Macabre and Cruzar scanned their eyes over the letter again as they had done before so many times, leaning against their seats in the Great Hall opposite Fallacy who was watching.

Macabre sighed, adjusting his hat as he leaned back further, his seat almost tilting back on its legs. Cruzar lowered the letter, swallowing the lump that had started to form in his throat.
The room was quiet, all the doors closed and the curtains draw across the windows, candles had been lit on the chandeliers above, the fireplace flickering and crackling like something alive.

Under orders, Suave had taken Encre and Jasper to her and Fallacy's room and told them to stay there while Fallacy discussed certain 'business' with Macabre and Cruzar. Suave now stood outside one of the doors of the hall, not inside to hear what they were discussing as Fallacy had claimed it was too private and 'confidential' to be heard publically.

Fallacy was staring at the letter he had sent to Macabre and Cruzar as if he could read it on the other side.

He closed his eyes, sighing softly as he read the letter over and over again in his mind.

Dear Macabre and Cruzar, my most highly favoured friends,

I have written to you to congratulate you on your recent successes with your jobs. Especially with tricking that mercenary to give up all his weapons to make sure their secret didn't get out about him cheating on his wife.

As well as sneaking into Queen Agula's Castle and stealing those jewels.

It's amazing how well you can slip past guards with such ease without being detected.

But. I must inform you that that is not the only reason why I am writing to you at such a sudden time.

I require your services. Immediately. And would like you to come to my castle as soon as possible. I cannot explain entirely why I need you but I will tell you this. You will be helping me to hunt down someone.

As this letter can get into anyone's hands then I must not say who you will be assigned to hunt down as I would risk giving away something very important to me. I will explain everything to you both once you come to my castle and tell you about why I need you to do this.

You will be staying at my castle and be supplied with food and anything you need for your mission.

Do not write back. I do not want to risk anyone finding of our plans.

I look forward to discussing further with you both.

As I remain,

Fallacy Night

Macabre cleared his throat loudly, snapping Fallacy out of his thoughts and open his eyes to see the two thieves staring at him.

"S-Sorry..." He sighed as Macabre nodded his head in understanding.

"So... who are we here to hunt down? And why??" Cruzar was the one to ask, sitting up slightly to make himself seem at least a bit taller.

The fire flicked and crackled, the candles flickering as well as Fallacy sighed. His eyes glowing darkly in the dim-lit room.

It felt like the happiness that was once in the room seemingly minutes ago had been wiped out and had been replaced by darkness. Utter darkness and the feeling of vulnerability and hatred. The two thieves swallowed tightly at the same time, the smaller thief looking a little more nervous than the other who was staring at Fallacy with unnerving eyes.

"After me and Encre's wedding..."He glanced at the doors as if expecting something -a beast or monster- to burst in. "I've had the daunting feeling that everything will go wrong. Especially after what happened to Jasper."

Macabre raised a brow, "what happened to your son?"

A sigh escaped the vampire. "A creature kept visiting him, a dangerous beast that I had to deal with a few days ago. As well as the fact that it had come here under the order of my father along with a few threatening messages."

The room went cold even though the fire was still alive.

"I cannot bear to live any longer with the knowledge that this horrific man is running around with the power to be able to control creatures to threaten my family." His eyes closed as he growled, slamming a fist into the wooden table. The silver goblets clanking but luckily not spilling, Cruzar jumped.

"I HATE IT!?"He yelled, the candles flickering violently. So violent that they almost went out.

Macabre sighed, "you need to calm down."He spoke, not even flinching. His eyes were narrowed and glowing under the shadow of his hat. "The problem will get worse if we do not act now. We must do everything we can to protect both your son and your wife.
As well as yourself."
Fallacy shook his head at that and Cruzar narrowed his eyes.
The younger thief spoke this time.
"You may not realise it. But we do have the job of protecting your family as well as yourself. We will do what we can to help those you love, but we will not forget about you.
"The threat is mainly towards you. "

The vampire looked down at his hands in silence, contemplating his options.

