand stretched toward the cat.

"Ar...te...mis," she whispered, the last word a fading breath before her small frame went limp. Artemis sniffed her hand and nudged it with her head, but the girl didn't move again. The cat meowed softly, a mournful sound, before returning to Urd's side.

"Lord Urd?" Ky asked, his voice quieter than usual. "Is everything all right?"

Urd's gaze lingered on the scene for a moment longer before he straightened. "Ky Luc," he said, his voice like frost, "ensure this case is fully investigated. Make examples of those responsible."

"Of course, my lord." Ky bowed low.

"And have water and cat food brought to my chambers," Urd added, his tone dismissive. He turned without waiting for a response, Artemis padding after him, her small body smeared with blood.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

In the privacy of his chambers, Urd set Artemis down gently on the bathroom floor. Her fur, damp from the cold outside and sticky with blood, clung to her small frame.

"You've been careless," he murmured, his voice soft but laced with an undertone of reprimand. He removed his coat and rolled up his sleeves, revealing pale, unmarred skin as he prepared the bath.

Artemis meowed, tilting her head in what could almost be construed as defiance. Urd let out a quiet sigh, his golden hair falling into his eyes as he bent to pick her up.

The warm water washed over her fur, carrying away the stains of the night. Urd's hands moved with precision, his touch firm yet careful as he cleansed her. Artemis submitted to the process, her usual defiance tempered by exhaustion.

"You've caused quite a stir," he said, his tone softening as he worked.

When the bath was done, he dried her off with a towel and carried her to the couch. A bottle of blood waited on the table, and Urd poured himself a glass, the deep crimson liquid glinting in the low light.

Artemis leapt onto his lap, snuggled up to him and purred.

"A few years will pass quickly, but until then you can stay here," he said, stroking her fur. Indeed, she looked like Rigr with her coat color and blue eyes. Considering how quickly a rumor about him and this cat would make the rounds, he sighed.

However, he didn't care about that now. The weight of the night lingered, but for now, in this moment, the world seemed just a little less heavy.

-Fearless 2 END-

A/N: I decided to write a second part because I liked the first one very much and who doesn't want more Urd content with a cute fluffball 😍.