The Crown's Obsession (WN)
chapter-462

While Calhoun and Vladimir talked, Madeline stepped closer to the glass casing where the syringe of antidote floated in the liquid. She was glad that Vladimir had not tried to test Calhoun further, and with the words about being a Godfather, it only meant that Vladimir believed and wanted to be part of their lives.

Moving her hand towards the glass casing that looked like a cover, she heard Vladimir say, "I wouldn't touch it." The older vampire stepped closer to the casing, and when he knocked on it, she caught sight of electric sparks surrounding the glass. "I got it built in a way where nobody would ever get to steal it."

Calhoun, who noticed something strange inside the glass, said, "You have been killing every person who visibly lurks in the forest. It's not like someone would be able to steal it by entering the castle."

"True," replied Vladimir, nodding his head in agreement. "I don't believe people, even if it is the servants who have been working for me for years. I would still like to make sure that the person who by chance, does try to take the antidote, that person would be punished."

Something had been bothering Madeline since she had found out that the antidote existed in Vladimir's possession. "Why do you have it? The antidote?" She didn't know why the devil who had turned to be a vampire would need a werewolf's antidote. She saw Vladimir continue to tap on the glass that let out gold like sparks, some that passed through his hands but he stood next to it unaffected.

"That's a good question, dear. Well, you see, the antidote is not used just to heal a person from turning to a werewolf, but it was created so that if a werewolf would bite a vampire, it could be used to heal and revive the body. Helpful for both human as well as a vampire," answered Vladimir. His fingers were long, and so were his nails that looked unusually pointed. When he scratched the surface of the glass, it made a screeching sound that had Madeline flinch. "Of course, I got it made for my own use. And it was when werewolves had only come into existence. I believe you are well versed with how the werewolves came into existence?" the older vampire turned to look at Calhoun.

"They were created in Warrings. An experimental mishap took place many years ago," replied Calhoun, and Vladimir nodded his head again.

"Right," agreed Vladimir, "And the rumour was it that it was a mistake, but not many know that it was an angel's whisper that had pushed the humans to create them. Though angels and demons are not supposed to involve themselves in what happens to the earthling beings, there are some who go ahead to quietly rebel."

"Heaven seems to have more fucked up people," commented Calhoun, his thoughts drifting to what Paschar had told before he had left the castle.

Vladimir pulled his hand away and then looked at his nails, "I know. It is why I left it. Such prudes."

"Did they find which angel did it?" asked Madeline, and Vladimir looked up from his nails, meeting her eyes.

"No. Even the purest form of water does not escape the dirt. Heaven is only a place with people, the angels and curiosity often leaves lasting effects that cannot be fixed. A lot of them would like to believe that it was one of my demons who caused it, but I can damn tell it is an angel," remarked Vladimir, and he waved his hand for Madeline to step away. "We wouldn't want your beautiful dress to be spoilt now, would we?"

Madeline took three steps away from the jar of liquid, and the next second, Vladimir used his hand, breaking the glass with his hand. When the liquid fell on his hands, and some splashed on Calhoun, it burned down their skin until their bones, making them look nothing less to a decaying body in the coffins of the graveyard.

"What is the liquid made of?" asked Calhoun, unaffected by the liquid that had burned down his skin and muscles of his face. Something like this didn't hurt him, as he had gone through worse than that.

Odin's eyes moved to look at his Master, where the servant vampire had quietly followed them while listening to them speak.

Vladimir picked up the syringe that was now resting on the stone while the liquid that had spilt around and on the ground left a sizzling sound as if it was trying to melt, but the rocks were strong enough to withhold the acidic nature of the liquid.

"It is a special substance from Hell. Very much effective on demons, humans as well as vampires," replied Vladimir before handing the syringe to Calhoun. "Make sure that when you are using the antidote, you use it entirely until the very last drop. You want to make sure it works, and nothing goes to waste."

Calhoun filled in about Beth being taken away from the castle, mistaking it to be her, and Madeline wondered if things could go anymore worse than this. The moon hadn't appeared in the sky, but that didn't mean Beth's life wasn't in danger. How did even one mistake her with her sister? Asked Madeline in worry. She had blonde hair while Beth had brunette hair.

"What is the guarantee that it will work?" questioned Calhoun. This was the first time someone had got hold of the antidote, and the only one that existed which was why no one could tell its reliability.

Vladimir smiled, "It will. You have my word on it, but don't try to split it. Remember just one."

The way Vladimir was stressing his words, Madeline didn't know why, but it felt like they were going to have another werewolf when they would arrive at the hideout.

She hoped that would not be the case. She then looked at Calhoun, who appeared to be calmer than the first time she had seen him in here. The wound he had received from Vladimir on his shoulder had disappeared, and so did the older vampire's wound in his face that now looked smooth without a single scratch on his face.

Madeline asked, "Do you know where they took Beth?"

"Yes, Paschar said it before he took Raphael there," replied Calhoun. He put the syringe in his pocket, and he looked for a window so that they could leave right this instant.

"Paschar is there?" Vladimir questioned, a slight hint of eagerness in his voice. "I am interested in joining this little adventure of yours," he decided.

Calhoun didn't refuse Vladimir from joining them. Without prolonging time, he looked at Madeline and without him making use of words, she walked towards the large window. She placed her hand and within the next second, the glass disappeared. When Calhoun's wings spread out from his back, Vladimir's eyes snapped to look at the black feathered wing's.

Odin who saw this, his mouth fell open in surprise, and he looked back and forth between his Master for his response and then at his Master's grandson's wings.