Arthur stepped onto the grounds of the university as the final rays of sunlight dipped beneath the distant mountains. Crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves and the promise of winter. Golden leaves dotted the path, leading him toward the archaeology building where he was scheduled to meet the young professor who had made a discovery that could change the world—though she did not know it yet.


    Dr. Elena Carter had quickly gained a reputation for unearthing the impossible. Arthur had watched her from a distance, gathering information, studying her work, to be absolutely certain. Her recent discovery might hold the answers he had been searching for all these long, empty years.


    She has no idea what she''s found, he thought grimly.


    The university where she worked was a grand institution, steeped in history and prestige. Arthur walked its halls like a ghost, unnoticed by the bustling students and faculty, his presence as unremarkable as a shadow in the midday sun. But his eyes were keen, his senses sharp, and he could feel the weight of what lay ahead.


    It had taken weeks to arrange a meeting, to ensure their paths would cross in a way that seemed entirely natural, a coincidence of academia. When finally they met, it was in the quiet solitude of her office, far from the prying eyes of colleagues and students. The room was cluttered with artifacts and books, a testament to her relentless pursuit of the past. And there, on her desk, partially uncovered, lay the object that had drawn him here—a small, weathered tome that pulsed with an ancient, forgotten power.


    Arthur’s breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight, the cold hunger of centuries tightening its grip around his heart. He had found her. And more importantly, she had found it.


    "Dr. Carter, I take it? " he said, his voice smooth and practiced, revealing nothing of the turmoil beneath.


    Elena looked up, her green eyes bright. “Yes, and you must be Dr. Grey.”


    “I am,” He smiled, ducking as he entered the room. "Thank you for agreeing to meet me so late.”


    “It’s no trouble,” she replied warmly, returning the smile. “I’m flattered you came all this way.”


    Arthur’s gaze shifted to the artifact on the desk. “I’ve heard remarkable things about your discovery. I must admit, I’m intrigued. May I take a look?”


    “Of course,” she said, stepping aside to let him closer. “Your work in Romania was actually one of the reasons I started my own expedition. This find—it’s unlike anything I’ve ever encountered.”


    Arthur moved forward, the familiar tension of hope and dread coiling in his chest. This was it—the moment he had waited for, the moment that could change everything. He reached out, his fingers brushing the ancient artifact, and for the first time in centuries, he felt the stirrings of a distant, nearly forgotten warmth.


    Elena watched him closely, a mix of admiration and curiosity in her gaze. She had followed Dr. Grey’s work for years, but meeting him in person had exceeded her expectations. His hair was a brilliant shade of silver, cut short and neatly styled.


    His skin was fair, almost porcelain, an unusual feature given the profession they shared. A few faint lines around his blue eyes and dark red lips were the only hints of aging that she could see. There was something almost otherworldly about him—an air of mystery that clung to him like the scent of old books and ancient stones.


    “I still can’t believe we found this,” Elena said, breaking the silence, her voice tinged with excitement. “I’ve been trying to decipher the markings, but they don’t match anything I’ve ever seen. I’ve checked every database I have access to, and nothing comes close.”


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Arthur didn’t respond immediately. His fingers traced the symbols with a careful reverence, as if afraid the object might crumble to dust beneath his touch. Finally, he looked up, his eyes meeting hers. “You’ve done remarkable work, Dr. Carter. This artifact could be the key to understanding a history far older than any we’ve ever known.”


    Elena blushed, though something in his tone gave her pause. There was a gravity to his words as if he knew more than he was letting on. “Do you have any ideas about what it might be?” she asked, trying to keep her voice casual.


    Arthur hesitated, his gaze drifting back to the artifact. “Perhaps. But I’d need more time to study it. There are… certain texts I’d like to compare it to.”


    Arthur stood in the dim light of Elena’s office, his fingers still tracing the ancient symbols on the artifact. The sensation was both familiar and unsettling, like touching the frayed edge of a long-forgotten memory. He could feel the power within it, dormant but waiting, and he knew that every moment spent near this relic brought him closer to the truth he had sought for so long.


    But there was a complication.


    Theo.


    He had sensed Theo’s presence long before he saw him, the familiar energy signature of the younger vampire unmistakable even in a place as vast and bustling as the university. Theo had been keeping a low profile, blending into the academic world as easily as Arthur had, but their paths had not crossed in a very long time.


    “Dr. Carter,” Arthur began, his voice smooth, though his mind was already racing through the possibilities. “I have some matters to attend to for now, but I’ll be in touch soon with information I hope you will find useful. Continue your work as planned, and please, be cautious. This artifact is as delicate as it is powerful.”


    Elena nodded, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of concern. “Thank you, Dr. Grey. I will. Please allow me to walk you out.”


    Elena followed him out of the cramped office and into the corridor. Arthur could sense her side-long glances as they passed a small group of students huddled together in a study room.


    “It seems like final exams are around the corner.” He mused.


    Elena let out a small, nervous chuckle. “ Yes, just a few more weeks now until this place becomes a ghost town.”


    They walked in silence for a moment before Arthur spoke again.


    “So, Dr. Carter, you mentioned your expedition to Romania,” Arthur began, his tone conversational. “What led you to search in that particular area? The town you chose was not exactly a well-known site for archaeological digs.”


    “It was a bit of a hunch, to be honest. I’d been studying some ancient texts—obscure references to a hidden library. Most of my colleagues thought I was chasing a myth, but something about it felt right. When I arrived, I found traces of a settlement far older than anyone had documented. That’s when I came across the tome.” She said


    Arthur nodded, impressed. “It takes a keen eye and a sharp mind to recognize something others might dismiss. And this tome… it was just lying there, waiting to be found?”


    Elena’s expression became more thoughtful. “Not exactly. It was hidden, buried beneath layers of sediment and rock. It looked as though someone had gone to great lengths to keep it concealed. I almost missed it entirely, but something about the area drew me in. I felt… I don’t know how to explain it, but it was like the place was calling to me.”


    Arthur’s interest piqued further. “That’s fascinating. Has this tome been in your possession ever since?”


    Elena nodded. “Yes. I’ve kept it close, but honestly, the more I study it the more questions I have.”


    Arthur’s gaze sharpened slightly. “And Theo—Dr. Theo Cartwright—he’s been helping you with this, hasn’t he?”


    Elena blinked, momentarily silent. “Yes, he has.” She said slowly. “Theo’s been a tremendous help. His knowledge of ancient languages is unparalleled. I was lucky to have him transfer to our department three weeks ago. How did you know about that?”


    “Theo was a student of mine. We…worked together many years ago.”


    Arthur paused at the entrance of the building, turning to face her fully. The night air was cool, and the campus was bathed in shadows.


    “ Thank you for the walk, Dr. Carter. This was a pleasant conversation, I look forward to our next one.”


    “Thank you. As do I,” she said with a smile.


    As Arther walked out onto the university grounds, the weight of his next move settled heavily on his shoulders. He needed to find out how much Theo knew and how far he was willing to go. But more importantly, he needed to keep Elena from falling under Theo’s influence. The stakes were too high to allow her to be manipulated.