Chapter 22

Chapter 22

ANDREAS

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“I must say it’s quite audacious of

distance between us. I had to giu to say things like that while under my mercy,” I remarked, closing the

distance between us. I had to give him credit for maintaining his composure.

“I am in no one’s mercy, warrior. This Kingdom is destined for failure, and I would welcome death with open arms knowing that,” he asserted, the defiance clear in his voice just like how normal vampires would sound. I couldn’t blame them. Their kind were almost wiped out during the war.

I took another deliberate step forward. Unleashing a fraction of my power, I let it embrace the whole space with its cold touch. Even with the barrier that kept us apart, I know he could feel it. I know it from how his face paled.

But the intense pressure vanished as quickly as it had materialized. He blinked, uncertain if he had truly felt it or

not.

“The war with the vampires occurred ages ago, and they were defeated. You speak of the rise of the Kingdom of Aldoria, yet most vampires reside here,” I pointed out. “I’m excited to meet this Vampire Prince you’re talking about, if he does exist.”

Gritting his teeth, I could tell I had struck a nerve. “There may be vampires like you within and beyond these walls, but rest assured, I am capturing all of you. There will be no next war. The peace continues. You’ll stay here with

your ancestors and I will keep putting all of you in here.”

He charged at me with aggression, only to be halted by an invisible barrier. “You’re a monster. The majority of those vampires were innocent-

“What transpired was a war of bygones. It no longer concerns me. Vampires weren’t the sole casualties,” I dismissed.

I could almost taste his fury but behind that invisible barrier, he’s powerless. Not when he’s imprisoned. Not when he’s bound to suffer the same fate his ancestors did.

“I shall return when I seek information,” I declared.

“You’ll never extract it from me,” he retorted through gritted teeth.

Emergency calls only.

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Chapter 22

I offered him a knowing smile. “We shall see.”

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As I turned my back to walk away, I could feel his state boring on my back. Given the chance, that man would try. to kill me. He’d try but I know he’ll never succeed.

“Did

you gain the information you needed?” Aiden asked the moment we got out of the catacombs.

I stuffed my hands inside my pocket and rolled my neck. “A little bit of it.” I looked at Aiden over my shoulder. “Do you think he’ll kill himself while he’s there?”

“He’s more determined than I imagined. He sounded like he had a lot of admiration for this Vampire Prince. He’ll want to live to witness his return.”

I took out another cigarette from my pocket and puffed a cloud of smoke, looking up at the sky. If war is to happen, it would be bloodier than the last. Though I was not there to witness it firsthand, I know the Vampires rising from the ashes, as they claimed, will be more relentless and full of fervor.

I can’t let that happen.

“What do you think of his story about the Vampire Princess?” Aiden inquired and I shrugged.

“Nothing useful. I already know that story. I know the story of how the myth of the Vampire Prince came to be.”

Aiden let out a dry laugh before I offered her a smoke. He took one from my hand and started smoking as well.

“This is going to take longer, don’t you think?” he said, pudding the smoke up in the air. He played with teh piercing on his tongue as he did so.

“On the contrary, I think it’s getting faster.”

“Why do you say that?”

“One vampire made an attack. It was a message to the Royal Family and to the wolven community in general. It was both a warning and a signal.”

He furrowed his brows as he looked at me, slowly getting the dreadful fact. “Are you telling me that there will be another attack like the one that happened previously?

I nodded gravely. “I believe so. The vampires are already spread around Veridia. They can do the same crime

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anywhere in the capital, closest to the Royal Family.” I threw the rest of my cigarette to the ground and stepped on it. “I’m suspecting they were following me.”

He let out a dry laugh as he puffed another smoke. “It’s quite hilarious to think someone was audacious enough

to follow you.”

“It’s just a hunch, anyway. I’ve yet to test it today.”

Aiden gave me a questioning look and was about to ask me something when I walked towards the carriage.

“Let’s go to the Silvanas’ residence.”

He looked at me, eyes wide. I knew the question in his eyes so I nodded. “Let’s go.”

The location of the catacombs was quite a distance from the Silvanas’ manor. It took almost an hour and the moment I got there, Niana, Henrietta’s maidservant was the one greeting me, by the door.

“May I speak to Lady Henrietta?”

The maidservant hesitated for a moment before she said, “I’m afraid she’s not here, my lord.”

My brow rose. “Where is she? And why were you not with her?”

She looked down. It was evident she was upset that she let her Lady go somewhere alone. But if the Lady or the Lord wishes it, maidservants like her really could not do anything other than follow orders.

“Did she tell you where she went?”

The maidservant shook her head, tears brimming her eyes. “The Lady was…she was not feeling herself when she left. She did not tell me where she was going and just told me to stay there and tell anyone who looked for her to tell them that she was not receiving visitors. Please…” She took my hand and squeezed it. “There is a place she likes to go when she’s feeling down. Perhaps you can find her there. Please take her home.”

Aiden was running towards the carriage while Niana told me the place. Once I got the name of the place, I did not waste any second.

I knew the announcement of Philip and Yvette’s marriage made her upset. But this is not enough for her to be stu pid enough to go out alone when there’s the news of a dead woman just days ago.

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Fury rose inside of me. If something were to happen to her–

I did not finish the though and instead, told Aiden to go faster. But the horse could only run as much.

“Da mn it.” I looked at Aiden. “Keep going. I shall go there ahead.”

His eyes widened at what I said. “You mean– you’re going to risk yourself.”

“I have no choice. I can’t let anything happen to my future wife, can I?”

Before Aiden could say something to stop me, I disappeared in a blur of light as I sped through the streets and to the location Niana told me. Using this ability was risky, indeed as I would compromise everything. But losing Niana would be a bigger blow.

So I ran faster, avoiding the streets with too much crowd. I know what I was attracting when I decided to use it but I can always catch them, and convince them to shut their mouth.

The place Niana told me was empty. No matter how much I looked around, I could not see her.

“Where the hell are you, Henrietta?” I whispered before I closed my eyes and heightened my sense of hearing. I could hear the chirping of the birds, and the sound of footsteps around me–but there was no sign of Eleana.

Just when I was about to run again, I heard her voice.

I recognized the sound. I’ve chased victims on the battlefield before. I know that sound. Something is happening

to her.

I muttered a silent curse as I instantly ran and followed the voice.

Inside my head, I could not help but mutter prayers, hoping she’s still alive. B

ecause the goddess know what I would do if I see her dead.