Chapter 563: My Safe Haven
(Author’s POV)
*Sound of owls’ screeching in the background*
Hearing the ear piercing, banshee like resonance, Catherine’s gold hued eyes flew open at once. Her guard was high. She narrowed her eyes, darting them around, trying to observe her surroundings.
The strange black smoke from earlier was everywhere. The place was like a dark abyss with low to no visibility. She tried to push herself up and move, but her body felt as heavy as a sack of bricks. She then noticed that the thick mist was circling around her, keeping her in place.
She immediately realised whose doing it could be. A bit panicked and a lot agitated, she shouted, "BROOKS~ .... BROOKS~ .... Where the fuck are you? Come out. Come out, right now."
Instead of getting a reply, she heard her own voice echoing across the abyss. Fuming, she bit her lower lip and shrieked again, "What are you trying to do, huh? If you don’t come out~ ... I will~ ...."
Before she could finish her sentence, multiple laughs cut her off, "Hahhahaha HAHAHAHAhahahahaa ... HAhahahaHAha~ ...." Her head whirled around to locate the source, her expression tight and scrunched.
Seeing her reaction, the mocking laughter only intensified. It was slashing her eardrums like a sharp, jagged blade, coming from all directions. Then the snide remarks started one by one, "Haha, what a scaredy little cat!"
"Isn’t she a vampire elder? A frightful bat would be appropriate? Pffttttt~ ..." another, high pitched voice spoke. And others laughed at it.
"But rather than a vampire elder, she behaves more like a spiky hedgehog~ ...... kekehhekek~ ...." Fresh round of laughter erupted again, making her rage like wildfire.
"HOW DARE YOU? SHUT UP~ .... WHO THE HELL ARE YOU ALL? WHAT IS THIS PLACE? AND WHERE IS THAT BRUTE, DENVER BROOKS?" she questioned, her voice sharp.
"Haha~ ... see, like a hedgehog~ .... told you all~ ..." someone commented and scoffed.
"Stop trying to be brave, vamp girly. Don’t be impatient. Soon, very soon, you will meet the same fate as all of us. He won’t let you off," another one spoke.
Catherine’s eyes flickered at the words as she latched onto it and asked, "What do you mean? He? Who is this, he? Are you talking about Denver Brooks?"
"SSsssshhhhh~ No one takes that name here," another one warned.
Catherine frowned.
".... Miss~ ... Miss vampire elder, don’t take his name so casually. You should call him master instead. Otherwise~ ... he will~ .... he will punish you badly~ ...." A timid voice stated. It sounded like a little girl was on the verge of crying.
"Master? Denver Brooks is your master?" she inquired.
"Yes, that man is~ .... he is really scary~ ...." She replied.
"Derbie~ ...." Denver’s voice came next. "Are you that frightened of me?" He asked with a laidback tone.
Collective gasps filled the dark and empty space, followed by an utter bit of silence.
Then the one he called Derbie spoke, with an obvious tremor in her voice, "I~ ...I~ ... master~ .... I have committed a grave sin. Please~ ... please, forgive me. Forgive me this once."
In response, Denver chuckled lightly, "Hehh~ ... Derbie, you are making me look like a bad guy in front of our guests? What impression would it give to our guest?"
"Denver Brooks, it is you. What in the hell is this place? Where have you taken me? And what is all this? What are you trying to do?" Catherine spat question after question, her tone sharp.
"Ohhhooo~ .... the high and mighty, Elder Richards is here," Denver remarked, his tone peculiar.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP, BROOKS. Don’t play your stupid tricks and answer me first," Catherine’s patience was wearing thin.
"Very well, then~ ..." Denver hummed. With a snap of his fingers, the dark mist binding her body started to retreat slowly. The black foggy atmosphere started clearing little by little as well. Quite soon, the space was lit up with twinkling stars, dangling above their heads.
Catherine looked closely. ’No, they are no stars~ .... they are charged up magic stones~ .... Just how many are there?’ She was shocked to see the countless sparkling stones.
"What? Dazzled by my place? El~der?" Denver smiled, winking at her.
Catherine got up, smoothed her dress and straightened her posture. Looking him dead in the eye, she rebuked, "What is this place?"
"This place~ ...." Raising both his hands, he glanced around, his tone proud. "It is a replica of my lab back home, my own safe space. There were too many snooping dogs present in the Larson mansion. Not an ideal place for chit chat," Denver remarked.
"You should have told me earlier. Why did you pull that stunt?" Catherine was still pissed. After all, no one likes to be mocked by god knows who. Especially, a perfect and poised vampire like her. Her mask of impeccability was ruined by him.
"Ohh that~ .... it is a tiny bit of retribution for what you pulled off," Denver stated, staring at her coldly. ’
"Retribution? What the heck are you talking about?" Catherine queried.
"You think you would go and visit that human girl I mentioned to you last night, and I wouldn’t know a thing? If so, then think again. I am Denver Brooks, the alchemist. Nothing can be hidden from me. Not even your petty games."
Catherine recalled taking a detour to see that girl, Myra Miracle, on her way to the mansion. She arched her brow and remarked, "So, what if I did, huhh? I got a little curious to see who this little human is that has wrapped you around so badly." Her lips curved upwards, her tone provocative.
Denver’s expression turned icy. In an instant, that black smoke chain zapped towards her, chaining her wrists and ankles in an iron grip, "Stay in your lane, Richards. Don’t test my patience."
The smile on Catherine’s face vanished. She roared, "You fucker. You have the nerve. Have you forgotten who I am?"
"I know exactly who you are. But you also know my identity and what I can do to you. So, my advice for you will be~ .... to keep your trap shut and try not to piss me off, Elder Richards. Got it," Denver said cockily.
To Be Continued . . . . . . . . .
