"How long has he been lying there?" Maka asked, still shaken up.
"From the looks of it, he may have been dead for a few hours. There are bite marks on his throat and wrists. This could be the work of either a vampire or a Kishin." said Professor Stein. Upon hearing the word "Kishin", a thought came to Melaena's mind.
"Um, Maka, remember when we were in Paris and you and Soul were hunting down a Kishin who was targeting children?" she asked.
"Yeah. Why?" asked Maka.
"Did you ever catch him? Or her?" asked Melaena.
"Unfortunately, no. The Kishin got away." Soul replied. Melaena suddenly felt sick to her stomach, the color draining from her face.
"Melaena? Sweetheart, are you alright?" Kid asked concerned. However, Kid didn't get his answer because Melaena had collapsed onto the hard cobblestone.
"Mel! Are you alright?" Liz asked frantically. Stein grabbed Melaena's hand to feel her pulse.
"It appears that Melaena has fainted from shock. We better get her to her room so she can recover and calm down. Especially in her condition. And I am going to have to bandage her head." he said. Kid picked Melaena up bridal style and carried her to their room, with Liz, Patty and the others following behind them. The ballroom had gone in a panic, with the party guests whispering amongst themselves, no doubt shocked by what has just occurred.
"A child? Murdered? How awful!" one woman said.
"Whoever did this is disgusting and deserves to be boiled alive!" a man spat.
"I'm sure our queen will get everything under control." said another.
*****About an Hour Later******
Melaena slowly opened her eyes as realized that she was no longer in the garden, but in her bedchamber. She suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of her head. She reached behind her and felt bandages.
"Are you alright, my love?" Kid asked.
"What happened?" Melaena asked.
"You fainted in the garden. We brought you here so you could recover. Stein had to bandage your head because you hit it when you collapsed. said Kid.
"Well, I can't just stay here while my guests are down there. It is my party, after all." Melaena said as she sat up, but Kid stopped her.
"No you don't, love. You need to rest. Not just for you, but for our babies. I don't want you getting stressed out. Don't worry. Liz and Patty and the others will keep your guests entertained." Kid said.
"I hope Black Star isn't making an ass of himself." Melaena said. Kid chuckled.
"It's Black Star. What do you expect? But I'm pretty sure of he gets too obnoxious, Maka will keep him in line." he said. Melaena sighed. "What's wrong?" Kid asked.
"I can't believe an innocent little boy was murdered, right in my own backyard, and I didn't even realize it. I'm the Queen. I'm am supposed to keep things like this from happening." Melaena said, her eye brimming with tears. Kid stroked her cheek.
"Melaena, don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. I'm sure we will get to the bottom of this, and the bastard responsible with be punished." Kid said.
"Are you going back downstairs?" Melaena asked.
"Only if you want me to." said Kid, taking her hand in his.
"Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?" Melaena asked. Kid kissed her on the forehead.
"Of course." Kid replied, getting in bed with Melaena.
Meanwhile, Arachne was in her guest room with Dracul, gloating over the night's events.
"Good work, my son." she said. "If you keep feeding on children's blood and soul like I instructed, you will be unstoppable."
"Yes, mother. I am at your command." Dracul said, bowing.
"But do not get distracted from your tasks by getting involved with that girl." Arachne said, referring to Liz.
"I can't help it, mother. She is quite charming. And beautiful, I might add." Dracul said. He was met by a smack across the face.
"Snap out of it, you fool! She is the weapon of Lord Death's brat! If you entertain this foolish idea of romance with this girl, you may blow our cover! And Lord Death may skin you alive and make you into bag!" Arachne said harshly. "But perhaps..."
"What?"
"Perhaps this may not be such a bad idea. The girl and her twit sister are close friends of the Queen. So if you get close to her, and gain her trust, it would make our task so much easier." said Arachne. Dracul bowed.
"Yes, mother." he said.
"Good boy. Now off to bed with you. There is much work to be done." Arachne said.