----


    trailed them, slipping out of the mansion through the gate


    restricted only for entry, not exit.


    The dark night was my ally, my silent footsteps shadowing theirs


    as they practically glided through the streets.


    They were cautious, scanning their surroundings, but they


    wouldn’t detect me.


    Tbecame mist, drawing on more of my Selenia powers, blending


    seamlessly into the air.


    I watched as they stopped in front of a house’s iron fence. Their


    hood shifted slightly back, revealing their face for mere seconds.


    ‘Those mesmerizing ruby eyes, that dark hair, sharp, handsome


    features. I recognized him instantly.


    Thad seen him countless times in an old family portrait. He was my


    uncle Zarek’s father.


    If he was here, then maybe... I felt a thrill of excitement.


    Would I see Zarek? How old would he be? In this era, Umbros


    didn’t yet exist as we knew it.


    Something told me it wasn’t possible to find the Dark Prince yet,


    but I would find out.


    I would take the risk—I started to move forward, but a sh of


    tinum hair in the alley beside the house caught my attention.


    “What are you doing here?" I whispered into his ear, materializing


    behind him.


    ----


    “Mydy," he turned immediately, and I expected him to look


    startled.


    But his expression remained neutral.


    "T asked you a question, Ss," I stepped closer. "Why do you look


    like you’re keeping watch?"


    "Mydy, something strange happened," he exined in hushed


    tones, gesturing subtly.


    “When Left, I crouched in a corner, waiting for you, But then, I


    saw some strange men—they were looking for someone. I feared


    they might try to rob you, so I followed them in this direction."*


    “What? Some men?" I eyed him skeptically, sensing he was hiding


    something,


    T peeked discreetly down the dimly lit street. The old yellow


    streemps barely illuminated anything.


    But sure enough—at the corner, five men dressed in ck moved


    in a highly suspicious manner.


    ‘They were staring at some kind of tracking device in their hands,


    and one of them pointed at the house beside the alley—the house


    where the vampire had entered


    ‘They were after him. I needed to warn him. But how?


    suddenly, they spread out, moving quickly. A thousand spells raced


    through my mind—most of them ridiculous.


    And then—my gaze met Ss’s, and the craziest and simplest idea


    ----


    hit me.


    "Ss, don’t get the wrong idea. We’re just pretending —I need a


    distraction."


    I didn’t waste time. I stepped toward him, pressing him against the


    brick wall, gripping his hood, pulling him close.


    I tousled my hair, even slipped one sleeve down to the brink of


    exposing a breast.


    Under the cover of shadows and heavy cloaks, I made it look like


    ‘we weremitting something indecent in the alleyway.