There is no escape from fate.

Sitting, leaning against a tree, which she found with great difficulty, Lilian thought about the boy:- Why a boy? What are humans doing? Is the lack of blood and the disappearance of the human involved in this?

Vampires can regenerate any part of the body except the heart. Lilian's eyes were regenerated, but she no longer had her blockers, they were broken and the reserves were in the castle. Not knowing if it was already night, she risked taking her hands off her eyes. The sky was reddish, the sun was setting and the moon could be seen from the other side. The view was still hazy, but Lilian got up and looked for the way home.

After a long walk, the moon was finally dominant. Lilian's eyes were one hundred percent perfect for the night. The rest of the way she  jumped, high enough to pass trees, climb mountains, and finally reached the castle.

- What happened to your blockers? - Nicolau asked when he saw his  sister's tears of blood.

- A witch attacked me - she replied, furious.

- A witch?

- Yes. That hideous species.

- But why? Wait what did you do?

- Why do you think I did something? - Lilian asked, turning furious and facing her brother.

- You are always talking about taking power with our strength, I hope you did not try it alone.

- No. I didn't try - Lilian looked away thoughtfully - But something tells me that this peace will not last long.

In her room, she thought of the possible reasons why humans had given the witches a male child for slaughter. Not that it mattered to her, a boy instead of hundreds of girls wouldn't make much difference, but in exchange for what?

Lilian's curiosity was her biggest flaw and what always led her to get into trouble.

- This is certainly going against the rules - Lilian talked to herself - Either a human had her baby kidnapped or delivered freely and spontaneously , which is also not correct. Witches are only allowed to take females, so ... - Lilian snapped her finger as if she had solved a great mystery - ... That was against the law. A failure in the peace agreement? - She narrowed her eyes in thought .

For several days, Lilian was spying on the witches. Around the Poisonous forest, hidden in abandoned huts near the village, she even went into holes in the ground or inside a tree, all to be able to find another witch again.

The eyes were always attentive, hearing and smell focused, looking for the scent of herbs, the unique scent of witches.

Hidden among the straw in the roof of the old barn, she tried to balance herself. The construction was unreliable, at any moment it could collapse, but she stood her ground, all to catch a witch in the act.

The familiar smell caught his attention.

- Michele? - Lilian whispered, sneaking around looking for the girl.

But she was not alone, Nicolau took her to the barn, her meeting place. Lilian rolled her eyes when she saw the two enter. It would not be  pleasant to hear the moans of those two, but she could not abandon her hiding place. His presentiment said she would soon find a witch. So she waited.

- You are incredible Michele, it doesn't even seem like you donated blood a little while ago - Nicolau said, while the girl rode on him.

- I will always be available to you - she replied between moans.

Lilian didn't want to hear that, but she couldn't even cover her ears. Luckily for him, the sex was faster than usual.

Finally she would be able to focus on the witch, but her attention was taken up again with Michele's return, walking nervously and looking around.

Walking carefully, and at the same time, quickly, he entered the barn, approaching the place where he had just practiced the sexual act with the vampire and slid his hand over Nicolau's fluids. He never left his seeds inside the girl, but in that moment Michele had just put them in his mouth.

Lilian frowned, watching through a hole in the ceiling. She was confused, she wanted to wait and catch a witch in the act, but she also wanted to know why Michele ingested Nicolau's fluids and where she was going when approaching the forest of death. It was going to be a risk for her, mainly, being a fragile human.

Then Lilian chased her.

Michele was walking slightly nervous, near the Poisonous forest, she could already feel the fog approaching, she was taking the poison very well, which was strange, she should have been coughing and struggling with her rotting lungs. Lilian was on her tail, but she never thought to get her attention.

The young woman finally stopped and looked back looking for someone, Lilian hid behind one of the dry trees, there were many there. When Michele turned again in front of her was a witch. The girl was startled and fell to the floor, sitting on the floor. Lilian watched from a distance, but still didn't think to intrude, she wanted to see what the witch would do, she wanted to catch her in the act, even if she had to sacrifice her favorite snack.

The witch approached Michele, staring at her from above. The girl was shaking, it could be fear or the poison starting to take effect on her body. The greenish fingers with pointed nails moved towards her, the witch pointed at Michele without saying a word, seconds staring at her and then opened her hand, turning her palm upwards.

- Did you bring what I asked for? - The witch asked. His voice was hoarse, but  direct.

- Yes - Michele replied.

She got up, still afraid and spat in the witch's hand.

- Here it is. Now do your part, ”Michele said, trying to look firm, but her shaky legs gave her away.

- Tolinha, the process has already been concluded - Said the witch smiling.

