Chapter II – Meeting

Dakhanavar glanced warily around the hall, then turned to Maneden with an exaggerated smile. He couldn't hide his satisfaction, though he knew he should pretend to be serious when the asemr arrived . He couldn't wait for Sahirah to finally leave this place and disappear from his life. It was true that the Camarilla high council itself had ordered him to take care of the future Priestess of the Lady of the Night, but that had greatly disrupted his plans. He wouldn't taste power if this vampire stood in his way. He had to prove he could do far more than just supervise her. That was why he was so happy to finally be rid of his nuisance. That he personally disliked her had nothing to do with it. Or so he told himself. In reality, he disliked her because she was a bit like him. She always had her way and got what she wanted. Dakhanavar didn't like this and longed to finally be able to mind his own business. He thought Maneden cared too much for her, though Sahirah certainly disagreed.

The carved wooden door opened, and asemriShe entered the hall. These were fleeting moments when she saw other vampires. She quickly passed them and headed to where her guardians stood. Just in front of them towered high glass walls, through which the Children of Darkness could admire the Night Mother... Sahirah saw neither blood nor chains anywhere. She was almost certain it was a figment of her imagination. She looked with distaste at Dakhanavar's short, black hair and hazel eyes. He wore a very distinctive beard and also wore blue robes, but they were more of a navy blue. He was always spiteful and mocking towards her, and the fact that Sahirah was his ward didn't bother him at all. She knew he gloated over her every misfortune. And there weren't that many. "And thanks to whom," she thought. "

Greetings, Asemri ," Maneden said politely. Quite unlike during training sessions, where he usually gave orders.

" Na'liastre ," she greeted.

Even though they were completely alone, they were surrounded by other vampires. Everyone tried to act relatively formal. Sahirah had grown accustomed to this. It made all conversations seem cold and artificial. This hadn't bothered the guardians before, as they knew their ward's thoughts well. After a life-threatening incident, Maneden finally decided to teach her to block her mind. This proved inconvenient, as the young woman had slipped out of their control, and from then on, they had to be more vigilant. When they were unfocused, the vampire sometimes read their thoughts.

"Before you eat, I'll take a moment. As you know, your Destiny is to be fulfilled in two full moons."

Sahirah's heart fluttered anxiously. She tried to keep her expression to herself, but she was certain she couldn't hide anything from Maneden. Even though he couldn't read her thoughts anymore, he always knew how she felt. The Master looked at her meaningfully. His pupils narrowed to slits. Dakhanavar asked,

"Has something happened to Asemri ? I see a grimace on your face." A malicious smile appeared on the guardian's face.

This time, it was Sahirah who narrowed her eyes. She knew full well he hadn't seen any grimace, for her expression was impassive. "He won't deceive me," she thought. "

Could he? It's true, I'm a little afraid of it. No one but me has experienced this for a long time. It's normal, I suppose. "

"You're right. But remember, there were many predecessors before you. All of them fulfilled their mission perfectly. So now everyone is certain you will devote your whole heart and soul to the deity." Dakhanavar emphasized the entire statement ironically. "

A soul? Perhaps its remnants...

" "And they won't be disappointed.

" "I'll remember that, Sahiro."

Maneden shot him a warning look.

"Serving the Lady of the Night, however, requires much more than I can teach you," he said to his protégé. "To be the High Priestess of the deity, you must also know many other things. And in these I will train you..." He paused, extending his hand to the unlit part of the hall.

A figure wrapped in a velvet, black cloak emerged from the darkness. It approached Sahira almost silently. Only her robe fluttered with her quick steps. Her face was obscured by the hood.

"Kathrina," he finished.

Piercing black eyes flashed as the new teacher raised her head. Sahira shivered. She guessed this was one of the Lady's most trusted servants...

Without even realizing it, she looked at her with wide, astonished eyes, terror evident in them. Then she shifted her astonished and despairing gaze to her master. All her seriousness suddenly vanished.

"I don't understand," she whispered, unable to think of anything more sensible.

"Oh, Asemri , the time is almost here," the woman replied softly.

"Two more full moons," Sahirah tried to defend herself. She looked at Maneden, seeking some kind of comfort or help. But nothing came, which only reinforced her belief that she could count on herself. She knew Dakhanavar was watching her with vengeful satisfaction.

"Right after dinner, you'll go with Kathrina, Sahira," the master said in a sharp, intolerant voice. The whole situation and his protégé's increasingly open opposition were beginning to irritate him.

