In the dungeons, where darkness devoured the flickering glow of torches, a cloaked figure moved silently toward a cell secured by an iron door. With a creak, the door opened, and the stranger stepped inside, waiting in stillness. From the shadows, a vampire emerged, its skin ghostly pale, its fangs bared in anticipation.
The stranger stretched an arm and showed a bloody palm, "Calm down. I'm here to give you a mission from your master," came a hushed, feminine voice.
The creature stilled, and the girl approached the shackles. With deliberate care, she unlocked them, then stepped back.
"Kill the princess. Feast on her blood, and escape, you will be able to ascend and take human form. They'll be arriving here soon."
With that, she darted out and pulled the door shut behind her. A glint of teeth shone beneath the hood as a wicked sneer curled across her veiled face.
She passed the guards unnoticed, as if they were frozen in place spellbound, or as if she were invisible.
~*~
