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Lace nodded with tight lips. “Call me when you arrive.” He tapped the car door as he pushed away, the taxi driver quick to start the drive. I kept my gaze on what lay ahead, careful not to look back. Even on days I felt caged in the CEG, I couldn’t deny there was a certain warmth within its walls. It wasn’t only a business I witnessed grow but a place I could always return to.

Like Lace, it would wait for me.

I studied the passing surroundings, the road stretching across the forest that split between the two closest major cities. Each was a few hours away, yet the familiar routes became distinct with a single turn. To the southeast was the closest human city, Albany, and to the northwest was the nearest vampire city, Syracuse.

It took seconds for my eyes to grow heavy with the steady motion of the car. Being the responsible guardian I was, I pushed myself to start my homework.

“How fun,” I whispered to myself, practically rolling my eyes.

I dug into the book bag and gripped a stack from the front, manila folders separating each into sections. Glimpsing at the first page forced my eyes wide open.

Guardians were compelled to write an overall assessment after each job, the shortest terms the easiest to fulfill as they asked for the minimum regarding experience. The longer terms tended to have detailed pages due to the extensive post their contract requested. Typically, those dived deeper into what their position consisted of, what occurred, and how it was handled.

For the Sephtis, most were short-term, yet information overflowed. The stacks of papers practically explained every single detail their past guardians had gone through under their guardianship.

“Ugh.” I pushed it to the side.

The next stack consisted of clinical documents, with medical record numbers front and center. All seven of them. Hundreds of pages in my hands. This was information that was rarely given to guardians, but when it was, it was because our subjects posed threatening or critical conditions. Sometimes both.

These guys were just mentally fucked.

Like me.

I immediately pushed the stack aside, nausea already settling in my stomach. I’d revisit them when personal feelings wouldn’t get in the way— hopefully.

I forced my focus outside, meadows and dispersed houses upholding the scenery the taxi continued to pass through. Despite gray clouds concealing the sun, I could sense the warmth through the glass, even the hint of light that shined on the endless road that parted the muted green and deep brown landscape.

It was enough to revert my attention to what I strongly avoided.

I dug through the bag and dragged out the last stack of papers, the amount of sheets light compared to the other two. Although the book bag grew airy, it still weighed against my skin. Lace probably snuck in more papers to kill my anticipation of quickly getting my homework over with.

I started turning the pages, my fingers quick to meet the last one. The formatting wasn’t the same as the CEG’s. The appropriate seal was in neither corner of any of the pages. Instead, every few sheets had large titles bolded at the top, each differing with topics that I quickly caught on to. This stack wasn’t part of a guardians’ homework from the CEG, but instead, my own from Lace.

I snickered. He’d definitely stayed up doing this for me. Skimming wasn’t an option now.

I began with the news articles, most ranging about the Premier and his reign within the Vampire Ministry. A few discussed his past as the sole survivor of the Sephtis name until he was able to have heirs.

Little scribbles caught my eyes as I flipped through the pages, one, in particular, sticking out.

It was only three pages long, so I dived in.

The first page was about the Premier’s wife, Sophia Sephtis, and her sudden death five years ago. Lace highlighted details about how she was born a human and later transitioned into a vampire.

The second page consisted of the Premier, the loss of his wife leading him to hire most of the CEG’s guardians soon after. At this rate, he’d do it again with the upcoming war brewing.

The last page spoke about the Sephtis brothers. It detailed their behaviors in public outings and their horrible actions during national events. All of which resulted in their ban from ever returning. Most of the instances consisted of physical brawls between each other or with invited guests from the Ministry. A few even involved destruction of property, either material goods that couldn’t be replaced or the damage of buildings. All for the sake of schemes.

Lace’s notes were a warning.

I lay my head against the seat. The city slowly came into view, the highway growing broader and higher, adjoining with others that led to opposite directions. All of them encompassed Syracuse, the city of vampires.

Syracuse had evolved throughout the years, but the city’s architecture was still rich with human history. After the city was abandoned, the remaining bones from its predecessor came to life with the occupation and presence of vampires.

I could make out angled, chiseled faces within the cars that passed by, features common in vampires. The window tints were dark enough to block out the sun’s rays and made of the same material used for taxis hired by the CEG because even guardians were sensitive to the sun.

It wasn’t long until we exited the city. Forests and meadows quickly overtook the scenery again. In minutes, we were surrounded by nothing, the motion of the car slowly calming my body. My thoughts drifted as the seat embraced me, everything growing dark and still.

A voice trailed along with groggy thoughts, my mind spinning at the sound of a simple yet eerie name.