Instead of heading toward Melchia's Bastion as I had originally planned, I turned toward the Sanctuary of the Clans and prepared to make myself an unknown presence at the Council meeting. I had been watching Kain for centuries, hoping to find a loophole in his dark gifts that might make him in some way vulnerable to me, but so far I had found nothing. Although I had gained the ability to shift through gates and the like, I doubted it would allow me to do more than escape my fate for a time.

"He is here." Kain's voice reached out to me even before I'd floated through the gates outside the Sanctuary. I made my way to the inner chamber and slid through the door, wondering if I was the one Kain was referring to. However, neither he nor Rahab turned to look at me. Shocked, I stopped in mid stride and gawked at them. Why was Rahab the only Council member here?

Rahab moved his massive tail and slapped it abruptly on the stone floor. "Raziel…" His voice as well as his body had adapted to the water well. Even now he sounded as if he were underwater. "So your prophecy has come to pass." Frowning, I slipped behind one of the pillars and listen. I was confused. Ovelin had told me that Raziel was dead, tossed to the bottom of the Abyss like lowly fledglings and traitors.

Kain sighed deeply and shifted on his throne. He seemed very uneasy. "Yes…" He said slowly, flexing his claws. "I would have thought he'd been here sooner." I narrowed my eyes and bit my lip. I wanted to ask him how a vampire lieutenant could possibly be anywhere but where they had executed him. Vampires never returned from the Abyss…ever.

Rahab's face twisted in a frown. "He's come back to kill the Brethren then?"

"You know the answer to that." Kain told him simply, he turned his head in my direction and narrowed his eyes. "But you needn't fear, my vampiric child, you have a few days left before Raziel seeks to end your blasphemous existence." Rahab scowled at his answer his gaze following Lord Kain's. "He's coming here. I'd suggest you left unless you wish to die sooner than later." Rahab nodded soundlessly and slithered off, heading back toward his drowned Abby. Kain's voice caught me as I stood pondering his meanings. "You wretched vampire, had better leave as well. Your destiny is not here." I turned and ran. Later I would be furious with myself for having done so. I should have stayed and waited to see what became of Kain. But something dreadful was coming and I had the inexplicable feeling that I would want no part of it.

Somehow, I found myself back at Nupraptor's Retreat and Ovelin's burning flame. I sat down shivering as nightfall spread itself across Nosgoth like a blanket...

The Termogent forest seemed like a very good place to go in search of my pet. We'd heard rumors that one of the creatures named Vorador had some sort of "family" hiding with him in a mansion somewhere deep within the woods. Not wanting to be hindered by the blind and somewhat creepy Oracle I waited until nightfall and made preparations to set out alone. But that was not to be. A young servant girl saw me sneaking out of the castle and ran after me.

"Your highness…" She said breathlessly when she finally caught me. "Where are you going at such a late hour?" Before she'd found me, I'd been trying to figure out a way to capture my pet, but now as she stood before me gasping I smiled broadly. Without knowing it, she'd given me exactly what I'd been looking for.

"My father's feeling ill." I lied. I turned and saddled my pony not wanting her to catch my grin. "I was going to the Termogent forest to look for those mushrooms he likes so much."

The servant nodded. "Then I shall go with you. Vampires are everywhere you know." I looked back at her and sighed. Wasn't that the point?

The forest loomed before us like a dark sentinel. I wouldn't have admitted it to anyone but I was somewhat afraid. The servant girl stumbled behind me and sucked in a breath.

"Are you sure about this?" Her voice shook as she stared at the darkness ahead of us.

"I know what my father wants." I snapped at her. I climbed down off my pony and handed her the reins. If I was to be a prince then I had to act like one. I could not be afraid of anything. "There's a patch of mushrooms right over there." I pointed to a clearing that was filled with moonlight. "I'm going to see if I can find some more…" I narrowed my eyes at the dark forest. Surely my pet was somewhere within…