Vampire’s Lullaby: The Middle (Part 2)

The morning came, pale and peaceful and nothing was amiss. If anything, when she passed by the other hunters of their street on her way to work, they were in good spirits. They wished Dion a speedy recovery and told her to talk to them if she or her family needed anything.

That they could risk pitching in for a night or two, though not more.

She did not walk too fast, as she had the other mornings ever since saving the monster boy. Instead, she once again made sure the shop was bathed in pale light by the time she arrived.

It was almost strange, how normal everything was. She set the shop up as usual and greeted Mr. Bell when he arrived, briefly looking up from her work.

She had half expected things to go wrong, for some kind of punishment to come down upon her head for mingling with night creatures. Or that the vampire herself was going to do anything. But nothing happened.

The day passed like any other and that night the vampire was back once more, sitting on the roof and keeping watch. They spoke with each other for a moment and the vampire was polite and even almost friendly.

Annabelle fell asleep to soft singing once more and woke to pale morning light, everyone she knew safe and sound.

A week passed in this manner and Annabelle started to look forward to the nights a little. To how quiet it had become and to the soft bit of conversation she shared with the vampire.

Right up until Mr. Bell sharply called her name during work, startling her out of her careful focus.

Hurrying out of the back she drew to a stop when she saw the man standing on the other side of the counter.

Dressed in expensive, embroidered brocade, a necklace heavy with emeralds hanging about his throat and buttons gleaming golden and etched with a rearing stag, it was clear he must be one of the nobles.

And he looked very impatient.

His attitude did not improve as they accepted his order. The baron, as he introduced himself, was less than eager to be here, but apparently he needed to get something done fast and they had been recommended to him.

He promised a pay hefty enough that Annabelle nearly gasped out loud and he left them with a handful of gems he wanted to be part of the front cover.

"You’re a true treasure," Mr. Bell whispered as soon as the baron had left, getting into an equally gleaming and elegant carriage, drawn by two snow-white horses. "You worked so hard even the upper crust heard of us."

Annabelle felt a small, hysterical giggle escape before she bit back the rest. Mr. Bell and she stared at each other, before they both started grinning and bustled into the back, chattering back and forth as they rapidly got to work.

If this man was satisfied or even happy with his order, they might get more expensive clientele. Mr. Bell was singing a cheerful song that was usually heard in taverns, shared over an ale, and Annabelle joined in, neither of them caring that they were not great singers in the least.

The day passed far too fast and even though Mr. Bell stayed until the final bell of the evening, they weren’t quite done with the baron’s order yet. The baron wanted to retrieve his book first thing in the morning and while such an order would have been nearly impossible for anyone else, they really wanted to get it done.

"We best get going," Mr. Bell said with great reluctance. "I’m sure we can finish it at dawn."

Annabelle glanced down at the book, then outside, gauging the position of the sun. There was no way they’d be able to finish the book tomorrow morning, before the baron showed up, if she didn’t work longer now.

"I’ll stay a bit longer and then run home," she said. "I’ll be here an hour or so, perhaps I can even finish the book in that time. It will still be early enough in the evening that not many night creatures should be out and about."

Hopefully, at least.

Mr. Bell hesitated, then sighed, "If you are sure?" At her nod he grabbed his things. "Alright, but don’t come in first thing in the morning, understood? You deserve to sleep in after all this. And no matter what, your life is more important than money, understood? If you get worried or scared, go home right away."

She couldn’t help but smile and nodded again, focusing back on the book as he left. It was going to be a beautiful piece, made of dark green, thin leather, embossed with gold letters and decorated with the gems the baron had left them with.

She kept going when she realized that she worked swift enough. If she heard the bell ring again, she’d pack up and leave.

Before she knew it she was finally done, feeling satisfied and her back cracking as she straightened, she looked up and felt her heart drop into her stomach. It was pitch-dark outside.

How? How had she gotten so lost in her work that she had missed the way light had disappeared, only replaced by the lanterns and candles Mr. Bell had left on? How had she not heard the bell of the bell tower ring? Her mouth turned dust dry.

There was no way she’d get home safe. Maybe, if she was really, really quiet, managed to extinguish all light and hid under her desk, no night creature noticed her in here. Maybe she could hide here and hold out until morning.

The tinkle of the bell of the front door made her flinch and startle onto her feet. Had Mr. Bell not looked the door? Had he left the lights on out in the front of the shop as well?

"Hello?" a woman’s voice called out, curious and a little befuddled. "I saw the lights on, are you still in?"

It took her a second to recognize the voice over her panic and pounding heart. It was the vampire she had asked for help. What was she doing here?

