Paris
Louvre Museum—an iconic tourist destination in the heart of Paris. The museum was world-famous for its priceless art and artifacts, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Even though night had fallen, the area around the glass pyramid remained crowded with tourists, both local and foreign, busy capturing memories under the lights reflecting off the glass structure.
Yet beneath this grandeur and beauty, a secret organization—one of the oldest in the world—remained active, surviving through the centuries. They were known as Talamasca, an organization dedicated to investigating and monitoring the existence of paranormal phenomena and supernatural beings worldwide.
The underground structures of the Louvre were, in fact, under their surveillance, managed quietly without public knowledge.
In a dim office far below the museum, darkness enveloped the space, broken only by silence. Suddenly, the office door opened slowly from the outside. An old man stepped in, walking with a cane. His movements were calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. As soon as the door closed, the office lights flicked on, casting a warm, yellow glow over old bookshelves and a weathered wooden desk.
The old man smiled faintly, as if sensing something hidden in the room.
"Come out, Salena," he said, strolling casually toward his desk.
From the shadows, a figure began to emerge—slender, graceful, and dangerous.
"I didn't expect your senses to be as sharp as ever, Professor Griffon," Salena said softly. "Or do you prefer I call you… Edward Hyde?"
A small, amused chuckle escaped Professor Griffon as his smile widened.
"Edward Hyde… that name hasn't surfaced in a long time. Don't bring it up again."
"I just miss the person," Salena replied calmly.
Professor Griffon paused mid-step. "What brings you here?"
Without answering, Salena tossed a black bag onto the floor. A soft thud echoed through the silent office.
"There's gold inside," she said. "A gift from Marius."
Griffon's gaze shifted to the bag, his eyes narrowing.
"That's certainly not a gift given freely."
"Marius wants you to investigate someone," Salena continued. "Victoria."
Professor Griffon laughed loudly, his voice filling the room.
"Marius wants me to investigate the world's most powerful Vampire Queen?" He shook his head. "Has your father completely lost his mind?"
Salena did not smile. "You yourself are hiding beings far more dangerous."
"Even Van Helsing failed to defeat them," Griffon replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "And you think Frankenstein can?"
Salena said nothing. She stepped toward the black bag on the floor. But before her hand could reach it—
"Victoria can now live under sunlight," she said softly. "I'm certain… that's something you've wanted to know."
But before her hand could touch it—
"Wait," Griffon said, blocking her. His tone shifted. "What did you just mean… is that true?"
Salena stopped.
"If you want the answer," she continued, meeting his gaze directly, "go investigate. Consider the gold in the bag as our payment."
Professor Griffon fell silent. For the first time, the smile on his face vanished. He let out a long breath before speaking, his voice heavy with careful consideration.
"Alright… I'll do it. But I make no promises that I'll be able to get any answers from that situation."
"That's enough," Salena replied calmly. "Just make sure it's true."
Griffon gave a faint, thin smile—one that offered no comfort.
"Sounds simple, but it's extremely dangerous. If Victoria finds out about this investigation, don't blame me if I have to tell her the truth. This organization isn't ready to face her wrath yet. I hope you understand."
"Just do it."
Those words marked the end. In the blink of an eye, Salena's figure vanished, as if swallowed by the darkness of the room itself.
Griffon stared at the spot where she had been, making sure the vampire's presence was completely gone. Only when he was certain did he turn back to his desk.
He lifted the telephone receiver.
"Call Nicholas and Celine. Have them come to my office now," Griffon ordered curtly.
Without waiting for a response, he placed the receiver back. His gaze shifted to the old bookshelf before him, his expression serious once more.
His fingers laced behind his back as his mind lingered on a single name.
Victoria must have drunk the pure blood gifted by Dracula, he thought. But why now? Why has she only chosen to do it now?
A thin, speculative smile tugged at his lips.
It can't be love, he whispered. Victoria falling for a human is impossible.
He sank deeper into a web of possibilities, weighing one scenario after another, until a knock at his office door shattered the silence.
