The shadow in the crowd

Chapter 4 – The Shadow in the Crowd

The morning air smelled like smoke.

It was faint, carried on the wind, but Alara noticed it instantly. Her senses were sharper than any human’s — she could hear the rustle of leaves miles away, smell blood from across a battlefield.

From the highest balcony of the vampire castle, she could see movement in the distance. Tiny dots, like insects, crawling along the foothills. But these were not insects. They were people — humans — and they were coming closer.

Hunters.

Magicians.

And mercenaries (fighters for hire) from the gangs.

The war drums began to beat in the courtyard below. The deep, slow sound echoed off the mountains, warning everyone in the castle that an attack was near. Servants hurried to close the gates. Guards lined the walls, bows and crossbows ready.

Alara stood still, her eyes scanning the human ranks far away. She had seen hunters before — the hard faces, the weapons glinting in the sun. But today… today she noticed something different.

One of them didn’t match the rest.

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He was tall, but not bulky like the others. His shoulders were relaxed, not tense. His clothes were simple, not covered in armor or shiny weapons. He moved slowly, almost lazily, like a man taking a walk instead of marching toward war. His head tilted slightly as he glanced at the mountains, as if studying them in detail.

Even from a distance, Alara could see the shadows under his eyes — dark circles that told her he had not slept well in many nights. His hair was black and messy, and unlike the other hunters, he didn’t shout orders or boast (brag) about killing vampires.

It was strange. Most hunters carried their hatred like a badge. But this man… his face was unreadable.

She didn’t know it yet, but this was Riven Duskbane.

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Below, her father’s voice rang out. “Prepare the outer defenses!”

Guards ran to set traps along the lower paths. Heavy nets, hidden pits, and lines of silver spikes were placed to slow the humans. Magicians from the vampire side began chanting spells, their voices low and steady.

Alara didn’t move from her place. Her silver eyes stayed locked on the tall, tired-looking human. She felt an odd pull in her chest — not fear, but… curiosity.

Why did he look so calm when everyone else looked ready to spill blood? Why did he seem like he was just watching?

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Far below, in the human ranks, Riven walked at the back of the group. His fellow hunters were busy adjusting their weapons and checking their supplies. He let them talk, letting their noise fill the air while his mind stayed clear.

He had already noticed the castle’s traps from a distance. The glint of silver here, the unnatural shape of dirt there — little hints that told him where not to step.

The others would rush forward when the time came. Riven would not.

He preferred to wait. To watch. To strike when no one expected it.

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As the sun climbed higher, both sides kept their distance. The humans set up camp at the edge of the forest, still half a day’s march from the castle. Smoke from their cooking fires rose in thin streams, twisting into the sky.

Alara remained in the tower until the shadows grew longer. She told herself she was keeping watch… but her gaze always found its way back to that same human.

Something about him made her uneasy. Not the way most hunters did — with loud threats and flashing weapons — but in a quieter way. He was like a blade still in its sheath (cover), waiting for the right moment to be drawn.

She didn’t know his name. She didn’t know his story. But she knew one thing:

If the war truly came to her family’s gates, that man would be dangerous.

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That night, the castle stayed on high alert. Torches burned along the walls, and guards walked their routes without rest. In the human camp, laughter and arguments mixed with the sound of steel being sharpened.

Riven sat near the edge of camp, away from the others, staring at the dark shape of the mountains. His fingers tapped lightly on his walking stick, the disguised weapon resting across his knees.

He didn’t smile. He didn’t speak. He just waited.

And in the distance, high in her tower, Alara found herself still awake, staring into the night toward the human camp. She told herself it was because she was a princess and needed to know her enemy.

But deep down… she wondered if she was lying to herself.

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