Chapter 561: The Real Identity Behind The Mask of Obedience
(Author’s POV)
"What is all this? They have already locked the leader of the Blood Lunar Clan and questioned us, so why are they still holding all of us captive in this disgusting heat? Arghhhh~ .... my skin is ready to melt," someone from the crowd complained, but their voice remained hushed with caution.
"Heyyy~ ... don’t speak like that. What if they hear you? You will be the next to get dragged away by them. Those vicious guys from the keepers’ unit will throw you straight into the dungeon. You already know how ruthless they are with their punishment methods," another person replied, his eyes darting carefully.
"But, at this rate, the sweltering heat is going to kill all of us. Why are we even getting such disgraceful treatment? We weren’t the ones who attacked his majesty. We have no involvement whatsoever. It was that moron Shaun Hart’s doing. We all saw it with our own eyes; that lunatic did it. We aren’t the criminals but him, so why are we suffering here?" the first one grumbled in pure frustration.
Standing in the direct sunlight of the blazing afternoon on a solstice day was no joke. All the vampire clan leaders who were present were barely holding on. Their skin had started to shift from pale white to angry red. Some of the lower-ranking leaders were even experiencing severe rashes and burns on their epidermis. Their skin was breaking out. And inside, the torrid atmosphere reacted dangerously with their chilled blood, causing it to boil as it was nearly surpassing their critical thermal limits.
All in all, it was fatal for them.
"So what if we have no involvement? Can’t you see~ ... even the high and mighty Elder Catherine Richards and all the other council elders are detained with us, so who are we, the clan leaders, to oppose? Honestly, I am annoyed too, but let’s not make a fuss and attract any kind of attention. Just endure it until further notice," the other one said, his tone totally defeated. He knew full well it was better to follow Jacob’s orders than to defy them. Anyone who has dared even to challenge the king has never fared well. So, he willingly surrendered, though his insides were burning as if someone had poured acid into his mouth.
"I DEMAND TO SEE HIS MAJESTY IN PERSON," Brian roared in agitation as he held an umbrella over Catherine’s head.
"Elder Tape, the vampire king, is busy handling the aftermath of the incident. You can tell us, we will relay your message to him," a guard from the unit spoke, his tone flat and detached.
"HOW DARE YOU? SHOWING ME ATTITUDE? Have you forgotten who I am? Should I remind you of my position? I am Brian Tape, the council elder. And you, just a low life bison, dare to look down on me. Do you have a death wish?"
"Elder Tape, the king has given an imperious directive. No one is allowed to leave the garden. You have to stay here," he replied, his tone remained even.
His nonchalant answer fueled something inside Brian. Even though he, too, was struggling because of the intense broiling, he lunged to strike the bison, but the brawny guard sidestepped him with ease.
Brian ended up face down on the grass bed, which scraped his palms and elbows, fresh blood oozing out of them. Everyone witnessing the scene gasped in horror, their eyes ready to pop out of their sockets. There were a few from the opposite faction who dared to let out a chuckle or two. Only the guards from the keepers’ unit remained expressionless.
This utter humiliation, in front of the clan leaders, set Brian off even more. Rage consumed him entirely as he was ready to throw hands, but a few words from Catherine were enough to stop him: "TAPE, STOP IT."
Brian gritted his teeth but didn’t utter anything further.
Catherine raised her eyelids and stared straight into the bison’s eyes, her gaze way too oppressive as she asked, "Your name, bison?"
"Grant," he answered without a hitch.
Stepping closer, she leaned in as she said, "Grant~ .... you are doing your job quite well. I will give you that." She paused, then added, "But if something were to happen to any of the clan leaders or elders, can you bear the consequences?"
Grant remained silent, but his eyes contracted just a little. Catherine straightened her posture, then spoke, "I understand his majesty cannot come right now. Call Secretary Shadow then."
The bison thought for a fraction of a second, then called one of his subordinates to send the word.
Brian checked the dorsal side of Catherine’s palm as her pallid hued skin had turned crimson. Seeing them like this, Cynthia mocked, "Even after getting reprimanded, the dog always comes wagging their tail. Wow, I wish I also had a loyal dog. What about you, elder Silver?"
To which Silvia remarked, "A mad dog which knows no restraint. Nope, thanks."
Brian glared in their direction, his eyes bloodshot. Catherine shook her head. She then turned to where Silvia, Cynthia, and Vinicio were standing with their followers and said, "Not everyone can digest loyalty, Elder Silver. With your past experiences and all, it’s not your fault." A sly smirk made its way to her lips.
Hearing her words, Silvia clenched her fists tightly as the initial days of her being a vampire resurfaced in her mind.
Soon, the guard came back and whispered something to Grant. He nodded and relayed the message, "Elder Richards, Secretary Shadow has sent word. He cannot come right now."
Catherine’s eyes turned cold as other faction members started laughing, some even did openly, especially Cynthia. But then Grant continued, "The guard will lead you to where Secretary Shadow is."
Cynthia’s face dropped as Catherine’s lips curved upwards. She glanced at them, her right brow arched as she then made her way inside.
The guard silently led her inside the mansion through the back door. They passed a shady passageway, which took them to one of the interrogation rooms.
"Elder Richards, Secretary Shadow is inside," the guard said. Without even looking at him, Catherine walked inside, her steps decisive. As she entered, a single light bulb, hanging above the metal table, was illuminating the otherwise dark room. She looked around, but didn’t sense Chris’s presence. A slight frown appeared on her face, then she called his name, "Secretary Shadow~ ...." But no reply came. She called again, "Chris Shadow?"
Once again, she was met with silence. She then snickered and spoke, "What? Are you going to play dead now? Or should I call you with your real name, only then you will listen, huhh~ .... Denver~ Brooks?"
To Be Continued . . . . . . . .
