MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

Even at this late hour, the streets were far from empty. Vampires of all ranks and classes moved about, some eyeing the group with curiosity, others with suspicion. Whispers followed in their wake.

"Look at the state of them. What have they been up to?"

"I heard they were on some secret mission..."

Blake and his companions paid little heed to the gossip. Their eyes were fixed ahead, where Dumphries was leading them through the winding streets.

"Not far now," Dumphries said over his shoulder. "Just a few more turns and we'll be at my house."

Reggie chuckled weakly. "I hope you've got enough food for four ravenous vampires. I could eat a whole dire wolf right now."

Finally, they arrived at Dumphries house and he ushered them inside, closing the door on the curious stares of passersby.

The interior was a welcome sight after days in the thick forest. Comfortable furniture, shelves lined with books, and the promise of warm beds brought audible sighs of relief from the group.

"Make yourselves at home," Dumphries said, already moving towards the kitchen. "I'll see what I can whip up for us."

As Dumphries busied himself in the kitchen, the others settled in the living room, finally allowing themselves to relax. The sounds and smells of cooking soon filled the air, making their stomachs growl in anticipation.

"I never thought I'd be so excited about a home-cooked meal," Reggie said, sniffing the air appreciatively.

Blake nodded, a small smile on his face. "It's the little things you miss, isn't it?"

Soon, Dumphries emerged with platters of food - roasted meats, fresh bread, and vegetables from his garden. The companions fell upon the meal with gusto, eating as if it might be their last.

As they ate, they began to discuss their plans for the next day.

"So," Blake said between bites, "how exactly are we going to approach Marlowe ?

Dumphries stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Just as we've discussed earlier."

"And if he refuses to see us?" Randal asked, his voice tight with worry.

"Then we'll have to get creative," Reggie said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I didn't spend years working with Rose for nothing, you know."

The tension in the room eased a bit as they chuckled at Reggie's comment. They continued to refine their plan, discussing various scenarios and backup strategies.

As the night wore on, exhaustion began to take its toll. Yawns punctuated the conversation, and eyelids grew heavy.

"We should get some rest," Dumphries said, standing up. "Tomorrow will be a crucial day."

The others nodded in agreement. Dumphries showed them to their room, as they gratefully sank into a large soft bed.

Blake lay awake for a while, staring at the ceiling. His mind raced with thoughts of Rose, of the challenges ahead, of all that could go wrong. But eventually, the comfort of the bed and the exhaustion of their journey pulled him into a deep sleep.

The first rays of dawn crept through the windows of Dumphries' house, rousing Blake from his fitful sleep. He sat up, his mind sharp with determination. Today was the day they would approach Marlowe.

One by one, the companions gathered in the kitchen. Dumphries had prepared a simple but hearty breakfast of blood sausages, dark bread, and strong coffee. They ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the challenge ahead.

As they finished, Reggie spoke up. "So, we're really doing this, huh? Walking right into the dragon's den?"

Randal snorted. "Dragon might be easier. At least you know what you're getting with a dragon."

Blake stood, his face set with resolve. "We don't have a choice. For Rose, we have to try."

They nodded solemnly, the weight of their mission heavy on their shoulders. After cleaning up, they prepared to leave. Dumphries carefully tucked the forged ancient text into his robes.

Reggie went back to the space Dumphries had provided them to sleep. He paced the dimly lit room, his mind racing through contingencies. The plan was risky, relying heavily on Marlowe's cooperation, and Reggie couldn't afford any slip-ups. He pulled out a small paper from his pocket.

Then he elongated his index finger and began to cover it with shadows that seemed more mobile than usual, almost like they were in liquid form. Shadow inscribe, a technique he rarely used because of how draining it could be. It was a written command, one that worked just like the compelling ability except this one was more like a sneak attack method.

For someone on the level of Marlowe, using direct compulsion might trigger his self defense instinct and an all out battle with a leader in his castle wasn't something Reggie was particularly thrilled for.

With a steady hand, Reggie dipped his index on the paper and began to write. Each stroke of the quill etched commands in a script that seemed to pulse with hidden energy. This was his fail-safe, a command that Marlowe couldn't resist once read.

"Reggie, we need to move," Randal's voice broke through his concentration, reminding him of their impending departure. Reggie quickly folded the paper, concealing the inscribed words, and handed it to Randal. "Keep this safe," he instructed, his tone grave. "It's our insurance policy."

Randal's brow furrowed in concern as he accepted the paper, sensing the weight of Reggie's words. "What's this for?"

"In case Marlowe doesn't cooperate," Reggie replied, his gaze intense. "This will ensure he does."

Randal nodded solemnly, realizing the gravity of their situation. Reggie's plan left no room for error; they couldn't afford to let Dumphries interfere. With a final glance at the folded paper, Reggie tucked it into Randal's coat and turned towards the door.

As they stepped out into the street, the vampire city was just beginning to stir. Night-dwellers hurried home before the sun grew too strong, while day-walkers emerged to start their routines. The group moved purposefully through the winding streets, Dumphries leading the way.

They passed ornate buildings of black marble and wrought iron, their Gothic spires reaching towards the sky. Vendors were setting up stalls in the market square, the air filled with the scent of spices and the metallic tang of blood.

As they walked, Blake noticed the sideways glances and hushed whispers that followed them. Their serious faces and determined stride were drawing attention. He hoped it wouldn't complicate their plans. The good news however was that they were now at the Shelly castle.