"You didn’t return home," the vampire continued and Annabelle heard the muffled sound of steps, as though the night creature was walking slowly up and down the shop. "If you are done for the day, I will wait outside for you. Unless you’d like to walk home alone?"

And be eaten? Surely not. "Thank you," she found herself saying, her pounding heart finally easing a bit.

"I told you I’d look after you and yours," the vampire said and Annabelle heard the tinkle of the bell again as the front door was opened. "Those books are beautiful, by the way."

Then the vampire was gone and Annabelle exhaled in a rush, sagging a bit as tension drained out of her. Her hands shook a little when she rubbed them over her face, before she reached for her shawl.

She was scared to go outside, but she couldn’t stay here either. Besides, if she stayed, so did the vampire and then who would look after her family? Extinguishing all the lights, she wrapped the shawl tightly around herself and stepped outside.

Nerves made her hands a bit clumsy as she locked the door, glancing around. It was quiet and none of the street lights were lit in the crossroads, since no one lived here and the city had considered it a waste of resources.

It took her a moment to notice the large shadow in the dark, wings half unfolded for balance as the vampire crouched on the ledge of a roof above.

"I’m ready," she whispered, shoulders tense and heart still pitter-pattering nervously. She tried to calm down, taking a few deep breaths until she felt less like she was going to scream in fright at the next thing that moved too fast and too unexpectedly.

When she started walking, the vampire followed easily above her. It was surprisingly calm all around and she neither heard nor saw anything. The vampire didn’t so much as snarl or hiss, she just paused once and tensed, clacking her claws warningly against shingles, then moved on like nothing had happened.

It made her wonder how powerful the vampire must be, to so easily command the space she walked through. By the time Annabelle hurried down the main road towards home, she felt...safe. Unexpectedly so, considering she was outside in the dark.

The other hunters of their street were worried and glad to see her, escorting her to the front door of her home and reprimanding her for staying out so long.

"You were very lucky," a rough looking woman said, the one Dion always chatted with while waiting for the sun to disappear. "What would I have said your brother if you got yourself killed while he’s not there?"

"It won’t happen again," she promised, before the door swung open and her ashen faced mother dragged her inside and into a hug.

Annabelle endured the scolding and worrying of her family and after a quick dinner she excused herself. She hesitated in her room, then opened the window.

"Miss Vampire?" she whisper-called, leaning forward a bit.

When the vampire appeared, upside down, between one moment and the next, she bit back a startled yelp by the skin of her teeth. Instead she inhaled sharply and flinched away a step, pressing her hand over her chest.

"Was that necessary?" she found herself gasping out, glaring at the vampire who tilted her head, mouth opening into an impish grin to reveal strange looking, wicked fangs, her wings twitching.

"You’re impossible," Annabelle muttered, before she took a calming, deep breath. "But, thank you, for bringing me home safe."

The vampire chittered at her almost softly, then waved a clawed hand towards her bed in a shooing motion.

But Annabelle was a bit too awake now to consider sleeping. Instead she lit a candle and glanced between the clothes she had to mend and the book she had intended to read. With a soft sigh she reached for thread and needle first. Work before pleasure, her parents had always said.

A tap of claws against the wall made her glance over and the vampire was gesturing at the book. Did she wish to read it? Annabelle hesitated, then picked it up.

"Return it to me before you leave," she said as she walked to the window. "Treat it well, please. Books mean a great deal to me."

The vampire took the book with visible care when she poked it past the bars and disappeared. Annabelle turned back to her sewing.

A moment later she heard the vampire’s voice, clear and close enough that she must be right above the window on the roof again. Reading the book out loud.

Annabelle sat still for a long minute, then she found herself smiling a little and started to sew. Two chapters in however, the vampire had clear opinions on the book.

"Is this considered romantic?" her voice was full of disbelief and offense. She pitched her voice, re-reading a sentence she had just read out loud, "'Not to say you aren’t beautiful, but I fear I must tell you that this hair style is a little rustic.' Who asked for this fool’s opinion?"

Annabelle had to bite back a startled laugh and she couldn’t help but agree. The book was dreadful. However, as the vampire continued reading it genuinely got better from there. Not because the book got better, but because the vampire’s affronted comments were quite funny and very amusing.

The vampire got increasingly more offended at the contents of the book and Annabelle found herself laughing at last, quickly clapping a hand over her mouth to muffle the sound.

"I’ll bring you one of my books," the vampire groused, audibly thumbing through the book at a rapid pace. "Three hundred pages of this nonsense? How are you still sane?"

