1695

Smoke from the village still clung to the night air, a reminder of the shouting, the accusations, the fear that had spread faster than fire on dry wood. Whispers of witchcraft had turned neighbors into judges and friends into strangers. By sunset, the verdict had already been decided.

Running had been the only choice.

The forest swallowed the narrow path beyond the village boundary, branches tangling overhead and moonlight slipping through in pale fragments. Roots clawed at tired feet, and every distant crack of wood sounded like pursuit. Hours passed beneath the cold watch of the night, until exhaustion forced a stop among the crooked trees.

That was when another presence stirred the darkness…

The dhampir known as Alucard had found a lone fugitive in the woods. Golden eyes studied the scene, understanding far more than had been spoken.

Silence lingered for a moment before he spoke, voice unnaturally soft and soothing.

“Humans rarely flee into these forests without reason.”