Chapter 36: You must be kidding

Mallory's knees gave out as she watched the vampire burn into a crisp toast and then drop into a pile of ashes. Her heart raced, and the villagers were as shocked as her, until one of them blurted out, 

"Hail, Lord Hadeon! He's our saviour! We're free!" The villagers emerged from their hiding spots.

If only they knew, Mallory thought to herself, that Hadeon was far more chilling than the vampires they had just faced. The dust this pureblooded vampire was blowing into the innocent village people's eyes made her shake her head. 

"Lord Hadeon, your might is unmatched! You've vanquished the night creatures. How can we ever repay you?" One villager asked, eyes shimmering with admiration.

"You pose an intriguing question," Hadeon mused, as though carefully considering his response. "How about this: when the time comes, you'll stand ready to lay down your lives for me, just as I've done for you today?"