"I don't think there's anything... I mean, I'm not hungry." She hung her head.

"In that case...

" "I know."

She had no choice. Reluctantly, she followed the Priestess. By bringing this Kathrina here, they had robbed her of all hope. And she, foolishly, had deceived herself into thinking that perhaps her mother's suffering had not been in vain. "Soon I will suffer similarly, in service to the deity," she thought with a bitterness so familiar. Sahirah was to serve her as the Unsullied One, for only in the body of a completely pure person could the Lady incarnate. She couldn't say that this was how she imagined eternal life... In fact, looking at it objectively, she had been preparing for this day her entire life and knew nothing else. Everything was forbidden, and perhaps that was why it so attracted her, and why she was so rebellious. Isn't it time to try something different? She asked herself.

Sahirah interrupted her thoughts as they entered Kathrina's chamber. It was almost indistinguishable from any other she'd seen. Perhaps a little smaller, and even cozy in its own way. In the corner of the room stood a small bed covered with a purple canopy. At its foot rested an intricately carved chest. The lid was slightly ajar, and Sahira managed to glimpse yellowing scrolls of parchment. On the opposite wall hung a large mirror. It had likely been there before, as had the furniture next to it, as it had light-colored frames. Candles of various sizes stood by the impressive stained-glass windows. Each flame glowed a different color. An intoxicating, acrid scent filled her nostrils, making her feel a little strange. She wanted to approach the stained-glass windows, but refrained. Kathrina was watching her intently.

"Go ahead, see if you want."

Sahirah looked at her uncertainly.

"You're deceiving me." Something of her formal tone remained. Perhaps that was the only way she should address her.

"No," the teacher said seriously.

Slowly, her gaze never leaving her, Sahirah approached the window. Kathrina reached out, and the metal hinges opened with a click. The crisp, cool night air hit Sahira. It flowed between the folds of her dress, then over the candle flames, but didn't extinguish them. After a moment, it permeated the entire room, making the exotic scent less noticeable. Sahirah leaned out slightly. Below, she could see the sharp peaks of smaller towers. If she had fallen, she would undoubtedly have impaled herself on them. Further down, garden corridors stretched out, connected by tall columns. After a moment, she stepped away from the window, which Kathrina had promptly closed.

However, the appearance of the room, with its green shrouds draped here and there, and the candles spreading a strange, irritating scent, brought a certain thought to her mind. Could it be possible that...? She looked into Kathrina's eyes, which were now turning green. Her heart was no longer pounding so hard.

"You're right. I didn't intend to hide it from you. I think you'll agree that it wouldn't make the slightest sense.

" "How do you know I won't betray you?

" "You're not like that."

Sahirah could only now take a closer look at her. Kathrina had long, black hair that fell in waves over her shoulders and chest, reflecting the candlelight. Her eyebrows were thinly creased above her eyes. She brushed a wave of hair away from her eyes and smiled. It wasn't a cheerful smile of greeting. In fact, the corners of her mouth twitched slightly, creating a mysterious expression on her face that Sahirah couldn't quite read. Avoiding her gaze, she removed her cloak. In that moment, without the clothing concealing her figure, she looked completely different. She wore a black lace dress with long, sheer sleeves, which gave her the majesty characteristic of any servant of the Lady of the Night. Sahirah couldn't imagine herself in such a role, in such attire, and above all, so serious. When Kathrina approached her, she noticed up close that, despite her youth, she looked remarkably determined. Her impassive face lent her dignity. Only her eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Maneden wasn't here, was he?" Sahirah continued.

"Of course not.

" "But he's not the one I fear most," Kathrina thought to herself.

"You know everything about me, so I should know you too."

"Of course. Why not?" she agreed. "You already know one thing about me. The most important thing."

However, something else bothered Sahira.

"Did you know you could die? Your origins...

" "I can take care of myself better than you think. And besides, I have no intention of meeting other vampires anyway.

" "You know, sometimes it's inevitable. Even in my case.

" "Remember that even though I'm descended from elves, I also have the gift of immortality.

Sahirah knew this very well. The Lady of the Night was served by various creatures of darkness. Night elves, vampires, and all other creatures of darkness." From each species, the humblest servants and servitors were chosen, tasked with paying homage to the Lady in the name of their race. Although vampires and night elves worshiped the same deity, they were deeply hostile towards each other. They were waging a kind of war, and neither race was allowed to enter the other's territory. Sahirah truly didn't understand why Kathrina, despite being a vampire, was the one to teach her.

