Chapter 4

• When the door slammed shut behind me, it was quiet. I made myself a pot of coffee and looked out into the garden... my body had been in turmoil since the three men had turned up. I tried to eat something but couldn't get anything down.
• Knock, Knock
• What. It`s 6 o'clock in the morning. Too early for the mail. I went to the door and opened it, only to be greeted by the faces of 3 perfect men in suits. My eyes grew wide and my need to slam the door shut was even greater.
• "Good morning, Miss Darvis."
• "If you want to tell me now, that it's a coincidence that you three are knocking on my door, I assure you - I don't believe it."
• "We didn't expect that either. We're here to make you an offer, which we couldn't possibly discuss at your workplace."
• "Give me one good reason why I should listen to you."
• The black-haired man came closer and again I had the feeling that red eyes were looking at me instead of brown ones. He fixed me, but there was no chance of me taking a step back now.
• "My name is Dragan von Sternberg, the blond man on my left is my brother Marcus and your patient from that night is Kynell Patzival. We've come from Romania in search of a doctor to work for us."
• "And of the 100 award-winning doctors in London, you come to me? You must be really desperate."
• "You're the only one who didn't run away in panic."
• I paused to think about Louise and Jack's strange behaviour and curiosity got the better of me. A Part of my mind warned me, that they could still be homicidal maniacs, but did I really have anything to lose? I opened the door a bit and went back into the dining room.
• "You can leave your shoes on."
• "Thank you very much, Miss Darvis."
• "Selena... just call me Selena."
• The three men sat down at the table, which was far too small for their stature. Demonstratively, I stood, my arms crossed in front of my chest, looking straight at a car driving past on the road, before I turned around and looked at all three of them in turn.
• "So the behaviour of Louise and Jack, who both been nurses for 20 years, was no coincidence. Now I'm curious?"
• "It happens to almost everyone who meets our friend here. Kynell's aura protects him when he's injured. 90 percent of people out there would have experienced the same thing."
• "His aura... is that some kind of magic or how can I imagine it."
• "I'm no magician, but the thought process isn't bad."
• The man called Kynell laughed, so that his beard bristled. There were metal pearls in it. The blond man called Marcus appeared next to me and smiled seductively. But I didn't give up an inch of my cautious stance.
• "We are something that only exists in books and films in this world. Monsters, that only appear in your worst nightmares."
• "Monsters... I've seen a lot of them. What kind are you?"
• "I'll show you."
• Dragan came over to me and looked at me intensely. His eyes were now clearly fiery red and not brown. He opened his mouth and two pointed teeth, similar to fangs, came out. I was overcome with goose bumps and my pulse quickened rapidly, but I didn't panic... I was more fascinated by this image.
• "She's really staying perfectly calm... what’s wrong with you lady. You should be screaming or panicking by now."
• Kynell slammed his fist on the table and I heard the crack of bursting wood. He was furious and his golden eyes glittered dangerously.
• "What good would it do me to scream or panic? I asked, now I have to live with the answer. So you're vampires or something like that?"
• Dragan slipped away from me and raised his eyebrow in astonishment. Marcus just smiled.
• "Kynell is a werewolf, but yes, Dragan and I are vampires."
• "Ok... so I mean. I knew there were monsters in the world. I didn't think so much about that, but you never stop learning."
• "You're taking this really damn well..."
• I lifted my finger and interrupted Marcus. I tried to organise my thoughts somehow. My heart was pulsating while my head was jumping back and forth.
• "Let's put it this way, I've seen a lot. Definitely no vampires or werewolves or anything like that yet... but that's another story. Offer... you said you were looking for a doctor. What exactly is it about?"
• Marcus took out an envelope and handed it to me. I opened it and found contract documents inside.
• "Marcus and I have a castle in Romania. Besides the three of us, there are other creatures living there, as well as humans. The estate and the surrounding lands are remote. There is a doctor in the neighbouring town, who is responsible for the civilians there, but we have no one for the castle's inhabitants."
• "How many are there?"
• "We always have around 140 to 180 residents living with us. The nearest town is three to four hours away in the event of an accident. With so many people in one place, we have various problems, from the flu to major injuries. The other creatures too... we vampires may have a small evolutionary advantage, but we can still be injured. Kynells cut is the best example. Cuts, bruises, sometimes even worse injuries. But we can hardly take a nymph or Kynell, if he's shifted, to a normal hospital."
• "So... if I understand correctly, I'm supposed to be the family doctor for you and your people."
• "A castle doctor, yes. We have prepared modern practice rooms. We have procured a depot of medicines. We're practically fully equipped. The only thing missing is the executive role, which we hope to find in you."
• "The language could be a problem. I don't speak Hungarian."
• "All the residents speak fluent English, so there won't be any problems. It's also clearly a live-in position. We provide you with rooms, that are all yours and nobody has access, not forgetting the salary of course."
• I skimmed over the contract and my eyebrow shot up. The sum is high.
• "You're not exaggerating... what's the catch? The salary is a lot of money even for a head doctor in a hospital."
• "The catch... that should be us and the other creatures. Hello... still monsters."
• I laughed at Kynell's comment and put the contract back down.
• "Of course, when you say it like that... have you thought it through? At least I assume you've checked my background. This doesn't look too badly prepared, at least."
• "Yes, indeed, and we were no less impressed. Shortened medical studies due to good performance. Experience in pathology, as well as being an emergency doctor and surgeon with excellent qualifications. 36 years old, no more family. It's really sad how the accusation of murder ended your career, Selena."
• "I can see you've done your homework, Dragan. What's my deadline?"
• "24 hours... when you've decided, just send a text message to this number here."
• He handed me a dark blue card... no name, just a phone number in silver.
• "Of course, we also help with everyone else. The house can be sold, as can the belongings. A company will pick up what you want to take with you. But you can also leave everything as it is. That's entirely up to you."
• "Thank you Marcus, I'll think about it. On that note, I'd ask you to leave now. I need to get some sleep."
• The three of them stood up and Marcus and Kynell said goodbye to me with a smile and a nod of the head. Only Dragan stayed behind.
• "I hope your answer is yes... I really hope so, Selena."
• "Dragan "
• I nodded to him before he left the room. When the front door slammed shut, I was alone. I couldn't really sleep in this moment, so I just sat at my kitchen table, expressionless. The contract was here, it was real and the three were real, too... vampires, werewolves, nymphs. I shook myself, unable to grasp what information I had received. I ended up going to sleep far too late, or too early if you consider the normal human biorhythm.
• I dreamt again of the angel from that night. The man with the white hair and golden eyes. Kynell had very similar eyes. He had saved me when my grandfather and everyone from my clan had died. A cleansing operation by a hostile Assassin clan. I can still smell the blood and hear the screams. My grandfather's body, cut open and mutilated beyond recognition. There was blood on my Hands, of all those I had to kill and of all the people I had not helped. I felt no regret that night... but relief. I wanted to follow them... to put an end to my cursed blood, but an angel saved me...
• When I woke up, I smelled blood. I had scratched my left arm in pain in my dream. I reached for the box under my bed and tears ran down my cheeks. I had lived 3 lives so far... and buried them. Now I was here... at the crossroads of my fourth life. I was a monster. I was no different to Marcus, Dragan and Kynell. So why not... maybe this was my chance.