In the Name of the Vampire Prince

Chapter 7: Talisman

I feel embarrassed, yet I can't utter a single word to him. Should I apologize for it? Or I shouldn't and just brush it off as he does.

Either way, I still feel bad for him. He was almost killed by the rogues, because of me.

The white walls bring simplicity, and the wooden hues of the chair and tables bring a natural view inside the coffee shop that we're in. Small quotes are displayed on the walls, and we decided to sit beside the big window, a table for two people. I looked around the place as if it's my first time in here, and I highly appreciate their mini statues of our Werewolf Heroes on the corner.

A small chandelier on the ceiling and some plants on the upper loft, since there's a second floor intended for the plants and ceiling decors. The counter is still the same as 5 years ago, with plain wooden shelves and the black walls of the podium and the counter itself. There were only several customers today and I'm glad. Glad on the thought that they wouldn't recognize who's with me.

“Your thoughts aren't unified. It's too messy, Sydney.” he pulled a chair for me, and I sat comfortably. We're beside a big window, where we can see the ray of an oak tree and the bench we sat on earlier, “I can't tell if you're nervous or scared.” he sits across the table, his both palms crossed at the table.

“How can you even smile and stare at me without a problem?” I asked, head low in embarrassment, “I mean– even a failed exam can make me cry. How can you even do that?”

He heaved a sigh, and I can even feel him staring at me. Maybe with the annoyance of some sort. But then my eyes widened in shock when his palm is on my head, patting me softly.

“I get used to it. The pain of every metal that jabs my skin is only a piece of cake to me.” Devon said nonchalantly, legs crossed and his back leaning on the chair. His soft gaze still on mine, “I will never be entitled as The Strongest Vampire Prince if I'm physically weak.”

“Well, you have a point.” I nodded for a split second before a cup of coffee suddenly showed up on my table, “Devon, since when did you order a—”

“Just a minute ago.”

“Just a minute ago? How did you—”

“Mind-control. Some locals say that they're kinda slow when it comes to time-management on orders. So I made them speed up their work by exerting more effort on their minds to be more conditioned.” I lift my gaze, only to be greeted by his warm smile, “I don't like waiting for half an hour only to be served with a small portion of drenched coffee beans.”

And I heave a chortle, “Drenched coffee beans... silly.” I whispered before raising and blowing the hot cup of cappuccino in front of me, “Oh, by the way. Where's my lance?”

“Say no more.” he claps his hand twice, revealing the lance case floating beside him, “I brought it with us behind my back, and since I have ample energy left for my wind affinity, I just let it float.”

“You really speak in a matter-of-fact tone, huh.” I pick the case with my left hand, while my other hand is holding the cup of coffee. I place the case beside my leg and I stared him in the eyes again. Not minding my heart racing with that doe eyes of his.

“Yeah... And speaking of matter-of-fact, I'll let you know why I constantly call you a Broken–”

“Omega, A Broken Omega.” and he nodded in agreement. If I could only picture myself inside this café with him, I feel like I would be a statue anytime because of his gentle manners.

This is awkward, yet heart-warming. But still awkward.

He beams a smile before he started, “You see, there are not only 2 creatures living in this world, but thirteen. Yes, thirteen! Those creatures—”

“Wait, why can we just go straight ahead on the main topic and not go back into history?”

“So that you can learn something from one of your enemies, little miss. Something good actually.” so I smiled and nodded for him to continue.

“As I said, there are thirteen creatures who are existing in this world. Not only vampires and werewolves. Each kind of creature was given a Talisman Book. In which they can use to rid off the evil and bring fortune to their land in general. It was given by the Celestials, and that book contains strong divine magic. The werewolves owned the 12th Talisman Book, and the vampires owned the 13th Talisman Book. And compared before, all creatures lived peacefully. The vampires and werewolves lived in harmony.”

“But that serene harmony changed because?”

He let out a deep sigh, and before he could continue, he changed our wooden table into black. Loud cracks can be heard and a red mist enveloped our table. And there, I saw what the actual war looks like. The War of Flames.

Vampire children crying for help, the werewolves attacking every vampire they see with a silver spear. All houses were burnt down and almost the wide forest of the vampires was eaten by wild flames. All down under the bright lunar eclipse.

“That attack. We never imagined that they would use our weakness to us. I never imagined your kind would be so cruel to us.” Devon lowers his shoulders and a heavy sigh of dismay escaped his lips, “My father, the King, died because he was bewitched by a strong enchantress. She used the 10th book of the Elves to connect it to our book. The curse contains that whoever held the book before the war began, would be eaten by the flames. And so it did. Dad was burnt down inside the forest while he tries to save those children that you saw earlier.”