Chapter 13 / The bleeding flowers

June 5th 15.001.  

Bloodspire, Umbra [Vampire Continent]

Dominique was the first to climb in, dragging Risha with her, the boy clutching Cloud under his arm as though the wolf were no more than a plush toy. Eloise hesitated at the open door, staring at the road ahead, before Dominique leaned out with a grin.

“Don’t make me carry you in too, princess.”

That broke the spell, and Eloise climbed aboard, tucking her cloak tighter.

Elon took the passenger seat beside Sukira, though the two said little. He kept his gaze fixed ahead, calm but unreadable, while she shifted gears and drove. From the back, Eloise watched the line of his shoulders and wondered if he had been carved from the same stone as the mountains they were leaving behind.

The city shrank, the landscape flattening into pale stretches of grassland broken by dark crags. Hours bled into days, the road carrying them farther from the sharp silhouette of Bloodspire until it was only a memory. They made small stops, sometimes at forgotten wells or crumbling taverns, always careful, always quiet.

♥︎

June 8th 15.001.  

Bloodspire, Umbra [Vampire Continent]

By the third day, Dominique’s voice broke the monotony. “Stop here.”

Sukira slowed, frowning, but Dominique was already pointing at a rolling field just off the road. Wildflowers stretched in every direction, their colors startling against the muted soil—indigo, gold, scarlet blooms.

“They still grow,” Dominique whispered, stepping out before the van had even fully stopped. Her boots sank into the grass like she was entering an old dream. “Suki, remember? We used to sneak out here and—” She laughed and waved her arms, already running, Risha and Cloud bolting after her.

Eloise crouched among the flowers, fingers brushing soft petals. Her eyes widened. “These… they don’t exist anywhere else, do they? I’ve never seen them before,” she murmured, as though afraid of breaking their fragile beauty.

Dominique’s laughter carried across the field before she finally slowed and came back toward the van. She left Risha gathering examples under Eloise's commands. Dominique pulled herself onto the hood and patted the space beside her. Sukira joined, her movements less eager but no less weighted. The two sat shoulder to shoulder, the sky burning into shades of gold and violet.

“You remember the games we played here?” Dominique asked, her voice softer now, almost cautious.

Sukira looked at Dominique’s face, sunset lights flashing across her skin. Her eyes glitched slightly.

“Aha, yes.” But not really. Sukira’s memories were a mess. For some reason, she couldn’t reach some of the images of her past. “You brat, make us stop because you were feeling nostalgic?”

From where he stood leaning against the van, Elon turned his head slightly, watching her with narrowed eyes, noticing her glitching. Do you remember anything at all?

When the shot cracked, Sukira’s gaze was still fixed on Dominique’s smile.

The world broke apart in an instant. The bullet was meant for Sukira, but Dominique moved first. It hit her in the left eye. Blood sprayed, and she collapsed forward, straight into Sukira’s lap, warm blood soaking her hands before she could even understand what happened.

“No—no, no!” Sukira’s voice shattered, raw and frantic, pressing against the wound as if she could push time backward. Dominique’s lashes fluttered once, then stilled, her face slack against Sukira’s knees.

“Risha!” Elon’s voice thundered.

Eloise had already reacted to the gunshot–her hands blazing with blue light as a shimmering barrier expanded around the boy. Not a single bullet could pass through; they would have been dislodged into sparks before touching the shield. But no one was shooting at them. The boy clung to the wolf, too frozen to cry, unable to see what was happening on the other side of the flower’s field.

Sukira’s vision tunneled, everything but Dominique’s bloodied face slipping away. Her fingers trembled, smearing red down her own arms. She had been looking right at her and had seen life tear from her in an instant. 

Elon moved quickly. He lifted Dominique from Sukira’s arms and laid her flat, hands already drawing runes in the air. His voice stayed even, low, as he pressed a sealing spell over the wound, slowing the bleeding.

