NOVEL NEXT Chapter 397: New Arrivals
Caretaker Royce of the Society paced his office, his hands clasped tightly behind his back.
No matter what he did, he couldn't escape the circles of frustration and regret his thoughts were running in the safety of his brain.
He'd pulled the curtains over the windows and hadn't even remembered to turn on the lights. It wasn't as if it mattered. He could see in the dark anyways.
His desk, which would normally be meticulously organized on any other day, was covered in reports and dossiers, all centered around one name.
Matten.
Right now, even though they were nowhere near and had never met him before, the members of the Matten coven were the biggest threat to his life. Especially Ezra Matten.
His mind went back on a well trodden path to Duke's failure. The plan had been simple. Capture Olivia Matten and use her as leverage against Ezra.
He didn't have all the information as Princess Akiko had been quite thorough in improving security and removing most of their moles, but he did know that Duke had carried out the plan and it had cost him his life.
Now, Ezra Matten was untouchable. The only way to see him would be him coming out of the Monarchy's protection by his own two legs.
But that was unlikely.
And to attempt another move against him would risk a war, and he wasn't sure the Society was in a position to entertain conflict on such a scale. It'll be the biggest war in the history of vampires.
Royce scowled as he turned sharply on his heel, continuing his pacing.
His biggest mistake had been delegating the task of stopping Ezra from crossing the bridge instead of handling it himself. He had thought it beneath him to dirty his hands with something that was easy as pie.
Since ordinary vampires didn't need to come to the Crossroads to cross the border between the Society and Monarchy, and the ones who had come to the Crossroads had never gotten past them, he'd been overconfident.
Now, that decision was currently biting him in the ass.
Ezra Matten was different from other vampires. He was one of the few who was actually powerful enough to attract the Monarchy's attention if he sneaked in through the back door. Him doing that will result in immediate mobilization of a strike team to take him out.
Defectors of his caliber already had agreements with the Monarchy before they even left the Society and as Ezra didn't have one, he needed to meet the Monarchy in neutral territory to get one.
A neutral territory like the Crossroads.
Ezra had seized his chance, gotten past their barricade and what should've been a decisive victory for the Society had turned into a humiliating defeat.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps approaching his door. Before he could react, the door burst open, and a subordinate stumbled inside, his face pale.
"Sir, the Elder—"
Royce was consumed by his fury in an instant. Without a word, he lashed out, his hand a blur as it came up tore a hole through the vampire's heart, pulverizing his heart into paste.
The man stood there for a moment, his eyes wide in shock and terror, before his body crumpled to the floor like a discarded rag
"You dare enter my office without knocking?" Royce hissed, his voice a low growl.
Without another glance at the dead body, he stepped out of the office.
"Clean this up." He barked at the guards stationed outside. "Before the Elder arrives."
The guards snapped to attention, dragging the lifeless body away as Royce adjusted his jacket and calmed himself.
He didn't have time for this. The Elder—Elder Fortuna—was almost here, and he couldn't afford to make a poor impression.
He hurried through the corridors of the sprawling mansion and before long, he was at the helipad.
They all could both hear the whirring sound of the approaching helicopter and see it.
The aircraft dropped lower and he dropped to one knee. Around him, the guards and staff followed suit, their heads bowed in deference.
The helicopter's blades slowed as it touched down, and the door swung open.
Elder Fortuna stepped out, looking… ordinary. And that was terrifying.
A vampire with no Aura, no supernatural beauty, no extra traces of vitality, nothing.
It was terrifying for Royce to think that there were vampires that looked as ordinary as the next human who could tear him apart with their bare hands like it was nothing.
She was dressed as always in her customary black leather, looking like someone trying too hard to look like a goth.
She smiled exuberantly as her eyes swept over the courtyard.
"Caretaker….." She frowned like she was trying to remember who he was and someone whispered his name from behind her.
"Caretaker Royce!" She greeted loudly. "Always a pleasure to see you."
Royce rose to his feet, bowing deeply. It didn't matter in the grand scheme of things if she knew his name or not. He'd even prefer if she forgot about him altogether.
"Elder Fortuna." He said, keeping his tone reverent and his thoughts off his face. "Welcome. Your presence is an honor."
He glanced behind her to finally see who had been behind her. It was Itachi Yaiba, City Lord of First City.
His gaze flicked back to the Elder and he kept his movements filled with respect. He knew better than to underestimate either of them.
Fortuna's power was legendary, and Itachi's reputation as a strategist and enforcer was equally formidable.
Fortuna approached the caretaker, her eyes locking onto his. "Enough pleasantries." She said. "Bring me up to speed. What's the situation with Ezra Matten? I heard you attempted an operation to extract him."
Royce hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "We attempted to extract the weak and pregnant one, Olivia, but Ezra intervened and killed our agent. The plan was… unsuccessful."
Fortuna's lips twitched into a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Unsuccessful." She glanced at Itachi who was walking slightly behind her. "You were right. They'd underestimate Ezra Matten like everyone who goes up against him always does."
"Well, it doesn't matter." She nodded. "Let's prepare to negotiate."
Royce frowned, unable to believe his ears. "Negotiate? With the Monarchy?"
"Yes." Fortuna said, her tone brooking no argument. "Ezra is too valuable to ignore, but we won't gain anything by antagonizing the Nightmare Court."
"Which member of the courts is currently in town?" She asked.
"Princess Akiko." Royce answered.
"Akiko of the Nightmare Court?" Fortuna blinked. "Interesting."
"Send a message requesting a meeting."
Royce turned to a nearby guard, about to issue the order, when Fortuna raised a hand to stop him.
"Wait." She said, a gleam that Royce wasn't sure he was comfortable with entering her eyes. "No need for a messenger. Itachi will go."
Itachi chuckled and inclined his head. "As you wish, Elder."