The vampire was descended from a night elf line and wasn't accepted in that society. However, unlike her, Sahirah realized with reluctance, these creatures were at least free. Their home was the dark forest.

"Prepare yourself," the vampire said suddenly.

A beam of white light struck the uncomprehending Sahira. Vampires didn't know magic, so she couldn't defend herself. She didn't have time to dodge either, but strangely, she felt no pain, only a blissful peace.

"What happened?" she asked, distracted.

After a moment, she realized she couldn't move. Kathrina smiled. For real this time.

"Didn't Maneden teach you how to resist a spell?" she asked, making Sahirah regain feeling.

"You know perfectly well that vampires can't do magic." The injured woman rubbed her numb hand.

"Exactly. I'll teach you what he can't."

* * *

"I want to show you something. Come on," Sahirah tugged on her teacher's hand. "I think you'll like it."

She pushed aside a heavy ornament carved on the wall, and after a moment, they both entered a hallway, revealed by handicrafts. They ran down a winding staircase. Kathrina kept tripping over the folds of her dress.

"Slow down a bit! We're in no hurry."

But Sahirah kept running, pulling her along, all the way to the foot of the stairs. As they descended, she spun around and, waving her arms, gestured to the room around her. It wasn't really a room at all. It was more like a miniature garden. All the walls were covered in ivy, yet they themselves had a metallic, greenish sheen. She looked around. Its decor was unlike any other part of the castle, which had a rather austere appearance. Whoever had created this room had spared no effort in inventive finishing touches. The walls were intricately decorated with diamonds of various shades. They shimmered beautifully in the light of the silver moon streaming through the arched windows.

"I used to wander around the palace. Of course, I'm not allowed to do that," Sahirah smiled at Kathrina. "And I found this room by accident. It's directly below my room. Since then, I've come here whenever I'm feeling down. It's a wonderful place, and at least I don't have to worry about anyone else coming. Only we know about it," she finished happily.

"Are you sure?

" "Of course." Otherwise, they would have banned me from coming to her long ago. They deny me everything that makes me happy.

"But they can't take that away from you," the vampire said understandingly.

"Exactly."

Kathrina began to carefully circumambulate the chamber. Did no one but Sahirah really know about it? It seems impossible. Although... It's right below Asemr's room . Interesting... Her gaze slid over the magnificent carvings. They all evoked the theme of nature. "Almost like home," Kathrina thought, and stepped through a circle drawn on the floor. It was filled with strange symbols—it marked the center of the room. She jumped back abruptly when a wall of crystalline water suddenly began to emerge from the floor in front of her. Sahirah ran over, intrigued.

"Not incredible," she whispered.

The wall rose higher and higher until it almost reached the ceiling. She towered significantly over the vampires. Suddenly, the outlines of figures began to appear against it. It was as if a huge moon had emerged from the bottom of a lake. Then they saw a silhouette and long, ankle-length silver hair. It undoubtedly belonged to a woman. They completely hid her naked form, which emerged from the water. Just like the moon. Beautiful, light purple eyes gazed at Kathrina and Sahira, and her shapely arms stretched toward them. She held something elongated in her hands. When Sahirah reached out and touched the surface of the water, it transformed into an ordinary, cold, metallic gray wall.

"What happened?" she asked, lifting her hand from the icy surface.

"I have no idea.

" "She was holding something. What do you think it was?

" "I didn't have time to notice," Kathrina replied. "It doesn't matter anymore." We won't find out anyway." She skirted the wall and sat on the floor by the window.

"That's a shame. It could be interesting." Sahirah smiled.

She moved closer. They stayed like that for a long moment in silence. Kathrina, her legs tucked under the folds of her dress, stroked the floor with her fingertips, while Sahirah leaned against the wall. Neither seemed inclined to speak. Finally, Kathrina tried.

"I think something's bothering you. Am I right?

" "That's all, really."

"But most of all?

" "What unfortunately awaits me.

" "I don't understand...

" "I don't want this." Sahirah looked the teacher straight in the eye. She honestly hadn't thought she'd ever openly admit it to her.

"I don't know what to tell you..."

Sahirah clenched her fists.

"I won't tell anyone about that. Don't be afraid," Kathrina smiled gently at her. "But don't your guardians know about it? Because I think they do...

" "Yes, but that's completely different."

