The next days and nights are hard to bear, with preparations going full force and the official announcement from Tristan about the state of the whole coven. I had a rather interesting encounter with Celeste again.

She was complaining about the state of the orphanage and I had to pretend I can't agree, but in fact, I do. It's an awful place, but there is nothing I could do about it, but tell her that I have my own business to attend. Hell, yes I do.

One of it is to avoid any kind of private conversation with Tristan and somehow I get the feeling that he doesn't mind at all. He seems to accept my choice – at least I hope so.

Even if not, there is enough to prepare for the banishment ceremony. So it comes that I once more stand in front of Lyall's barrier. This time I don't need to say anything but it got opened the moment I arrive.

I guess they finally got, who I am. Why shouldn't they? I still suffer from the impact that Maria's claws had on my back, but it started to heal.

It started to heal slowly, as expected. I still had to regulate my blood intake to not attract unwanted attention. Even more because I didn't go on a hunt since Henriette's death and Erwin started to notice.

I lead the horse directly to the pole where I had it tied to the last time and can see Lyall coming over. Something is different though. It's not the fact that there are still a lot of eyes on me from the distant, this time it's more of a feeling that someone is following me intentionally. I narrow my eyes to the line of trees but nothing. Maybe I get paranoid after all.

For the first time, I didn't exchange my clothes to come here but wear my usual suit. Lyall seems a bit irritated by my appearance but doesn't say a thing. It's a short meeting about who will take care of which part of our plan. We also figure out a space close enough to the village to not make it too suspicious but still far enough away to provide a certain safety for his people.

Lyall nods slowly as we are about to close the conversation. "Alright, then we agree on the terms and conditions," his mouth corners twitch up as we get up and he pats my shoulder, "Ah, you will go through a hungry time, when you'll stay here until we get those bastards," he announces jokingly and unaware of how right he is.

I promised to stay with his people as long as it takes to make sure they are safe too. At least he will not be all too surprised that I'll stay.

"Unless you find a friend here who maybe is willing to share," he grins at me and drags me out of my thoughts.

"Careful, Lyall. Who knows? Maybe I beat you and take over here just to feed my hunger." I have to chuckle.

Since everything got so tense in the headquarters I have the feeling that life is much easier here. The casual way I can talk to Lyall makes my work far easier. "But as long as I have my charm... your ladies will love me, right?" I stick to the black humor I've recently developed. Well, maybe not recently developed but more of rediscovered.

Lyall still grins. "Well... you already have some fans here, my friend," he then mentions and I raise an eyebrow. He's fooling with me.

"Yeah, sure, I bet..." I say sarcastically but I'm still worried.

"Last time you said you would like to have some weapons. What kind of weapons are you picturing?" I ask seriously with my forehead in folds.

He lifts his claws to show them to me. "Certainly no knives, my friend. Something for the distance, like guns and pistols. The 'modern' stuff." I don't know when he started to call me a friend but I guess I should appreciate it. Especially because he said he won't make friends with my kind.

My look wanders from his claw to his face. "Modern stuff is far overrated. I will bring some of those with me, but without proper training, a few bows and arrows are far more effective. Maybe crossbows are the best solution for you. You could craft your own arrows with little effort."

"Bows and arrows are too big to carry around conveniently,"

he simply answers and I'm not sure I can fulfill his wish this times. Handguns are not cheap and the guard in me screams to not equip a potential enemy with those effective weapons. On the other hand, I'll soon be one of them, even though I hate guns by all means.

"I just wanted to have it mentioned. I'm not sure how many of them I'll be able to get within that little period of time but I'll bring some," I say and nod before another thought strikes me.

"If someone shoots me because they don't know how to use it..." I let the sentence fade out.

"I'm quite sure that a lot of our younger ones already fired some of those weapons, Vinge," he growls out and I can't keep my grin, looking him in the eye.

"I'm not talking about the younger ones." Now he got it and he returns my grin.

