Aselia had switched on her cell phone and there were hundreds of messages from an unknown number as they tumbled in her inbox. Tens of missed calls from the same number as well.

She opened the message and knew whose number it was. A shy smile crept up on her face. He had reached home safely and now he was worried about her. Plenty of messages only said her name, while a few of them were detailed telling her that it was him and asked her if she was safe.

"Get some rest partner. Call me if you would need me or if anyone comes trying to give you a tough time," Yurian left the food with her and took the empty utensils before leaving. Aselia murmured thanks to him and once the door shut behind him, she texted Xiran. Aselia knew it would be the middle of the night there because of the time difference but hoped he would be awake.

[Xiran....]

Her phone began to instantly ring, he was calling her. Aselia picked up the call and slowly said: "Hello,"

"Aselia, tell me you are alright? Where were you? Did they hurt you? Should I come to get you?" And he went on and on without taking a breath.

"Calm down, I am totally fine Xiran. I didn’t have my phone, they had to interrogate me for my betrayal and no they didn’t torture or hurt me, just asked questions," Aselia spoke in a soft voice, she had very little strength today. She didn’t want to tell him how they had humiliated her, he would break and blame himself.

"Are you telling me the truth? Why is your voice so down? I am sure they hurt you. Tell me the truth, please," Xiran could sense how arduously she was uttering the words. His fears had gripped his heart and he felt like drowning in them.

"I am telling you the truth, no one touched me. I am just very tired Xiran. Everything has emotionally and physically drained me. I need some time to heal, this is all very new to me. Although we are trained to not show emotions, these situations have escalated beyond anything I can handle."

She spoke her truth knowing he will understand.

"I am sorry, I took things too far," Xiran knew making her watch was something he was not proud of but he wanted her to know every side of him before she would accept him completely.

"You were justified Xiran, I was in the wrong and that was my punishment. I will never blame you for any of it and I accept you wholeheartedly. Tell me you reached safely? How are you doing?"

"I did. I just miss you and hearing your voice has brought relief to my heart. You have no clue how worried I was and planned on coming back if you hadn’t contacted me today," He told her with a sigh, this made Aselia smile as she said:

"I am fine, quit worrying so much."

"Come on the video chat, and I will see for myself," Xiran ordered her.

"Xiran, come on," Aselia whimpered but he was already calling her through the video link. She reluctantly shifted to the video chat.

"There is my beautiful girl," Xiran’s smile widened seeing her pretty face, but he could see her eyes were red, she hadn’t slept and appeared tired and weak. Xiran on the other hand seemed fresh as a mint laying on the bed, his hair spread all around him, at least what was left of them.

"Have you been eating? Tell me they gave you food, you look weak Aselia," and he was back to worrying about her. She could see his concerned-filled grey orbs.

"I will be fine, I just need some rest. I will sleep a bit after talking to you and go back to being as good as new," she dodged his food question, Aselia didn’t want to lie to him but she also didn’t want him to worry.

"Come sleep in my arms, I will sing to you. Lie down and close your eyes and imagine yourself in my embrace," Aselia smiled at his proposal and did as he said. She adjusted the phone with the side table so he could see her and placed her hands under her face while closing her eyes.

"That’s my girl, muahh," he sent her a kiss and then sang a sweet comforting song so she could feel at ease.

"Thank you," she mumbled sleepily and soon he could hear her loud snores. That was typical Aselia, her mouth was open so not ladylike and she slept ever so peacefully like she had no care in the world.

Xiran laughed looking at her and her sweet little mouth which was open. What would he not give to be with her right now and invade that small mouth of hers with his luscious tongue? He sighed because she was so far away from him but kept watching her until her phone battery died and she finally disappeared from his sight.

This made him restless and he couldn’t sleep but he was happy to be able to see her at least. His heart was not laden with sadness anymore, he was content with merely seeing her.

-------------------

On an entirely different continent, Xiran’s father stood inside a hidden facility. The floor he stood on was lined with glass cells and enormous glass tubes. These housed different creatures ranging from hounds, and shapeshifters to elves.

He keenly observed a young elven girl who slept inside one of these glass cells, with his sharp piercing blue eyes. His hands were in the pockets of his tailored black pants, he was the demigod of evilness and yet people couldn’t defy his alluring personality. If only it was as pleasing as it seemed from the outside.

One could compare him with his son as he appeared like Xifin’s twin and not his father. The man stopped aging in his late thirties and no one could imagine he was the father of two grown-up vampires.

A wendigo approached him, he was in his human form. "What news have you brought? Hudias" Xiran’s father kept his eyes on the girl as he addressed the wendigo.

"Sir, the elf we sent as a test project to that town has been killed by two hunters. One male and one female. The female hunter had a very peculiar sense of smell, I am sure she was an elf. She had short golden hair and turquoise eyes. Exactly the kind you have been looking for," Hudias gave the full report of what he had observed.

"Hmm, interesting. An elf hunter never heard of that before. And did you get a picture of the girl?" Phantom finally averted his gaze to look at Hudias.

"I did, sir. But I couldn’t get closer for I would have been caught, so I got it from a distance," Hudias had printed out the picture of two hunters and showed it to his master, who in turn held the picture in his aristocratic hands and observed keenly.

"We yet have to find an elf whose blood would have healing properties. From my research and folklore, the girl has to have golden hair and turquoise eyes for these properties to awaken. But I guess I am missing something. There have been hundreds of test subjects but none had the attributes I am looking for. What makes you think this girl will be any different?" The ancient vampire with blue eyes questioned his subordinate.

"Sir, her blood smelled heavenly. It had a unique fragrance I have never sniffed before. If she wasn’t a hunter I would have captured her. Besides I was only to gather information about our test subject, I wasn’t prepared to find an elven hunter there," Hudias explained with his eyes turned down. The domineering nature and scrutinizing gaze of his master made him uneasy. No one could guess what went on in his unpredictable mind.

"Then you better find her and bring her to me. I would very much like to taste that blood, and imagine the wonders I can do. The elixirs I can make, the possibilities are endless," The vampire licked his lower lip with his wet tongue.

"I will start working on finding her, Sir," Hudias bowed.

"Good. What about our test subject? Was it a success? Did she create havoc in the town? How many people she killed?" Phantom Vampire inquired with keen eyes.

"She killed 12 people and was able to shift at will. She could control her moods and actions and no one could think that a beautiful elf would suddenly turn into a vampire and kill them. That was so satisfying to watch."

Hudias explained with hunger-filled eyes as if he wanted to feast on the flesh of those she killed.

"Success is what I desired and finally success is at my feet. Soon Hudias we will have the luxury of eating, drinking and killing whomever we like. Just a little bit longer and this world will be at our feet." The evil smile on the blue-eyed vampire’s lips spread like wildfire that burnt his cold eyes with the fascination of killing the innocent and reveling in their cries. For he was ready to wreak havoc on this world.

"Hudias, send Irlana to me," he said calmly while staring at the sleeping girl in the cage.