Chapter 2 A Gift of Secrecy

"An honor? I do not believe a sneaky meeting with a bloodsucker, and a witch like this will amount to such honor."

Gael gave a small sigh. "Peace is such a difficult word to pronounce, sorceress. But I will twist my tongue because that is all I was sent to you for. Although, I have realized, that you sorceresses seem to have very fresh blood."

A smirk played on his lips and his eyes twinkled, then dropped to her carotid. He made a point of closing his eyes, then sniffing hard, almost like he could taste the blood on his tongue.

"How dare you...."

"Especially my very stunning guide. Her blood is just exquisite. Imagine how that would feel slurped on my tongue, her naked body dangling on my hands with the gaping hole my fangs have made in her neck. Just how beautiful do you think that is?"

"You filthy bloodsucker!" The sorceress yelled, and extended her hand to the short, slightly crooked staff to her left. Before she could get to it, however, Gael was in front of her, his right hand crossed tightly around her neck, his nails digging into her flesh.

She let out a gasp as he smiled. His face inches away from hers. He stuck out his tongue slowly, then kicked around his teeth and like some elixir, his fangs slowly grew as the tongue passed over the canines.

Her eyes widened even more as she found herself helpless against him, his fangs glistening in her eyes.

"You seem delicious, sorceress. Unfortunately, I came to tell you tales of peace, and I shall not disappoint. How about you let us reach a peaceful agreement?"

She gulped as he slowly released her, and in a second, he was back to sitting across from her, watching quite satisfactorily as she coughed hard, her hands rubbing over the points in her neck where his nails had perforated.

"Why do you think you alone can take on all of us? Even my daughter's beginner skills can have you on your knees. Do you think you will be able to get this close if you leave now? We will protect our thresholds with spells and that bestial instinct will not work!."

Gael laughed, then gave a small shrug. "But I do not need you to invite me. I will turn your little web to ashes and force you running to me. We are not equally powered natural enemies, there is no such thing. We are superior. Faster, and I swear, I love the shrill screams. Now, let us talk peace, sorceress."

There was a threat in his tone and she decided to give in.

"What is the gift of secrecy?" she asked, swallowing hard, with a little effort.

"I happen to be the only vampire who has treaded this path. Neither my father, nor anyone else knows this place, and I will give you my word. I shall not tell. For that, and this priceless jade, I expect a peaceful, harmonious and quiet coexistence, far away from each other."

She raised a brow. "You will give us an oath...but what of a punishment? What do we do to you if we ever find out you ratted us out?"

Gael's brows furrowed, and he broke into small laughter. He could not believe the sorceress was thinking of punishing him. However, he decided to give her an answer, and not necessarily one that she would want to hear.

"Would you like to send your daughter along with me to make sure? Because if I do rat you out, you might not be alive long enough to punish me, unfortunately."

She gave a small breath. "I do not quite savor my daughter's mention from you."

"Neither do I savor sitting here, going around the same topic over and over. I do hope we reach a conclusion."

She stared at him for a while, and then finally gave a submissive sigh. "We accept. "

The half vampire accompanying Gael pushed the jade further, and she clasped her hand around it, holding his hand under hers. The boy's eyes widened as a searing burn filled his hand and he started to pull hard to free himself from the pain.

"I will accept your word," she said to Gael, who was amused by the scene, and he gave a charming smile.

"Of course. I will head back immediately."

He stood up, and the boy, finally free, followed, his hand clasped between his thighs as he tried to stifle the pain. Gael took two steps away from the table they had been sitting at, just as his guide, the sorceress's daughter ran in, excitement on her face.

Gael turned to the sorceress who looked satisfied with her little stunt. "Apart from greeting, sorceress...have I told you about something else I am in a tradition of?"

Her brows furrowed a little, and before she could say a word or ask him, he had grabbed the young woman, a smile gracing his face.

"Revenge," he answered, and without giving her enough time to act, he turned the women's head violently sideways, causing her neck to give a violent cracking sound, then let her limp body fall to the floor ungracefully.

He brought his fingers to his nose to sniff her essence and he closed his eyes briefly.

"How could you!"

Gael turned to the aghast sorceress. "That was for my servant. Do not worry. She is not dead. I did not twist it hard enough."

With another charming smile, he walked out of the shed, leaving the woman bent over her daughter.