Zora stayed tucked behind the massive oak tree, her eyes fixed on the spot where the red-haired girl had stood.
She watched with a cool, focused interest as the girl disappeared into the thick brush. Once the forest was silent again, Zora stepped out from her hiding spot. She didn't feel the need to hide her nature anymore tonight.
She let her power flow through her limbs and blurred past the trees, moving so fast that the leaves didn't even have time to rustle.
She reached her house in a few seconds, slipped inside, and sat by the window. She was just waiting. She sat there for two hours, watching the stars fade as the first hint of morning light touched the sky.
It was very early morning, the hour when the world is completely still and not a single soul in the village is awake.
Zora moved with a calm, steady hand. She grabbed her small travel bag, which held her few dresses and her essential tools.
She took the letter she had written for her neighbors and stepped out onto the porch. With a quick burst of speed, she reached Mrs. Gwen's door, dropped the letter where it would be seen, and then turned toward the main road.
This was the first time Zora had ever used her abilities to their full extent, and it felt incredible. It was liberating to finally stop pretending to be a slow, heavy human.
As she sprinted, the breeze whipped against her face, but her eyes remained wide and clear. She could see every blade of grass and every pebble on the road with perfect sharpness, even though everything around her was a blur of motion.
She felt more like herself than she ever had before. To the rest of the world, she was just a sudden wind, but to herself, she was finally free.
The journey to the capital would have taken a normal traveler several days on a good horse, but with Zora's speed, she knew she could make it much faster.
She ran through the day, following the long, winding roads that led away from the countryside and toward the center of the kingdom.
She didn't get tired the way a human would, her muscles felt strong and full of energy. As she ran, she watched the world change.
The small, humble farms of Gayle disappeared, replaced by larger estates and busier roads. By the time the sun began to dip low in the sky, the massive stone walls of the capital appeared in the distance.
She finally arrived at the gates of the capital city, Feldon. This was the heart of the Eanvyne kingdom, and the sight of it made her stop in her tracks.
As she stepped onto the paved streets, she slowed her pace and tucked her hair behind her ears, acting like a normal girl who had just arrived from a long walk.
She felt a sense of relief here because there were no sorcerers prowling the streets with glowing glass balls. The capital was far too busy and grand for the kind of chaos she had seen in Lardin.
Zora walked through the city, her head turning from side to side as she took everything in. She was stunned by the difference between this place and her small village.
The houses here were built of fine white stone and dark wood, with tall gates and beautiful gardens. Even the air smelled different, it was a mix of expensive spices, horse leather, and the scent of the sea.
She walked through the commercial district, looking at the shops. They were far more beautiful than her own store back home, with large windows and signs painted in gold.
There were carriages everywhere, moving in a steady stream down the wide roads. Some were small and simple, while others were large, polished, and pulled by teams of four elegant horses.
Zora felt like a total village bumpkin in the middle of all this wealth. She was so focused on admiring the tall towers and the colorful banners hanging from the balconies that she didn't notice the way people were looking at her.
The truth was, Zora stood out in a way she didn't realize. As a vampire, she had a natural beauty that was far above the average person.
Her skin was very fair and pale, looking like smooth silk, and her eyes were a deep, bright blue that seemed to glow. Her hair was thick and luscious, catching the sunlight as she walked.
She had a grace to her movements that most village girls didn't possess. A man walking in the opposite direction actually bumped into another person because he was so busy staring at her as she passed.
But Zora didn't notice any of this. She was too busy looking at a large bookstore that had caught her eye.
She had some spare change in her pouch, and she couldn't resist the urge to go inside. The smell of old paper and ink greeted her as she stepped through the door.
A young woman working as an attendant came forward to meet her. The woman looked Zora up and down, her eyes lingering on Zora's simple dress and dusty shoes. She looked a bit judgmental, clearly thinking that Zora didn't have the money to be in such a fine shop.
Zora didn't care at all about the woman's opinion. She didn't even bother to look back at her. She went straight to the tall shelves and began to browse through the titles.
She eventually found two books that she wanted. The first was a romance story about a human man and a witch woman, which sounded like a fun way to pass the time.
The second was an educational book that explained the different types of supernaturals in the world. She wanted to know more about her own kind and the others she might meet.
Zora paid for the books and tucked them into her bag. She didn't want to spend too much money yet, just in case she couldn't find a job right away.
She decided she would come back for more books later when she was settled. She stepped back out into the street and continued her journey. Now that she had seen a bit of the city, she needed to find where she was going.
She stopped a kind looking man who was standing near a fountain and asked him for directions to the mansion of Duke Avner.
The man shook his head. "I'm sorry, I don't know that specific house. There are three Dukes in this city, and they all live in the upper district."
Zora was a bit surprised. She had thought a man like Avner would be known by everyone. She walked a bit further and asked a lady who was carrying a basket of fresh flowers.
This woman was much more helpful. She pointed Zora toward the northern edge of the city, where the most powerful noble houses were located.
Zora thanked her and followed the directions, walking until the noise of the market faded and the streets became quiet and deserted.
The houses here were even larger than the ones she had seen before. They were like small fortresses, with high stone walls and heavy iron gates.
Zora felt a bit lost as she walked down a wide, empty road. Finally, she saw a man who looked like he was in some kind of uniform. He was standing near a large gate, looking very serious. She walked up to him and called out.
The man looked at her with a skeptical expression. "Why are you looking for the Duke's mansion, girl?" he asked, his voice sounding very stern.
Zora didn't let his tone bother her. She stood tall and looked him in the eye. "I want to apply for a job," she explained. "I heard the Duke was looking for more staff, and I have come a long way to ask for a position."
The man looked her over one more time. He seemed a bit surprised by her confidence. He nodded slowly and told her to follow him.
He led her down the road for a few more minutes until they reached a set of massive, towering gates. When they finally stopped, Zora looked through the bars and was absolutely amazed by what she saw.
The Duke's mansion was a palace of white stone that seemed to shine in the light. It was surrounded by gardens that were so green and perfectly kept that they looked like a painting.
There were statues and fountains scattered throughout the grounds, and the house itself had many balconies and tall windows. It was the most beautiful thing Zora had ever seen.
She realized that she was a long way from her small kitchen in Gayle, but she felt ready for whatever was coming next. This was where her new life would begin.