Another shot cracked—

But before the sound could finish, a blade split the air. A shadow moved faster than Sukira’s eyes could track. The shooter—just a dark silhouette across the camp—choked, blood spraying as steel cleaved through his throat. His body crumpled into the flowers without a sound.

The man who killed him stood calmly, adjusting his tie as though nothing had happened. His uniform was spotless, his sword dripping onto the blossoms. He lit a cigarette from the corner of his mouth.

“Always messy work,” he muttered, flicking the blade clean with a snap.

Sukira’s shock snapped into rage, launching herself at the newcomer with her void. Her boot collided with his jaw, the crack reverberating in her leg. He went down by the impact, but she didn’t stop—she caught him by his tie and hit him again, now with a closed fist, bone on bone, pain running her knuckles, blood spilling from his lip. His cigarette dropped, crushed under her boots.

“Who the hell are you?” Grief poured out as fury. “Why were you here? You'd better talk fast, and it better be good”. 

The man coughed, touched his bleeding mouth, and then smiled while looking at her raging gaze. “Name’s Jeda. Dominique’s friend. I was supposed to meet her here, around this time. Guess someone drove faster than me.”

“You killed the shooter?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She was processing this man’s words. Too many blood scents were in the air, but finally, it was clear. He was speaking the truth. 

Sukira let him go, shaking with the effort to hold herself together. She returned to the van. Elon had pulled Risha close, holding the boy back from seeing Dominique’s ruined face. Eloise knelt beside her, hands glowing bright, her voice steady even as her shoulders trembled.

“Thank the Blessings,” Eloise muttered. “Elon stopped the bleeding just in time. I can keep her stable, but I believe we should camp. We can’t move her in this condition”. 

♥︎

They set up the camp quickly, on the edge of the flower field. Eloise worked until her face turned pale, pouring everything she had into closing the wound. At last, she fell back, exhausted. Dominique breathed, steady but unconscious. 

Eloise left the tent where Dominique rested. “That’s it. She’ll be okay.” She said. “...but she lost the eye. I couldn’t save it. 

“She’s alive, Eloise.” Sukira touched her shoulder and bowed slightly, showing her thanks.

“She’ll need a few days of rest before we can continue the trip,” Eloise added. 

Jeda exhaled smoke, nodding. “There’s a small city nearby. I know a place we can crash. We can hide there until she’s ready.” 

No one argued. Eloise returned to the tent where she collapsed into her blanket, asleep in moments. Risha curled against Dominique’s side, refusing to let go.

Night settled. The fire burned low. Elon, Sukira, and Jeda sat in the glow.

Jeda spoke first, tone too casual for the day they’d had. “I feel both of you ripping me apart with those deadly eyes. I find it kinda hot, just for your information.”

Sukira smiled faintly but kept her sharp look. Elon, arms crossed, didn’t even twitch. Another joker. Just what we needed, he thought.

He was almost as tall as Elon, though he was bigger, nearly one meter eighty-five, and built broad through the chest and shoulders. Muscles filled out the cut of his uniform, which, despite the day’s chaos, he still wore neat and crisp, as if dirt itself offended him. He wore his outfit as a uniform: white skirt, black tie, leather bomber jacket, and black trousers, loose at the bottom. His car keys hooked to the pants' waistband.

Jeda’s hair, chocolate brown, was combed back in a way that gave him a cleaner look than his rough features suggested. A fresh scar cut across his mouth, pink and raw, adding to the edge already carved into him. Tattoos sprawled over his skin, glimpsed above the collar, and under the sleeves, and his fingers, marking him as anything but ordinary. Rings glinted, an earring at one ear. He looked heavy, sharp, and meticulous all at once—the kind of man who left the impression he could crack a joke or crack a skull without much effort between the two.

“Shame we met like this,” Jeda went on. “I’d have preferred a drink and a dance.” He grinned, eyes sliding between Sukira and Elon, who stood stiff behind the fire. “But company’s company.”

Sukira leaned back, arms crossed. “You’d better explain who you really are.”