"... Encre and Jasper's safety go before mine. Suave is just as important as they are too, he's family. Even his safety is worth as much as my wife and son."

Cruzar flinched, "b-bu-"

Macabre shook his head, looking to Cruzar who frowned and looked down sadly.

Fallacy sighed a little, "I'll get the servants to escort you to your rooms."

Macabre shook his head, "just one room will be fine. We can share," he smiled over to Cruzar who leaned into him slightly.

"O-oh! I do apologise," Fallacy smiled. Looking over to the doors to see them open, Bunny walking in with a small smile on her face. "Bunny. Please escort Macabre and Cruzar to their room."

Bunny nodded and walked out, soon followed by the two thieves who nodded thanks to their friend, the daggers on their belts and chests clinking as they walked.

Soon, the room was empty, silent.

The fire crackled behind Fallacy as he stood there, still gazing at the now-closed door. He then looked down, squeezing his eyes shut before walking over to the window, pulling back the curtains to be met with the night sky. The moon and stars lit up the sky, the clouds invisible against the purple and dark blue sky. The silhouettes of the Forbidden Forests fur and pine trees stood out against the sky, tall and proud and Fallacy couldn't help but smile at the land that was his.

His magic unlocked the window with a small clink of metal, the beautiful windows opening to let it in a pine-scented breeze that soon devoured the room. The candles blew out and the fire died down slightly, not that the vampire cared. He enjoyed the darkness.

Shadows danced around the room as the fire moved and Fallacy sighed in content, for once feeling calm. His wings spread out behind him, the shadows passing on them as he slowly moved, stepping up onto the window ledge. The moon loomed over him, looking down at him.

