CHAPTER 237: Alaska, a Safe Place - 3

CHAPTER 237: Alaska, a Safe Place - 3

The trio stopped in front of the fortress gates.

They were colossal.

Tall, massive, covered by a layer of ice that reflected the gray light of the sky. There were no visible handles… no clear symbols… only an imposing presence that made the entire place feel… watched.

Fenix raised his gaze, impressed.

—Okay… —he murmured—. And now what? Is there a doorbell or something?

Selene did not respond.

She took a step forward, closed her eyes for an instant… and spoke.

—"Vael nor'eth… silvarae noctis… elyra ven shaal…!"

Her voice resonated against the gates, as if the language had weight of its own.

There was a brief silence…

And then…

CRRRRRAAAAK…

The gates began to open slowly.

An icy wind came out from inside.

Fenix frowned.

—Well… that works better than a doorbell.

The three of them crossed the threshold.

Inside…

Everything was white.

Not only because of the snow, but because of the structure itself: buildings of light stone, perfectly aligned, clean streets, absolute order. It was like a city frozen in time.

But…

There was no one.

Not a single sound.

Lucian looked to both sides.

—I don't like this…

The gates behind them closed with a dull thud.

BOOM.

Fenix turned immediately.

—Great.

He looked forward again…

And then they appeared.

One by one.

From the rooftops, from the shadows between the buildings, from impossible corners…

Vampires.

Albino.

Completely white skin, light eyes almost translucent. Men and women with an unnatural beauty, almost perfect… but cold.

All armed.

Swords.

Spears.

Crossbows.

Within seconds…

Dozens of weapons pointed directly at Fenix.

Lucian shrank.

—Uh… I think they don't like you…

The vampires began speaking among themselves.

—"Vel'kora thain! Lycan verash!"
—"Nocthra vel! Nocthra vel!"
—"Kael ven dorath…!"

Fenix narrowed his eyes.

—I don't understand a damn thing…

Selene took a step forward, raising a hand.

—"Shaal! Shaal ven! Elyra nox Selene!"
—"Var thalen! Nocturnae vin tharos!"

The vampires did not lower their weapons.

On the contrary.

The tension increased.

The voices rose.

—"LYCAN!"
—"Vel thraxis!"
—"Kor venash!"

Fenix began to tense.

—Selene…

She did not respond.

She kept arguing with them in that impossible language.

—"NAEL! NAEL VORIN SELENE!"

The atmosphere was about to break…

When a different voice rose among them all.

—Enough.

The silence was immediate.

The vampires stepped aside slightly… opening a path.

A man appeared walking calmly.

Short.

Chubby.

Completely bald.

With a friendly expression that contrasted totally with the tension of the place.

He placed himself at the front… and looked at Fenix.

Then he smiled.

—Easy… easy…

He raised a hand, calming everyone.

—A Lycan… is not an enemy.

He looked at his people.

—Here we do not judge by blood or by fear…
"Where there is shadow, we give light… where there is war, we give peace."

Some slowly lowered their weapons.

The man took another step toward Fenix.

—Welcome… to our home.

Then he tilted his head slightly.

—I am the patriarch of the White Nocturnes.

He smiled even more.

—And here… even wolves can rest.

The chubby man took a step forward, with a warm smile that clashed with everything before.

He brought a hand to his chest, with an educated gesture.

—My name is Hank.

Fenix observed him for a few seconds, still somewhat on guard… but finally relaxed his shoulders slightly.

—Fenix —he replied—. Fenix Roger.

He glanced sideways at the vampires who were still aiming at him, though with less determination.

—And… thanks. For keeping me from being turned into a sieve.

Hank let out a small laugh.

—Oh, don't worry. Sometimes they get too enthusiastic.

Then his gaze shifted toward Selene.

And his expression changed.

Surprise.

Recognition.

—Wait…

He approached a little more, narrowing his eyes.

—You…

Selene looked at him in silence.

Hank smiled broadly.

—Of course… those eyes… there's no doubt.

He nodded, almost with affection.

—You are Lyra's daughter.

Selene said nothing, but her posture softened barely.

—I knew her many years ago —Hank continued—. An extraordinary woman.

He looked at both of them again, joining his hands.

—I suppose that explains many things.

Then he turned slightly toward his people, who were still watching.

—Easy, easy… lower your weapons.

Some hesitated… but obeyed.

Hank sighed, somewhat embarrassed.

—My people are… how to put it…

He leaned a little toward Fenix, in a lower tone.

—Very suggestible.

Then he raised his voice again.

—But they're good. Really.

He smiled.

—You know… old prejudices.

He looked at Fenix honestly.

—Lycan… vampires… stories that weigh more than they should.

He shrugged.

—Here we try to do things differently.

He made a gesture with his hand, inviting them to advance.

—Come. You must be exhausted.

His smile became warm again.

—This place is safe.