The Vampire & Her Witch

"My teacher is called the ’Fangs of Death’ because he represents death that comes suddenly and in unexpected ways when a person seems otherwise invulnerable," Nyrielle said. "You can think of him as nature’s perfect assassin. He preys on the most powerful individuals who feel invulnerable."

"Death comes for everyone," Ashlynn said, nodding in understanding. "A king might be defended by an army of guards, or attended to by dozens of doctors and physicians, but if your teacher decided to kill a king, could anyone really stop him?"

"Perhaps," Nyrielle said, pausing to consider thoughtfully. "The Kingdom of Gaal is protected by the miracle workers of the Church. Their power can be very difficult to overcome, particularly if they have reason to believe someone is threatening the king or his ruling council. It’s one of the reasons that humans have been so successful in conquering Eldritch lands."

"You’re being modest," Ashlynn teased, pinching Nyrielle’s waist playfully as they sat on the soft feather bed. "I’ve seen what you can do with your wings unfurled. I can’t believe that your teacher is any weaker than you. Are you saying that the miracle workers of the Church are that much stronger than the abomination you fought in the ancestral cave?"

"Some of them are," Nyrielle said without a moment of hesitation. She’d seen firsthand what some of the Church’s mightiest Templars and Inquisitors were capable of. Compared to the weakened and conflicted blood golem in the ancestral cave, the forces of the Church were a much greater threat.

"You’re right that my teacher is stronger than I am, at least in most of the ways that matter, but even he has limits," Nyrielle added. "Nature craves a balance in things and even we are part of that delicate balance. My teacher is a fearsome assassin but even he is afraid of Philosar, the Gnawing Death."

"The Gnawing Death?" Ashlynn said, raising an eyebrow. "That doesn’t sound as impressive as the ’Fangs of Death.’ What kind of man is Philosar to leave your adorable teacher frightened of him?"

"My teacher is attuned with the bat," Nyrielle said with a laugh. "His wings are dark and leathery. He can go further, shapeshifting entirely into a small creature of the night. Philosar is attuned with the rat. His powers are similarly insidious. Shubnalu’s powers target a person’s blood and vitality. Philosar’s powers target the mind."

"And does Philosar resemble a rat?" Ashlynn asked playfully. "Does he have sharp teeth to gnaw away at his enemies, or is he cute like a small white mouse? Remember, you promised to gossip," she reminded her lover.

"He’s not ’cute’," Nyrielle said, shuddering at the thought of what would happen if someone ever suggested to Philosar that he was ’cute.’ "Better to call him ’distinguished.’ He’s from the Clan of the Painted Masks and he’s quite proud of the elaborate patterns in his fur. He’s also much neater and better organized than Erkembalt."

"Come to think of it, the two of you might get along if you can convince him to let you into his library," Nyrielle mused. "He’s a collector of books and he’s older than I am by hundreds of years. Just beware that he’s very, very protective of his library, and be prepared to offer up a book or two of your own for the privilege of browsing his collection."