Chapter 186: I'll Kill Him Myself

The long corridor leading to Griffin's throne room was filled with the sound of their footsteps.

X trailed after Griffin as he strode forward confidently, Natalia on his other side.

"The time has come." Griffin said. "Summon all coven leaders under us. Our plans for Southside cannot succeed without their use."

"Of course, my love." Natalia agreed.

"I won't let Southside fall into the hands of someone like that." Griffin snarled. X could almost hear the grinding of his teeth.

He followed them, enjoying the fact that his mask hid the smile on his face. He was careful not to enter Griffin's peripheral vision. The count knew him too well and would be able to read his amusement in his body language.

"X." Griffin called out and X startled, his mind already working to defend himself.

After a split second where he assured himself that he hadn't been discovered, he answered. "My lord."

Griffin stopped abruptly, forcing both X and Natalia to stop behind him.

He turned to X who froze and scrutinized him. "Something's up with you." Griffin said.

"My lord?" X asked, trying to keep his body language as neutral as possible.

Griffin studied him for a few seconds more before turning, going on his way. "There's no time for that now. Send out the invitations personally. I don't want any mistakes. Stay hidden. None of them must see you."

"Yes, my lord." X answered, bowing as they walked. He kept his tone as neutral as possible, trying to make sure Griffin had no other reason to look at him.

Natalia glanced at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "And X, make sure to emphasize the importance of this summon. They need to understand the urgency."

"Of course, my lady." X said, bowing his head slightly to avoid her piercing gaze. She was much sharper than Griffin when it came to rooting out lies. Sёarᴄh the nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

They turned through a corridor, getting to the back door leading to the throne room.

"Itachi is much more interested in what goes on outside First City. The princes are stirring. They probably sensed the awakening of the seventh dark relic. He won't be quick to act and by the time he does, Southside will be ours."

X walked forward to open the door and Griffin swept in with Natalia by his side.

He walked and sat on his throne. "Natalia. Summon Ezra yourself. We need him to restart the TransitLink project and get started on the transfer of assets."

"Of course, my love."

X took his position at the hidden corner of the room, a chuckle almost escaping him. The two lovebirds would soon realize that all their numerous eggs have been broken.

Ezra Matten would never give them the assets and Southside would never be theirs.

He tilted his head, checking his management device to see an incoming message. He checked it, a frown appearing on his face.

"My lord." He called out. "There's a peacekeeper outside seeking an audience. She calls herself Lilith."

"Lilith?" Natalia frowned before turning to Griffin. "She's the information broker who informed me of the Maguires."

"I see." Griffin leaned back in his chair. "Send her in."

X settled in his hidden alcove as the lady walked in.

"My lord. My lady." Lilith bowed to the two vampires. "I have an important message from my lady, Captain Helena."

"The captain?" Griffin leaned forward in interest. "Let's hear it."

"You have a traitor in your ranks, my lord." Lilith said, bowing slightly.

X froze as the words were spoken.

"A traitor?" The air in the room grew colder as Griffin whispered. "I sure hope for your safety that you have evidence to back up your words."

"My lord, Ezra Matten has found the Ascension well."

At those words, the room went silent.

X leaned forward, his eyes wide. Ezra had found the well? How did the captain of the peacekeepers know?

"And how... did you come by this information?" Griffin slowly stood up from his throne, his scratchy voice filling the silence.

Lilith bowed lower, speaking. "He came to meet my Captain, my lord."

"And?"

"He proposed a plan. He plans to ascend his wife Olivia to the fifth ring, make my lady fifth ring and fight you together."

Griffin stalked forward, every action looking like it could transform to violence in a flash.

"And why... did your captain not accept this... proposal?" He whispered.

X clenched his fists. If this was true, the Mattens were in danger. He quickly slipped out his communicator, sending a quick message.

He gave a tug on the blood debt, ensuring that Ezra would take the message seriously.

He needed to be gone before Griffin acted.

"My captain knew what side held true power, my lord. She knows that by coming to you, she'll get an even bigger reward than an ascension to the fifth ring."

Griffin slowly circled the bowing peacekeeper like a predator stalking a prey. "I see. And what evidence do you have to back up your words?"

"Here, my lord." She reached into her white jacket and retrieved a small object.

Natalia came forward and took the object. "A memory card."

She plugged the card into her smartphone and after a few minutes of clicking, sound filled the room.

Ezra Matten's voice spoke.

"I figured it was time we talked. There's a plan I need your help with."

The peacekeeper captain's voice came on.

"Go on."

"I need your help to get the Maguire coven out of Griffin's sanctuary."

There was a pause before the captain spoke "Why should I help?"

"If the Maguire coven escapes, Griffin will be forced to divert his attention to recapture them. That distraction will give us the perfect opportunity to make our move against him."

There was a pause, this time long, before the captain answered.

"It's a risky plan, Ezra Matten and I would not be a part of this. Take your plan to someone else."

Ezra's voice came on again. "But if we succeed, it will give us the upper hand. We can't afford to miss this chance."

The captain's reply was instant. "No. Leave my office Matten and never return."

There was a click as the audio file finished playing.

There was silence before Griffin roared, his mechanical voice shaking the walls.

"Bring Ezra Matten to me at once! I'll kill him myself."