"If I want a fight, I get a fight and am not going ways around by shooting you accidentally."

"Nah, but I can imagine you having fun by pretending to do it accidentally; just to see me go wild."

"I don't need a gun to drive you wild. I just sit you down beside my partner!" he laughs out loud and I'm a bit irritated.

"Who?" I ask and he still laughs as he answers.

"Etain, Vinge." My face darkens and a silent growl can be heard from within my chest. Lyall chuckles still a bit and pats my shoulder again.

"Ah, you like that in another kind of way," he says before eying me. "Well, are you here for revenge or will you help us with the barricade again?"

I straighten out, silently clenching my teeth and take a few moments to calm down. Étain is one of those women who I'll need to be careful with. I saw it in her eyes as I had the fight with Maria.

She wants to see me bleed, and Lyall is right. With her way to talk to me, I'm easily tempted to return the favor. "Why do I get the feeling that I'm some sort of attraction for your people?" I shoot him a side look and he still smiles.

"Because you are, I guess."

"I'm not your show monkey, but I won't run from a confrontation either." His smile grows again.

"Well it's up to you, but I guess you'll have plenty of time the next days to get that confrontation, huh?" referring to the little stay I promised to make.

My face softens again at his honest amusement. "I'm as calm as ice, how would I ever get into a confrontation?"

"You should probably become a comedian. Some people might consider you funny," He chuckles again.

"What? How do you dare..." I jokingly bump my fist at Lyall's shoulder, coming to a halt at the entrance of the big cave. To my surprise, Lyall returns the gesture and bumps back.

"I think you are funny." That's too surreal now. The last time someone interacted like that with me, I had to see him die on the battlefield the next day.

I take back and straighten out, before clearing my throat. What am I thinking that I do here? "Either way, we have work to do," I say seriously.

"Do you think that there will be any internal troubles when we proceed?" I simply have to ask.

I'm pleased to see him shake his head. "No, they accepted our votes." I nod.

Tristan was right with Lyall. He seems to be a good man and a pretty honest one too. If he would have any objections or worries at that point in time, he most probably won't hesitate to make them mine too.

"Alright, Vinge. I look forward to the supplies that you promised will come the next nights. I will make sure to have a few men to patrol the border of the woods to look out for your carriages," he says patting my shoulder once more and I nod as a sign of goodbye.

Making my path to my horse I have that odd feeling of being watched again. A shadow following me and just as I try to catch it, it leaves the corner of my eyes. Interesting.

This is not paranoia. It only takes a few more steps in the direction of my horse before I stand still and close my eyes to concentrate on the scents around me. It's been a while I had so many unfamiliar ones to untangle, but I don't need to finish as I can hear an unknown woman's voice behind me.

"You are Mister Vinge," it states and I turn around to see the figure that was following me clear now. She almost looks still human and wears some simple clothes in the colors of the forest. Her gray eyes have the wild glow of the beasts tough. The contours of her face and ears started to change ever so slightly, which gives her a fierce animalistic look, yet I guess she already looked fierce before that. Her skin is of a light olive touch. I can also see something else in her face; curiosity.

When I'm done eyeing her from top to bottom I reply, "I

suppose that's obvious. So, what?" I don't like when someone sneaks up to me. She offers me a small smile and leans her head to the side.

"You are quite famous," she starts quietly and with a certain admiration in her voice. Very interesting.

"I guess that can't be avoided as an ambassador," I lift my chin.

"...and you are?" I still eye her appraisingly.

"Naveena," she keeps on smiling and reaches out her hand for me to shake it, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister Vinge," her voice is soft but not weak.

Some more friends within the beasts wouldn't hurt, right? Instead of shaking her hand I take it into mine before leaning forward to place a gentle kiss on the back. Celeste would be furious to see me doing this to a woman I just met. I have to smirk. The game maybe changes but maybe some rules are still the same. "The pleasure is on my side, Naveena."