"I haven’t read it yet," Annabelle answered, mirth bright in her voice and that was when she realized that she had stopped being afraid.

Somewhere between being guarded for a week, being brought home safe and being read to in an increasingly incredulous, pained manner, she had stopped fearing for herself. "I have another one you could read instead," she offered.

Instead of answering, a pale hand appeared at the top of the window, still holding the book with care. The vampire wore a delicate gold ring and a golden bracelet studded with topaz. The long sleeve that fell down to nearly her wrist was black with pale, shimmering embroidery.

Annabelle took hold of the book and traded it with one Mr. Bell had given her a couple of days ago. She settled down again as the vampire began to read and she seemed far happier with this book. In all honesty, Annabelle enjoyed this tale far more as well.

She listened to the story of a young boy who found a lost star and their journey to bring the star back home. It was the first time in far too long that an evening truly felt peaceful.

It was quiet outside, no monsters to be heard and the breeze drifting inside was cool and brought with it a refreshing scent.

Had the world been like this once upon a time? Before the dark had to be feared like it was feared today? Had there been a time when people sat together to read and chat beneath the starry sky?

She had only heard about such things in stories and in this moment she couldn’t help but dream of a world so different to her own.

A gentler world, one that was almost peaceful.

She wasn’t foolish or naive enough to believe danger would disappear forever just because she wished it, but there had to be a way to make the world better than it was now.

"May I have your name?" she asked when she finished her mending and the vampire paused, having read the last sentence of the book, which had been significantly shorter than the previous one. "I would like to call you something."

The vampire hummed softly, thoughtful, but answered, "I’m Charlotte, and who are you, sweet human that I guard?"

Feeling a little surprised and quietly flattered at those unexpected words, Annabelle hurriedly put away her needle and thread. "I’m Annabelle and I can honestly say that it is nice to get to know you."

Charlotte chuckled. "You’re the first human to say so." Annabelle heard her close the book. "Are those the sort of stories you enjoy reading?"

"Among others." Annabelle leaned back, her chair creaking softly. "I mostly love stories with happy endings."

Charlotte hummed thoughtfully. "I see. I think I can find some of those." Her arm appeared at the top of the window again. "Here, I quite enjoyed this one."

Annabelle accepted her book and her breath caught in her chest when her fingertips brushed Charlotte’s accidentally. She was cool, but no colder than Annabelle’s hands would be if she were outside right now.

"Why do you night creatures hate us so much?" The question slipped out unbidden, in a soft whisper.

"I don’t hate you," the vampire answered without a moment’s hesitation. Then she added, "I’ve never had much of a problem with humans."

"Then what have we done to earn such wrath from the others? So much bloodshed and death?"

Charlotte was quiet for a long moment. "I’ve heard rumors," she answered at last. "That humans killed the Night King."

That was the first time Annabelle heard of such a thing. "Who was the Night King?"

"A powerful and old night walker," Charlotte answered. "You wouldn’t find them anywhere anymore, he was the last one. I don’t really know what he was like, but I know that the night folk felt safe under his protection. I don’t really know much else, I haven’t been long in the city and I lived in a remote, rather isolated place before that."

Annabelle frowned to herself in thought, absentmindedly tracing the letters on the cover of the storybook. "Is there a way to find out what happened? Or how to change what’s happening?"

Charlotte hummed, a strange, inhuman note underlying the noise. "I could look into it, if you’d like," she offered and Annabelle heard the faint tink of claws tapping thoughtfully on shingles.

"You would?" Annabelle couldn’t stop the hope from threading through her voice.

There was a soft, near chirping kind of noise. "I find I’m...I quite like you, Annabelle. It won’t be much trouble to bug some acquaintances or to poke around."

Relief made her feel lighter than she had in years. She peered out the window, though she saw nothing of the vampire. There wasn’t even a shadow to watch tonight, not with clouds gathering in the sky and quiet disappointment shadowed the relief. She would have liked to see the vampire’s face right now. "Thank you."

"You’re welcome." Charlotte shifted on the roof and a moment later, Annabelle saw half of an elegant, black shoe dangling into view, along with the hem of a black dress, studded in clear crystals.

"Would you like anything in exchange?" Annabelle asked, finding herself leaning forward a bit to peer up, as though she could finally spot a glimpse of the vampire’s face. "I would owe you a great deal if you could uncover this mystery."

And possibly bring an end to all the death and pain and horror.

Charlotte chuckled, low and darkly amused. "That’s a dangerous promise to make to my kind. What if I’d like a sip of your blood? All your good dreams for a year? An invitation to your house so I can feed on you and your family while you sleep?"

