Chapter 24: Caught in the Blue Night

After talking with Juliet for a while, she excused herself.

“Will you be okay on your own?” she asked.

I nodded.

She searched my face for a second longer, then turned and disappeared down the hall.

I sat there in silence.

The great dining hall was almost empty now. Slaves moved quietly between the long tables, clearing plates, wiping wine stains, stacking goblets. Their footsteps echoed softly against the crystal floor.

I looked toward the massive window.

It was pitch dark outside.

The kingdom that had looked so alive earlier now shimmered under the night sky, blue lights glowing faintly in the distance.

I figured I’d sit for a few more minutes… then try to figure out where I was supposed to go next.

Suddenly—

Two soft hands covered my eyes.

“Guess who?” a tiny voice whispered.

I smiled immediately.

“Ayara.”

She removed her hands and slid into the seat beside me.

“How did you know?” she asked, pretending to be offended.

“You have the tiniest voice I’ve ever heard.”

“It’s not that tiny,” she protested rebelliously.

I chuckled. “How old are you anyway?”

“Fifty-nine.”

My mouth dropped open.

“But you don’t look a day over eighteen.”

She smiled proudly. “I’ve been blessed with the spirit animal gene. We don’t age normally.”

“The spirit animal gene?”

“You can just refer to me as a werewolf.”

I blinked. “Wow. So you’re one of them. Did you fight in the battle?”

She shook her head.

“No. I can’t do that yet.”

“Why?”

“I haven’t taken a life yet.”

Realization hit me. “So that’s what completes the transition?”

“You could say that.” She leaned back casually. “I’ve lived in the palace all my life. I’m the most valuable member of the royal family. It’s not every day you see royal blood with spirit warrior abilities. So everything I need gets handed to me.”

She paused.

“I have no reason to kill someone… at least not yet.”

That sounded both innocent and dangerous at the same time.

She turned to me suddenly.

“Anyway. I need you to show me what it’s like being a vampire.”

“I’ve already told you everything.”

“But you haven’t shown me. I want to see it in action.”

“You saw me during the battle.”

“From my window,” she said dramatically. “I didn’t get a good view.”

“It’s late. Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

She tilted her head. “What about you?”

“Vampires don’t sleep at night.”

“Yeah,” she nodded. “I noticed that about Timi.”

Then her eyes sparkled.

“So let’s go out.”

“Go where?”

“Let me show you how beautiful our kingdom is at night. I’m sure you don’t plan on staying here long. Come on.”

“Are we even allowed to leave?”

“No,” she said casually. “But I sneak out all the time. I have lots of friends in the streets. And you’re a vampire, so I’m safe.”

“They know who you are?”

“Of course not. I use a fake name and a fake backstory.”

“Wow.”

“You go on ahead,” she said, standing abruptly. “Meet me in the field outside the gate.”

Before I could respond, she ran off and disappeared up the stairs.

I sat there for a second.

Then stood.

I walked toward the grand doors of the hall. Two guards stood at attention. I smiled at them. They didn’t return it.

I stepped outside.

The cold hit immediately.

The night was deep and endless. Snow covered everything in soft silver layers. The palace lights glowed behind me as I passed through the gates and walked toward an isolated open field.

It was quiet.

Peaceful.

I looked up.

The sky was filled with stars—brighter than anything I had ever seen.

Then—

One shooting star streaked across the sky.

Then another.

Then a third.

I exhaled slowly.

That’s when I heard it.

Footsteps.

Fast.

Someone running toward me.

I narrowed my eyes, trying to see through the darkness. The figure wore a large cloak, hood covering their face.

Before I could react—

They slipped.

Fell face-first into the thick snow.

I vanished.

In a blur of speed, I reached them.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m okay! I’m okay—”

They pushed themselves up.

The hood slipped back.

Ayara.

“Why were you running so fast?” I asked.

“Because I’m excited to show you around,” she said, smiling brightly.

Then—

A thin line of blood ran from her nose.

“Ayara. Your nose.”

“It’s fine.” She wiped it with the back of her hand casually. “Now let’s go.”

She stood and grabbed my hand.

Ahead of us, the inner kingdom glowed—rows of blue lanterns lining the streets, light reflecting off the snow like scattered diamonds. Crystal towers shimmered under moonlight, and distant music echoed faintly through the cold air.

It was beautiful.

After a few steps, I stopped her.

“How about I give you a ride?”

Her eyes widened.

“On your back?”

“Yeah.”

She practically exploded with excitement and jumped onto me.

“Hold tight,” I warned. “No matter how scared you get.”

“I’m ready! I’m ready!”

I focused.

Then ran.

The world blurred.

Snow exploded behind me in white waves as I tore across the field. The wind roared in my ears. The cold air sliced past us, but I barely felt it.

Within seconds, we crossed the outer field and shot into the inner kingdom.

We landed in the middle of the market square.

People froze.

