The scent of wild flowers, rare, strong and enticing drifted along with the wind into the room through the open window and I took in a deep breath, blinking my eyes open. My eyes took time to adjust to the light and I took in another deep breath. This time around, I got the scent of fresh spices, herbs and concoctions drift along as well.

Swinging my legs from the bed, my mind went back to everything that had occurred last night. Carlisle's appearance had been unexpected but there was no doubt that his suspicions and his willingness to find out whoever killed Lyra and why would make things much easier for me.

Another deep breath. Freshly brewed coffee, tangy, so fresh I could practically taste it on my tongue. Shined hardwood, that distinct scent of old wood and remnants of the spell from last night. My senses were tingling. I wondered if something as going to be different today or it was just another temporary high before a potential very lowly low. The thought of it dampened my spirits considerably.

The problem with depressed people was, they were comfortable with being depressed. The disappointment that came when a potential high never lasted was so horrible and soul wrenching. There was always a low after that high. They anticipated it. So most depressed people preferred the sadness. It was familiar, comforting even, and brought forth no surprises. What was the point of getting hope that you will finally be happy only to be faced with the soul crushing reality that that little bout of happiness was just temporary and you will return to your sadness even worse than before? So depressed people were comfortable with being depressed. They were afraid of hope. That thing called hope.

I wasn't sure if I was even depressed. At least depressed people felt something. I craved feelings, any feelings at all even if it was sadness. Living like this for centuries, numb, pretending to be jolly...it was not ideal.

And yet, no matter how much it felt easier to return back to my numbness, something about today felt...different. I didn't know what it was, I couldn't exactly put a finger on it but it was there. Like a tensed cord beckoning to me to just grab it.

A few chirps and bird song sounded outside the window drawing me out of my thoughts. It was incredible how things could appear so normal despite all the deaths and secrecy in this coven. It was either there was nothing to worry about or someone was trying extremely hard for no one to suspect a thing. I suspected the latter.

It didn't take long for me to get ready for travelling back and about an hour later, I was downstairs, in the entrance of the coven.

"My Lord." Duncan greeted with a small bow, his face still disgruntled from last night but forced into gauche politeness.

"Duncan." I acknowledged with indifference, fidgeting with a button on my sleeve. When I was done, I plastered on a bored look and stared him down.

"It was a pleasant visit my Lord." The man started formally and this time I actually bellowed out an amused laugh. I rolled my eyes, sobering up, my bored look returning.

"Please Duncan. These formalities don't go well with you. We both know it was not a pleasant visit. One thing about me, I hate pretenders and you clearly are one. Ill chalk that off to the fact that you probably didn't know this before but now you do." I was direct and his reaction was anticipated. His face got red and he was barely containing his anger. I smirked. Some coven members started whispering amongst themselves but I paid them no mind. I had better things to do. I was Lord. I could do whatever I wanted.

"My Lord, the horses have been groomed, fed and are ready for the journey back to the mansion." He reported and I folded my hands behind me and nodded.

"Is Lady Karayan back from her trip?" I asked and the man nodded.

"A word was sent in last night informing us of her arrival. Her and Lord Mba have been handling things in your absence." I nodded back at the man, deep in thought already. For a while now, Lady Karayan had been taking these small trips. Dealing with matters on her own. I wasn't suspicious of her, not exactly but it was not usual behavior of my second. Lady Karayan was a strict observer of hierarchy and she saw no need in going to do something that someone of lesser station could do for her. She was a typical vampire noble and I couldn't fault her for it. But for the past couple of years, I had noticed that she preferred to do some things on her own and while it was not suspicious, it was strange.

I had to remind myself to ask her about it one of these days. I wondered what she would say.

"Ready the horses then. We ride back in thirty minutes." I ordered, my voice firmed and the man nodded.

"Yes, my Lord." He bowed and went off in the direction of the stables. I turned back to Duncan and the coven members.

