Chapter 338: A Deal For The Young Duke
Alex took his place next to Ivan after exchanging a nod with Caleb, a silent pact to protect their companions at all costs.
Caleb moved to stand next to Cece and Edward. Edward reached out, taking Cece’s hand and pressing a lingering kiss to her knuckles. Meeting her eyes, he murmured, "Stay close to me." She squeezed his hand back and gave him a firm nod as her only answer.
Nearby, Oliver stood with Professors Seira and Dante.
Dante shifted into a combat stance, his crimson eyes sliding toward Seira. "Don’t die on me, Seira," he remarked. "We still have to see this madness through."
Seira looked at the vampire, noting the usual "screw loose" look in his eyes, and smirked. "You bet I won’t. After all, who else will save these kids from their deranged professors?"
Dante grinned, while Oliver looked between the two in sheer disbelief. ’What the hell? Are my eyes deceiving me?’ he thought. ’Are they seriously flirting right now?’
Just then, his thoughts were shattered as Ivan’s voice thundered, "Get ready! Now!"
The swirling tornado of fire collapsed, lowering before erupting outward in a fierce, thick ring of flame.
The force of the blast sent the surrounding Darkrots flying, exactly as Ivan had predicted.
...
Back at the Darkrot base, barefoot steps moved weakly forward, the metal binders around her ankles and wrists clanking with every movement.
The chain linking the restraints was held firmly in Selene’s grasp as she led Evelyn’s weakened form towards the open ground at the very centre of the dormant volcano’s crater.
Several Darkrots followed at a measured distance, forming a wide circle around her, blocking any possible path of escape should she attempt to flee.
Despite the hopelessness of her situation, Evelyn’s eyes no longer held that shattered look. They were silent and calm, as if the very eye of a storm resided within them. Her heart was at peace, satisfied by the task she had fulfilled only an hour before.
Her thoughts drifted back to that tower room.
She had been chained to the wall when Selene stepped in, clearly stunned that Evelyn was no longer providing the broken display she had expected.
"Where is Damien?" Eve had asked, refusing to beat around the bush any longer.
Selene’s eyes widened as she took in the renewed fire burning within Evelyn’s gaze. She narrowed her own eyes. "What’s this, my little Eve?"
She stepped closer, though she maintained enough distance to stay out of reach. "I must say, I expected to see you sobbing over your grievances. Like a good mother, I would have come to console my dear daughter-"
"You are no mother of mine," Evelyn cut in coldly.
"You are nothing more than a wretched monster who stole a skin to deceive and toy with a little girl’s heart at her most vulnerable age. But that little girl has grown. She has been forced to see the truth. To see how rotten you truly are. So drop the pretence and answer me. Where is Damien?"
Silence lingered between them for a breath before Selene’s laughter cracked through the chamber once more.
Grinning, she tilted her head. "Ah, that young duke? I wondered whether you would ask. I thought he might serve as a delightful ingredient for a new potion I have been considering. You see, my Eve, pure-blooded vampire blood is exceptionally valuable. Especially when used as a meal, and...there are many here who are starving here."
Her voice dropped to a wicked whisper, but Eve remained unrattled, knowing Selene was only trying to rile her up.
Keeping steady eye contact with the wicked woman, Evelyn spoke. "Let’s cut to the chase, Zafira."
At the sound of her real name, something sharp gleamed in the woman’s eyes, but Evelyn didn’t even flinch.
"I know you have not killed me because you are waiting for something that requires me alive. And I also know you are keeping your distance, even though you could come closer, because you understand that these chains do not render me harmless. Even in this weakened state, if I truly push myself, I can still wound you. Perhaps....even kill you."
She paused, relishing the reaction from the woman in front of her who continued to stare at her calculatively. "And you don’t want any of that to happen for whatever it is that you are waiting for tonight, so let’s make a deal."
Selene’s eyes narrowed as she finally asked, "What deal?"
"I know Damien is alive. He has to be, as he is the only leverage you could use to keep me in check here. You know as well as I do that if even the smallest amount of damage is inflicted on him, I wouldn’t hold back anymore. I will destroy this entire place even if it kills me."
"Oh, really? But have you thought about the fact that we can also use him to blackmail you into doing exactly as we say until your purpose is complete? What makes you think this little threat of yours would make any difference to me?" Selene asked with an arrogant smirk on her face.
"You said it yourself, that I was raised for slaughter... for this very day. I’m sure you’ve waited all these years for this moment to come, and you wouldn’t want me to mess things up for you, would you? Because let’s be honest, if Damien dies and if I have to die, then why would I hold back and let you succeed in whatever sick and twisted mission you are on? I would much rather take everything down with me and save this world from the menace that you are."
Evelyn could see that her words were working.
The more she spoke, the more agitation flared within the vile woman’s eyes.
"So let’s make a deal, shall we, if you are finally ready to use your little brain?" Eve threw a sharp jab at her fearlessly.
She saw the woman’s calm facade crack as Selene clenched her jaw and hands together, looking as if she were holding herself back from launching an attack.
"Speak," Selene said at last, her voice sharp with restrained fury. "Let us hear this little deal of yours."
A smile curved deep within Eve, but she kept a neutral face and stated, "Take me to where Damien is, let me heal him, and then I promise I will cooperate with you."
Another loud crackle of laughter echoed in the chamber as if Selene had heard the most ridiculous thing in her entire life.
Regaining her composure, she replied coldly, "You must have truly lost your mind if you believe I would remove your restraints and allow you to heal the very man I hold as leverage against you. Do you take me for a fool?" Her voice sharpened with each word.
Eve stared at her calmly before replying, "I know it sounds ridiculous, but I think your little brain failed to register the fact that if I die, Damien cannot be saved by anyone.
That again defeats the purpose of my cooperation. If he dies, I will have no reason to restrain myself.
I would rather destroy this entire place than let Damien roam as a corrupted rogue before he eventually meets his demise. I would rather destroy everything along with him than let him turn into a monster."
Eve’s eyes momentarily softened as she added, "I’m sure if he could talk to me right now, he would want the same."
Her eyes hardened once again as she stared at Selene. "He would want me to take this drastic measure rather than let the likes of you use us in such a manner."
Selene went silent as if calculating something in her mind before speaking. "And what guarantee do I get that once I set these binders free, you won’t use those powers to eliminate us after you’ve cured the young duke?"
Eve just shrugged lightly. "You’ll simply have to take my word for it. Besides, I cannot possibly run away in this weakened state, nor can I use my powers to destroy this place while Damien is still here."
"I must say that your offer is tempting, but remember, if you try to cross me, the young duke dies right before the very eyes you’ve been trying so hard to protect all this while," Selene replied after mulling it over for a moment.
Evelyn blinked. "So you agree?"
"I agree, but remember the consequences of your actions, Evelyn," Selene replied before raising her hands and clapping them together.
The doors opened, and the Darkrots stepped in.
"Release her from the wall, but keep the binders on her. Have her follow me," she commanded.
They moved at once and finally released Evelyn from the wall before leading her toward another chamber.
As soon as Evelyn entered the room, her footsteps paused as her blue eyes immediately landed on the stony platform at the center of the chamber. Candles were lit all around it, revealing a transparent crimson crystal.
Inside the cast, Damien lay perfectly still, suspended as though he were only asleep.
