“Where did you hear that?” Danika asked Beryn.
“Word travels fast, Your Grace,” Beryn replied. “I see you’re not denying it.”
“We’re simply trying to understand the similarities and the differences between our species,” Derek said, calm and reserved in his approach.
Beryn grinned. “It doesn’t have anything to do with whatever made you into a day-walker then, huh? Because we all know you got it from one of our own.”
Danika rolled her eyes. “I see gossip is still running rampant.” She glanced at Acheron. “See, darling? This is why I’ve been advocating for smaller dinners and fewer guests lately.”
“I agree,” Acheron replied, raising an eyebrow at Beryn. “One of us, Beryn? One of whom, exactly?”
“Why, the Aeternae, of course,” Beryn said.
“I don’t think you’re in a position to question what Derek and his team do with the blood we give them,” Acheron declared. “You were turned. From a heritage point of view, you don’t get a say in this.”
“No, but I just want these foreigners to be honest,” Beryn replied. “I just want them to tell us that they came here for the day-walking cure. Judging by what they’ve said so far, frankly, it did not take a master linguist to figure it out.”
“Beryn doesn’t like pussy-footing much.” Maylin chuckled, thoroughly enjoying this.
Sofia exhaled sharply. “It’s true. We came here because our search for the day-walking protein brought us to Visio.”
It didn’t surprise Danika or Acheron. Zoltan seemed a tad displeased, at best, but he wasn’t shocked, and neither was Petra. In hindsight, it did make sense that they’d figured it out on their own, as much as we’d tried to convince ourselves otherwise. But I did wonder what had made them draw the conclusion, since they definitely didn’t know about our tracking magic.
“We didn’t want it to be the main objective of our visit, though,” Sofia added. “We are genuinely fascinated, in awe of your civilization and what you’ve accomplished here. For us, it’s always a pleasure to explore new worlds. As you all know by now, this isn’t our first foray into interstellar exploration.”
“I appreciate your candor,” Acheron replied. “Rest assured, we are not in any way upset or offended that you did not tell us immediately. It does make sense that you would want to help your people evolve, so they may walk in the sunlight without fear of dying.”
“See, Beryn? We like to be civil with our guests,” Danika said, sneering at the former Rimian. “If you were trying to start a diplomatic conflict, I suggest you go back to the drawing board and try something smarter. On the other hand, if all you intended was to embarrass our guests, I must say I’m thoroughly unimpressed.”
“Your Grace, I simply advocate for the truth, no matter how uncomfortable,” Beryn replied, apparently dissatisfied with the end result of his jabs. There was clearly some sort of endgame on his mind. And I felt uneasy not knowing what that was.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what brought you to the conclusion that we came here because of the day-walking protein? We did not lead the conversation there,” I said. “In fact, we let you draw the conclusions for yourselves, out of respect.”
Valaine’s hand covered mine over the armrest of my chair. No one else saw it, but I was compelled to look at her. She frowned, silently signaling me not to dig any deeper. However, it was too late. I’d already asked.
Acheron smiled. “Given you had the technology and the magic to come all the way here, we figured you must’ve had something to help you trace that protein back to our world.”
“Seems rather simple, doesn’t it?” Danika added.
Then why was I not convinced? The thought of having been spied on crossed my mind, and the implications troubled me. This wasn’t the time or the place to address them, but I was determined to speak to Esme about it—she looked as concerned as I was, likely making the same connections.
These people were fascinating. But they were also hiding things from us, things that could mean the difference between our mission’s success or failure—and possibly trouble.
Esme
“I think your white-haired scientist here should take blood samples from different Aeternae,” Petra said after a long and not so comfortable pause. She confused me with her mood swings, going from hot to cold, from helpful to hateful, in milliseconds. “With your permission, Lord and Lady Supreme, I will be more than happy to grant Amal full access to the palace’s study rooms so she can analyze all the samples and identify the protein needed for the vampires’ day-walking cure.”
Acheron nodded enthusiastically. “I’ll gladly give you some of my blood, if you wish.”
“Your Grace, surely there is no need for that,” Zoltan replied. “I and my colleagues will donate on your behalf.”
“Nonsense. The Nasani blood is pure and ancient. One of the first dynasties established on Visio,” Acheron said. “I will donate, and that’s the end of it.”
“You can take mine, as well,” Danika added, though she didn’t sound as excited as her husband. Even so, their willingness to help us wasn’t just surprising. It was downright humbling and heartwarming. For all their secrecy and double meanings nudged beneath their words, the Aeternae were definitely eager to support our quest. It was selfless.
“I suppose I don’t need to tell you that you people can have my blood,” Kalon muttered.
“Thank you,” I said, genuinely grateful to have his support in this endeavor.
“Heck, I’ll give some of mine, too,” Maylin conceded. “I’m curious to see what differences you draw between my blood and that of an original Aeternae.”
“Indeed, that would be an interesting study,” Zoltan realized, smiling with delight. “We have yet to develop techniques such as yours for the analysis of blood.”
Amal nodded. “I will gladly assist with whatever you may need,” she said. “If we can help get you closer to a cure for the Black Fever, while we’re here, you have our full support.”
“It is the least we can do, in return for what you’re giving us,” Derek added.
Last time we’d spoken to GASP, earlier this morning, they’d warned us to be careful. They’d also expressed interest in getting to know these people better. Rose had suggested that we could even try to forge an alliance with Visio and its principates—the secret here was to not interfere in their form of government.
The Aeternae did not seem like the kind who would easily renounce their privileges, and, as much as Rose and the others disliked Derek’s counterarguments on the topic, it wasn’t our place to destabilize three planets after millions of years of mostly peaceful coexistence. There were plenty of things we didn’t like about their world and the way they treated the Rimians and the Naloreans, but it was their world. Not ours.
I could already hear our people in GASP squealing from joy, though, upon hearing that the Aeternae were more than willing to help us by giving their blood for studies and tests. So far, our mission was turning out to be quite successful.
Even so, I couldn’t shake off the worry that something might go wrong. That someone might do something to spoil the rapport we’d managed to achieve with the Aeternae. Beryn had already tried to put a wedge between us, and the others must have learned from his experience. One of them might try again, harder the second time around.
“I would appreciate a scientific pursuit of the Black Fever,” Petra said. “For too long we have battled it. For too long we have buried our loved ones because of it. If that Ta’Zan fellow was able to find you a cure against the burning sunlight, then surely, you can help us come up with something to at least prevent another outbreak.”
“How frequently does the Black Fever return?” Amal asked.
