Chapter 93: Setting Off
Jasmine didn’t sleep well that day. Around ten in the morning, she was awakened by rustling sounds outside the window. Those uncouth otherworldly beings were already plotting to attack Adele, seeing her as a prime target.
The creatures lurking in the Dusk were skilled and observant, especially when it came to identifying wealthy individuals. Even in Jasmine’s eyes, Adele looked like a walking treasure chest. Although she wore a black cloak, her skirt and shoes were clearly visible, and their fine fabric and intricate embroidery screamed “expensive,” beyond the reach of ordinary vampires.
Adele’s height and attire also revealed her to be a young female vampire.
While a vampire’s age couldn’t be determined by their appearance, their clothing choices tended to evolve over time. It was unlikely for a thousand-year-old vampire to be wearing a frilly pink dress. Even without considering the color, the style and embellishments of a garment could hint at the wearer’s age. In short, Adele’s youthful status was undeniable.
In the eyes of all races in this world, young vampires were easier targets than older ones. Moreover, Adele’s presence in the Dusk indicated that she had been ostracized by the vampire elders, leaving her without protection.
They even speculated about the reason for a young lady like her to be wandering the Dusk. Could it be a crime of passion, eliminating a lover who had scorned her? They laughed amongst themselves, but none of the stronger ones dared to make the first move. After all, they only had one life, and caution was paramount. What if she was a twisted old vampire who enjoyed dressing up as a young girl?
It was her prerogative to dress as she pleased, but if they were wrong, it could cost them their lives.
To avoid a gruesome fate while still coveting the young vampire’s presumed wealth – they had seen her use a bank card to pay for the room, indicating she had considerable funds – they decided to send the younger, less experienced ones as bait.
Indeed, a few gullible youngsters were persuaded to approach Adele and Jasmine’s room during the day. They had been assured that besides the young vampire, there was only a human servant. No matter how powerful a vampire was, once sunlight touched them, they were doomed!
They reached out to break the window, but before their claws could make contact, black threads wrapped around their arms. In a flash, the threads tightened, severing their limbs at the elbow. More threads flew towards them, binding their bodies and severed arms. Then, with a powerful tug, they were flung away.
It all happened in the blink of an eye. The attackers were dealt with swiftly and efficiently. The otherworldly beings watching from afar were stunned. They couldn’t comprehend the method used against their comrades.
Then, they saw a black figure gracefully land outside the window. She seemed to be floating in mid-air, but the more observant ones noticed the thin threads beneath her feet. The threads glinted faintly in the sunlight, but the figure remained silent and still. Judging by her silhouette, she was a woman, and… a human.
The leader of the group was taken aback. He hadn’t expected a human to possess such power. Then, he heard the woman speak, her voice soft yet carrying a chilling weight that reached every ear in the shadows. “I’ll say this once. If anyone dares to disturb my lady’s sleep again…”
“I will kill you all.”
With that, she turned and re-entered the room. As the window briefly opened, they caught a glimpse of a black curtain inside. It moved as if alive, parting for the woman to enter and then closing again. They guessed it was made of the same material as the threads.
In other words, even if they managed to break the window, no sunlight would reach inside. The woman had deliberately revealed this to them. Otherwise, why would she have entered through the door, allowing them to see her, when she had appeared so silently outside the window?
This incident made one thing clear: they couldn’t touch this woman or the young vampire lady inside.
After delivering her warning, Jasmine returned to the room. Instead of immediately lying down to sleep again, she sat by the bed, gazing at Adele’s sleeping face. Adele trusted her completely. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to sleep so soundly in such a dangerous environment.
Adele had accepted Jasmine’s true identity as Lady Dawn with surprising ease, seemingly unconcerned about who Jasmine really was and readily adapting to their reversed roles. Adele had become the vulnerable one, while Jasmine was now the protector.
Having acknowledged Jasmine’s strength and her ability to protect her, Adele comfortably settled into being cared for, entrusting her life to Jasmine and sleeping peacefully.