She seems surprised and closes her eyes halfway. A light blush plays on her cheeks. "You give me too much honor, Sir," she murmurs quietly. I straighten out and can't help but be pleased with the outcome of my gesture.

"How come everybody here seems only to address each other with their first names but nobody asks for mine?" I keep smiling at her and she returns it.

"You are one of the others. We don't need our last names here anymore but in the city... they seem important... don't they? And it would appear rude to you if I'd call you by your first name without your permission." I'm not sure if she wants to just answer or if that was to assure her thoughts are right.

I arch an eyebrow but nod. "They are because that's how we show respect. First names need to get earned. You've been my shadow since I came here, wasn't that you?" Obviously a more of a rhetoric question, but she seems a bit caught and looks at her feet.

"I thought you didn't notice."

"I don't need to see you to know that someone is watching me. Otherwise, I'd be dead for centuries. Even though... I didn't really register your full presence. I would grant you a little prize for that." I smirk at her. Let's see if she is in for that kind of games.

She chuckles lightly. "Well, I did my best to remain unseen, I guess." Somehow she reminds me of one of those shy ladies trying to get into Tristan's favor all the while. She lifts her look again to watch my face. "I didn't mean any harm to you."

A short dry laugh escapes me. "Oh don't you tell me you are the first in the woods who is just curious about that strange pariah."

"Pariah would mean you are untouchable." She smiles innocently, but I can see this certain kind of intelligence in her eyes. Maybe she tries to come across as harmless and shy but I can clearly sense her to be of the cunning kind. Automatically I take my guard's stance and puff up. "What is your function in the pack, Naveena?"

"I don't have a fixed place here, yet. I'm the newest member. Everyone is still about to find out who I am and where I would fit best," she shrugs and leans her head.

"...and how come you didn't ask a single question, when you are so curious?" The smile I still keep doesn't reach my

eyes.

"Because it would also be considered rude to pick your brain before I was able to get to know you a bit?" This time it's clear as day that she tries hard to follow some rules she doesn't really know about.

I slightly shake my head. "I see. Well, getting to know me will take years, if not decades, you better come up with a faster way to ask the most urgent questions," I can't prevent the dark shadow that darts over my green eyes, "I won't bite you," a short pause to see her eyeing me closely, "At least, not without a warning." I don't know what she just thinks but I'm thinking about Maria's marking.

Naveena's gray eyes seem to study me even more carefully before she smirks too. "I'm not sure if that should make me happy or sad?"

Very, very interesting; but I keep my face straight. "Was that the question that is the most urgent to you?"

"No... to be honest... I wanted to find out if it is true, that you are going to stay with us for some time?" she stammers.

Maybe she was afraid that she wasted the only question I'd grant her. One of my eyes twitches at her words though. "Sneaky little lady. You followed us today, didn't you? So why don't you tell me the answer to that?" I let my distrust shine through.

"I couldn't follow you inside the cave," she smiles and shrugs before she eyes me again like a piece of curiosity, "I think it would be the first time someone who doesn't want or has to join us comes here for longer."

She is a bit too intelligent for my taste, but I nod. I need to play along, but I don't need to carry a false smile. This is a serious matter.

"Yes, I will come here and stay for a while to fulfill my duty for my Lord and to keep the promise I made to Lyall."

That was basically not a lie.

"You already helped with the barricade, and you fought Lyall and Maria. Warlow would have never done anything of that. He hated to come here," she informs me.

"Is that so," I wrinkle my forehead, "Maybe that's because I'm no diplomat. He was a good man of ours." Even though I really couldn't care less about Warlow's death, in general, I feel the need to defend the vampires from the headquarters against any kind of defamation. After all, they are Tristan's people.

"Without a doubt, but you seem to be able to connect with the people here and not look down on us," she looks through her eyelashes and smile. Oh Naveena, I think I know what you do there.

"You mean I'm good at getting into trouble?" I chuckle slightly. "I have enough people to look down to; I don't need to do that with vampires that are honest in their way of living."

