Chapter 441: Where Is Memphis?
BANG!
The gunshot thundered through the room. But the silence that followed was far more deafening.
For a brief second, everyone could almost hear the flatline slicing through the quiet.
Then, a sharp gasp broke it.
Memphis’s face twisted as he clutched his chest, desperately pressing against the wound to stop the bleeding.
The High Elder kept his gun raised at him. His eyes remained locked with Lucian’s. Only after a moment did he glance at Memphis before calmly lowering the weapon.
"Lucian, I do not appreciate how every time you need something from this chamber, your first instinct is to threaten us," the High Elder continued, speaking as though he hadn’t just shot someone. "Even so, I’m letting this slide simply because I trust that the Black Dragon would not point fingers without reason."
Lucian remained quiet.
He studied the High Elder before his gaze slowly shifted toward Memphis, who was fighting to stay conscious.
"Moreover, this chamber does not tolerate a direct attack against the Madam—or against you. You already know that." The High Elder’s attention moved toward Memphis. "Memphis, it seems having a seat in this chamber quickly went to your head."
He leaned back in his chair, staring coldly at the bleeding man.
"It’s true that we spend most of our time in this chamber arguing. However, we will never be lenient toward those who harm one of our own. Be it the Black Dragon, me, or anyone else seated at this table."
His eyes sharpened.
"We may not always agree with the Black Dragon. But Dominion is Dominion because of this chamber, because of the Black Dragon, and because of every member who stands beneath its name."
Slowly, the High Elder peeled his gaze away from Memphis and looked at Lucian.
"Isn’t that right, Lucian?"
Another wave of silence descended over the room.
Lucian’s expression didn’t change.
A moment later, a quiet knock came from the door. Then, Gustav walked in.
"Master."
"Drag him away," Lucian ordered, his gaze remained locked with the High Elder’s.
"We’ll take care of it."
Gustav nodded and marched straight toward Memphis. Without an ounce of care, he spun Memphis’s chair around, grabbed him, and dragged him out of it.
Lucian swept his gaze across the table one last time. Then, he turned on his heel and walked away without another word.
He had already gotten what he came for.
Memphis.
The man who had sought shelter within this chamber.
Lucian rarely threatened the High Chamber. If anything, he usually looked the other way and allowed them to operate as they pleased.
In return, the chamber afforded him the same courtesy.
Their relationship had never been friendly.
It was political.
A delicate balance built on mutual benefit and the understanding that neither side should interfere too deeply with the other. Recently, however, the tension between Lucian and the chamber had reached an all-time high.
Hector had already launched a direct attack against Lucian by poaching his people.
Now, Memphis had used the chamber as a shield.
It felt as though Dominion’s foundations were slowly shifting. And soon, something would have to be restructured.
Before Lucian could completely leave the chamber, the High Elder’s voice stopped him.
"Lucian."
Lucian paused and looked back.
The High Elder watched him in silence for a moment. Then, he spoke.
"For what it’s worth, I’ve had this bad feeling for some time now."
Lucian turned slightly, giving the man a better look.
"Someone is playing with Dominion."
Lucian glanced at the others seated around the table. A few of them looked genuinely puzzled. When his gaze returned to the High Elder, he let out a faint sigh.
"Just don’t get in the way," he said as he turned away. "I have everything under control."
Then, Lucian walked out.
The moment he stepped into the hallway, bodies greeted him.
Men lay scattered across the floor. Blood splattered the walls and stained the ground. Most of them belonged to Memphis’s group.
Lucian walked through the carnage without slowing down.
Gustav, who had been waiting outside, quickly fell one step behind him.
"Master, Lukas finally reached out," he reported. "They managed to seize Tinie after a long chase."
It had been hours since Lukas started following Tinie. According to his report, Tinie had eventually realized he was being followed.
What came next was a long and deadly pursuit.
In other words, Lucian had made the right decision to move tonight instead of waiting until morning.
Lucian nodded, his steps never slowing.
"Lukas is alive?"
"Yes." Gustav kept pace with his boss. "Although he was shot. Nothing fatal—or so he claims."
Lucian didn’t respond. It wasn’t particularly surprising.
In their line of work, getting shot, injured, or beaten half to death was almost ordinary. Dying was simply another possibility.
Soon, Lucian and his forces stepped out of the building and into the driveway.
Another group of Lucian’s men was already waiting for them.
And in the middle of the driveway lay Memphis.
He was curled on the ground, bleeding. The High Elder had shot him without a second of hesitation, but the wound wasn’t fatal.
It was enough to make Memphis bleed.
Enough to hurt, but not enough to kill him.
Those were the rules of the chamber.
The rules of Dominion.
If Memphis were Lucian’s prey, then Lucian would be his judge.
Lucian approached the writhing man. The moment he reached him, he raised one foot. Then brought it down directly against Memphis’s throat.
"Ack—!"
Memphis’s body straightened against the ground. Blood spilled from his mouth as the pressure against his throat forced a violent cough out of him.
His eyes shot upward and immediately met a pair of burning eyes.
From where Memphis lay, Lucian’s face was completely shrouded in shadow. Only his eyes seemed visible. Bright, cold, and terrifying.
Memphis’s breath hitched. His eyes widened.
Lucian stared down at him without a trace of emotion. Then, his lips parted.
"Where..." He trailed off.
Slowly, Lucian bent forward as he pressed his foot harder against Memphis’s throat.
"...is he?"
Gustav furrowed his brows. The others exchanged puzzled glances. None of them knew who Lucian was talking about.
Memphis, however, froze. For a brief second, he almost forgot the pain. He stared up at Lucian. Deep in the back of his mind, he felt as though he knew exactly who Lucian was asking about.
At the same time, it was impossible.
"You have less than an hour before you bleed to death," Lucian continued calmly. "But before that happens, you’ll experience different levels of terror as you slowly approach death’s door."
His foot pressed harder against Memphis’s throat.
The man winced.
"I’m giving you one chance to extend your life." Lucian’s eyes darkened. "So tell me... where is Memphis?"
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