Annabelle frowned, head tipping to the side. She didn’t feel worried, not when Charlotte had never done anything to her or threatened such a thing.

"I don’t think you would do that." She swallowed and stood up straighter, even if there was no one to see her posture. "Not if I asked you not to."

This time the chuckle sounded less dark. "You seem to have me figured out. Then I’ll think about what I’ll ask for," Charlotte answered, then her voice turned mock-dry and she sighed theatrically, "Since eating you is so evidently off the table."

Annabelle had no idea why that made her laugh, the sound quickly muffled by the hand she lifted to her mouth, half horrified at herself for liking such a macabre joke. It seemed Dion wasn’t the only one in the family to enjoy such humor.

"I’d be pleased to find my family alive in the morning, thank you very much," she answered.

"Then you shall." Charlotte sounded both amused and unexpectedly sincere. "I would hate to never hear your laugh again."

Annabelle felt surprised and touched at those words and found herself biting back a smile, lifting the book as though to hide her face from prying eyes. She hadn’t known that night creatures – no, the night folk – could be so...sweet. Strange and frightening, yes, but also sweeter than she had thought. And kinder.

She didn’t know what to say to that, lightly clearing her throat. "Well, if you keep doing what you’re doing I guess I’ll be laughing more in no time."

"Oh, consider it done," Charlotte answered in a near purring tone that made heat gently rise to Annabelle’s face. "I don’t think I could spend my nights any better than I currently do."

Flustered and flattered and having no idea what to do with any of those feelings, Annabelle shuffled away from the window.

"Speaking of night, it’s, um, it’s pretty late. I think I’ll head to bed now," she said, pressing wind-cool fingertips against her heated face. "Good night."

She hurried to get ready for bed, accompanied by Charlotte’s quiet, throaty laugh.

"Good night," Charlotte said as she slid beneath the sheets. "I’ll keep watch until sunrise."

Curling up beneath the blankets, Annabelle kept watching the window. "Thank you." Ever since the vampire kept watch Annabelle had felt safer than ever. Had slept better than ever.

When Charlotte started to sing, the song was quiet and soft and Annabelle fell asleep, silently wishing the vampire could stay forever. Could be here every night, even once Dion was all healed up.

Annabelle visited Dion the next morning, using Mr. Bell’s order to show up late to drop by the clinic first.

"Is everyone well?" her brother asked in a heavy voice, while looking as though he was going to fall asleep again at any moment. "Mama and Papa don’t seem to be very alright."

Their parents looked worn and tired and Annabelle worried they weren’t sleeping much at all. Her other brothers were quiet and withdrawn, faces tense and marred with deep frowns. It made her wish she could tell them that she had gotten a deal, a promise, of safety from a vampire. At least until Dion was fully healed.

They would not react well to that at all, however. She’d be dragged to the priests right away, to make sure she hadn’t been enthralled or otherwise influenced. Someone would then stake out in her room to try and kill Charlotte when she showed up at night. The very thought made her stomach clench and her heart ache.

"They’re fine," she reassured Dion, offering a calming smile.

She quickly distracted him by telling him about everything that had happened yesterday. She had visited him on her free day last, her parents and older brothers dropping by more often, since they were a bit more flexible with their time.

Halfway through her tale about the baron’s visit, his eyes fell closed and his breathing deepened into slumber. Annabelle exhaled quietly and smoothed an edge of the blanket down. Sunlight shone through the windows, the silver-coated bars casting thin shadows across his sickbed.

Her mind kept snagging on what Charlotte had told her last night. The hope that had been ignited within her that this horror could end. That Dion could heal and go home and never again would he or anyone else be forced to pick up cold, hard iron in order to keep their loved ones alive.

She got up after another minute. Dion was fast asleep and he would likely remain like this for a while. He needed his rest. She left with a polite, grateful goodbye to Dr. Under, who waved her off with a vague noise, taking care of another injured hunter.

Mr. Bell was bustling around the shop when she arrived, in high spirits and praising her for how beautiful the book had turned out. The baron showed up an hour later, turning his ordered book this way and that, making a sort of sniffing noise in acceptance, somehow simultaneously looking satisfied and not happy at all. He handed over more money than Annabelle had ever seen at once, paying without squabbling over the price the way people did at times once they received what they had ordered.

"It will do," the baron said in parting, sweeping outside as he added, "I think I shall be back."

Mr. Bell and she watched him leave with wide eyes, before they looked down at the money, at each other and then they were giggling like children, excited and almost speechless.

