Chapter 325 - Building A New Cage

"I need a cage built," Zagan said in a deceptively calm tone.

Nedra was someone he tried not to bother with too many requests or issues that could potentially put her emotions in upheaval. She had done a lot for him, and they were on good terms lately. But it was always tenuous ground with Nedra. He didn't want to revisit any of the old arguments or issues that they had gone through in the past. She hated him. He was aware of it, and he deserved it of course. The problem was that he was not going to let her go, so they had to coexist as peacefully as possible.

"Another cage? You have so many," she replied, leaning against the chair in front of his desk rather than sitting in it.

"This new one will be here in the castle," he told her, standing from behind his desk and pushing the chair in. He didn't like to be the only one sitting. He was in a hurry to get this conversation over with anyway so he could check on the two alyko in the infirmary.

Nedra studied his impassive expression for any hints as to what was going on. The Veiled around him gave no hints, as usual. He was like a black hole in the Veiled… the energy around him was like a bright, frantic event horizon that dropped off into nothing inside of his being. Whenever he moved, the absence of energy moved with him—particles around him scattering as if they were running in fear.

The only aura she could ever pick up from him would be vague ghosts of the person he had recently drank from, which was appropriate of course. It was only through blood that he partook in life, and even that was an imitation. He was like a parasite.

When she didn't answer, Zagan looked up to find her staring at him in distaste. He sighed, dropping his black eyes back to papers on his desk. Would she cooperate? That was always the question. It got tiring having to remind her of why she needed to.

"Where do you need it exactly?" she finally asked, the loathing clearly evident in her tone.

"The room right next to this one," he answered, walking out of the office and into the room he was referring to.

It was a large bedroom with a four poster bed and adjoining bathroom.

"Why not just use cuffs, Zagan?" she asked, using his name on purpose. She was the only one who could. Zagan clenched his teeth, biting into his lip in the process, but he didn't otherwise react.

"They will not be appropriate in this case," he explained, even though he shouldn't have to tell her anything. But he needed this completed quickly, and if it meant answering her prying questions, then so be it. "I do not want her wandering."

But he would put cuffs on Penelope; that was a good idea. The lycans probably shouldn't have taken them off in the first place.

Nedra turned slowly, looking at the space that she had to work with.

"How long will it take?" he asked.

"You want the whole room done?" she asked.

Zagan looked around, thinking about it. "Will it affect the time it takes or just the effort you need to put into it?"

She glared at him without answering.

"Yes, the whole room," he decided. If it took longer, it took longer. It would best if the Luna was able to use the restroom without needing to be let out from her barrier.

"It will not take long," Nedra grumbled. "But I will need somewhere to rest."

"Pick a room and rest as long as needed. I will need it ready when I return," he replied, turning to leave.

"I need to rest in my home," she added, causing him to stop. "I will not stay in this dark, cold castle like a corpse. I will do this for you, but I need you to return me to the cottage afterward."

"Okay, I will have someone take you back. But pick a room to rest in until then. You will awake in your own bed, Nedra," he assured her, and then he left.

She watched the door where he disappeared and growled once he was gone. Who was he imprisoning in a room right next to his? It must be someone very impressive if he wasn't just putting them in containment. Hopefully this one would be able to kill him, and then they could all finally be free. The nightmare of her life would be over.

When Zagan entered the infirmary, he immediately smelled blood. His fangs ached with the overwhelming stench of it, and he froze in place, shaking his head to get his unexpected urge under control.

Both of the female alyko turned to see him enter, Penelope standing quickly from the bed to greet him. August remained where she had been seated next to her, her eyes darting around in panic. Penelope told her to follow her lead, but would she be able to fool a vampire? Would she be able to pull this off and act like she still didn't recall anything that had happened?

Penelope walked down the hallway to Zagan before he was able to approach August. She needed to prime him with the story of what had happened, but he seemed oddly uncomfortable. He had his hands on his hips, and when she got close he put up a hand to stop her.

"You are hurt," he hissed, not looking at her.

"Uh… yes," she replied, looking down at her cut hands and knees. "There was an accident."

Zagan glanced up, his eyes narrowing on the Luna who was still sitting in bed.

"What kind of accident?" he asked, his whole body rippling with the tension of Penelope being this close whilst bleeding and his desire to taste her.

"I startled her, and she was emotional…" she started to explain before trailing off. "You know, this is because she doesn't remember anything and it is confusing, and… what am I supposed to tell her about why she is able to move things with her mind?"

He glared at her, his nose flaring to get more of the scent that the rest of him was trying to ignore.

"I-I am sorry.. Is this making you uncomfortable?" she asked, backing away when she noticed the bloodlust in his eyes.