His eyes glowed in their unique way, his wings arching over him.

~~~~~~~~

Suave walked down the hallway, stopping at the end of a hallway to see Macabre and Cruzar walk into their room while Bunny stood at the door, smiling and asking for anything. He smiled a little and then continued his usual pace down the hallways of the castle. The castle had been like a labyrinth when he had first come here as a child, but now he could slip through them with ease and know where everything way.

His shoes tapped against the carpet-draped floors, adjusting his hat and his glasses and he walked. A soft sigh escaped him and he found himself in front of Fallacy and Encre's room. He straightened his posture, rubbing his gloves of dust -not that there was any- and then knocked lightly.

A soft voice answered and he walked in, smiling. "Hello, Encre. " He would have addressed her, but Encre had refused the use of it.

The French artist waved slightly from where she was on the bed, sitting up against the bedboard, a sketchbook in her lap. There was a set of exquisite pencils by her side and a jug of water.

Suave walked over to her, "how are you? Do you need anything? Food?"

Encre laughed happily, "I'm fineee! Besides, I could just go to the kitchen downstairs. I'm not that useless." She smirked.

The butler nodded, then looked to the unoccupied spot next to her and desk on the other side of the room.

"I note that Fallacy has still not returned from his meeting?" Encre nodded.

"I shall look for him for you, Macabre and Cruzar just went to their room so he must still be in the hall." He walked over to the door.

"Thank you, Suave."

He nodded and slipped out silently, closing the door without a sound.

He hurried off to the doors of the great hall, glancing around as he did sometimes. All the other servants were gone, unheard of. They were probably working elsewhere in the kitchens or something.

Suave shrugged it off, it wasn't strange. Honestly, he hardly ever saw the others because of their different skill sets.

After, probably 5 minutes of walking, he arrived at the tall, great doors of the hall. Standing there he couldn't help but admire the woodwork of the doors. The patterns of olive leaves on the bottom, the bats that flew over the top.

Suave smiled and then pushed against the doors that creaked slightly, opening them to be met with darkness. The fire was out, so were the candles. And he was immediately hit by the scent of pine. He looked around for Fallacy, "M'Lord?"

Then, his eyes set on it.

He watched the tall figure standing in the window, his magnificent wings spread out and arching over him. He gazed up at the moon and over the forest.

Suave sighed in relief, stepping in and getting a little closer to the powerful male. "You scared me..." He chuckled softly, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head.

"Encre is waiting for you, I'm sure she's missing you, especially after that long meeting." He added, waiting for his Lord to turn and step back down.

The vampire didn't move an inch and Suave blinked, slightly confused. "I understand if you're admiring the view. But it's getting a little cold, don't you think? I can wait, M'Lord."

The vampire angled his head down a little, looking down at the drop. His wings twitched slightly. The moonlight hit the front of his face, which meant all Suave could see was the shape of the vampire who stood there.

After maybe 5 minutes Suave swallowed nervously, taking a few steps closer. "M'Lord...?" He slowly reached out.

The figure moved slowly, his wings lowering down a little as he moved. He turned his head over his shoulder as his body slumped forward.

Suave froze when he was met with a pair of glowing-blood-red eyes. The vampire's hands gripped the wooden window ledge, turning into claws that powerfully ripped through the wood.

This.

Was not Fallacy.

The moonlight struck the vampire's face, revealing the markings over his eyes, completely different to Fallacy's, but at the same time slightly familiar.

Suave stumbled back, his eyes wide with horror. "W-what...?"

The vampire elegantly climbed down from the window ledge, near-silent. His wings still spread out behind him like a looming shadow. Suave swallowed, "who are you!?" He bravely shouted at the vampire as he backed away to the door, the firelight shining in.

A maniac-like laugh filled the room and Suave gaped. "Y-You're..."

The vampire stopped laughing, looking down at Suave with a wide grin, showing off his elongated fangs.

"Lord Night!?"

Fallacy's father stepped out into the light, chuckling softly, "oh~ You're smart~ aren't you~?"

Suave glanced around, scanning the room for weapons.
There was nothing, just furniture. And even if there was a weapon of would mean having to get past the bloodthirsty vampire before him.
So he did the only thing he could do.

He turned and sprinted, running down the hallway as he gritted his teeth.
The laughing echoed behind him as he ran, all of the candles that out the hallway flickering and dimming.
"Why are you running, boy ~?"

Suave glanced over his shoulder to see the vampire step out of the hall, his wings folding behind him.
The vampire smiled, not a friendly smile, never from him.