Every head turned.

Whispers spread instantly.

I slowly lowered Ayara to the ground.

“Daniel, that was AMAZING! Let’s go again!”

I began hearing murmurs in their language.

I couldn’t understand any of it.

Ayara grabbed my hand.

“Come on.”

As we walked, people stepped aside for her.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“To the tavern. The boy who owns it is my friend.”

“You go to the tavern?”

She looked at me like I’d insulted her.

“I am fifty-nine, Daniel. I’m not a child.”

“But you act like one,” I muttered.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.”

“Better.”

We reached the tavern.

She pushed the door open.

Warmth hit us immediately.

Inside, the tavern glowed with golden light. Wooden beams crossed the ceiling. Lanterns swung gently. The air smelled of roasted meat and spiced drinks. Laughter filled the room.

The moment Ayara entered—

Voices rose in greeting.

People smiled, waved, called out to her.

But when their eyes landed on me—

The smiles faded slightly.

Curiosity.

Suspicion.

Interest.

“Come,” she said, dragging me toward the back.

We sat.

A young busboy approached and pulled out a chair to join us.

Before he could speak, Ayara pointed at him.

“English,” she warned.

He smirked.

“Ohhh,” he teased. “You don’t want your lover to feel left out, right?”“Yeah,” Ayara said boldly, tightening her arm around mine, “he’s my lover. And we are deeply in love.”

She leaned in and kissed my cheek.

I decided to play along.

I wrapped an arm loosely around her waist and gave the boy a calm, confident look.

He was staring at me.

Not casually.

Sizing me up.

Jealous.

“Are you related to Lord Timi?” he asked stiffly.

“What if I am?” I replied coolly.

His jaw tightened.

“Why don’t you stick to your own race and leave our girls alone?”

Ayara’s grip on me tightened instantly.

She pulled her hood down, revealing her blue hair fully, and snapped something at him in their language — sharp, fast, angry.

He shot back a response just as heated.

“It’s okay, Ayara,” I said calmly. “I’ve got this.”

I leaned forward slightly, locking eyes with him.

“You’re worried about me taking your girls?” I said evenly. “Relax. If she wanted you, you wouldn’t be standing here arguing about it.”

Ayara burst out laughing.

The boy’s face flushed.

I continued smoothly.

“And if you’re concerned about race… don’t be. I don’t compete. I replace.”

A few nearby tables went silent.

Ayara clapped once in delight.

The boy scoffed, clearly defeated, and walked away muttering under his breath.

“I’m so proud of my boyfriend,” Ayara said dramatically, using her free hand to play with my hair.

I gently caught her wrist and removed it.

Then I unhooked our arms.

“I’m not your boyfriend.”

She squinted at me dangerously.

“If I can’t have you, nobody can.”

“You’re too old for me,” I replied dryly. “You’re old enough to be my mother.”

Her expression darkened instantly.

“Biologically,” she snapped, “I’m still very young. Even younger than you.”

I sighed. “Fine. But we’re not dating.”

“Whatever,” she said, folding her arms stubbornly.

A moment later, another boy approached us. He looked slightly older — confident, calm.

“Bhaim just came to me,” he said, looking amused, “saying you broke his heart and you’re dating a vampire now. Is that true?”

“Of course,” Ayara replied proudly. “Meet Daniel — the strongest vampire to ever walk our land.”

She locked our arms again.

This time, I let it happen.

The boy’s eyes widened slightly.

“Stronger than Lord Timi?”

“Definitely,” Ayara said without hesitation. “You should’ve seen him fight today. It was exceptional.”

The boy turned to me, admiration replacing suspicion.

“My name is Divad.”

“Daniel,” I replied, shaking his hand.

He sat down with us.

“So,” he said curiously, “if you only arrived today… how are you already in a relationship?”

I was about to answer—

But Ayara jumped in.

“He’s been here multiple times,” she lied smoothly. “I just don’t like showing off his handsome face.”

Divad looked at me carefully.

“Is that true?”

I gave him a small shrug. “I’ve never known her to lie.”

He nodded thoughtfully.

“Well, you two look good together anyway. I have business to attend to. I hope to see you soon. Bye, Rayer.”

He stood and walked away.

Rayer.

That was the first time I heard her fake name.

Ayara grinned at me triumphantly.

“See? Even Divad thinks we look good together.”

She started playing with my hair again.

Before I could stop her—

“Daniel!!!”

My body froze.

The voice came from the tavern entrance.

Slowly, I turned.

Juliet stood there.

Her face wasn’t angry.

It was worse.

Surprised.

Beside her stood Timi — laughing softly, clearly entertained.

The entire tavern shifted instantly.

Every single person stood up.

They bowed slightly toward Timi, greeting him respectfully in their dialect.

Ayara’s hand slowly slipped from my arm.

The warmth in the tavern suddenly felt… very thin.

And I realized—

I might actually be in trouble.