is no recorded history, only relics we couldn’t make much sense of,” Petra said, wearing a strained smile, her eyes throwing darts at him. The animosity was clearly mutual, but I had to admit, I had more appreciation for her than for Zoltan. At least Petra gave us information, despite the riddling aura that she carried herself with. “Therefore, we know little to nothing about our distant past.”
“When did Rimia and Nalore become principates?” I asked, trying to establish a timeline, given we’d already been told that the Aeternae had been around for four million years.
“Two million years ago, approximately. I admit, I’m not very good with dates, but I’m sure our Nalorean scholars will reveal whatever tidbits you wish to know regarding the conquests,” Petra replied. “We’ve been at peace ever since.”
“Did Rimia or Nalore challenge you, in any way? What was the purpose of taking them over?” Sofia asked. It was a good question, but I worried we were wading into GASP territory, which was exactly what we’d said we’d do our best to steer clear of.
Corbin Crimson shot her a steely gaze. “The kingdom expanded. The Aeternae needed a source of nourishment, and Rimia and Nalore needed to do something with their resources.”
“I’m confused,” I thought aloud without even realizing it.
We stopped in the middle of the square for a while, and the golden guards took their positions along the rose columns in order to keep the curious folk at bay. Mist began to slip through the surrounding alleyways as the sun continued its lazy descent.
Petra sat on the edge of the fountain, looking at Sofia. “What do vampires feed on?” she asked. I took a moment to study her expression, the thin blade of her nose, her thin lips, and the pearlescent sheen of her skin.
“Blood. We cannot stomach food anymore,” Sofia said.
“The Rimians and the Naloreans eat food. Whatever they find or grow themselves. They cook it. Steamed, fried, baked, with all kinds of wondrous seasonings. I’m told the fruits of Visio are wonderful, but I’ve never had the possibility of trying them, because, like you, the Aeternae only consume blood. It’s our life force.”
Silence took over, stunning us all. We’d considered similarities all the way up to nutrition, but, even though Petra had confirmed some of our own suspicions, we were still taken aback. It was one thing to theorize about something like this, and a wholly different thing to face it as a fact. The Aeternae consumed blood, much like vampires and Maras. They lived forever, if given the opportunity. Unlike the vampires and the Maras, they had no problem being in the sunlight—that must’ve been why Ta’Zan had used their protein to fix Derek.
I looked at Amal. “If this is where Ta’Zan got the protein from, why didn’t he use Aeternae genes to make his Perfects, long before the vampires came along?” I whispered.
“There were notes in his old journals about this. Something about incompatibilities with other genetic samples—possibly from this species—that forced him to wait until he discovered the vampires,” Amal murmured. “We don’t have any of Ta’Zan’s papers left, though, so I wouldn’t be able to give you more details. Something just didn’t click in the gene pool with whatever Aeternae material he had, as opposed to the vampire material.”
Again, my pulse went on a frantic race, as the truth settled in my mind. Ta’Zan must’ve tried to build his Perfects using Aeternae genes, but it hadn’t worked, for reasons we might never understand. But he’d managed to isolate that day-walking protein, at least, which he’d put into Derek… and probably the Perfects, too, who had vampire genes in them.
“We take our blood from animals, mostly,” Derek said. “On rare occasions, humans, which we all once were, as well, give it to us. Where do you get yours from?”
Upon hearing the question, Petra struggled not to laugh, while Kalon kept watching me, searching for a reaction despite not being able to see my face. Zoltan avoided eye contact altogether, seeming rather nervous, while Corbin never took his eyes off Derek and Sofia. He’d already acknowledged them as leaders of our group.
“That’s why Rimia and Nalore were conquered. They give it to us in exchange for goods and services, housing, and many other advantages,” the high priestess said. “It took Visio a long time, and there was plenty of initial resistance, but we’ve attained a precious balance which benefits all parties involved.”
“You feed on people?” Sofia replied, understandably concerned. Derek gently