Rejected and forgotten.

The Swamp.

Deep in the vampire kingdom was the place no one would visit alone. All kinds of outcasts, criminals, and other suspicious persons lived there. That is why it was called The Swamp.

King tried to get rid of it many times, but it was like cutting off Hydra's head. Soon, the more significant and more vital grew back. Vampire warriors who went there never came back. Finally, King decided it would be best to pretend this place never existed. As long as the criminals living there were no threat to the citizens, he would leave them alone.

What the King did not know was the real purpose of the Swamp.

In the past, criminals were the royals there.

But with time, they list their interest in living there as there were few ways to get rich, hiding in the woods. Slowly, the Swamp became empty, but the gloomy fame stayed.

Now, the new occupants found their place there. This time, those who lived there were rebels. Alle, the people who were against changes in the kingdom, found here a safe shelter.

And that was the place Dawid was heading to. Some of his father's old friends were here, and the young warrior counted on their help. They were the only people who could help on this crazy mission.

An hour later, he was sitting in a room that only a person with an enormous imagination could call an office, looking at the man before him.

Lord Thomas was the older vampire who worked with Dawid's father for years. He was known for his sharp tongue and honesty. He was the one who started to speak openly about the negative impact Gustav had on the coven. Unfortunately, his honesty led him to disaster. His family disappeared without a trace, and that broke him. He was stripped of his title, but to Dawid, he was always a Lord.

Thomas was an unofficial leader here on the Swamp. This man created an illegal way to provide rebels with the necessary supplies they needed. There was nothing he could not do. That is why Dawid was sent to meet with him.

If his father's mission was going to be a success, Thomas had to be involved.

- So you are telling me Lucas found Prince's bride? - The old lord asked after hearing the whole story. His voice was deep and warm. He looked like someone in his early fifties, with a few silver strands in his black hair and a slim body. Vampires aged unusually slowly, but his life did not spare him.

- Yes, Lord Thomas, he believes he did, and I have no reason to doubt his words. - Dawid replied calmly. He understood why the man was suspicious; a few days ago, he had the same feelings.

- I do not question that, but you ask me to put my life and the lives of others in grave danger. I want to be sure I am doing this for a good reason. - Thomas explained without showing emotions.

- I do not blame you. My reaction was the same. - Dawid let himself for a small smile.

- Breaking into the dungeons won't be easy. They were heavily guarded, since I remembered. We must be quick and precise; there will be no time to look for that girl. We need to know exactly where she is. - Lord Thomas pointed out what could go wrong. - How many guards are usually there, and what is the time of the meals?

- There are four guards at all times. According to my father's words, two of them stayed at the beginning of the hall, near the stairs; the other two were located at the end of the hall. They bring the meals three times, at least for the girl. Around nine in the morning, then after noon, before one o'clock, the last meal is around five o'clock. Other prisoners have only two meals. This girl was taken to the toilet at six o'clock in the afternoon. - Dawid repeated all the information he got from his father.

Lord Thomas burst into laughter.

- Lucas prepared you well. - He said, giggling.

- My father thought you would need that information. - Dawid replied.

-He was right; this old fox knows me too well. But I have to admit I am disappointed.

The young warrior shot him a surprised look.

- They are lowering their standards. In the old times, there were always at least eight guards in the dungeons at all times. But I guess Gustav changed that, too. He did us a favor. - Lord Thomas giggled again.

Dawid just nodded his head, as he was not sure how to respond.

- There is one more thing. Did your father ever see this girl? I am almost sure of the answer, but we must know she is the right person. After all, we will have only one chance.

- My father never saw her, but they talked a lot. He told me to ask her a question. If she knows the answer, we are in the right place. - Dawid replied with pride. His father indeed thought about everything.

- So what is a question? - Lord Thomas glanced at him.

- She will have to tell us what he really wanted to be. But please do not make me to give you an answer. The less people know the answer, the better. - Dawid said, slightly embarrassed. He came here to ask this man for help, but his father made him promise to keep this part a secret.

Lord Thomas laughed again.

- Do not worry, boy, I know the answer to this question, and it is an intelligent choice, as your father did not share this information with many people.

- So how do you know that, then? - Dawid gave him a questioning look.

- Lucas told me that himself. It was after a heated debate that he was ready to quit his career. That day, Gustav fought with us about every idea we proposed to the King. His Highness seemed to agree with anything this scumbag was saying. We were drained of energy, and your father complained about following his family's steps. - The lord's sight became cloudy like he was replaying this moment again.

Dawid waited patiently. They came through all the steps of negotiations. Now, it was time for Thomas to make a decision.

The old lord stayed quiet for a while.

- I think we have everything covered here. I need to think about who could join us on this mission. - He said slowly.

Dawid felt relieved. But he had to ask to make sure everything was settled.

- So you are going to help us?

- I thought that was clear, but yes, I am going to help you. This girl can help us, after all. She can change the lives of all of us.- Lord Thomas said with a soft smile. - And to see Gustav's fall, I would even go to hell. Now, if you want to join me, I will introduce you to the people who will be the best on this mission.

Dawid stood up from his seat.

-You already decided, who will go with us?

- I can think of a few people who may be interested in this adventure, but of course, it has to be their decision. I am not going to force anyone.

They left the office and started to walk between the houses that looked like they were going to fall any minute. Dawid could not believe anyone could live here.

- Do not get fooled by what you see. - Thomas said like he could read his mind. - We are keeping this facade to ensure our royals will not remind themselves about this place's existence.

- I see. - Dawid said carefully, as he could not find a better answer.

- A lot of the people found shelter here. Not only vampires but werewolves and witches. They lived on the lands we treat as our kingdom for ages, so they became an integral part of it. But the times changed, so we try to help them as well. - Lord Thomas explained, and Dawid understood why his father liked this man so much.

- So, how many people are you going to ask for help?

- Two will be enough. If we are lucky, my first choice will be the best. - The man winked at him.

Soon, they left the ruined area, and Dawid noticed much better houses, which looked quite comfy. Now he understood what Thomas meant when he mentioned facade.

- We are here. - The old Lord said with a smile.

In front of them, the massive wolf was charging at the petite woman who was watching him with a smirk. The beast jumped at her, knocking her down and covering with its body.

Dawid was looking at this show, petrified. There was no way this woman survived this.

Then the wolf jumped back, growling loudly. He shifted back to his human form, and instead of the beast, they could see the young man with a muscular body and blond hair.

The woman was still on the ground, laughing.

- You cheated! - He screamed.

- You told me to defend myself, so I did it. - The woman replied, standing up.

- Those are people I told you about. - Lord Thomas said, laughing gently. Please let me introduce you to Noah, as you noticed, he is a wolf. The strongest one. And this beauty is Sybilla, our witch. - Noah, Sybilla, do you want to mess up with a coven a little?

The couple looked at them and the wide smiles spread on their faces....