“Straight to the point, huh?” He flicked ash into the flames. “My name is Jeda. I’m a human from Concordia, one of the founders of La Paz. I’m in charge of recruitment, bringing the right people in before the wrong ones find them.”

“And you just happened to be waiting here?” Elon asked, flat as stone.

“Dominique and I had an agreement. The intel department didn’t trust sending her the coordinates, so I was supposed to find her here and escort her to headquarters. She asked me to meet her in the flower field.” He gestured around at the dark meadow. “Romantic choice, don’t you think?”

Elon’s eyes hardened. “What about the man you killed?”

She rolled her eyes automatically. “Don’t start, blondie. We almost lost Dominique. Just shut up.” Sukira cut in, frustrated as the same old story would be repeated.

“Well, he was after this hottie over here.” Jeda’s chin tipped toward her. “Seems that even though the bounty was pulled back, some assassins haven’t gotten the memo yet.”

Sukira narrowed her eyes. “How did you know about the bounty? And who the fuck told you who I am?”

Jeda smirked. “You’ll see—I know things. That’s my job. And, being honest…” he tapped the forming scar connecting his chin to the skin on top of his lip, “…I might have a soft spot for you after our first encounter.”

Sukira blinked once, unimpressed, but she didn’t answer.

The fire cracked between them. Jeda leaned closer, his face half-lit by the glow. His voice lost its playfulness. “Since we’re sharing truths… I should tell you what’s happening in Concordia.”

He took a drag of smoke, then continued. “Concordia is tearing itself apart. Humans are tired of the Council—tired of listening to vampires and elves argue while their cities crumble. Factions are forming: some cling to the government, others want to burn it down. If this keeps up, war won’t stay in Concordia. I have a source inside the government; she told me they’ve started looking for middle-Calamities to make pacts with. History’s repeating itself. That’s why La Paz matters. It’s the only neutral ground we have left.”

Elon’s laugh was dry, bitter. “So you’re another dreamer. Another fool with good intentions tha—”

“You keep playing your political games, but the only way to finish this is to take Elexi down. That Great Calamity is the root of everything that’s happening.” Sukira’s voice cut what Elon was saying, sharper than either of them expected. Both men turned to her. 

She didn’t flinch. “I’ll take down Elexi, alone. I’m the only one who can.”

“That’s impossible. Do you have any idea what you’re saying? Going after a Calamity alone is suicide. Plus, they can’t be killed.” His words came like reprimands, heavy and sharp.

“I’ve never said I was going to kill it. I’ll just stop it.” She said as she was talking about the weather. 

“That means you’re planning to make an agreement with it. That’s even worse. Elexi is one of the only Calamities that can use its power without negotiations. Everything you’re saying lacks sense,” Elon continued, his voice more and more electric than before. 

Elon was right about everything. In this age, there were six known Great Calamities left: immortal forces that once shaped the continent’s balance. They are not beings in the usual sense, but living currents of power that bend nature, time, and minds. Mortals have lived through history by striking pacts with them—unequal bargains where the Calamity always takes more than it gives. 

Small and medium-sized Calamities require an exchange in order to use their powers. But some of the Great Calamities didn’t need that. Elexi, also known as the Calamity of War or the Calamity of Hate, was the force behind the biggest, longest war between races in the shared history of the continents. And, according to rumors, it was making its comeback. 

Sukira stared back, unbothered, replying directly to Elon’s interrogatory. “Now, at least you know what I’m so occupied with.” 

Uhm, these two already have inner jokes. Jeda stood in silence while they barked at each other.

Elon’s mouth pressed into a thin line, but his eyes burned with questions.

Jeda exhaled slowly, almost smiling. “Well, someone needs to have another plan in case La Paz fails. Go get it, beautiful. Let me know if you need a hand.” He blinked at her, making a ‘capitan’ salute with his hand, holding another half-smoked cigarette.

Sukira tilted her head, a faint smirk at last. “I like you. You’ll be way easier to handle.”

“I don’t know what that means,” Jeda replied, playing obliviously and giving her a flashing-tooth smile. “But I’m ready to find out.”

