Carmilla de Styria's Arc

Chapter 4 of 6

Carmilla had promised Alexis a curse-breaking witch. She knew only one name that fit: the Mother, Queen of the Strigoi Vii. But the Mother sat at the head of Dracula's council, guarded and unreachable. Carmilla had never met her. Still, a promise made was a debt owed. So when a royal summons arrived, she folded her fear and walked into Castle Dracul. Two sentinels flanked the throne room door. Their black armor bore silver crosses, and long spears crossed to bar her path. They studied her red eyes, then let her pass. Inside, four elite vampires in lace and leather turned to watch her walk. Their whispers stopped. Carmilla felt every gaze as she crossed to the great stone throne. Dracula sat there, gold dragon on his chest, red cape pooled like blood. Beside him stood the Mother. Her white gown shimmered. Her veil ran out the doors and down the halls, three miles of it. She looked fifty and ageless at once. Carmilla knew this was the one who could pull a stake from a heart, the only witch who broke bindings. "You have moved through my court like smoke," Dracula said. "Ali Gamal speaks your name. So does Dawit. So does my spymaster, Alexis." His voice never rose. "They all bend toward you. That is a rare gift, Countess." Carmilla bowed. "I only offer them what they want, my king." "What do you want?" the Mother asked. She did not blink. Carmilla weighed a lie. She discarded it. "To free a familiar. Tyler Tomar. Alexis's brother. I told her a Strigoi Vii witch could break his curse." She met the Mother's eyes. "You are that witch." The hall went silent. Dracula's fingers tightened on the throne. The four watching vampires stepped back. The Mother came down one step. "Tyler's binding is tied to Dracula's hunger," she said. "I made it so. Free him, and my husband weakens." She stopped. "I will not." The answer landed like a door slamming. Carmilla's promise to Alexis broke in that moment. No witch would help. No cure existed while Dracula ruled. "Then I ask for nothing," Carmilla said quickly. "Forgive the reach." Dracula raised a hand. "You interest me, Countess. You lie to nobles and tell the truth to a queen." He leaned forward. "Prove your worth. Alexis serves me well. I would keep her loyal. Bring her contentment, and I will grant you standing to build your house in Styria." Carmilla's breath caught. Her arc goal, offered by the king himself. But the price was clear. She could not free Tyler. She could only manage Alexis, keep her quiet, keep her tied. The truth she had chosen to give the spymaster was now a chain she must hide. "I accept," Carmilla said. She left the throne room with a path to her clan and a lie she now had to keep alive.