[...]
The moment Amara and the submissive vampire were just steps away from the towering gate, a loud creaking of gears sounded; the gate rose, and they entered the castle courtyard.
It was a breathtaking sight, with towering spires, small windows, and several gun ports, and just like the walls, the castle itself was entirely made of stone, quite clearly a structure several centuries old.
In the vast cobblestone courtyard stood a fountain with a gargoyle statue at the center, water spouting from within its mouth—a sight both peculiar and intriguing. Beyond the fountain lay a short staircase leading to the castle's main entrance.
As the young outsider approached the door, it swung open, and the hinges groaned, reverberating through the great castle. Amara was taken aback by the interior of the ancient building, with various paintings adorning the walls, a massive chandelier casting a dim glow, and a grand red carpet stretching across the large staircase that branched off in two directions. She was still admiring the staircase when the figure of a pale-skinned, slender-bodied man began his descent, his movements slow and regal. Endowed with striking beauty, his black hair perfectly coiffed, his thick, well-defined brows contrasted beautifully with his striking turquoise blue eyes. His long, sharp nose and neatly-trimmed beard only accentuated his strong masculine features. Amara couldn't help but notice a certain resemblance between herself and the man.
"What is a stranger doing in my castle?" The man asked with a deep, cold voice, scrutinizing the girl before him.
"I believe you're the one I'm looking for, my uncle."
"Uncle? Is this some kind of jest?"
A blaze of anger ignited within Vincent's chest as he moved so swiftly towards the girl that Amara scarcely noticed; she only felt it when her uncle gripped her throat tightly and lifted her from the ground, his hold intense, causing Amara to gasp for air, her face reddening and her body thrashing. In a plea for mercy, Amara whispered for Vincent to release her, but he only tightened his grasp further.
The girl locked eyes with the vampire before her and commanded him to let her go. Vincent's grip loosened, and he slipped into a trance for a few seconds, while Amara coughed uncontrollably. When Vincent came to his senses, he was faced with an undeniable truth: the girl had controlled his mind. He was in complete shock, as the only other vampire known to have had the power of mind control was Augustus Moriarty, his father.
"You? You controlled my mind?" The man asked with disbelief in his tone.
"I'm sorry for that; it was the only way I could make you release me," replied Amara, still struggling for breath.
"Only a Moriarty possesses special powers; that's what sets us apart from other vampires," Vincent explained.
"I told the truth about being your niece," the girl responded, still feeling a sharp pain in her throat.
"So, there's no doubt about that, but why was I never informed of your existence? And why did Katherine keep it a secret all her life?"
"Uncle Vincent, I don't know the reason. I found out just a few days ago that I am Katherine's daughter; until then, I believed I belonged to the werewolves."
"Werewolves? You've lived all this time with those flea-ridden beasts?" Vincent asked with a look of disgust.
"As I said, I spent my life believing I was one of them. And I had hoped you might tell me why I wasn't raised with my true family."
"I suppose the fact that you made your way here means they've discovered your true identity; am I correct?"
"Yes, and I have nowhere else to go."
"I see, and you know what? This whole affair is giving me a headache. You are a Moriarty and have every right to live in this castle. Go up the stairs and turn right along the corridor; at the end, to your left, there's a bedroom; it used to belong to Katherine, and you're welcome to settle in there." Vincent explained impatiently, upset that Katherine had hidden such a delicate matter from him.
"I am going to stay in my mother's room?" Amara asked with a choked voice.
"Yes, and don't get too excited; it's been locked for many years and everything has been kept as Katherine left it. The place is an utter mess."
"I don't mind cleaning, Uncle Vincent. Thank you!" The girl thanked him with tears on her cheeks.
"Please, just call me Vincent; I'm not yet accustomed to the idea of you being my niece. It's late; if you're hungry, go to the kitchen and eat something; if you're thirsty, there's a cold storage refrigerator with a few blood bags; just take what you need to satisfy your thirst."
"Thank you, but I ate on the way, and an old friend gave me a thermos with some blood."
"Then you can go to your room, and try to make the least noise possible; I have sensitive ears," the man said emotionlessly.
"I will be careful not to disturb you."
[...]
As Amara ascended the stairs and followed her uncle's instructions, she found herself before an old wooden door, its round, golden knob gleaming. When she turned it, a shrill sound of dry hinges filled the corridor and the room beyond. Amara surveyed everything with a surge of emotion; all the furniture was covered with white, dusty sheets, and cobwebs were strewn throughout the room. The windows were so plastered with dust it was impossible to see through. Exhausted from her journey, having walked for hours, and since it was late at night, she chose not to clean the room at that moment. Instead, she removed the sheet covering the large wooden bed, shook off some of the dust, and collapsed onto the vast mattress, caressing every inch as she did. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she caressed the mattress; she had never imagined she would miss someone she had never even met, and that this feeling of yearning could cause so much pain. In that moment, a question formed in her heart: how had Katherine died?
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