If Jasmine were still the weak, subservient maid Adele had always known, even with complete trust, Adele wouldn’t have been so relaxed. She would have set up several protective magic circles, hidden herself in a corner or a closet, taking every precaution to ensure her safety.
The fact that she could now sleep soundly on a soft bed was a testament to the security Jasmine provided.
Adele loved the gentle, submissive Jasmine, the vulnerable one who needed her protection. She would cherish and care for her with all her heart. But Adele also loved the powerful Jasmine, the one who could protect her and allow her to be vulnerable.
In short, she loved Jasmine, no matter who she was.
Adele slept soundly, and when she woke up, she realized that Jasmine was no longer beside her. But Jasmine’s scent lingered on the sheets, a faint floral fragrance. Adele, still groggy, snuggled into Jasmine’s pillow, rubbing her cheek against it.
Before she could enjoy it for long, she heard Jasmine’s voice, “Miss, if you’re awake, get up.”
Adele turned around, slightly embarrassed, and saw Jasmine sitting on a chair beside a table with a teapot and teacups. Adele sat up on the bed, smoothing her hair in an attempt to appear more composed.
Jasmine urged her again, and Adele, feeling flustered, climbed out of bed and sat opposite Jasmine. As she sat down, she stumbled slightly, catching herself with her foot. The inn’s furniture was so dilapidated that even the chair legs were wobbly. If she hadn’t steadied herself, she would have fallen.
Once Adele was seated, Jasmine poured her a cup of black tea, adding two sugar cubes. It was, of course, artificial blood that Jasmine had brought from Blake Castle. It was expensive and hard to come by, something Jasmine couldn’t afford on her own.
Besides, what was better than free stuff? Jasmine had planned to wander the world with Adele, so she had brought plenty of artificial blood.
Adele picked up the teacup. She wasn’t really hungry, thanks to Jasmine’s blood, which was surprisingly filling. But Jasmine had made her tea, and it would be rude to refuse. She took a sip.
Vampires were sensitive to cold, and winter hadn’t ended yet. The walls of the cheap inn were thin, letting the chilly wind seep through the cracks. Adele shivered slightly. But the warm tea spread through her body, chasing away the cold.
After finishing her tea, Jasmine asked, “Should we go directly to Spark Farm now?”
Adele considered it, then she shook her head. “School starts in a few months, and I’m the top student. I have to give a speech. Let’s go to Spark Farm in a month or two.” Jasmine looked at her questioningly: What are we going to do until then?
Adele, her eyes sparkling with excitement, proposed something Jasmine hadn’t expected. “I want to visit the Human Resistance Army base!”
If any other vampire had made this request, Jasmine would have already obliterated them, suspecting them of wanting to report the base’s location to the Council for extermination. But Adele was different. Her curiosity was genuine, and she truly believed in the possibility of peaceful coexistence between humans and vampires.
Initially, Jasmine had planned to take Adele to the base, prepared for potential conflict. But now that the time had come, she hesitated. Adele would undoubtedly be unwelcome there, possibly even ostracized.
Jasmine set down her teacup. “I have to warn you, if you go there, you won’t be welcomed. You might even be hated.”
“I know!” Adele didn’t seem bothered at all. “I’m a vampire. It’s natural for humans to hate me. But if I want to build a future where we can coexist peacefully, I have to interact with them. Not just humans, but otherworldly beings as well. If I can’t even take the first step, how can I achieve anything?”
Honestly, even now, Jasmine thought Adele’s ideas were a bit naive. But Adele’s dream was compelling, and Jasmine was willing to work towards it. Unlike Jasmine’s initial, somewhat childish goal of making history, Adele had a truly noble ideal.
Even if she found the dream a little absurd, Jasmine wouldn’t discourage Adele. After all, Adele was truly committed to it.
So, Jasmine was persuaded. She would take Adele to the Human Resistance Army base.
However, getting there was a problem. They couldn’t take an airship. Adele was still a fugitive from the Blake family. Jasmine could travel at supersonic speeds, reaching the base in half a night, but Adele wouldn’t be able to withstand such a journey.
It was already freezing cold. If she carried Adele at supersonic speeds, Adele would turn into an ice sculpture.
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