"Look at this!" Mr. Bell exclaimed, immediately starting to divide up the money. When he handed her what he said he owed her, she felt her breath catch. That was more than they had agreed upon at first.

"You’ll be able to hire a hunter now, while your brother heals," Mr. Bell said with a smile, waving off her sputtering protests. "We can always buy another printing press later, don’t you worry. Besides, I’m sure we’ll see that sour fellow again sooner or later."

She felt her eyes sting a little and couldn’t help but pull Mr. Bell into a hug, who laughed and gave her a grandfatherly pat on the shoulder.

"Now, none of that, you hear me? There is no need for tears. Besides, we have more than enough work to take care of."

She nodded, sniffling once and she pulled back, quickly pocketing the money before she took a deep breath and got to work with renewed determination. Mr. Bell chuckled and sat down at his desk, humming a soft, happy tune under his breath.

It was a good day and they kept working in high spirits, the other clients who dropped by to pick up their orders remarking on the good atmosphere. Mr. Bell left as he always did, a spring in his step and he told her not to stay too long, that she deserved to go home early as well.

Annabelle sang to herself as she finished up the last work of the day, the bell of the clock tower warning her about the setting sun. But for once she didn’t feel scared, didn’t startle into a flurry of hurried motions in order to get home in time.

She cleaned up and locked the door and went home with a smile on her face, nodding at people along the way and wishing neighbors a good night. The hunters on their street waved at her and she waved back.

Her family looked exhausted when she arrived, but they were glad to see her happy.

"We’re safe," she tried to reassure them. "Everyone says they’ll keep an eye out until Dion’s back."

Guilt ate at her like sharp teeth when she kept the money she had made a secret. She wanted to save it, for when Dion was healthy again and Charlotte wouldn’t watch their house anymore. She wanted to buy her brother some more restful time if possible.

Charlotte didn’t show up that night, to her surprise. Instead, Annabelle heard a rumbly sort of growl and looked up, inhaling sharply in startled surprise.

"It’s alright, you’re safe," the large werewolf across from her on the other roof said quickly. "Charlotte asked me to keep watch tonight."

Then the werewolf straightened, ears perked and it placed a hand on its chest. "Thank you," it said with utter sincerity. "For saving my son."

Oh, this was the boy’s mother. Now that she took a closer look, her heart calming back down from it’s frightened beat, she thought she did recognize the werewolf.

"You’re both well?" she couldn’t help but ask, remembering the limp, whimpering and bleeding lump the werewolf had been beneath Charlotte’s arm.

Those pointed, furry ears flicked once and the werewolf grinned, making her look even more frightening and fearsome, but her yellow eyes held a spark of warmth. "We are. He’s been talking about you, you know. Says he forgot to ask you if you liked his picture."

"I did," Annabelle answered and slowly, cautiously approached the window. Just because Charlotte hadn’t hurt her didn’t mean other night folk wouldn’t take that chance when they got it. "He seems to be a sweet kid."

"He is." The werewolf preened in pride, then settled down, looking relaxed. "And don’t worry," she said, a growl slipping into her voice. "I’ll keep you lot safe." She snorted, amused. "Not that I’m necessarily needed here, considering Charlotte thoroughly claimed this area. But she said you’d feel safer if I was there."

Annabelle felt her heart warm at those words, a smile tugging at her mouth. "That’s sweet of her."

"She can be," the werewolf agreed, elbow on her thigh and chin resting in her palm. "But only if she likes someone. My son and I were the only ones she cared for for a long time, so I’m glad to see she’s found someone else whose company she enjoys."

Annabelle’s smile grew. "Well, the feeling is mutual. Tell her I miss her and that I hope she’s safe. And thank you, for being here."

The werewolf grinned again and this time it looked a little less frightening. "She’ll be very happy to hear that. And of course, after you saved my son and made Charlotte’s nights better, it’s the least I could do. But don’t let me keep you up if you’re tired."

It was probably for the best to get some rest. "Good night. Oh, if any of the hunters notice you, just leave, they won’t abandon the houses they protect just to chase you down."

The werewolf nodded. "I’ll be careful not to be spotted, but they don’t have to fear me either way. I never hurt people who don’t try to kill my family first."

Fair enough, Annabelle would not act very kindly or sweetly if someone tried to harm those she loved either. She got ready for bed and decided to leave the window open, in case the werewolf needed to get her attention for something.

When she laid in bed, she found she struggled to fall asleep. It was simultaneously too quiet and not quiet enough. There was no pleasant singing, no vampire on her roof and somehow that absence was loud in the gentle calm of the night.