Elon, annoyed, headed to the tent right away.

♥︎

Near midnight, everyone was sleeping already, and Dominique stirred. Her lashes fluttered open, her good eye hazy. Eloise, half-asleep at her side, startled when a hand brushed her cheek. Dominique drew her closer and pressed their foreheads together.

“Thank you for saving me,” she whispered. “You’re always so amazing, I just can’t believe it.”

Eloise’s breath caught. She wanted to speak, to deny it, to say something, to praise Dominique’s bravery that saved Sukira. But Dominique had already fallen back into sleep.

Eloise lay there a long time, flushed, listening to the steady rhythm of her breathing.

♥︎

June 9th 15.001.  

Bloodspire, Umbra [Vampire Continent]

Morning light filtered through the tent flaps, soft and pale. The camp was quiet, except for Risha shifting beside Dominique. Everyone waited, watching the flap, wondering how she would be.

Finally, Dominique stepped out, slow at first, adjusting the heart-shaped leather pouch Eloise had made for her. She held it like a talisman, swinging it slightly, and glanced around with a smirk.

“Check me out,” she said, spinning once. “Badass, right? Missing an eye, but still stylish.”

Sukira and Elon exchanged glances. Jeda grinned, clearly enjoying the show. Dominique walked straight to him, throwing her arms around his shoulders. “Long time no see! You were late. I’ll report this to the Fenroths,” she teased.

He went down to Dominique's knees and begged, half joking, half serious. “Please don’t. I can’t deal with another reprimand from Ailin,” Jeda said.

“Oh, she’s dense. I know. Okay… okay, I won’t say anything”. Dominique said, patting his back.

They really all know each other. They’re… organized. Elon thought after hearing them talk about his siblings.

“Are you Dominique’s boyfriend, sir?”. Risha touched Jeda’s shoulder. 

“Hey, Kid. No, I’m not. I’m afraid she’s only into girls. But she’s my friend. I’m Jeda, by the way. Who are you?” He spoke to the kid naturally, something that the rest only achieved with practice. 

“Umh…” The little boy seemed a bit nervous about a new person entering the group. He looked at everyone around him until he met Sukira’s eyes, who gave the kid an embracing expression. 

“My name's Risha. I’m a trainee sorcerer and assassin. I’m in charge of protecting Eloise and Dominique.” He was almost shouting. 

“That’s new”, Elon exhaled while hiding her face. 

“Kid, let’s keep the sorcerer-assassin combo in secret from now on, okay?”, Sukira said while holding back the laugh.

So this is the situation. Jeda, still kneeling, now facing Risha, took a moment to witness the short interaction. 

“Permission to escort you to the Bloodmark city, Captain Risha”.  

“Permission granted. You can rest, soldier”. The kid ran off before he could even reply back. 

“Soldier? Not even a Commander?” Jeda said, a bit disappointed. 

“You’ll get there,” Dominique laughed. 

They decided to move on. The city Jeda had mentioned was only about an hour away, and the group packed efficiently, Dominique leaning on Sukira to steady herself as they left the camp.

Jeda’s car waited—a classic dark green, sleek and low, polished to shine like his eyes. He clapped Elon on the shoulder. “You coming with me, handsome. Suki, follow my car. Only about an hour’s drive. See ya there!”

Sukira got into her car, watching him with faint amusement, while Elon was dragged silently to the passenger seat beside Jeda.

♥︎

Once they were on the road, Jeda broke the silence. “I might not be a vampire to read—”

 “–smell. You mean smell”, Elon corrected sharply. 

“Right, right. I might not be a vampire to smell your intentions, but I’m damn good at reading people.” He lit a cigarette. “You’re dying for that girl, uh?”

Elon didn’t react. Not a twitch.

“Nothing? Fine, then. I’ll keep talking.” He let out the smoke over the open window, and he placed his arm on the frame. “I’m dying to get to know her better. I think I experienced love at first sight. I just need to have her around, you know.”

