Chapter 8 Dhampyr

Sebastian's POV:

"Not now," I smirked coldly. "You will wait. Wait as those vampires who broke the same rules as you, those who fed on unwilling humans or minors, are executed one by one. You will be the last, Donovan. And during that time, I'll make sure you feel every minute of fear and pain."

I leaned down, approaching the silver bars, staring directly into his eyes. "This is the price of betrayal."

After leaving the dungeon, I paused in a shadowy corner of the council building. The blood-red velvet curtains blocked most of the sunlight, but I could still feel the faint burning sensation on my skin. As ancient as I am, I can move briefly before sunset or after sunrise, but sunlight remains a threat.

My thoughts involuntarily turned to Eleanor. That strange girl, those silver-gray eyes, that unusually pale skin, and that subtle scent in her blood—all of this pieced together an astonishing possibility in my mind.

I needed more information, but couldn't trust anyone in the council. There was one person I knew I could trust—Helena, my creator.

Helena's residence was located in the oldest area of the city, a Victorian building with an exquisite garden. Even during the day, there was almost no sunlight here, as centuries of plant growth had formed a natural protective barrier.

"My dear child," Helena greeted me in the entryway, her silver-white hair glistening in the candlelight, her crimson eyes—identical to mine, our blood marker—revealing warm joy. "Finally caught that traitor?"

"Yes," I answered, following her into the luxurious living room. "He will be executed after some time."

Helena poured two glasses of deep red liquid, handing one to me. "I sense you're troubled, and this isn't just about Donovan." She cut straight to the point, a quality I've always appreciated about her.

"I need your wisdom, Helena," I sipped the liquid—a special blood mixture, Helena's signature drink. "Wisdom about dhampyrs."

Helena's eyebrows rose slightly, but her expression remained calm. "That's a term I haven't heard in a long time. Any particular reason?"

I briefly described Eleanor's characteristics, carefully omitting specific details. "Her blood has a... special scent. Not entirely human, not entirely vampire."

Helena listened quietly, then placed her glass on the table, folding her hands in her lap. "It sounds very much like dhampyr traits. They are extremely rare, Sebastian. In my long life, I've only seen five cases."

"How are they... created?" I asked.

"A vampire and human union. Usually, this is impossible, but certain ancient bloodlines have this ability," Helena's eyes flickered with ancient wisdom. "Dhampyrs typically show abnormally pale skin, almost comparable to a vampire's; extraordinary sensory acuity; intuitive reactions to vampire presence; and their blood has a special attraction for vampires."

I nodded, this perfectly matched my observations of Eleanor.

"Female dhampyrs are especially precious," Helena continued, "because they can easily bear children with vampires. This makes them extremely valuable in our society."

"If a dhampyr were used as a blood supplier..." I didn't finish the sentence.

Helena's expression grew serious. "That would be extremely dangerous and foolish. A dhampyr's blood has a special attraction for vampires, but excessive collection would cause serious harm to the dhampyr. Such precious beings should be protected, not exploited."

"Thank you, Helena," I stood up, preparing to leave. "Your wisdom guides me as always."

Helena walked me to the door, whispering before I left: "if you truly discover a dhampyr, the council would be very interested. Remember that."

This was exactly what I feared.

When I returned to the mansion, the sun had just set, twilight still hanging on the horizon. Normally, I would still need to stay in the basement, waiting for complete darkness. However, when I pushed open the door, I found all the windows in the house covered with heavy blackout curtains, the interior dimly lit with only carefully placed candles providing warm light.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of pine and lemon, replacing the dusty smell of days past. The furniture had been rearranged, appearing more open and comfortable. The entire mansion seemed reborn, displaying a warmth I hadn't felt in decades.

When I walked toward the basement, an even bigger surprise awaited me. The once sparse space had been completely transformed—the walls painted deep blue, a spacious bed replacing the original simple mattress, my book collection neatly arranged on shelves, and even a small work area with an antique desk and comfortable chair.

"Master?" Eleanor's voice came from behind, soft and cautious. "You've returned earlier than I expected. I hope these changes are acceptable to you."

I turned to see Eleanor standing in the doorway, her head slightly bowed, hands folded in front of her, a respectful posture. But her eyes—those unforgettable silver-gray eyes—revealed a hint of hope and concern.

"You did all this?" I looked around, unable to hide my surprise.

"Yes, Master," she answered softly. "I noticed you can only move at night, so I added blackout curtains so you could move freely within the house. The basement looked... uncomfortable, so I made some changes. If you don't like it, I can restore it to its original state."

I approached her, noticing how she tensed slightly at my approach. I could hear her heartbeat quicken, smell that subtle unique scent in her blood—now I understood, it was the scent of dhampyr blood.

"This is... thoughtful," I said, softening my voice. "Thank you, Eleanor."

She raised her head, surprise flashing in her eyes, as if she hadn't expected my gratitude. "It's my duty, Master."

"No," I shook my head, "this goes beyond a servant's duty. This is considerate."

A faint blush appeared on Eleanor's face before she lowered her head again. "I've prepared dinner, if you're hungry."

"Have you eaten?"

Her hesitation lasted only a moment, but long enough for me to notice. "I'm... not very hungry, Master."

"Eleanor," I made my voice serious, "as my servant, your health is important to me. I request that you dine with me."

Shortly after dinner, the doorbell rang. Eleanor immediately rose to answer it, and I could hear her brief conversation with the visitor, then two sets of footsteps approaching the dining room.

A blonde woman entered the room, with healthy skin and bright blue eyes. "Hello, Sebastian. I'm Mia Collins, Vivienne arranged for me to provide blood for you tonight."

I nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you for your service, Miss Collins."

Eleanor immediately took on the role of a professional servant, preparing a comfortable seat for Mia and bringing a glass of water and a plate of carefully prepared snacks. "Miss Collins, you might feel a bit weak after donating blood. These snacks contain high sugar and protein, which help restore energy."

Mia looked at Eleanor with surprise, then smiled, "Thank you. Few people consider this."

I observed Eleanor's actions, noting her understanding and consideration for the blood donor's needs. When I accepted Mia's blood, I could feel Eleanor tensing slightly on the other side of the room, but she maintained a professional attitude without showing obvious discomfort.

After the donation, Eleanor personally escorted Mia to the door, making sure she was in good condition before letting her leave. When she returned to the dining room, I was already waiting for her in the study.

"You handled that well," I said, indicating for her to sit. "For someone who has never served vampires, you appear unusually calm."

Eleanor's fingers twisted together. "I... I have some experience, Master."

"Yes, I know," I softened my voice but kept it serious. "Eleanor, when you speak to me, I'd prefer if you looked at me. It's important that we communicate clearly."