Archive of Our Own ^beta

Saleixwasn't sure what he expected when he saw the strange metal obelisk collapse, his breath hitched as his hand still dripped blood

"Damn spike.." Saleix mumbled to himself as he managed to cast a quick yet powerful healing spell on himself, as the obelisk suddenly slammed down, revealing..

Serana awoke once more, gasping despite the fact she had no need to breathe, as she looked around the Volkihar princess expected to see her mother, or maybe one of her lackeys but quickly smelt the blood of a mortal, she took a nervous step forward, Maker she never felt so vulnerable as she knelt down in pain and stiffness, turns out being locked up for..who knows how long did wonders for her physical health as Serana blinked awake, her hair dark as ebony flickered over her bright yellow eyes, as she stared up at the mortal who released her

It seemed the mortal wasn't expecting her, allowing the Vampire to get a quick glance at him, the mortal wasn't very tall, probably at most a few inches shorter than her, with a thin physique wearing the robes of a mage, dark blue with a light brown hood obscuring everything but a pale complexion, sharp nose and bright blue eyes, he looked like a Breton, but his posture was like a Chimer's, or at least that's what Serana thought as she then spoke first

"Ah..where am- who sent you?" Serana questioned sharply as he then wisened up and spoke in turn

"A man named Isran." the young man responded, he bore no weapons which made sense since he was probably a spellcaster instead who could summon his sword from Oblivion as Serana responded with a dirty look, clearly annoyed he just presumed she knew who that was

"Sorry, i don't know who that is.." Serana sighed, this mortal could prove useful..her eyes darted instantly to his hand, he must've used the trap..as the mortal quickly wiped his sleeve before staring at Serana in realization

"Are you a.." the mortal was cut off by Serana who was sure to clarify "Vampire, yes." to her surprise, the mortal simply blinked in curiousity as he then looked at the skull pendant keeping Serana's cloak to the tunic

"You're one of Clan Volkihar, yes? a Daughter of Coldharbour?" the mortal asked curiously, it seemed he was a scholar through and through as Serana sighed, this was going better in the sense he wasn't capitilizing on the oppurtunity to kill her as expected, but she did not want to go through..that experience

"Look, i need your help. can you get me home? it's an island off the coast of Solitude." Serana cut quickly to avoid any conversation about her vampirism, as the mortal began to think

Saleix was unsure if he should accept, on one hand this woman was a Vampire, an affront to Stendarr and enemy to the Dawnguard, as a Vigilant of Stendarr and recent recruit of the Dawnguard, he was expected to send her to Oblivion

However, Saleix wasn't stupid by any measure, he had studied vampire lore and knew the true horrors of Pureblood Vampires and how the Daughters of Coldharbour came to be..it filled his mortal heart with sorrow, and rage..

Overwhelming Rage..

Saleix had always despised rape, it was a horrific and objectively useless endevaor, it served no purpose other than selfish cruelty, to violate a woman, any woman like that was despicable, and Saleix knew well what getting angry over it would do, it was why he had been exiled after all

"Of course." Saleix said seriously, intending on keeping his word "By the light of Stendarr, i swear to safely return you to your home." Saleix didn't know why he decided to trust this vampire girl so much, but he understood she wasn't a monster, where others saw an abomination his mind saw only a lost young woman in need, and he knew his desire to help others for the sake of helping them would overwhelm the fortress surrounding his shattered heart

Serana was confused as to why this mortal, who from the sound of it was a devout follower of Stendarr would help her so easily, most mortals screamed in fear and panic when they encountered her and knew the Volkihar's true nature, regardless she was grateful for the assistance

"Very well i'm Serana." Serana said awkwardly, still adjusting to the dark as the mortal nodded and gave a smile to try and ease tension, something about it made this dark, cold cavern seem..warmer

"Nice to meet you, Serana i'm Saleix."

~End Chapter~