"Are you afraid?" she asked. From the beginning, she'd wondered why her ward had brought her here. Later, when she learned that no one else knew about this chamber, it became completely incomprehensible. But now she was certain. Sahirah trusted her. Like no one else.

"No, it's not fear. More like resignation.

" "Remember, then a completely different world will open up to you.

" "But I don't want anyone feeding on my blood, my senses.

" "No one knows what it's really like.

" "It will be bad for me. Why sacrifice myself for beings I have nothing in common with?"

Kathrina rested her head against the cold glass. She looked in astonishment at Sahirah's face, whose eyes were closed.

"But you're also a vampire by birth, from the same bloodline—the Ventrue. So?" There was curiosity in her voice.

"I haven't formed a bond with any of them. They're complete strangers to me. The Master and Dakhanavar keep telling me it's an honor, but I see it completely differently. I'm simply a sacrifice so that others can have peace.

" "In a way," the teacher admitted. "But for me, it was a blessing.

" "I don't understand you. Do you like this existence? A life without a loved one?

" "No," Kathrina replied evasively. She didn't want to talk about herself.

"I think," Sahirah said, "that all of this is pointless."

Kathrina, however, was no longer listening, lost in the lake of her own memories. Asemri noticed this and smiled faintly.

"Shall we go already?

" The teacher snapped out of her reverie.

"Yes, of course..."

As they passed the ceiling-high wall, she remembered the figure in the water. She could clearly see what she was holding. It was a small silver key. But what was it for? Could it be in this chamber? The vampire decided to look around later.

* * *

Kathrina inhaled the cool air. After a moment, a white puff of steam rose from her lips. She loved breathing, though because of who she was, she didn't have to. Yet the unusual sensation of molecules flowing through her body gave her great pleasure. The night was chilly. The vampire was freezing, covered only by a thin muslin shawl. Still, she was glad she was in the palace gardens now, not inside. She turned and looked with distaste at the stone walls. If she could, she would spend entire nights outside. While it wasn't the same as her beloved forest, she always felt more at ease surrounded by nature. In truth, she felt uneasy whenever she encountered a vampire. She wasn't afraid that her secret would be discovered and they would decide to kill her. She knew they couldn't. The very feeling of contempt made her prefer to avoid contact with anyone. However, she didn't care that Sahirah knew everything. She didn't know how to fight prejudice, how to elevate some and demean others. Such a thing simply didn't exist in her world. Despite her best efforts, no one could gain much influence over her. She pretended to submit, but she didn't. She was cunning, and that was what Kathrina admired most. Yes, Sahirah was definitely a mystery. Although there was nothing she hadn't heard about her student, she still couldn't guess how she would react at any given moment. One moment she seemed so happy, the next she fell into utter despair. Each time, she surprised her with something new. She gazed at the palace towers. This was definitely not a good place for an asemr .

But does it even matter? She had been properly prepared, and that counts. And yet, it didn't. From the start, Kathrina had felt that her ward was missing something. For a long time, however, she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. Until the day they spoke completely honestly and learned so much about her. It still surprised her that Sahirah had so quickly decided to confide her sorrows to her. But after all, who else would she tell them to if not her?

That same day, she returned to the strange chamber in search of the key. It took her a long time, but she finally found it. It was in the most visible place imaginable. It was fastened to the window—the very one she was sitting by. However, it was also quite well camouflaged among the intricate gold patterns, and what's more, she was looking at the floor, not the window. This was what puzzled Kathrina the most. The key wasn't silver, as in the vision. This made her unsure if she'd found the right one. Perhaps it was a deception. Kathrina labored for several more days, searching for something more. The chamber, however, had nothing more to offer.

She was equally fascinated by what this small object opened. For now, she was left with only speculation. However, one thing was certain. She knew who the mysterious figure in the water was.

Green eyes gazed at her from the clear pool. The vampire walked along the path past a bed of beautiful blood-red roses. She smiled and buried her face in the delicate petals. "Let at least one of us taste true freedom," she thought.

Unfortunately, there was still Dakhanavar. Kathrina knew the vampire would do anything to ensure that Lamar, who sat on the Camarilla council, gave him control of the kingdom. He would stop at nothing to convince the eldest of the Ventrue line. Although, if they were guided properly... Certain things might provoke him and speed things up...

Somewhere among the leaves, a navy blue robe flashed. Kathrina didn't know that not everything might go as she wished.

* * *

"Do you really have to question my every opinion? I'm usually the one who knows better!

