Chapter Two: Return to the Clan

A building somewhere between a colossal fortress and opulent castle greeted us after we'd emerged from the Lipchen woodland. The structure was in the middle of nowhere, secluded from most passer-bys. Just the way we liked it.

"Not like I expected a parade or anything, but someone needs to let us in." Lixiss said, after we'd been standing by the front gate for several minutes.

"Give me a second, let me see if I can find a solution to our problem.”

"How are you going to do that?”

I grinned, flashing my fangs. "We all have impeccable hearing right? So what would happen if I do this?" Sucking in a deep breath, I shouted at the top of my lungs, "Jameson! Come open the door!”

Lixiss winced, clapping her hands quickly over her ears. "Subtle." She murmured sarcastically. "Effective though.” She continued, looking towards the tower gate.

   A deceptively decrepit man shuffled onto the lookout built into the tower. He was bald, pale and pasty, with black eyes that almost burned into your soul. He was also a grumpy bastard. "Of course it's you two. Who else would scream at a vampire?" he grumbled.

"Well if you were stationed where you were supposed to be, I wouldn't have to shout would I?" I countered back.

"Smart as witchling vampires. Man's gotta eat you know, can't just sit here all day.”

"Yeah, yeah, just open the door Jameson.”

"Fine, fine, the Clan awaits.”

    The old vampire pulled a lever and the sound of chains rapidly clacking against each other filled the air as the door lowered with a jolt. "Thank you Jameson." Both me and Lixiss uttered in synchronisation, sickly sweet smiles adorning our faces.

"Whatever, get your asses in here already!”

"You heard the man." Lixiss smirked.

"I did indeed.”

Without further ado, we marched in as if we owned the place. Technically, being a part of the Clan meant I did, but it didn't really cross my mind that much.

   The only problem with living in a castle was that it took forever to get to your room. Good thing I was supposedly immortal, I had the time to spare. Most of the hold-up always came from the dreaded "briefing.” We walked into the main lobby where another member of the Clan was waiting, clipboard in hand. Lixiss rolled her eyes. Of course it would be Malakay, the only vampire I knew that still needed to wear glasses after their turning.

"Ah ladies, welcome back." He greeted us, seemingly procuring a quill and ink from nowhere.

"Good to be back, so is there any chance of doing this a bit later? We really need to…” I tried before getting cut off.

"You know the rules; briefings always need to take place at the return." Malakay uttered far too cheerfully, jotting something down.

"It's a stupid rule." Lixiss murmured grumpily.

"It's a great rule, it's all still fresh in your minds and if we didn't grab you right away, you'd never get around to completing the paperwork." Malakay countered, pushing his glasses back up his nose.

"And on the contrary, we're tired and covered in filth, very likely to take a bite out of you and damn the consequences. So let's hurry this up shall we?" I said, making sure my voice carried an edge to it.

Malakay seemed flustered for a second. "Ah yes, yes of course. If you could just fill in this part here…and here…." He pointed out the sections on the parchment that were apparently the most important. Lixiss snatched the quill, scrawling as if her life depended on it. I doubted her account would be legible by the time it was finished. Once she'd scratched out her last word, she thrust the quill at me. I hurriedly filled in my sections before shoving it back at Malakay.

"So can we go now?” Lixiss sighed exasperated.

Malakay nodded. "Indeed, everything seems to be in order.”

"Finally." Lixiss groaned, turning to head up the grand staircase. I went to follow, but Malakay stopped me.

"What, did I forget my signature of something?”

"Ah no, it's just…”

"Just what?” I growled impatiently.

There was an audible gulp from Malakay. "Rhuesia wants to see you tomorrow. It is of the utmost importance.”

Rhuesia wanted to see me? I managed to nod back at him in acknowledgement. He returned the nod and scampered off to do Nicneven knew what. Concern lacing my features, I carried on up the stairs where Lixiss was still waiting.

"What was the delay? Forget to sign off the paper or something?”

"No, apparently Rhuesia wants to see me tomorrow.”

    Lixiss's eyes widened, the surprise in them evident. "Really? But you haven't done anything. We haven't even been here for three weeks.”

"That's why a summons is so puzzling.”

"And he couldn't have told you this later? You know, like after you've gotten some decent sleep.”

"Apparently not, the bloody git.”

"I feel like Malakay lost all social graces when he turned, that is if he had any in the first place.”

A snigger slipped through my fangs. “I'll second that.”

   The rest of the walk to our rooms was fairly silent, he exhaustion slowly starting to creep into our bones. After trudging through several embellished hallways and three more unnecessarily complicated staircases, we finally arrived at our doors. Lixiss's chambers were on the right side of the hall, directly opposite my own. It had been arranged that way ever since we had joined the Clan, with the acceptance that Lixiss was not only my closest friend, but also my bodyguard.

"By Nicneven, I can't wait to get into bed." Lixiss sighed, wandering over to her rooms. "Let me know what happens with Rhuesia tomorrow ok?”

“Will do." I promised, drifting over to my own quarters. Lixiss waved, opening her door and disappearing into the darkness. I did the same, my eyes immediately latching on to the four poster solid wood bed and its lavish pillows. There was another wooden bar running vertically underneath the canopy, wrapped in fluffy fabric and silk.

   Smiling, I unlaced my boots and kicked off my socks, revealing pale feet of human origin, but with claws and toes not too dissimilar in shape to a bird's or bat's. I leapt over to the bed, hooking my feet around the bar and hanging upside down above the mattress and sheets. Crossing my arms over my chest, I was finally comfortable enough to drift into dreams.