Chapter 102: Something Far Sinister At Play
Back in the study, Ivan stood before the floor-to-ceiling arched window, silently listening to the entire report. The air in the room was thick and suffocating, carrying an oppressive weight that would drive anyone else to flee should they step near Ivan’s aura.
His expression remained unfathomable, but those who knew him closely understood that he was simmering like a volcano, ready to erupt if anyone were so much as to breathe too loudly.
According to Alex’s report, Kayla had been caught red-handed by Cece and Edward while burying an old scroll near the Black Tower. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the scroll contained instructions on how to perform the slave bond. Though the woman remained tight-lipped, Ivan was sharp enough to deduce that she must have been planning to sell the information to Drake Viremont to use on Eve. And had they succeeded, the result would have been disastrous.
No one would have been able to reverse that bond around or harm Drake anymore, because if the master died, the slave would also perish as a result of the bond. This was precisely why the bond was so dangerous and so often misused by vampires. As the masters were able to subject their slaves to immeasurable amounts of cruelty without fearing revolt or revenge.
Ivan curled his hand into a tight fist until his knuckles turned white, veins bulging as his jaw clenched in a desperate attempt to control the overwhelming urge to tear that woman and man apart with his bare hands.
Alex had delivered only half of the report so far, and he could see how furious Ivan already was; he hesitated to deliver the second part of the report. He knew hearing it would most certainly set Ivan off.
Caleb, who stood beside Alex, exchanged worried glances with him, and both of them braced themselves for what was to come next.
Alex let out a soft breath and spoke cautiously, "There is more, Your Highness."
Ivan felt his nerve pop, but he replied in a chilling, calm voice, "Continue."
Alex gulped, "The men who were keeping an eye on Drake Viremont noticed that he hadn’t stepped out of his room the entire day. But later, when the woman named Elana, who is in service to him, stepped in, she found the room in a complete disarray....with Drake Viremont missing."
"Missing?" Ivan asked in a quiet voice.
"Yes, Your Highness. Our men conducted an extensive search throughout the entire academy, but couldn’t find him. None of them saw him stepping out of the academy either...We checked with Lord Damien’s men as well, and they reported the same."
"Bastard!" Ivan snarled, his eyes blazed molten orange. Soon, a cracking sound echoed through the quiet study before the entire glass wall of floor-to-ceiling windows shattered, shards flying everywhere. Some even sliced through Ivan’s face and arms, but he stood unflinchingly.
"Your Highness!" Alex and Caleb exclaimed as they both stepped forward to check on Ivan, but he raised a hand, stopping them in their tracks.
"Bring that woman here," his voice dropped to a dangerous low, "Let’s see if she remains stubborn."
"Caleb," his blazing eyes shifted to him over his shoulder.
Caleb’s spine snapped ramrod straight as he immediately answered, "Your Highness?"
"Your sole duty is to protect Princess Evelyn, whether we are in this castle or not. Call for some Lumens and have them set up a barrier around the entire Dracoria Palace. I won’t have those vermin slipping in and out as they please."
"It seems I didn’t take into account that Lester’s son would get involved with darkrots. She will be in immense danger from now on since they can enter and leave through the portal. I’ll speak to my father about sending an official notice to the academy to do the same; otherwise, none of the students will stay safe there."
"I hear your command, Your Highness." Caleb bowed deeply and was about to leave when Alex raised his concerns.
"Your Highness, if you believe Drake Viremont was taken through a portal, then they can travel anywhere in the city. No one is capable of setting up a barrier around the entire city, let alone the whole kingdom. How do we tackle this?"
"We cannot set barriers around the entire city. All we can do is increase our watch," Ivan replied firmly. "My concern is their growing powers through the dark stones. Moreover, even though they are growing at an exponential rate, their main purpose remains vague."
"Isn’t their main purpose to rule every kingdom on this continent?" Caleb asked.
"If it were only that, they would have already attacked each ruler of the kingdom who is unequipped to defend themselves against such kind of evil, but...they haven’t. The cases of macassar have only recently started to rise. They selectively attack secluded villages, and one could argue that it is easier for them to stay off the radar that way. But the question remains, why now? What has changed in the past couple of months is that they have become far more active. I have a feeling that something far more sinister is at play."
Alex and Caleb wore grim expressions as they absorbed Ivan’s words.
Ivan then turned fully to face them and commanded, "For now, have the lumens set up the barrier in the palace as soon as possible. I’ll go speak to my father now about issuing an official letter to the head master to get a barrier set up in the academy as well. Along with that, I think we need to move the court hearing before anyone else slips away from our grasp."
"Arrest Lester and other captives’ family members for treason. As for Drake Viremont," his dropped to a menacing low, "have wanted posters with his face sketch put up all over the kingdom. Let us see how far he can run, or dare to step freely in the city again."
"Understood, Your Highness." They bowed in unison and left to carry out his orders.
.....
It was two o’clock in the morning when Edward, along with several other Lumens, finally finished setting up barriers around Dracoria Palace. Edward wiped the sweat from his temple after exerting himself. Cece stood behind him quietly with her hands folded in front of her, watching.
They were in Headmaster Charles’ office with Kayla when they received an official letter of summons to the palace, calling them to a court hearing that would take place in just a few hours. With both the academy and the palace now secured by the lumen barrier, Kayla was escorted away by royal guards under heavy security. Damien was entrusted with the task of returning the forbidden scroll to Ivan.
Cece stepped forward and asked softly, "You seem exhausted. Are you alright?"
Edward gave her a reassuring smile, "Yes, since the barrier had to be set up in two large areas, it took a lot of magic. I just need a little rest to replenish the amount of magic I’ve used, and I’ll be alright."
"Thank you for helping us, even when you didn’t have to," Cece said softly.
"It’s alright, I wanted to help." His expression grew serious. "Especially after everything you have told me. No lumens or students for that matter were safe with the possibility of darkrots appearing around any corner without the barrier."
He shifted his light blue eyes to Cece, "Where is Lord Damien?"
"He must already be with Ivan right now. And if my guess is correct, they’re probably busy making that tight-lipped wretch talk in preparation for tomorrow’s hearing," Cece replied, her beautiful features tightening with annoyance.
"I see... so I am guessing we are supposed to stay here tonight?" He glanced around the palace, taking in the beautiful architecture, while the other lumen priests started to leave.
"Yes, we have to appear in court tomorrow to recount everything we witnessed. Let me ask someone where we’ll be staying." She turned around and found Arthur already standing in front of her.
"Good Evening, Lady Cece and Lord Edward. Your rooms are already prepared under His Highness’s orders. Please allow me to escort you there."
"Good Evening, Arthur. You came at the right time. Please lead the way, I’m rather tired myself." Cece replied
"Certainly," Arthur responded and then led them to their rooms.
....
Around three o’clock in the morning, the door to Ivan’s dark room slowly opened. Low embers burned in the fireplace, casting a dull orange glow across the space. Closing the door as gently as possible, his molten red eyes inevitably drifted to the bed.
He walked closer and saw Evelyn’s beautiful figure sleeping peacefully beneath the sheets. Her eyes were closed, her long hair splayed messily behind her, and her head tilted to the side, exposing a glaring lovebite he had left a few hours ago. Her lips were slightly parted with the slow rhythm of her breathing. She looked so ethereal...so innocent that his eyes softened as he watched her silently.