Michele immediately started coughing, held her clothes tightly to her chest, and soon fell, hitting her knees with the floor. He raised his head to face the witch in front of him, who kept the smile on his lips. Michele rolled her eyes wondering what she had done to her body. He was sweating cold and he felt every hair rise over his skin. The coughs started to spur blood, and it was then that Michele realized that she had fallen into that witch's trap. Unfortunately it was late, there was no strength to escape, and there was nowhere to go. There was no voice to scream and call for help, nor was there anyone to help her. Lilian just continued to observe, from a distance, hidden behind the tree.

- Crek!

The sound of dry branches being stepped on caught the witch's attention. Lilian was not silent enough. Even hiding again, it was too late, the witch had already noticed her presence and immediately disappeared into the fog. When Lilian went back to watching from behind the tree she only saw Michele, lying on the ground. No trace of the witch.

- Damn - Lilian snorted out of his hiding place.

She looked around for the witch, but the fog seemed to get more and more thick. Her lungs would soon be flooded with poison and she would end up like Michele.

The girl was a hopeless case, she would not even be able to drink her blood, they would probably be poisoned too. Michele's eyes were still open, but lifeless, rolled upward. His mouth was stained with blood and his hands clung to the rags  near his chest. The position in which he had died was agonizing, but not for Lilian, who was first concerned with saving his own life, leaving Michele's body behind. It was her favorite snack, while alive, dead, it was no use to her.

Lilian was walking fast to get out of the forest of death, and with each step she seemed to be entering even more, as if the fog was pushing her into the center of the forest.

- Sssaiarrr!

Whispers invaded his ears. Lilian turned, but saw  no one. His eyes widened, but he still couldn't see anything but the dense fog.

Whispers came more often , from all directions, so she quickened her pace. He walked lightly, then started to run, his lungs tightened, his breathing was labored. Lilian thought about jumping, maybe the fog didn't reach that high. But when she gave impulse, shis legs were weak and she didn't go up much. The fog, even overhead, still covered his entire vision. Lilian coughed and the first trail of blood came out.

- Shit - she whispered.

She ran quickly, even without strength and with difficulty. The path seemed clear, she didn't hit any trees. Even with her hands outstretched, she didn’t touch anything. As if she were in an open field, only the mist covered her view. Lilian started to think that she had reached the center of the forest. She had walked so far that she could now be in the witches' lair.

Tired, she let the hatred take over, joined the forces that remained   and released in a scream forming a scowl on her face.

- AH !!!

A flash of light appeared to s your back, Lilian did not see him, but she felt the danger, dodging the time.

Like an arrow of light, it left its trail.

The way out of the forest was right in front of him and was slowly closing in on the fog. It was possible to see the daylight in the distance and gradually disappearing.

Hatred still dominated her, instead of following the trail of light and leaving with what was left of her life, she turned away from him. She was furious at falling into that trap and wanted to catch a witch, anyway. Even losing his own life.

Although the view was blocked, Lilian could feel someone else's presence. She was sure it was the witch who the attacked. She took the dagger at his hip and shot blindly.

- Vap!

By the noise it seemed to have hit someone. Lilian smiled contentedly and then turned again, the path was still there, almost gone, it was just a streak of light, but Lilian ran along the line. The light ahead increased, Lil ian had finally managed to get out of the poisonous forest , the forest of death. Unfortunately, the gift he had received from his brother, the dagger, was left behind, now belonged to the witches.

...

When the moon landed at the top of the sky, witches sang. It was the favorite time for experiments.

When the moon landed at the top of the sky, witches sang. It was the favorite time for experiments.

In the center of the poisonous forest was where the witches got together.

There were no houses or shelters, they lived freely within the forest.

There was no bed, so they slept on the floor.

There were no rivers with clean water, so the bath was not the best.

There was no good land to plant, so they ate the herbs that, by a miracle, managed to grow in the dead land.

Nobody knew much about witches, only that they were witches and evil.

The out of tune hoarse voice hummed loudly. The witch danced around a boiler. The liquid inside bubbled, making its ingredients skip: pieces of animals and tiny human limbs, roots and probably fluids of some breed.

They shared experiments and sorcery among themselves. No witch enjoyed a discovery alone. The experiments were done in the center of the forest in the presence of all.

That night two wolves entered the forest risking their lives in the fog and went to meet the witches. It could be anyone. They just wanted a portion of hanim.

The adult wolf seemed already used to the poison, but the cub was walking with difficulty.

The wolves said that the Hanim portion not only allowed them to remain in animal form but was also a free pass through the poisonous forest . They predicted that in the not too distant future, witches would dominate the island with their magic and wanted to be adapted to their poisons.

Sensing the presence of the wolves, father and daughter, the witch approached the little one.

- I see your time has come - said the witch, staring at the lesser wolf. Witches could see the human image of wolves inside their eyes, and with a touch they could tell their future. But as she held out his hand in the direction of the wolf cub, the father interrupted it.

- Just give us a portion.

- Don't you want to know the little girl's fate?

- Many have received information about their future, but no one has ever been able to change their destiny.

- It's true, but things become easier when we know what's going to happen.

- Just give us the portion - insisted the wolf.

