- I’ll have to get back to Eastheve soon. – she said after they buried the old man.

- That’s why I need you. – he said affirmatively. – Can we still trust each other?

He scrutinized her with his eyes.

- Of course, as long as our life principles coincide.

- Great. Then let’s start by helping King Rivaldi regain his powers. You’ll find a way to do it, won’t you?

- You do understand that it doesn’t depend on me, right? He himself chose a witch as his wife, thereby breaking off a kind of magical flows for his family. - she spread her hands, making it clear that he was demanding the impossible from her.

- What if he didn’t realize she was a witch? After all, you yourself have repeatedly used such charms that make the mind think with substitute memories.

- Your words make sense, but I will not be able to return to him what has already been lost, he cut off the connection with his late wife. – she tried to make him think that nothing could be fixed.

- What if I told you that I have something very valuable from Queen Catherine? - he raised his hand, holding a tiny ring between his fingers.

Hara immediately frowned, but the next moment an unprecedented interest was reflected on her face. She snatched the ring from him and twirled it in her hands, assessing what she would have to work with.

- It’s interesting. A magic ring? - She squinted at the shiny stone. - Well, perhaps we can try. I will have to meet with my friend so that she can help in creating a phantom to which we will tie the magic flows of the king.

- Fine, then I’ll leave it to you.

There was a moment of silence between them as Hara continued to study the ring, and Rick just let her do it.

- Is this man the vampire king everyone is talking about? - Finally, she asked the question that had been on her tongue since he’d been here. – His aura is very heavy, suffocating.

She couldn’t help but remember how hard it was mentally and physically for her to be with Raphael. It was strange enough, since they had already met twice, but the first time she did not feel such feelings because of him. She sensed instability and danger from him–a rough mixture.

- Yes, I also noticed changes in it. It’s like he’s rushing around inside his own world. Although he is still the same old Raphael that I knew, but the coldness when he hurts someone is alarming. - he pursed his lips.

- Isn’t that the essence of a vampire? - the witch grinned. – Hurting someone... You drink someone else’s blood to live.

- It’s not something I’m proud of. – Rick immediately cut off her arguments.

- Okay, let’s omit the obvious. I’ll try to help in any way I can. - Her gaze darkened as she recalled the recent sabbath, which shocked many.

She was aware of her responsibility to the other witches, but her life principles did not allow her to observe the creation of another immortal. So she took up the job Rick had assigned her with great enthusiasm. This was supposed to be her contribution against the madness that had gripped Lillian.

On the one hand, everyone knew about the threat posed by Raphael and his vampires, but everything always had a reason. And only a blind man could not fail to notice the greed in Lillian’s eyes. She needed to be able to maneuver in the situation that arose, so as not to take sides and keep her sanity.

- I’m going to Marro. Find me as soon as you’re done.

They exchanged an affirmative nod, after which the count left the tavern as quickly as he appeared there.

Hara just took a deep breath, realizing that her peaceful days had come to an end and this place had left her a lot of pleasant memories. Will she ever be able to return here again, just to relax her soul while preparing drinks for visiting travelers? It was an unanswered question that she left until better times.

/Back to Lourdes/

It’s been a week since the incident in the square when Thea was injured.

Life gradually improved, the witches installed new protective barriers that were supposed to protect the inhabitants of Eastheve from outside invasion. Although many understood that there is nothing that cannot be broken if desired.

Prefect Simon Olish recovered faster than the others, thanks to the fact that Amanda shared her blood with him. He immediately returned to his duties, but now he devoted his free time exclusively to training.

He no longer had the opportunity to make such a mistake that would cost him his life. It was a huge lesson for him in confronting the vampire and he had to become even stronger.

His training could be called obsession, because he did not spare either his body or his mind when he was injured.

Eugene did not go anywhere else these days and devoted all her time to the wounded girls – Thea and Nicole. All her knowledge about potions was refreshed in one moment, while she was preparing potions for them for a speedy recovery.

Nicole’s bones fused together in a difficult and excruciatingly painful way, but she was a strong girl who bravely accepted her defeat, and therefore considered the pain deserved.

The vampire made her overestimate all her powers and abilities and now her self-esteem was below the baseboard.

Nicole still couldn’t comprehend the stupor she fell into when he pulled her out of the crowd. She didn’t understand why she couldn’t even try to protect herself... all these thoughts haunted her and she scrolled through different scenarios in her head, how she should have acted. As a result, this led her into a depressed state.

Thea’s wound was not so serious and was easier to treat, but due to the fact that it was a vulnerable and sensitive place, she had not spoken a word for almost a week. More precisely, she would like to, but Eugene forbade her to use her voice to speed up healing.

Eugene carefully treated her wounds several times a day and thanked the Lord that he had brought her to help in time. Goosebumps still ran down her spine when she only remembered how it could all end that day.

If only she hadn’t had time, if he had killed Thea, that would have been the end of everything.

She took a deep breath, closing her eyes heavily. Knowing the prophecy was a heavy burden for her, but she could not even imagine that one prophecy was not enough, she still had to manage to save Thea’s life before she fulfilled her destiny.

She looked at the peacefully sleeping girl and mentally asked her forgiveness for acting so selfishly, knowing that Thea would die anyway. But this was only her knowledge and her burden, which she kept until better times to cultivate in Her a real fighter capable of resisting true evil.

Eugene sat down on the edge of the bed and touched the girl’s red hair, smoothing the unruly curly strands.

- Get well soon, dear.

Her voice was soft, gentle and caring.

The next morning, Thea woke up to the fragrant smell of freshly brewed green tea with strawberry slices. Eugene put a tray with a mug and a small glass teapot on the bedside table, knowing that this would wake up the sleeping beauty and give her cheerfulness. And so it turned out.

Thea rubbed her sleepy eyes and pulled her body higher, taking a sitting position. Eugene handed her a mug filled with tea and smiled.

"Your wound has completely healed. How are you?

Thea touched her neck a little uncertainly with her hand, feeling as if there was still a cut wound there, but these were only echoes of her vivid imagination that created this discomfort.

- It doesn’t hurt anymore. – she said softly, trying not to strain her voice.

- It was lucky that the wound was not torn, otherwise it would have been more difficult to treat it.

Thea grinned, really, now she should thank Raphael for cutting her throat so neatly? It sounded absurd, but she was grateful to the Almighty that at least she was alive.

It was a miracle that no one died that day, although Raphael behaved like a psycho who played with them for his own pleasure while others suffered. It was stupid of her to think that he would suddenly feel sorry for her. It was stupid to think that he would recognize her.

Stupid, naive and painful at the same time.

She wanted so much to take off all this disguise and just shout to him that it was her, so that he would stop. But all these screams remained in her head, it was her decision at that moment.

- Come down now, breakfast is already served there. I’ll have the maid prepare some clothes for you.

- Are we going somewhere? - Thea raised her eyebrows in surprise.

- I’m not going with you. You’re going with Nicole and Adeline. I’ll tell you more about it after you’ve had breakfast. Now stop being lazy, get up. She pulled the blanket off her and Thea involuntarily tucked her bare legs.