She fell asleep after long minutes of staring up at the dark ceiling, trusting in the safety of a promise being kept and a fierce werewolf guarding the house.

It took three nights before Charlotte came back. By then Annabelle had gotten to know the werewolf a little better, whose name was Ophelia.

Since Charlotte had apparently claimed this part of the city as hers, Ophelia pretty much had nothing to do all night long. They had ended up talking quite a bit with each other as a result and Annabelle had put books on her windowsill for Ophelia to read.

Still, Annabelle had missed the vampire, had missed her company and singing and the steady calm and unshakeable safety she brought with her presence alone.

It had been a bit of a shock at first, to realize just how fond she had grown of Charlotte. How there was a quiet sting of disappointment every night she saw Ophelia instead of her, even if she liked the werewolf.

"Welcome back," Annabelle said when she saw the large bat land quietly on her neighbor’s roof, a glad smile appearing on her face before she knew it.

"Finally," Ophelia said with good humor, leaning closer to Annabelle since she was sitting right across from her on the edge of the roof.

The werewolf lifted a hand in front of her face to mock-whisper, while she pointed at Charlotte with her other, clawed hand, "This one’s pinning had gotten bad."

Pinning? Annabelle barely had a moment to properly process that before Charlotte tackled the werewolf straight off the roof and into the alley. There was growly laughter and hissing and then startled shouts from a nearby hunter.

The two night folk quickly fell quiet after the hunter’s warning yells and a few moments later, Ophelia hopped back onto the roof, while Charlotte appeared suddenly in front of Annabelle, hanging upside-down in front of her window.

Annabelle smiled again, not even startling a little. Others probably considered this to be the height of foolishness, but she didn’t fear Charlotte. She didn’t even find her nightmarish bat-form terrifying anymore.

Oh, she knew Charlotte was still frightening, that she could rip humans apart like wet paper, but Annabelle didn’t think it was going to happen. Not to her, at any rate.

"I hope you’re well?" she asked and Charlotte swiftly ducked out of sight again to transform back, her voice answering a moment later.

"I am. I hope my friend took good care of you?"

"I’ll take offense to that," Ophelia answered dryly. "But I’ll forgive you this once. Now, please excuse me you two, you can make moon-eyes at each other without me having to bear witness."

With a jovial wave, the werewolf left, easily hopping across roofs and Annabelle heard a soft, aggrieved grumble from Charlotte.

"Meddling friends," the vampire muttered.

"I wouldn’t know," Annabelle found herself saying, Charlotte falling silent. "I haven’t really had a friend in years."

Not since their old neighbors had moved away when she had been twelve. After that it had been hard to connect with others and nowadays she spent all day at work and was locked up at home afterwards. It didn’t leave much time for socializing and the few times people had flirted with her at work hadn’t really led to anything.

"We could be friends," Charlotte offered. "And Ophelia likes you as well, she said as much every time she came back at dawn. I’m pretty sure she actually already considers you her friend."

"Are other humans and night folk friends as well?" Annabelle asked, genuinely curious. Charlotte and Ophelia couldn’t be the only nice night folk in the whole wide world, after all. "I’ve never heard of such a thing."

Charlotte huffed, amused and wry all at once. "Of course not. From what I could gather, you humans don’t take well to such connections. But there are a couple of friendships and relationships across the city."

There were? So she wasn’t strange or alone in not hating or fearing the night folk? Or rather, in not hating or fearing Charlotte and Ophelia. She still feared the others and what they could do.

"Speaking of which," Charlotte continued before Annabelle could answer. "I think I found out what happened to the Night King and why there is such carnage now."

Annabelle stepped forward, fingertips brushing the windowsill. "Please tell me."

"It’s not pretty," Charlotte warned, then continued when Annabelle just waited silently, "The night folk demand revenge for the murder of their king. Until the price is paid in blood, there will be no peace."

Annabelle knotted her fingers together in worry. "I understand that, but it isn’t fair to punish all of us for the transgression of a few." Then she frowned heavily. "And it’s been so long already since the attacks started, the ones who did it are most likely already dead."

A moment of heavy silence followed. "I forgot about that," Charlotte murmured, an unhappy note to her voice. "You humans don’t live all that long."

"We live plenty long enough," Annabelle answered, feeling a little affronted. "It’s you lot who live a ridiculous amount of time."

Charlotte huffed a gentle, amused noise. "I guess you’re not wrong."

Annabelle felt her lips twitch into a small smile, before it fell again. "Is there something that can be done?" she asked softly. "To make the night folk consider peace?"