“Are you planning to use her, then?”. Elon tried to stay silent, but his curiosity won. His eyes were still fixed on the road ahead.

“Yes. But I’m pretty sure she’ll be the one using me at the end.” Jeda replied fast and honestly. 

Silence took over the car once again. 

“I would appreciate it if you stayed away from her,” Jeda said, seriously now. 

“Sure,” Elon said smoothly, tone calm.

The drive was mostly quiet after that, only the hum of tires on the road and the occasional crackle of the engine.

♥︎

Soon, the cars stopped at the city’s outskirts. The gates were tall, imposing, with runic lights glowing along their edges. No vehicles were allowed beyond that point. They were in the south of Bloodspire, the capital of Umbra, close to Ravelin’s Alley, an ancient region that worked as a connecting road between the Alps and the old forests of the vampire continent.  

The city itself, an elegant blend of elven and vampire architecture, rose before them, high towers spiking into the sky, streets winding like threads through the dense sprawl. Bloodmark was the town with the biggest percentage of vampire-elf halves in the three continents. They were the rarest race among all. 

In a world where bloodlines and magic intertwine, the halves—those born from the collision of two distinct races—stand as living testaments to nature’s unpredictable hand. Unlike their pure-blooded kin, they carry the legacies of two worlds in equal measure, a blend of strength, beauty, and contradiction. Each bear a blend of traits shaped by lineage: human-elves inherit curiosity and grace, human-vampires the intensity and resilience of the night, and elf-vampires the haunting beauty and power of both immortal lines. Their abilities, appearance, and even temperament shift depending on which blood dominates, making each individual unique.

The group got out of their cars, stretching and taking in the sights. The air was cooler here, carrying a faint metallic tang that hinted at the vampire influence, yet a bit of jasmine scent could be perceived. Eloise felt closer to her hometown for a moment. 

The group got out of their cars, stretching and taking in the sights. The air was cooler here, carrying a faint metallic tang that hinted at the vampire influence, yet a bit of jasmine scent could be perceived. Eloise felt closer to her hometown for a moment. 

“Someone’s watching us.” Elon tightened his grip on Risha, pulling him closer.

Sukira chuckled softly, eyes flicking to a shadow moving afar. “I’ll handle this.” 

“Unfinished business?” she said, amusement in her tone.

“You bet.”

A motorcycle roared down the path. Dust kicked up as the rider skidded to a stop and sprinted toward Sukira. Calm as ever, she didn’t move; she waited for the impact. The figure closed the distance, then rolled to the ground expertly, coming up fast on her feet… only to end on the floor beside Sukira, face up, small automatic pistol pointing casually at her.

“Is this another spy from La Paz?” Eloise whispered to Jeda.

“A spy? What do you think we—No. I don’t know who this is,” Jeda admitted, brow furrowed. He didn’t like surprises and, above all, he didn’t feel comfortable not knowing who someone was; his network of contacts was supposed to be broad enough that this should never, ever happen.

Sukira stayed still, studying the newcomer. The figure leaned over, gun resting lightly against her chest.

“The never-ending bounty was lifted. I thought you were fucking dead. I’ve been tracing you for days. We had a deal, remember?”

“Yes. Sorry ‘bout that,” Sukira replied flatly.

The figure relaxed, letting herself lie next to Sukira on the cold stone. “It was a lot of fucking money, girl. I needed that to develop my next device.”

“I know. I’ll help you gather the funds,” Sukira said, tone neutral but calm.

The group stood frozen. Even Elon didn’t move.

The woman stretched slightly, giving a better view. She was taller than Sukira, wiry and lean, every movement precise and controlled. Her dark red, wavy, long hair tumbled around her shoulders, catching the morning light in the forming curls. Her eyes—also a deep red—glinted sharply behind a pair of silver glasses.

She wore a fitted leather jacket and matching black jeans. She had a small crossbag with enough pockets to hold tools and gadgets. The small automatic pistol in her hand looked delicate, almost casual, but every angle suggested she could handle it with lethal precision.

