The dhampir

And Loke was sure.

Ferdinand Palin entered the room with an angry look on his face. His blue blazer and tie looked nice and shiny but they didn't quite fit in with the man. His face was wrinkled and he had a sneer on his face.

Loke heart jumped as Ferdinand looked directly into his eyes.

'So Loke, are you waiting for your death' said Ferdinand, with a sarcastic joy.

'Not quite right' Loke replied.

How he enjoyed seeing the look of wonder on Ferdinand's face. Loke smiled as he held out the diamond necklace.

Ferdinand held it in his hand and looked at it closely with his eyes.

'Come look at this'

The giant stepped out of the shadows like a hungry tortoise.

Ferdinand and his assistant looked at it with a fascination. As soon as the gaze was broken and a smile appeared on both their faces, Loke began to have a feeling that something is wrong.

Loke heard from Hel, his former lover that Ferdinand laughs only when someone is doomed.

Ferdinand broke the ominous silence that surrounded the room for only a few seconds.

'This diamond,' Ferdinand showed it to Loke 'Is fake.'

It wasn't possible and shouldn't be possible. It was Hel's most precious possession and she talked about every minute of the day. It just couldn't be possible.

'Dennis, beat him up!' shouted Ferdinand.

'Wait' replied Loke. 'I know what you want'

'You have nothing I want'

'I do have something you want'

Loke took a deep breath. He read about the map of Luina in a demon textbook that Hel always kept in the cupboard of the dining room.

'Do you know about the map of Luina?'

'The map that gives the ultimate power?' Replied Ferdinand, flicking his eyes with wonder

'But-'

'What?'

'I can only give you the map if you let me free.'

A sense of fulfillment was reached as Loke saw that he finally convinced Ferdinand about the map.

'How do I know I can trust you?' said Ferdinand

'How can I know about the mighty map of Luina if I'm only human.' Loke said. 'Isn't it vampires that are supposed to know?

It was true. Hel was a vampire who couldn't tell the difference of an enemy or friend even if her life depended on it. But she knew the map existed and luckily, she told Loke and Loke only. He remembered when they were at the pub and she told him everything.

'Ok, where is it?' said Ferdinand.

'Why would I tell you' replied Loke

A smile crossed Loke's lips as he realised that he won the battle.

'One week and one week only' said Ferdinand as he walked away from the dark room.