The Supreme Alpha - Chapter 121

Author’s note: this is from Seraphina’s point of view

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Since we were talking about purchasing things that were related to creatures and magic, I thought that this might be a good chance to stir the discussion in another direction, the second point of why I was here to talk with Vesper.

“Do you think that on the auction I might find an item that can store vitality?”

Vesper looked at me like I asked something silly. “Those are common items and easy to make.”

I knew that. My father taught me to use runes to enchant any glass container and turn it into storage for vitality.

This was beating around the bush, but I had to start somewhere and make my way toward the answers I was looking for without arousing Vesper’s suspicion.

“I am not interested in just any storage container.”, I said. “The items that can be easily made are geared toward a specific type of vitality. I want to get my hands on a universal container.”

Vesper thought for some time before responding. “A universal container? I never heard of such a thing. Assuming that it exists and is available for sale, do you really need it? It would cost a fortune!”

Ah, she brought up the money issue! But she already knows I’m loaded, so that should be fine. I could only hope that this won’t bite me in some other way… like Vesper asking for additional benefits. Greedy witch!

This conversation was mentally exhausting as I hate tiptoeing around the question I really wanted to ask, but this was for my father, and I had to show patience because if Vesper catches a whiff of how my father is in eternal sleep, who knows what she might do?

Vesper was tolerating my presence, but only because she has a master-slave relationship with my father and she feared that he might punish her if she disrespects me.

It was funny that I was looking at Vesper for answers to save my father when she was one of the people who wanted him dead the most.

I was confident that once my father wakes up, we will have a good laugh when I tell him about this; he will praise me for my bravery and maybe even scold me for putting myself in harm’s way and I will take any punishment with a smile, relieved that he is back in my life.

I miss his presence, his guidance, awkward hugs, but most of all, I miss his acceptance. Even when he was reprimanding me, Aldus would always treat me with respect and remind me to keep my head high because I am a Mezzanotte.

Aldus didn’t see our completed home and I didn’t give up on the idea of celebrating Winter Solstice surrounded by friends and family. Everyone will gather around the crackling fireplace first thing in the morning and exchange presents while wearing our pajamas, werewolves will go hunting in the forest before lunchtime, Sergio will carry out a ritual for the Moon Goddess to bless us as the Moon is rising, and I will perform on the piano with my father accompanying me on his violin in the evening. It will be a day to remember.

I had a few months for that to happen, and until then, I needed to focus.

I snapped into reality where Vesper was looking at me expectantly, as I explained, “I am experimenting with vitality, and I see unstable performance of containers depending on the type of vitality. Just how artificially made containers react in various ways to different vitality, the same goes for living creatures. Did you know that vitality from a troll is detrimental for humans?”

“Why would you try to inject a human with troll’s vitality?”

I shrugged casually. “You have your experiments and I have mine.” I leaned closer to Vesper. “By the way, do you know if there is a creature with vitality that will be accepted by everyone? Like a universal donor?”

I held my breath while praying silently that Vesper was misdirected by my previous blabbering.

“Unicorns.”, Vesper said flatly.

My mood dropped visibly. Did she think I was joking? “Unicorns?”

Vesper stifled a laugh. “I would assume that Aldus taught you about mythical creatures. It’s been centuries since anything related to unicorns was available on the market. Even unicorn’s hair would create huge waves for everyone to know.”

I exhaled in frustration. “Do you enjoy teasing me?”

“Absolutely!”, Vesper said smugly, and I wished to wipe that grin off her face.

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Vesper cocked an eyebrow at me. “Unicorns are impossible, but you can always go with dragons.”

My interest was piqued and I hoped that she was not pulling my leg again. “Dragons?”

“Don’t tell me that you don’t know about dragons.”

I spaced out for a moment as image of Graike, the Lord of Lightning, popped in my mind.

What did I know about dragons? They were handsome shapeshifters, magical, lecherous, fond of shiny things, and pretty women. Oh, and I rode a dragon and that made me technically married to him. But I was confident that Vesper was not going for any of that.

