By the time Kath'tan roused, it was just him in the Vampire's room. Dulce was awake and reading by the fireplace, the warm light of the hearth casting a golden hue on his features.
He sat up, the fog in his head had cleared. He had almost gone a fortnight without a wink of sleep, as prior to the summoning, he had stayed up to prepare for battle.
He watched the Vampire who hadn't noticed his wakefulness, as strange and unfortunate an experience this had all been, it was also his first taste of something different. His whole life, he had been treated like a stain by those important to him, and as the unliked son of the Grand Duke by the rest, a bastard to everyone.
Here, he wasn't treated like nobility, but even more than that, he was seen as himself, just another Fiend.
"What will you do if the witch can't undo the summons?" He broke the silence, still seated on the bed.
