the question for later. We needed more than a flat welcome to proceed, at this point.
“I’m Petra Visentis, high priestess,” the lady said, pride elevating her voice. “These are my esteemed partners on the ruling council of Visio,” she added, looking at the two elder males. “The gentleman with the neatly trimmed beard is Zoltan Shatal, chief councilor. The uniform is General Corbin Crimson.”
“It’s an honor,” I replied. “I’m Derek Novak, and this is my wife and partner, Sofia Novak.” I then proceeded to introduce the others, while wondering why Petra hadn’t done the same for the young male, whom she’d warmly identified as Kalon. “Esme and Tristan Vaughn, specializing in the study of cultures and civilizations. Amal, our lead scientist. And Nethissis Alexa, our respected colleague and swamp witch.”
Kalon’s eyes grew wide. “What’s a swamp witch?” he asked.
“I serve the Word, a higher power of the universe, milord,” Nethissis replied politely. Oh, she’d definitely paid attention during all our briefings prior to the mission, especially where all the etiquette norms had been explained. We hadn’t known what sort of people we’d be dealing with, so we’d opted for the most respectful terms and expressions to use, as a safety measure.
“This is my son, Kalon Visentis,” Petra finally said. “He assists the council on various matters.”
“Including this one, I suppose?” I asked, smiling.
“I had to come see for myself,” Kalon replied. “When we were told about an object headed toward us, I admit, I was enticed.” He glanced at Esme again. “So far, I haven’t been disappointed.”
Corbin Crimson cleared his throat. “Why do you keep your faces covered?” he asked, looking at Sofia, Esme, and Tristan. “Normally, we’d consider it a threat.”
“No, we are not a threat, I assure you,” I said firmly. “Sofia, Tristan, and Esme are vampires, and they are extremely sensitive to sunlight. This was the only way for them to come out and greet you before nightfall, I’m afraid.”
“If you get us into a room where there’s no direct sunlight, the three of us will gladly take off our masks,” Esme said. I wondered what had prompted Kalon’s interest in her, given that he couldn’t even see her face. But Esme’s hypnotizing green eyes must’ve drawn his attention, and I wondered whether that was a good thing or not. That was the trouble with meeting complete strangers. You never know what you’re going to get.
“What are vampires, exactly?” Zoltan asked, raising a curious eyebrow.
“We’re a species of Earth,” I said, simplifying the tale of our origin as best as I could. “We’re superior to the humans who inhabit our world, but we were all humans once. Vampirism gave us great strength and speed, among other things. It has also rendered us extremely sensitive to daylight, unfortunately.”
Petra’s eyes narrowed as she looked at me. “You include yourself among these vampires, but you seem to have no trouble with the sun.”
“I’m different. My light weakness was cured,” I replied. “We’re currently studying how that came to be, but I would much rather leave this subject for a more comfortable circumstance. Not out here, surrounded by soldiers.”
“So you knew we were coming,” Esme said. “You saw our shuttle before we reached Visio?”
“Indeed. Two days ago, our scholars saw you through the lenses we aim at the sky,” Zoltan replied. “We have frequent transports coming in from our neighboring principates, but yours looked different.”
“I suppose our shuttle did stick out,” I muttered. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but are the principates you mention the planets next to yours?”
Kalon grinned. “Let me guess. You made up names for those, too?”
“We weren’t that original in that endeavor.” I sighed.
Zoltan nodded. “They are our principates, yes. Part of the Visio Kingdom. Rimia is the red world, and Nalore is the ice world.”
“You’ve conquered them, then,” Tristan concluded, his voice low and slightly muffled by his mask. It earned him a scowl from Corbin.
“Is that a problem?”
“Oh, no, not at all,” Tristan was quick to reply. “Merely getting the facts straight, sir.”
“We knew you were coming, hence the welcoming party,” Petra interjected, drawing attention away from their principates. Inclined to distrust her already, I wondered whether there was meaning in her regression to the original topic of conversation.
“I see they don’t carry weapons,” I said. “Which, I admit, gives me great relief. We have no hostile intentions whatsoever. We’re merely explorers, nothing more, nothing less.”
“We’re Aeternae. We don’t really need weapons,” Kalon replied, his chin higher. He took great pride in this statement, and