---- VALERIA The magical artifact had taken the form of this ship but in miniature, sailing above the map the Vampire King had ced on the captain''s cabin table.


    Where is it taking us now?" he asked, sounding exasperated.


    "I dont know.


    I just want to get to the Lunar Gate.


    I dont know the exact path," I replied just as irritably.


    The night had passed, and the first rays of sunlight were peeking over the horizon, yet the dense mist surrounding us made visibility difficult.


    "]want to see my friends" Land ahead!" someone shouted from the deck before he could answer me.


    He hurried out, shoving me aside rudely, and I followed him, climbing thedder to the deck.


    My feet touched the wooden nks as I emerged.


    Many of his soldiers were already there, all staring in the same direction.


    I fixed my gaze on the point they were looking at, the direction we were heading.


    Soon, the silhouette of what looked like a small ind began to take shape.


    No one spoke; the atmosphere was oppressive.


    I pulled my shawl tighter around me to shield myself from the cold.


    looked up at a high cliff, where an old structure stooda crumbling house with a dpidated bell tower.


    The ship sailed on, revealing arger ind, the main one.


    Small boats passed us by, their upants presumably fishermendidnt even lift their heads to nce at us.


    Their indifference was unsettling.


    The whole ce gave mea bad feeling, and when the ship docked itself at a rickety pier, I realized we would have to disembark at this eerie site.


    "Valeria, Celine isnt doing well!" Quinns rmed voice suddenly burst into my mind, startling me and putting me on edge.


    Iran to where they were staying.


    "Let her do whatever she wants.


    Prepare to disembark!" I heard the King order behind me.


    Irushed down into the ship''s depths, nearly running through the narrow hallway of cabins until I reached theirs.