Chapter 123: Business
"Al...pha," Kay and his men, who had hastened to his side upon his command, stood stunned at the sight before them. A child rested in Quinn’s arms, and their mouths parted in shock. It was an unfamiliar and altogether strange sight to behold, yet they suspected it had something to do with the urgent summons to the market square.
At first, questions surged through their minds as to what had transpired in their absence? But as their eyes swept over the scene, clarity soon settled upon them.
"Shush," Quinn murmured, pressing a finger to his lips. The simple gesture silenced them at once, their unspoken words swallowed as they stepped aside to make way.
"Is everyone gathered?" Belle asked, turning to Kay, who, for a brief moment, found himself staring at the unconscious man. Bewilderment flickered in his gaze. Had she truly subdued him on her own?
"Y-yes, they should all be there by now," he answered, quickly realigning his focus. Without wasting another moment, they quickened their pace toward the market square.
Upon their arrival, they found the villagers already assembled. Though the gathering was not as vast as Belle had anticipated, she knew well enough that not all would come—some, no doubt, preferred to avoid commotion and had chosen to remain in their homes.
"Is that not the village head?"
"What have they done to him?"
"Are they... vampires?"