NOVPUB"To Regent Jake of the Vampire planet. I, King Galak of the Dhampir, agrees to the terms as laid forth in your message. I am willing to host a neutral meeting on the vampire homeworld. I trust in your honor. Let the location be one of your choosing, and inform me of the time. May this be a step toward balance."
Below the signature, a number was written.
Jake studied the number a moment longer before refolding the letter.
The messenger cleared his throat. "His Majesty said that you, the regent, should text him. Provide the time, date, and location. He will be ready."
Jake's lips twitched into a thoughtful frown. He gave the messenger a silent nod of dismissal. "You've done your duty. You may return."
The man bowed once more, turned and nodded to the vampire messenger. Within moments, the propulsion of his wings faded into the sky as he disappeared beyond the treeline.
Amber stepped closer, a hand resting lightly on her hip. "So," she said, "what's the issue?"
Jake turned to her, his mind still on the words of the Dhampir King. "He's agreed to the terms," he said. "He's willing to talk. On our ground."
Amber blinked. "Dhampirs. I've never heard that name before. Are they some sort of sub-class?"
Jake chuckled dryly. "That's one way to put it." He leaned against the stone balustrade, looking into the sky as if reading ancient history in the clouds. "They're a hybrid race. Born from the union of humans and vampires,
mostly during the old slave era."
Amber frowned. "Slave era?"
"Back before the collapse of the first Vampire Dominion," Jake explained. "There was an era where humans were taken by force. Some were bred, others turned, and a few… created Dhampirs. At first, they were treated as property, lower than even the humans. But during the period when vampires had internal conflicts, a Dhampir named Galak rose up. He broke their chains and led the rebellion. Became their first, and still reigning, king."
Amber narrowed her eyes, her voice lowered as if recalling something bitter. "Vampires really were a conquering bunch of maniacs."
Jake gave her a sideways glance, not offended but solemn. "We were. Until Duke took the throne — my grandfather. He was softer than the kings before him. Rational. Empathetic, in his own way. He tried to change things."
Amber tilted her head. "The same perverted old man you and Misty always talk about?"
Jake nodded. "He was the one. He made reforms. Ended the vampire brutality, started alliances. But it was my father, Derek, who made it possible."
Amber's eyes widened. "Derek… the one who fought the Blood God, right?"
"Yeah." Jake's voice went quiet for a moment. "That battle cracked open the whole system. While everyone was distracted with the war, Galak took the chance and led the Dhampirs to true independence. Other races tried, but only the Dhampirs succeeded. They were strong, organized, and smart."
Amber let out a slow breath. "Sounds like Galak is a smart guy."
"He is," Jake said. "Which makes this meeting all the more important because having him on our side would be beneficial."
She nodded silently, thoughtful.
"I'll be back," Jake said, pushing against the tree. "I need to let Zamira know."
He made his way inside the building, walking past the guards and through the arched hallways of polished marble. The scent of incense hung in the air. He found Zamira in the living room, standing before a holographic map that displayed the habitable vampire territories
She turned as he entered. "You received an answer?"
Jake held up the letter. "He agreed. Galak
is willing to meet in our homeworld. He's left the location up to me."
Zamira raised a brow. "Surprising."
Jake shrugged. "He's not reckless. He knows how valuable this moment is."
"Did he provide a method of contact?"
Jake nodded. "A number. He said I should text him the details."
Zamira pulled out her phone and handed it over. "Use mine."
Jake quickly typed in the number, then drafted the message:
[Tomorrow. Noon. Vampire Royal Palace. East Wing conference hall. No media. No guards beyond three from each side.]
He hit send. And the message was sent.
"So, where are you going now?" Zamira suddenly asked, casting a lewd glance at Jake.
"First of all, I haven't seen Zagrath since. Isn't she done already?" Jake replied, raising a brow.
"She'll be back soon," Zamira said with a sly smile. "Now that she's one of your women and no longer my guard, I handed off some of my workload to her, fufu."
"You didn't even need a guard in the first place," Jake muttered.
"Yeah, she was like a sister to me."
"And now?" he asked, his eyebrow still raised.
"My rival," she said, then pouted. "Anyway, why are you ignoring me? Let's have one more round." Zamira crawled toward him seductively, but Jake quickly stood and began heading for the door, making exaggerated faces at her as he left.
"Screw you, Jake! How dare you leave a woman wanting?" she shouted after him.
Outside, Jake returned to Amber and sat down beside her. This time, he pulled a soft foamy mat, some pillows, and a blanket from his inventory. Amber's eyes widened at the sight.
"Where did you even get all this from?" she asked, baffled.
"You don't wanna know," Jake said with a grin as he laid the mat out and gestured for her to join him.
Amber gave him a strange look but laid down beside him anyway.
"Now that you're telling me to lie down beside you… don't tell me you want to have sex with me. At least take me inside if you do," she whispered.
Jake blinked in surprise. "Amber, tha—"
She placed a finger on his lips, cutting him off.
"I've changed my mind," she said softly. "I don't want to live my old life anymore. The truth is… I like you, Jake. Maybe it's because I once shared a body with Misty, and her feelings rubbed off on me. But even if that's true, I really do like you… a lot." She snuggled into his side.
"Amber~" Jake murmured, stunned. She felt like a completely different person right now.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm still a woman, you know," she said. "Even though I want revenge, I've thought about it. This time… I want to live a normal life. So, will you marry me, Jake?"
But before Jake could respond, someone suddenly dropped from the sky, landing near them and walking over.
"Marry you? What happened to being a mistress like me?" the figure said with a teasing voice. "If you're marrying her, you'll marry me too, darling."
"...Zagrath."