"The vampires to stay here have been selected already. It would be of better convenience to you to work with them as mentioned before so that we can deal with this already." I started and the man interrupted.

"But My Lord. I insist. The coven can handle this. There is no need for vampi...." He started complaining.

"Enough. My decision is final. Unless you don't think my word holds enough ground?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, questioning him, daring him to go against me and question my methods. He blanched, pressed his lips into a thin line and averted his gaze.

"Of course not My Lord. I apologize for such an insinuation." I paused for a bit before I spoken again, letting the tension simmer in the air, waiting for any more objections. When none came, I continued

"I assume they shall be given the best of accommodations. I expect to see your son when next I come for the meeting. The rest of the family heads as well." I finished, leaving no room for any arguments. He nodded and bowed his head lowly.

"As you wish My Lord." I knew he was not being sincere but a dormant part of me was interested in how this was going to turn out. With how the man was acting, was his son even alive? Where was he? What had happened to him? I cursed myself for being so negligent all these years. But I had put Lady Karayan on it. Why hadn't she reported all this to me? She had a lot to answer for hen I got back.

Now that my dealings with Duncan and the coven were done, I moved towards the stables along with some of my men. They were doing finishing checks on the animals and not long after, they were saddled and we mounted them leaving off. As I left the compound, I noticed Carlisle standing off in the far end, staring at me. I gave a small, subtle nod at him and he gave one back in understanding. The wheels had been set in motion. We were going to get to the root of this.

With a giddy up and gentle kick to the side of my mare, we left the town, a puff of dust left in our wake.

The journey back was uneventful and boring. Nothing of importance happened and I paid no mind to much going on. My mind kept swirling around the things I had to do when I got back. Which included talking to Lady Karayan about the things she had failed to mention to me before now.

It was much late in the night when we rode up towards the huge gates of the mansion.

"Open the gates!" A guard shouted when he saw us approaching. I was sore all over and there was a slight creak in my neck. I was tired and thirsty for blood. I didn't know if I needed alcohol more or blood but I would do with either in me. The gates creaked open and two guards pushed the gates open and my men and I rode in.

"Welcome back my Lord." The captain at the gate greeted as we rode in through the compound. I just nodded at him and continued on my way. The distance from the gates to the mansion was a few minutes but soon enough, my horse giddied to a stop in front of the main entrance and I got down. A stable boy rushed up to be with a bow and took the horse away.

Lord Mba and a few other servants came down the steps of the entrance to welcome me and the men.

"Welcome back My Lord. I hope you had a pleasant visit." Lord Mba greeted formally. I smirked as his words reminded me of Duncan just this morning. I moved towards the door and spoke.

"I didn't die." I commented back and I heard Lord Mba pause. His step faltered before he continued walking, trying to keep up with my pace.

"Your jests get even more morbid by the day My Lord." He replied. I wanted to tell him I wished I could actually die sometimes but I didn't. I was the supposedly happy and carefree Lord. It was best they believed that.

"The East has always been a strange place Lord Mba. Too much supernatural in one place." I added, in a bid to drift his thoughts away from my statement. His responding laughter showed that I had succeeded.

"Should the dinner table be set up My Lord? And would you need a blood slave?" He asked politely. I wanted to laugh. He knew I had not needed a blood slave in years.

"Send up some food and warm blood in a chalice to my chambers." I spoke calmly. Entering the mansion. The second I stepped in, I felt it.

I don't know if it was the energy or the air or the aura but something was different. The ancient blood in me was awoken and all my senses were tickled.

Something felt different. Something had changed. It washed over me like a cold breeze after a long hot day. It was hard to describe. It was foreign.

"Are you alright My Lord?" Lord Mba inquired, his tone inquisitive and I snapped out of the trance I had been in and just like that the feeling, the aura went away.

I was already attached to that aura. I knew then and there that I had to find it. Whatever it was.

"I'm alright. I shall be in my chambers." I replied, still distracted and left for upstairs leaving the man in the foyer wondering about my strange behavior.