Charlotte exhaled heavily, almost sighing. "Someone strong enough could make them stop." She sounded reluctant now. "Once someone seizes control and calms the frenzy, things could change."

"Why won’t anyone do that?" Annabelle found herself staring up, as though she could will Charlotte into view to look back at her. "Hasn’t this gone on long enough?"

"It doesn’t feel that long to them," Charlotte answered. "Many night folk have fallen into mindless bloodlust and they cannot regain their senses by themselves anymore. There are only a small handful left who could take control, but they like to eat and drink as much as they please. They like terrifying humans too much to stop."

Annabelle was silent for a long moment, arms wrapping around herself in a imitation of a hug.

"So this is it?" she found herself whispering. "We just have to endure this until one of the strong night folk decide they’ve enjoyed indulging themselves enough? Or until they’ve killed us all?"

A low snarl curled through the air. "I would not let them," Charlotte answered, voice hard. "Nothing will happen to you."

"I believe you." She really did. "But...this is no way to live, Charlotte. To cower and hide and...and just endure until I’m old and frail and at last my bones return to the earth."

She felt exhausted, bitterness wrapping around her like a too-heavy cloak. Annabelle closed her eyes, trying to fight back the burn of tears. Weeping wouldn’t change anything, no matter how much she wanted to cry.

Shattered hope was a horrible feeling, she realized as she stared down at her hands, skin cold and ink stained. She had only just now realized how fiercely she had hoped for an end to all of this, now that there was nothing to be done. All she could do now was keep going as she had been and that...that was no true way to live, was it?

Charlotte was silent for so long that Annabelle started to get ready for bed, her heart a heavy weight in her chest and her mood dreary and dark. She just wanted to lie down and not get up for a long while.

She blew out the candle, casting the room in darkness when the vampire spoke up, "You’re right." Charlotte’s voice was soft. "I want more for you. And better."

Annabelle swallowed past her dry mouth as Charlotte added, "You deserve better and a life without fear."

Annabelle made a quiet, slightly rough sound in agreement. She couldn’t keep living like this for the rest of her days. Frightened, small, scurrying. Scraping together what coin she could, working herself to the bone during the day, only to be terrified of all that came at night.

Worrying she’d bury her brother, then her parents, then her other older brothers as they tried to protect what was left of their family, until she was the only one still alive.

Until she, too, would be devoured by a monster one day.

Even if Charlotte would guard her family all her days, something could always happen.

Besides, other people still died. Their neighbors and her brothers were looking into starting families of their own. If they moved away Charlotte couldn’t protect them all. Even if she did, what if a monster got cocky and tried to challenge her anyway? All it took was one little moment, just one second, and Annabelle or someone of her family would pay the price.

Annabelle often saw the spilled blood on her way to work, would see the haunted faces of hunters who stared at the sun like it was their salvation.

"I’d do anything for things to change," Annabelle found herself whispering, voice hollow and tinged in bitter sadness.

"A dangerous promise." Charlotte’s voice was soft and utterly devoid of teasing. "Don’t give that promise to someone else, they’ll ask for things you won’t wish to give."

"Like what? My blood? My beating heart?" She’d give both if it meant the night folk stopped their rampage.

"No." Charlotte sounded grim. She was quiet for a second, then asked, "Would you invite me in, Annabelle?"

"I think the bars are in the way." She wouldn’t go and unlock the door, not when Gerard was still awake and weaving and not as long as Charlotte could be seen entering the house by one of the hunters.

Charlotte huffed, darkly amused. "Those are child’s play. They don’t keep me out, not even dusted in silver, but I cannot enter a home I’m not invited to. No vampire can."

She hadn’t known that, but it explained all the warnings she had gotten to never answer any luring, sweet calls. And why one should never get enthralled. Did she want Charlotte in the house? In her room?

She did, she realized. She felt so cold and hopeless, she wished to at least finally see Charlotte’s face. Annabelle turned towards the window.

"Charlotte, I invite you into my home, please enter," she said, soft but clear. A moment later that elegant hand came into view and slowly, steadily, pried the bars out of the brickwork.

Annabelle saw how black veins spread across pale skin, but if the vampire was bothered at all, she didn’t let it be known.

Charlotte was careful enough to avoid making a noticeable amount of noise, taking the time to wriggle the bars out bit by bit, until she could pull them away entirely. Annabelle found her heart beating a little faster. She had never invited anyone into her room since she had been twelve and her friend had left.

A moment later, a tall shape dropped onto the windowsill. For as much as Charlotte looked like a human now, she did not move like one.