The witches were obliged to collaborate, but were happy to make their portions. They were proud of their witchcraft and experiments.

The wolf held the portion of the cub between its teeth and turned around without thanks. The cub, still struggling, turned without taking his eyes off the witch who smiled in his direction. In a matter of seconds, when the puppy removed the syrup from between its legs, the witch stroked it and her whole life passed before his eyes.

The wolf cub was startled by the witch's touch, but he didn't dare turn around. He hurried to stay close to his father and followed him, trying to resist the poisonous fog.

...

In Count Valdmir's castle, the mystery about the lack of blood was still the focus. Only the island of Lalfheim was inhabited by humans, the food of the four islands of the Hideaway. The leader had an obligation to care for and guarantee food for everyone on the other islands.

- The Phetrovisck family has just anchored on the island - Nicolau announced, after returning from his tour of the village.

The Phetrovisck considered themselves the true founders of Lalfheim , but the head of the family, Count Claude Phetrovisck, never showed any interest in getting the title back.

Vladmir considered him his best friend, whom he trusted blindly. In the name of this friendship, he was never able to change the laws and traditions created by the first leader, a vampire from the Phetrovisck family.

- Certainly they came to know news about the missing human - Nicolau said, worried - What does my father intend to do?

- First, we will receive them.

It was traditional greetings with kisses on the cheeks. It followed as follows: The heads of each family kissed the faces and only after the other members repeated the greeting.

Men and women who were not from the same family could not touch each other.

Men greeted men and women greeted women.

The Phetrovisk family elegantly entered the castle. The head of the family, Count Claude, approached kissing the face of his old friend Count Vladmir.

- Welcome - Vladmir greeted them.

Margerita Phetrovisk approached Amelia Flowster and kissed her cheek. These were the wives.

Victoria Phetrovisk approached Lilian Flowster and kissed her cheek.  These were the daughters.

Gaspar Phetrovisk approached Nicolau Flowster and kissed his cheek. These were the sons.

The two most important vampire families on the continent Hideaway were gathered in one room.

After the greeting they looked at each other. The Flowster family seemed nervous, they already knew the reason for the surprise visit. While the Phetrovisk family was calm.

- Forgive our boldness to show up suddenly - Claude took the floor - I missed my old friend. And I don't deny my ulterior motives. I have a proposal for you.

Nicolau and Lilian looked at each other, both frowning. They thought about such a proposal. It could be an agreement for Vladmir to give up the leadership and return it to the Phetrovisks . However, the children could not express an opinion on such a decision, it was a matter that only concerned the leaders of each family.

The two locked themselves in a room, extremely wide like all the other rooms in the castle, and were served with wine.Claude settled himself in the wooden chair, took a sip of his drink and sighed immediately.

- Without further ado, friend, that is the real reason for my visit - he said.

Everyone outside that room was curious to know what the bosses were talking about, what deal would be that and what decision Vladmir would make. Although there was a strong desire to keep ears attached to the wall, the rest of the household members had an obligation to entertain visitors.

Amélia and Margerita did not usually talk, they just sat in the next room sitting, tasting drinks while waiting for their husbands.

Nicolau and Gaspar were already great friends. The best friends. Their friendship was as great as that of their parents. They had known each other since they were little. They used to run through the mountains. Gaspar had him as a brother. Nicolau even shared his favorite snack with him. There were times when Michele returned home pale from giving up her blood and body to the vampires.

But on this day, Nicolau did not find the girl. He and Gaspar didn't have the usual fun. The boys had to be content to spend the day without Michele.

Lilian and Victoria were also friends from an early age, but the difference between the two was huge. Victoria did not accept Michele's veins when Lilian offered her. Victoria was not a lover of training and battles like Lilian. She was just a housewife, obedient to her parents who bowed their heads and agreed with everything, as was the custom of the women who lived on the Hideaway.

On that particular day, Victoria had a sad face on her face. Both enjoyed the wonderful view that the tallest tower in the castle offered. And yet Victoria did not look happy.

- Did something happen in Abaddon ? - Lilian asked worried about her friend.

Victoria shook her head in denial, her eyes were fixed on the horizon. Lilian stood in front of her and pulled her out of the trance.

- Our parents will bring our families together - said Victoria.

Lilian was looking at her, worried.

- Who?

- Dad forbade me to talk about it - Victoria said, turning away from Lilian's insistent look.

- I need to know Victoria - Lilian stood again in front of her.

- And what would that change? We cannot escape our destiny.

- I can run away - Lilian's eyes widened, distressed.

- Do you hate my brother so much? - Victoria asked.

- The problem is not Gaspar, it's me. I don't want to live based on laws that deprive us of freedom.

- And where would you go? - Victoria asked with a hopeful look.

Lilian had no answer to that question. Everyone knew the island from end to end. There was nowhere to hide. Her eyes dropped to the floor, thoughtful.

- You can't escape our destiny - said Victoria.