"Come in," Griffon commanded tersely.
The door opened. A middle-aged man and a woman stepped in simultaneously.
"Is there a problem, sir? Did you call us for something?" Nicholas, a first-class Talamasca agent, asked, his tone disciplined.
"I have a task for both of you," Griffon said without wasting time. "Send Anna Helsing, Frankenstein, and Dorian Gray to the United States."
"Dorian Gray?" Celine spoke up, her face clearly confused.
"For what, sir?" Nicholas interjected, frowning.
Griffon turned, his eyes sharp. "I want them to investigate Victoria. Make sure it's true—that the Vampire Queen can now live in daylight. And if it is, find out who she is close to now."
"That's an extremely dangerous order," Nicholas said quietly. "If Victoria finds out we're sending people to investigate her, she'll hunt us down until she gets us."
Griffon smiled calmly. "Don't worry. She won't look for us."
He paused for a moment before continuing. "She'll look for the one who hired us."
Celine exhaled softly. "Why involve Dorian Gray? He's never obeyed your orders before."
Griffon's tone hardened. "Tell that cursed immortal—if he refuses my command, I'll sell his portrait to Sabrina."
Celine fell silent.
"And convey one more thing," Griffon added coldly. "I want Victoria's blood."
Nicholas and Celine exchanged glances, realizing that this mission was far more than just a simple assignment—it was a move that could spark a war between immortals and their organization.
***
Meanwhile, in a village in Cornwall, located in the far southwest of England. Cornwall was a sprawling village embraced by the lushness of nature. Dense forests, crashing seas, calm rivers, and rolling hills formed the lifeblood of its people. Most of them were of Celtic descent—humans living closely with nature and inheriting ancient magic passed down through generations.
But the magic in Cornwall wasn't ordinary. Many among them were immensely powerful sorcerers, and only a few chose the path of healers. For this reason, the village was feared by immortals—vampires, lycans, and even the Talamasca themselves. Since the first century, England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland had never truly been penetrated by such beings.
"Mom!"
A young woman's voice called from the backyard of a stone house.
"Can you stop shouting, Lydia?" a woman barked from inside the house. "Just come in."
Lydia walked toward her mother, Isla, her lips slightly curved in a smirk.
"I just called Aron's fiancé," Lydia said casually. "She said they broke up."
"What?" Isla let out a small laugh. "Impossible."
"She spoke to me herself."
"But your brother loves her," Isla replied, still in disbelief. "How could they break up?"
Lydia gave a faint smile. "Aron's fiancé cheated."
"How do you know she cheated?"
"That's my ability," Lydia answered without shame.
Isla drew a long breath, her face turning sour, tinged with anger.
"I've told you from the start, that woman isn't good for him. But Aron wouldn't listen. That's why he's so soft—like a child. Easily played."
"Try not to speak like that about your brother, Lydia," Isla said firmly.
"Is it wrong for me to say it?" Lydia shot back. "In our family, he's the only one without powers. That's why Mom and Dad sent him to America—out of shame, right?"
"Why are you so cruel with your words?" Isla's voice rose.
"I'm not cruel, Mom. I'm just speaking the truth."
"Mom and Dad aren't ashamed," Isla replied, restraining her emotions. "It was Aron's own request. He wanted to study there."
"Whatever," Lydia said dismissively as she stepped into the house.
Isla watched her with concern. "You're not going to go see your brother there? I'm worried about him."
Lydia paused and turned back. "I'll bring Hana and Isaac with me."
"When are you going?"
"Tomorrow."
Isla nodded slowly. "Good. I'll have your father book the tickets."
Lydia let out a short sigh. "If anything happens there… do you want me to drag Aron back here?"
"Don't force him," Isla said softly. "Let him come back on his own if that's what he wants."
Lydia shook her head, her expression frustrated. "Mom… why do you and Dad love Aron so much? Just let him do whatever he wants."
Isla smiled, her tone soft but full of meaning.
"It's not just your parents who love him, Lydia. You, your sisters… even the whole village loves him."