The candles guttered as predator walked after Suave, small, silent steps against the carpet.

Then, his pace sped up. Soon he was running, sprinting after Suave who yelped slightly when he noticed.

Lord Night ran towards him, catching up. His claws out to grab him. The candles down the hallway immediately died as he passed by, each step closed making the hallway darker than the night sky.
Suave panted, sprinting as fast as he could towards a door at the end of the hallway. He grabbed the door handle, yanking it open and running in. Slamming the door shut behind him and locking it. He looked around and then hurried to the small fireplace in the hall. Grabbing the poker he then turned to give the door, a reasonable distance between him and the vampire who may be waiting there.

Behind him was another door that would lead to a set of stairs leading to the bottom floor.

Suave watched the door, gripping the poker as he stood there, trying to slow his breathing down.

It was silent. So silent, Suave hated it so much.
He waited, backing away towards the door behind him. Maybe Fallacy's father had left?

Suave let out a small sigh.

The door slammed down, ripped off its hinges. Splinters shot everywhere and Suave braced himself, hissing slightly. He peeked out from behind his arms, his eyes widening in terror to see the tall figure standing in the doorway, grinning. He must have charged at the door because he was panting, beads of sweat running down his brow.

Suave growled slightly, the poker in his grip. He ran at Lord Night, yelling. "Get... OUT!?" He went to whack the sharp poker into the vampire but he dodged as if a cloud of mist he vanished and reappeared. Out of the room and in the hallway.

"Nice try~" The vampire chuckled coldly, stalking to the door.

The butler took his chance, yanking the door behind him open and running down the stairs, his eyes still wide. He glanced over his shoulder, met with darkness.
He kept running, down the stone halls. Then up another set of stairs. He slowed down, waiting to see if he had been followed before heading to Jasper's room.

Suave slammed the door open and looked around.

Empty.

The windows were closed, the curtains drawn over them. And the door was in perfect condition... Suave bit his lip anxiously.

He then ran down the hallway and to Fallacy and Encre's room. He gripped the door handle, squeezing his eyes and praying before opening it and walking in.

Jasper and Encre looked up from the sketchbook in front of them, both blinking with paint smudges on their cheeks and hands. There were paintbrushes everywhere. Encre frowned, "Suave? What's the matter?" She angled her head a little.

Suave looked over to Jasper, staring. "I-I thought... y-you were..." He gripped his hands into fists. Jasper got up, walking over to him and flinching. He reached up, wiping a tear from Suave's cheek.
He hadn't realised he was crying. When was the last time he had cried..?
That was a story for another day.

Jasper sat Suave down on the side of the bed, Encre shuffling closer.
"Suave?"

"He's here..." Suave trembled, Jasper glanced over to Encre nervously at Suave's words. "...Who..?"
Encre swallowed and looked down, a hand on the baby bump.

"...Lord Night. Your grandfather." He stared down at his shaking hand, gripping them into fists once more.

The room went silent.
Well, almost.
The crackling of the fire was all that there was in the background. No footsteps or running could be heard from coming from beyond the bedroom door.

The young Prince looked to the door. "Where is father... Mum said you left to get him from the Great Hall..."
"I did go to get him, but when I went there all I saw was the silhouette of a man in the window. I thought it was Lord Fallacy... it turned out to be Lord Night..."

Jasper bit his lip before perking up, "Macabre and Cruzar!! They're in the castle!" He gasped, "they can help!"

Encre nodded, "y-ea..."

Suave got up, "I'll get them. I can't risk leaving Encre on her own or sending you out..."He looked to Jasper who blushed lightly.

"A-alright..."The Prince looked down nervously, hugging Encre's arm now.

Suave nodded and stumbled up to his feet, picking up the poker he had dropped when he had walked in. He glanced back at the two and bit his lip before opening the door silently, slipping out, trying his best to close it without a loud noise or creak.

Thankfully, it only made a tiny click.

He walked down the hallways, remembering where he saw Bunny at the door of the thieves' room. The poker was gripped firmly in his hand, the only weapon he had currently. Magic was a no-no for him. He had never learned how to use it to harm someone, only for healing.

Carefully he walked down the hall, making sure not to step on the creaky floorboards. The candles flickered, the wind howling outside.

Other than that, there was no noise.

The walk through the castle was horrible. Every small sound made Suave jump and dive into a hiding spot, either behind an ornament, behind the curtains or into a closet. All of which were false alarms.

Ten minutes later and he was still walking. It wasn't his fault it was taking so long, he just preferred to go slowly and quietly.

He approached a small junction where 4 hallways met.