There was a predator’s grace as she smoothly stepped off the windowsill and into the room, feet utterly silent on the floor. Only her long dress made a soft rustling sound as the fabric fell down to her ankles.

Charlotte stood with a confidence Annabelle had rarely seen before in others, something unshakeable and true. The vampire knew she was powerful and dangerous and saw no need in proving either by needlessly puffing herself up. For all others would know she was dangerous just by simply looking at her.

"You don’t look at me as though I’m frightening anymore," Charlotte said, voice calm and clear and she took slow steps closer, bridging the distance between them.

There was just enough light cast by the moon outside for Annabelle to see her face. The vampire was beautiful, her red hair long and her eyes the color of blood.

Annabelle looked up at her, as Charlotte stopped in front of her and answered, "I don’t fear you."

"I’m glad." Charlotte’s voice softened, gentling into a near whisper. "I like seeing you happy."

Annabelle found herself smiling a little, almost shyly. "I think I owe you a favor," she said quietly. "For finding out what you could about the Night King."

Even if such knowledge didn’t help her, she was still glad to at least know what was going on.

Charlotte was quiet for a moment and Annabelle saw a small hint of a smile appear on her face. "There is one thing I would ask, but not now. I think I need to earn a larger favor for such a request."

Surprised, Annabelle tipped her head a little, trying to see her friend’s face better in the dark. "What do you mean?"

Charlotte didn’t answer and instead reached out, hand hovering near Annabelle’s face without touching her. "May I?"

Annabelle felt her heart beat a little faster now and realized it did so in the best of ways. "Yes." Her voice was quiet but clear in the silence of her room and the calm of the night outside.

Gently, almost reverently, Charlotte’s cool hand settled on her cheek. "I don’t think you know how much you captivated me," the vampire said softly, red eyes warm where her skin was not. "Your bravery, your laugh, your sweetness. How fearless you are and how much I enjoy speaking with you."

A cool thumb brushed along Annabelle’s cheekbone ever so gently. "I want to ask for something very brazen," Charlotte continued in a near whisper. "Once I earn more of your good graces."

"You could ask now," Annabelle answered just as quietly, eyes caught by that blood-red gaze and she tipped her head a little, turning her cheek into that sweet touch.

In a whisper, she added, "Because I don’t think you realize how much I enjoy your company, how fond I’ve grown of you."

This time, when Charlotte smiled, it revealed a hint of fangs that would have looked frightening to Annabelle in the past. Now she was merely curious, knowing she had nothing to fear.

"What if I asked for a kiss?" Charlotte said. "One you want to give me because you like me, not because you feel indebted."

"Then I’d say you should kiss me," Annabelle whispered back, her heart beating faster in excited anticipation. "If you like me as much as I like you."

"Oh, of that there is no doubt," Charlotte breathed the words more than she said them, leaning in and Annabelle rose up on her toes.

Long, soft hair brushed her cheek as Charlotte leaned down, before lips ghosted across hers for just a moment. Charlotte smelled like fresh air and something faintly sweet, like flowers.

Before Charlotte could pull back, Annabelle rose to her very tiptoes, pressing their lips together gently. Her hands came up, one lightly touching Charlotte’s arm and the other reaching up to cup her face in return, fingertips lightly tangling into silk-soft red hair.

"Will you let me court you?" Annabelle asked in a soft whisper, opening her eyes. Charlotte looked almost unbearably soft in that moment and it squeezed her heart in the best of ways once more.

Charlotte laughed, quiet and achingly fond. "I think I’m meant to ask you that. If you allow me to court you as well, I will gladly say yes."

Annabelle found herself grinning, the previous heaviness of her mood gentled and lightened, even if it wasn’t gone entirely.

Charlotte brushed a feather light kiss against the corner of her mouth, as though tasting her smile, before pressing another kiss to her forehead. She then gently rested their foreheads together, her free hand taking Annabelle’s, tangling their fingers together.

"I think I know what to gift you," Charlotte said. "If you’re willing to accept something intangible as my courting gift."

Now that made her curious. "Of course." She gave Charlotte’s fingers a little squeeze. "I think I have an idea for a gift as well."

They smiled at each other for a long moment, until Annabelle had to pull back, hiding a yawn behind her hand. Charlotte smiled softly, brushing fingertips over her hair.

"Rest, my love," she said. "I will stay until dawn."

"Can you sing for me?" Annabelle asked. "I find I sleep better if you do."

Charlotte’s eyes seemed brighter now, a sort of liquid red. "Of course."

And sing she did and when Annabelle woke in the morning, she found a red rose lying on her desk, on top of a letter.

A letter that held the promise to change everything.