Elissa had no idea what to expect. The deal was made, but what exactly did "one evening" in the company of a vampire mean?
— When? — she asked, crossing her arms over her chest, trying to maintain composure.
— Now, — he replied with a sly smile.
Before she could protest, the vampire moved. His motions were smooth, almost inhuman, and before Elissa even realized what was happening, he was already beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist. In the next instant, the world around them shifted.
Wind roared in her ears, and in the blink of an eye, the walls of the library vanished. Elissa squeezed her eyes shut against the sudden rush of air, and when she opened them, she found herself standing on the rooftop of a tall palace tower.
— W-what?.. — She clutched his sleeve in a panic, feeling the night air swaying beneath her feet.
— Relax, princess, — he said softly, releasing her. — I have no intention of letting you fall.
She exhaled slowly, trying to steady her dizziness. Below them, the sleeping city stretched out, its rooftops bathed in silver moonlight, its narrow streets vanishing into darkened alleys. From up here, everything looked so quiet, so peaceful… yet deep inside, Elissa knew the darkness hid far more than it revealed.
— Where have you taken me? — she asked, turning her gaze to the vampire.
— This is only the beginning, — he answered mysteriously. — Tonight, you will see the kingdom not from the height of your throne, but from another side—the one princesses are never meant to know.
Elissa remained silent, merely nodding. She had no idea what she had gotten herself into, but something inside her whispered—there was no turning back now.
The vampire extended his hand to her.
— Trust me.
She hesitated only for a moment before placing her palm in his.
And the night swallowed them whole.