A Tiny Error

Bonus Chapter: Fallacy x Encre

... ... ...

Encre yawned as he woke up. He opened his eyesockets, his brows furrowing in confusion when he saw it was still dark. That's funny. He could've sworn he was just painting. He stretched out in his chair, realizing the painting before him was finished. He must've worked himself to the bone all night, trying to finish it before sleep ultimately claimed him. He put his palette and paintbrushes away, then covered up the finished painting. Tomorrow, he'd show Fallacy the completed product, smiling at the look of appreciation that would light up the vampire king's face. He may not have been that interested in art before, but Encre was determined to make something that would make Fallacy love art as much as he did.

He walked down the hall, noticing how deathly quiet it was. He expected one of the servants to walk by, or Fallacy, or Jasper, anyone! He didn't much like being alone, especially at night, so he swiftly made his way to the main hall. There he found Suave restlessly pacing in front of the door. Suspicious and a tiny bit alarmed, Encre asked him what was wrong.

"Lord Fallacy has not returned from his patrol," Suave said gravely, "and Jasper has just gone out to look for him. It is almost dawn, and I fear they may not return in time...."

Encre shook his head, scowling. "Not if I have anything to say about it. Do you know where my sword is?" Suave nodded hesitantly, and Encre nodded back. "Go get it, please."

Suave returned with the silver sword Encre had arrived with. The artist unsheathed it, balancing it in his grip, then looked to Suave. "If Fallacy or Jasper come back before I do, tell them I'll be back when the sun rises and to not come looking for me before then. Got it?"

Suave nodded shakily. "Wh-what do you plan to do?"

Encre gave him a cocky smile that hid his nervousness quite well. "I'm gonna go vampire hunting."

... ... ...

Fallacy groaned as he awoke. He vaguely remembered he'd been flying, trying his hardest not to fall asleep, when he collapsed- or thought he did. He must've crash-landed and lost consciousness just as he hit the ground, and he mentally cursed himself for pushing his body too far. He may be a vampire, but he has limits. 

He pushed himself up from the ground, looking around and recognizing that he was in the eastern woods. He quickly stood up, then staggered to a tree, his breathing coming out in huffs and puffs from exhaustion. He should've taken Encre's advice, he thought as he looked up. His eyesockets widened as the dark blue of the night sky turned the dusky grey that signalled a few hours before sunrise. He had to get home, now, or he'll risk some serious burns. 

He turned his back to the snippet of light that was peeking out of the clouds and headed for home. His eyes were trying to close of their own accord, but he shook his head savagely, reminding himself that this was neither the time nor the place to take a nap. He continued his dazed wandering, completely unaware of the eyes following him.

He took another step, and suddenly he was swept up into the air. He hissed as the silver strands of the net dug into his bones, and his eyes widened as a human vampire stepped out of the shadows.

"Well, well, well," the vampire drawled, looking around at his comrades as they appeared from the trees. "Look what we snagged. The king of the western woods. The infamous King of Vampires!"

They snickered, circling the captured Fallacy. He growled at them, training his burning eyelights on the ringleader.

"You will not get away with this!" His voice sounded strained and hoarse, even to him. His scowl grew darker as the human laughed.

"You aren't in any condition to threaten us. You're weak, anyone could see that! And your cowardly truce won't hold once I get the northerners to join us."