The meeting ended with the decision to prepare a group of six people. The Eternal Bastion would remain stopped a little longer while they investigated the migrations, although not indefinitely.
Its core was still indicating a route deeper into the continent, and those in charge of the fortress did not want to change course without understanding the threat.
When Lilith left the room, she found Evelyn waiting for her in the corridor. She no longer wore her usual defensive expression. She looked uncomfortable for a completely different reason. "You don't have to come," she said. Lilith took a moment to realize that this was Evelyn's way of giving her a chance to back out.
"I know." Evelyn crossed her arms. "It could be dangerous." Lilith discreetly pointed at her own fangs. "I'm a royal-blooded vampire who pierced a flying creature with a spear made of blood two days ago. I think I can handle a little danger." Evelyn exhaled through her nose, holding back what looked like a smile.
"You also almost passed out afterward." Lilith narrowed her eyes. "Claire talks too much." A voice came from behind them. "Claire hears perfectly well." Both of them turned and found the knight approaching with a backpack over one shoulder. "And for the record, you didn't almost pass out. You just looked like you were about to die for a few minutes." Lilith decided that description was considerably worse.
Evelyn remained silent for a few seconds before looking first at Claire and then at Lilith. She seemed to be searching for a way to say something she was clearly not accustomed to saying. Finally, she uncrossed her arms.
"If you're coming with me, there is one condition." Lilith raised an eyebrow. "Only one?" Evelyn ignored the comment. "When we arrive, let me speak first. My people only know the Eternal Bastion through stories, and they don't exactly welcome outsiders either." Claire nodded without any problem, but Evelyn kept her gaze on Lilith.
"And you especially, don't do anything until I can explain who you are." Lilith pointed at her own face. "Do I really look that dangerous?" Evelyn looked at her red eyes and then at the small fangs visible between her lips. "You look exactly like the stories say." Lilith decided that probably was not a compliment.
Preparations would begin that same afternoon, and they would leave first thing the next morning. While Evelyn walked away to finally recover her belongings, Lilith remained beside Claire, watching her disappear down the corridor.
Only two days earlier, that girl had tried to put a sword through her neck. Now she trusted them enough to take them to a place she had risked her life trying to keep secret.
Claire gently bumped Lilith's shoulder with her own. "Looks like she likes you." Lilith looked at her as if she had just heard something absurd. "She tried to kill me." Claire started walking. "For Evelyn, that might be a form of affection." Lilith sighed and followed her.
The next day, she would find out whether Evelyn's people shared that particular way of welcoming visitors.