His eyes locked on it, mentally reminding himself of the directions to the room he headed to. Then.

He heard it.

It was tiny, the noise almost like a candle flickering. Suave halted, watching the junction until he spotted a shadow walkthrough at a decent pace, not rushed, but not slow. Suave gritted his teeth and slowly ducked down, pressing his back against the wall next to a small table which presented a vase. He peeked out, watching the figure halt, looking down the hallway he was in and then turn away, uninterested.

They walked off.

Suave held in a sigh of relief.

Definitely not Fallacy. Too tall and the wings were too large and pointy-looking. 

He waited for five minutes before getting up, looking around and then heading through the small junction. The room was close.

So he ran the last few seconds to it, skidding to a halt at the door and quickly knocking on it as he looked around wildly.

The door swung open, Macabre stood there with a tired look on his face. Only wearing a shirt and shorts. He rubbed his eyes,"whaatt..?" He squinted his eyes as he looked Suave up and down. "Oh. Suave? Why are you here?? It's so..." He yawned widely, "early."

Suave bit his lip, glancing over his shoulder before pushing Macabre back into the room, dragging himself in as well and closing the door behind him.

The thief blinked and narrowed his eyes, "tell me. What the hell is going on." For once he wasn't speaking politely.

A small groan was heard from across the room and then the shuffle of fabric.

Cruzar sat up on the bed, rubbing his eyes, "hhhuh...?"

Suave sighed and looked to Macabre who was still staring at him with a serious look. "Lord Fallacy's Father is in the castle at this very moment. Lord Fallacy himself went missing after the meeting you had with him."#

Macabre froze, Cruzar walked over, now wide awake. "WHAT."

Macabre gritted his teeth and threw some pants on, grabbing his bandolier of daggers which he put on, tightening it as he hurried around. Cruzar quickly did the same while Suave looked to the door, gripping the poker that now seemed so useless now.

The two thieves eventually walked to his side and nodded, both dressed. Macabre wearing his usual hat. Suave nodded back, " alright..." He unlocked the door, peeking out before stepping out.

They stalked down the hallways, Macabre and Cruzar walking on both of  Suave's sides as they headed towards Encre and Fallacy's room.

Suave bit his lip, praying and hoping that Encre and Jasper were okay.

They arrived at the door.

Suave breathed in, "Jasper...? Encre?"

Macabre looked around, watching the hallway behind them as Suave talked.

Cruzar was nervous, holding two of his daggers, the rest of them hanging from his belt.

Suave waited for a response.

'Oh god oh god. What is something had happened!

What if Jasper was hurt or gone?! I would never be able to forgive myself.' Suave screamed mentally. 

But then. "Suave..? Is that you?"

Encre.

Suave gasped and stumbled closer to the door, "y-yes! Macabre and Cruzar are here too."

The door made a soft click and Encre poked her head out, then she sighed in relief. "T-Thank goodness... Jasper passed out on the bed, he's fine though."

Macabre looked over to Encre and smiled slightly, Encre sighed.

"Is Fallacy's father still in the castle..?" She asked nervously, looking behind Macabre and Suave as if expecting the vampire to be standing there.

Macabre sighed softly, "we're not sure yet. We didn't see him when we headed here."

Encre nodded and opened the door further so they could get in.

"U-Um... g-guys...?" Cruzar spoke with a trembling voice. In fact, his whole body was shaking, his eyes wide.

Macabre blinked, halfway through the door, he turned and looked over to Cruzar. Suave and Encre did as well.

And all their eyes widened.

Lord Night loomed over Cruzar, arching and looking down at him with a wide, horrifying grin. His wings spread out slightly. His eyes glowed darkly. 

The vampire moved, his arm swiping to his right and his fingers gripped onto the hilt of a sword. Then he growled, stepping forward, about to attack.

Suave was about to yell Cruzars name.

Until a shadow shot past Suave who stumbled back, his eyes wide as he watched.

The shadow was soon in front of Cruzar, pulling out a sword and smashing it against Lord Night's.

Macabre grunted as his sword was pushed back by the vampire, Cruzar still standing behind him with a terrified expression. The taller thief sweated and shouted, "GET IN THE ROOM. NOW!?" He yelled to the others.

Encre ran in, Suave was about to but he grabbed Cruzar and yanked him inside, earning a small protest from the young thief. They slammed the door, locking it and backing away. Suave held Cruzar with a tight grip while Cruzar tried his best to scramble to the door. He was desperate, his eyes wide with terror as tears started to form.

"MACABRE!!!!!" He clawed at the air, trying to pull away from Suave who grunted a little.

Encre bit her lip, glancing over to Jasper who winced, moving slightly on the bed as he started to finally wake up. "Cruzar calm down!! Macabre will be fine. He's a great fighter, I'm sure he'll be okay, "she looked to Suave, trying her best to sound a tad-bit hopeful.