Chapter 91 The First Vampire* (2/2)

Diggory nodded, ”It's...it's good to see you”.

Despite everything, Rassa could see that Diggory was genuine in saying this. Rassa nodded, ”Likewise”.

”Did Phillip find you then?”

Rassa sighed then stepped to the side, revealing the gravestone, ”He did”.

Rassa decided to give no further explanation.

Diggory looked at the grave, then sighed, ”I'm sorry”.

Rassa shook his head, ”It's not something for you to apologise for”.

There was an awkward silence. What exactly did you say to someone you hadn't seen in years? After all that had happened, was there really anything Rassa could say? He was not that same boy anymore. Although he did wish Diggory the best...Rassa could not see them crossing paths again.

”I'll have to let Jane know you're okay, she was worried sick about-”

”I should get going,” Rassa cut in. If he could barely say anything to Diggory, what was he going to say to Jane?

”But-”

”Congratulations, Dig,” Rassa gave a small smile, ”And all the best in future”.

Rassa turned to Aegin, who nodded, then before Diggory's eyes, Rassa and the other man next to him just seemed to melt into the shadows beneath them.

Diggory looked around in surprise, unsure of what to think. It had definitely been Rassa but...at the same time, it wasn't. Perhaps he shouldn't tell Jane, she'd only get her hopes up.

***

Rassa and Aegin appeared in the room of an inn along the road south of Barday. To the side of the room, a young woman lay sleeping, her straw-coloured hair tied back away from her face. Aegin frowned, looking to Rassa questioningly.

Rassa looked at Aegin, then shook his head, ”I'll explain in the morning, get some rest. We're moving south”.

”What's south?”

Rassa shrugged, ”I don't know. I guess we'll find out”.