" "Mostly because you're sticking your nose in other people's business.

" "You don't mean to say you haven't noticed anything, do you?"

"You're not allowed to enter her room! Is there no limit for you?"

Dakhanavar frowned. "So let's try it from a different angle," he thought

. "She might be a bad influence on Asemri , hasn't that occurred to you?

" "We're not allowed to interfere. You'd better mind your own business!

" "I'm just taking care of it," he whispered .

"What?

" "Nothing, nothing. I just see that I care more about the well-being of our ward," he sneered.

"That's not true, and you know it!" Maneden objected.

"Really?" Dakhanavar raised the goblet of fresh blood to his lips. "If that were the case, you would have gotten rid of this Kathrina long ago.

" "You're bringing the god's wrath upon yourself.

" "Exactly. I don't want Sahirah hanging out with such scum.

" "You have no proof.

" "I do. And I can show it to you anytime.

" "You're starting again."

Sometimes, like now, Dakhanavar felt an overwhelming urge to delve into the vampire's mind and read his every thought. It would help him so much. But he preferred not to risk it. Their arrangements were extremely delicate, and neither wanted to get in the other's way. Goals and actions ran parallel; under no circumstances could they intersect.

"Think about it," he put down the goblet, rose from his favorite armchair, and began circling Maneden, explaining emphatically, "why Kathrina spends the entire night either in her chamber or in the gardens. She doesn't speak to anyone except the asemri and reacts nervously to our presence." Besides, I think I saw a green glint in her eye a few times.

"You imagined it. She's a servant of the deity, so it's understandable that she's alone.

" "In the gardens?" Dakhanavar began to lose patience. "My accusations aren't baseless. I can prove it to you, I really can."

He was pleased to see Maneden beginning to doubt his point.

"What if that was the case?

" "What? Sahira was supposed to be prepared by an elven Priestess? You've got to be joking!" he said, outraged.

"Not elven. She's a vampire. Not like us, but...

" "If you could hear yourself," Dakhanavar interrupted. "That's an insult. The deity is testing us. He'll surely send another, better"

—he emphasized—"Priestess." "And if not?" Maneden was tormented by doubts.

"Sahira is in no danger. I take full responsibility," Dakhanavar added heroically.

"I'll leave it to you," he finally managed, as if it weren't your job description.

"I knew you'd agree with me." A characteristic triumphant smile appeared on his face. "You'll thank me for this later."

* * *

The bright green shrouds quivered restlessly, though none of the large stained-glass windows were open. The ornaments on the bed and chest seemed to warp and dissolve as Sahirah looked at them. She sensed a sense of danger. But she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. Kathrina's voice snapped her out of her reverie. Since their first meeting, elven characteristics like green eyes and a magical aura had become all too apparent, as her teacher could no longer conceal them.

"Is something wrong? You seem distant.

" "Kathrina," she said with unusual seriousness, "I think you should run."

The teacher looked at her indignantly.

"You still don't understand. You have to devote yourself completely to certain ideals. And besides, I don't have to run away. Nothing will happen to me."

Sahirah bit her lip. After all, they had spent so much time together. The vampire had grown close to her teacher. After all, Kathrina was the only person besides Maneden with whom she had spent so much time. She felt a great affection for her, even though she was technically her enemy. Sahirah didn't believe her teacher's assurances; she knew she would surrender without a fight.

"Kathrina, please..." she managed to say as the door to the chamber burst open.

"Ah! So it's as I suspected," Dakhanavar shouted, looking around the chamber with satisfaction. "Get away from her, Asemri !"

The guards immediately separated them. Sahirah looked hopefully at the vampire. However, she nodded. She could have used magic and escaped, but she didn't. Sahirah couldn't believe it. Her death was senseless. Duty... All she could do was watch with a wild look as the soldiers led Kathrina away.

"I know this is a great shock for you. You spent so much time with that traitor. You must be struggling to recover. On the other hand, it's strange you didn't notice anything.

" "I don't understand why you did it!" Sahirah burst out, making no attempt to hide anything. "It's not Kathrina's fault that...

" "Enough. I won't let you talk to me like that. I think you should be left alone.

" Sahirah watched with glassy eyes as she left and locked the door behind her. She felt utterly abandoned. She knew that those moments spent together, Kathrina's smile... All of this would never come back. "She was the only person who cared about me," she thought. Despite what she said about duty, Sahirah felt she cared. If only she could do something. Anything...