“Tell me,” she said, one hand propping her head, still balancing the gun, “how’s life treating you now that you’re not being chased constantly?”

“The same, to be honest,” Sukira replied, shifting slightly. “Can you please take that away?”, she pulled the gun away as nothing.

“Ouch! What was that?” Sami jerked her head back, startled.

“Stay away from her!!” Risha shouted, hurling a tiny rock that pinged harmlessly off her shoulder.

“Personal guard? And you travel with a companion, also?” Sami asked, scanning the group.

All eyes were on her, silent. She rolled slightly too, settling against the ground like it was all a game. “I leave you for a few months in the middle of the Eloria woods, and you start a circus? What the hell, Suki?”

“Okay, let me expla–”

“Beautiful ladies, I’ll buy you some drinks and we’ll all catch up, but now please, let’s enter the city,” Jeda said, pointing toward the gates, voice calm but firm, trying to impose some order on the chaos.

They moved in waves, each one carrying their own luggage. 

♥︎

June 9th 15.001.  

Bloodmark, Umbra [Vampire Continent]

The city gates receded behind them as the group arrived at the posada. The building was warm and welcoming, a stark contrast to the stone streets outside, with soft lamps glowing in the windows and the faint scent of homemade food drifting through the open door. Jeda greeted the owner with a familiar handshake and a quick joke; it was clear they were old acquaintances.

Risha was tucked into a small, cozy room, and Cloud curled at his side. Two other beds were waiting to be used in the same room. Elon moved to the door afterward, tracing subtle runes in the air, forming a protective barrier that would alert him to any intrusion. Jeda noticed but decided not to say a word.

Once their belongings were settled, the adults gathered downstairs. Sukira leaned against the bar counter, arms crossed, as the firelight flickered across the room. The new addition to the group stepped forward, graceful and calm, her dark red hair catching the light as she smiled.

“I’m Sami,” she said, voice quiet but firm. “I’ve worked with Sukira for years under the same mercenary company. I’m a cyberhacker and tech specialist.”

Her gaze briefly lingered on Eloise, and she reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from the girl’s face. “And who are you?” Eloise stiffened, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks.

Dominique noticed immediately. Her own eyes narrowed, sharp with protective jealousy. “Eloise,” she said, voice light but commanding, “I need your help with something. Would you please come with me?” Her tone carried no argument. The two of them rose, Dominique glancing at Sami one last time before leading Eloise away.

“Oh. Okay. Understood”, Sami joked while looking at Sukira, who nodded at her reaction.

Jeda turned to Sami, studying her. “I don’t know anything about you.”

“I’m the best hacker you’ve ever seen. Honestly… I don’t exist.” She smiled at him. “No one could trace me even if they tried.”

Jeda’s expression sharpened immediately, eyes calculating. “You’re joining La Paz.”

She laughed softly, tilting her glasses. “That… would be very interesting. I’ve been doing nothing for a long time. What you are aiming for is amazing, to say the least.”

“It's settled then– WAIT. How do you know about La Paz??” He realized the issue a bit too late.

“Ah, about that. I might need to apologize to a ‘Tech’ guy. I hacked his system a few months ago.” Sami replied with an innocent smile. 

"Oh, so it was you! You were the leak on our fucking system. Amazing". Jeda smiled in shock, leaning back in his chair. “You’ll be invaluable.”

Sami’s gaze drifted to the fire, a faint spark of amusement in her eyes. “Let’s see if your optimism is justified.”

Jeda tapped the table. “We have networks to reinforce, borders to watch, spies and mercenaries to track. One wrong move and everything collapses. You can be invisible, untouchable, and extremely useful. The kind of person who changes the game. Oh, Tech’s gonna be so pissed and delighted on the same amount. I can’t wait.”

Sami drank the rest of her vodka in a shot. “How’s the room situation?”, looking at Sukira, who was standing in the middle between Jeda and Elon. 

“I’ll take Elon’s side. You can share rooms with Suki,” Jeda smiled widely, feeling Elon’s gaze burning at him. 

♥︎