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I didn’t sense anything vampire.

The rose petals continued to fall around me. I caught one in my hand, gently pinching it between thumb and forefinger. It was soft to the touch and fluttered in my grip, happy to see me.

“Hey, sweetie,” I told it. “I don’t suppose you can solve this mystery for me right now? Maybe kick the vague train off the tracks?”

Aw, I was asking too much of the little sweetheart.

I released it, and heard the ding of a soft bell chiming in my ears.

“…and shall…will be…the melody…we can…” My voice again, like the first time I’d come here.

The bell sounded once more.

Sweat beaded on my brow, my skin itchy.

“…and shall…will be…the melody…we can…” Yeah, that definitely sounded like me.

A warm breeze blew through the corridor, causing the tree in the garden to sway, its leaves rustling.

“…and shall…will be…the melody…we can…we can…we can…” The light brightened then dimmed. The piano tinkled, the harp shimmered, the violin played a sad song, and the bell chimed clearer.

“What’s going on?” My voice echoed around me.

The instruments carried on.

“Anyone else here?” I tried.

“With this essence, the seraphim will return and shall seek our revenge,” a voice responded.

It came from the garden.

My nerves sparked, my knees close to knocking. At the same time, I wanted answers.

I always wanted answers.

“Our song will be heard again,” the male voice continued, “and the melody shall undo those who harmed us. With this blood, our wrath shall be wrought. For our bloody melody must be heard. We did not fall in vain.”

Bloody melody? Was this to do with the knife curse?

The garden called me forward, flora beckoning me with a gentle welcome. Rose petals came down in a thicker veil, the music a beautiful soundtrack to the moment.

The closer I got, the more my body thrummed with the understanding of belonging here. It was a weird feeling, but also right. It was similar to the sensation I experienced after a long day out in the world, desperate to get back to my flat. Crossing the threshold into my safe space always alleviated the tension, bringing on the comfort in a sanctuary of my own making.

I belong here.

This is my home.

The corridor ended with steps down into a small garden surrounded by marble walls, open to a sky of swirling, silvery white clouds set against a dusky pink glow. White rosebushes were planted in a circle around a pond.

A few feet away, the olive tree swayed merrily, rich with the little green fruits.

The petals stopped falling as the glassy surface of the pond started bubbling.

I watched it, more curious than afraid. The belonging vibes were strong in this elf, keeping me calm and grounded.

Oh, and confused.

The bell chimed nine times. For some reason, I understood each chime was meant for me, telling me to approach the pond.