Naveena's face lightens up as a whole. I guess she likes my resume. "You speak with a lot of respect we don't get from the city dwellers, you are different," she concludes.

Indeed.

I'm doomed and a criminal.

"Are you trying to massage my ego, little lady?" I ask and make her giggle.

"Actually, I try to be nice."

"Ah, being nice... That's why I didn't recognize your intentions."

She giggles. "You do quite well for someone who doesn't know how that works," she answers with her lips still pursed and I can't hide my wolfish smirk.

"What if I try to get your favor?" I ask and she just shrugs it off.

"I'd say you're about to succeed? Is that bad?" Now I'm entirely sure about what she is doing. I got a good teacher how to play that game.

I take a step to stand closer to her and let my presence invade her personal space. "That depends. I just wonder how you know about Warlow that well when you are new here, he wasn't here that often." Yes, I realized the discrepancy, but she doesn't move away from me.

"He visited us three times since I'm here. He never considered me worthy to even share a look. He only talked to Lyall and people here talk to each other."

Fair enough. I guess they don't get new members too often. "So you figured, now that this is my third visit too you try your luck with that weirdo who tries to fight the leader and see if he's ...nice?"

I show my fangs with a wide grin, but she just chuckles. I figured after my demonstration with Maria the beasts fear me, but it seems that she doesn't mind at all.

"You are way more interesting than Warlow and I thought my chance that you would talk to me is higher. The whole camp speaks about you, but most wouldn't dare to talk to. They are afraid of making mistakes," she chuckles and a spark in her eyes tells me there is more to it, "...and that you fight them, probably..."

"As long as I get treated with respect I don't need to attack and just for the records, the first fight got started by Lyall and the second one by Maria," I have to shrug too, "But I'm a bit confused. I thought they don't mind a good fight to gain some honor?"

"They don't but since you already fought the highest and he had a hard time with you, none of them think they could beat you." She giggles once more and I can't hide my pride.

At least they don't think I'm weak. "Thanks for telling me, Naveena. You can tell the others it's not a shame to lose against me. There is a reason why I got the positions I hold now."

"For them, it is. You are one of those fine city vampires and not warrior, but still you're stronger than most of us," I really don't know what she knows about 'Ethan, the Butcher', but obviously, nobody filled her in.

"Ah, I see. They think I'm a noble vampire. I guess that is true in some cases, but I feel a bit insulted, Naveena. They don't see me as a warrior?"

I really don't know how they can see it that way when Étain and Maria clearly knew about the way I handled things. Naveena shakes her head. "You are a nobleman," She seems very eager about that and I can't help but wonder about the woman in front of me.

"A nobleman, that's what they say?" Another nod.

"Yes. You don't mind to get your hands dirty, but your clothes and how you walk and talk; it's a nobleman's style."

I have to chuckle at her words, "I see, I see... and my clothes are more evidence than my deeds."

"Well, maybe you can teach them something?" she seems to look very much forward to have me here.

"You've been here for quite a while and they still don't know where you belong and you think I can do that in a few days?"

"Do you need to do so? Maybe it's just fine that you are that stranger who is kind of neat?" Still wearing her wide grin I lean a bit forward to look deep into her eyes with a serious expression. What does this woman know?

"I don't need to prove myself. I don't care what they think about my appearance, as long as they don't underestimate me. What about you?"

She withstands my look. "I agree, you seem to know your place very well."

I will have enough time to figure this woman out. For now, I need to head back. "Sure, if there is nothing else," I say well knowing most of the time I asked the questions. I give her some freedom and take a step back.

"I understand. I'm wasting your time," she cracks another smile and bows a little, "Good night, Mister Vinge."

I have to smirk again. "Naveena? You don't want to take your prize?"

"Huh?" she looks at me confused.

"Ethan, Naveena. My name is Ethan." With that, I head to my horse and leave her standing there confused.

Next time I'll see her, my last name is worth nothing anymore anyway.