“Dragons live a very long time, and they can command elemental energies.”, I said.

“Partially correct.”, Vesper responded smugly. “Dragons are immortal and their bodies are full of elemental energy. They are born with it and that’s why they can use it like it’s their extension.”

Vesper made a dramatic pause before continuing. “The word is that drinking dragon’s blood will make you young forever, eating dragon meat will strengthen your physique, and every part of their body is precious. Vitality included.”

My heart rate increased, and I had to confirm, “Are you saying that dragons are universal donors for vitality?”

Vesper shrugged. “Those are just rumors I heard, but it leads me to believe that will be the case.”

Vesper narrowed her eyes at me. “It seems that this universal donor for vitality is very important for your experiments.”

I swallowed my non-existent saliva and I resumed breathing when Vesper continued, “Even if you doubt me, the fact is that getting your hands on a dragon will be much easier than finding a unicorn.”

She had a valid point. I hoped that my excitement didn’t show too much.

Dragons.

Graike is a Lightning dragon. He saved me when I accidentally summoned a massive storm that blew up half of the villa and charged me with electricity.

Will Graike give me some of his vitality? For testing purposes, of course. But what if it works and there is improvement in Aldus’ condition? What if I need more? What if I need all of it?

Dragons are not numerous like ants so that no one notices when one of them perishes. And I was thinking about the Lord in the society of Dragons. Someone will notice him missing.

But even if it’s not Graike, can I risk anyone’s life in order to awaken my father?

Extracting vitality is not a pleasant process and no one would be willing to give up on the energy that keeps them alive. Damn it!

“You are thinking about getting your hands on a dragon.”, Vesper said through chuckles.

It seems that my thoughts were obvious.

“I must admire you. You have your father’s arrogance.”

I released a long breath. “No matter how arrogant I am, there is no way I can subdue a dragon in order to perform experiments on him.”

Vesper agreed. “True. Subduing a dragon is a problem. But you can always go with a dragon egg.”

An egg? With the population of dragons dwindling, I could imagine that every dragon’s egg is like a treasure. There must be a small army with an overprotective mother in the middle taking care of the egg so that nothing goes wrong.

But why did Vesper look like that wouldn’t be a problem?

“Is there a way for me to get my hands on dragon’s egg without dying?”

“Auction.”

I couldn’t believe this. “Dragons will put their unhatched eggs for auction?” That was just crazy! “Aren’t they small in numbers?”

Vesper confirmed. “They are small in numbers because not every egg will hatch. Only female dragons can create dragon offspring, and it’s difficult for them to conceive. On top of that, most of the eggs fail in fertilizing and are duds in terms of creating life, but they make great collector’s items.”

OK. This made sense. However… “I need vitality. How will a dead egg be useful?”

“Even an unfertile dragon’s egg is brimming with vitality compared to other sources because it will contain vitality from its mother, and the shell is an airtight container. It should be plenty for you to play around for years, assuming you are not too greedy, and you don’t break it.”

Now, THIS was something I could work with. A non-fertilized dragon egg.

Nothing was certain, but it was the best lead I got so far, and I was determined to try it out.

“You said that next auction is in six weeks?”, I asked Vesper. “Can I count on you to go with me?” I didn’t want to go with her, but I didn’t have anyone else.

Seeing that Vesper was hesitating, I added, “I am confident we can go as VIPs.”

Vesper’s eyes lit up. The idea of a VIP treatment was more appealing than I thought it will be.

I thought that she will accept immediately, but instead, she said, “I’m sure we can come up with an agreement.”

I groaned internally. Her excitement was probably because she was thinking of the benefits she will extort from me.

She raised a finger, getting my attention for, “We can try to get the ingredients until then through regular channels…”

Oh, right. Ingredients. Potion for Treva who was sitting next to me obediently, and I forgot about her. Shame on me.