Chapter 188: A Furious Count

Natalia stalked through the walls of the T-Max building.

Her fury was almost a physical force, each step reflecting it plainly for all to see.

The few midnight shoppers rushed out of her way, not wanting to interfere with a force of nature.

She was disguised in her human form as was necessary. She took the elevator, almost punching the wall at the wait as the box moved between floors.

The elevator finally dinged, allowing her to step out on the floor. She strode towards the shop, entered, bypassed the stammering attendant and pushed the door to the office open, slamming it against the wall.

"Welcome." Miss Red stood smoothly from her desk, her smile professional. "How may I help you?"

Natalia surged forward, grabbing the vampire by the throat and pinning her to the wall. "Where is Ezra Matten?" She snarled.

Red was silent for a moment before she giggled.

"You're laughing?" Natalia asked incredulously. Her black zone rolled off her to solidify over them. "You're laughing?!" She roared.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Red asked, still giggling. "Think very carefully before you answer that question."

Natalia narrowed her eyes at her words. Where was her confidence coming from?

"This is the city lord's domain." Red laughed. "Itachi is just a few floors above us. How do you think he'll take it if he learns that the first wife of a count came to his domain to threaten one of his subjects?"

Natalia gritted her teeth. Red was right. She couldn't do this here.

Then, her lips curved into a cruel smile. "And what if I took you away from here?"

"And make me miss the report I have to give to the City Lord's first wife?" Red giggled. "We both know you won't. I am a vampire under the banner of the City Lord."

"I've taken steps to make sure that if anything happens to me, every evidence both true and untrue that Ezra has on your activities goes straight to the City Lord. I'm quite curious to see what his reaction would be."

Natalia stared deep into the vampire's eyes. "Why?"

Red tilted her head in confusion.

"Why are you going this far for Ezra Matten?" Natalia asked.

"I made a blood oath." Red answered. "Give and take. I have taken. This is me giving."

Natalia stared hard at the woman, her eyes narrowing in thought. This was more than just a blood debt. Something else was going on here and she would find out what it was.

She released Red, stepping back. She clenched her fists tightly and spoke through gritted teeth.

"Watch your back, Red. You'll eventually leave this building. Lots of vampires disappear never to be found again."

"Thank you for the advice." Red grinned. "I'll keep that in mind."

Natalia turned and walked away, dismissing her black zone. She teleported away mid-step, appearing in the teleportation room at the sanctuary of her husband.

It didn't take her too long to get to the throne room.

Griffin was sitting, his posture easy for her to read.

The moment she entered, he stood up, striding towards her. "Just in time!" He called out. "Where is he? Where is that scoundrel?"

"He's gone." Natalia whispered, the words tasting like ash in her mouth.

Griffin stopped, pausing to take in her words. "He's... what?"

"He was already gone before we got there." Natalia said. "He knew we were coming. Probably from the moment the peacekeepers rejected his proposal."

All was silent before Griffin roared in fury. A glowing red chain snapped out of him, shattering his throne into splinters.

Red lightning wreathed his form, making his crimson eyes stand out. "Ezra Matten." He growled. "Wait till I get my hands on you."

**********

X crouched in the shadows, waiting for his target to arrive.

Ever since he'd been created, he'd never once been able to reject an order and this time was no different.

He'd done a lot of unspeakable things for Griffin even going as far as killing his own brothers.

His mind shied away from the memories. This wasn't the time for that.

He focused on his orders, picking apart each word.

"Go among the peacekeepers. Find the Ascension well and report to me."

He checked his available options. How could he get out of fulfilling the order?

There was no hole out of it. He had to find the Ascension well. Even his soul rebelled at the thought of not doing it.

Fortunately, his target has arrived, the vampire parking his expensive car in his private parking spot.

X wondered at how stupid the mortal authorities were. Here was a group of cops moving around in expensive cars and living in high-end apartment buildings like this one.

Wasn't that enough to warrant an investigation?

His mind moved away from that. He was probably overthinking things. The peacekeeper captain would have a way of reducing the attention gained by her officers.

His target stepped out of his hover car, whistling happily.

X waited as the vampire walked past his hiding spot without even a pause. He shook his head in disappointment. Some people were not meant to be cops.

He surged forward, his hand plunging through the man's back to grip his heart.

"Officer Target." X whispered. "How have you been?"

"X." Target choked. X had pierced his lungs as he thrusted to get to the heart.

Blood poured down his lips as he looked down in confusion. His heart had not been destroyed. There was no exit wound. All X had done was pierce him through the back to grab his heart.

"Calm down, man." Target said, raising his two hands. "Is this about your two hundred million? Come on. everything was fair and square."

X's grip on his heart tightened a bit, his flesh trying to regenerate over his arm.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Target called out in a panic. "The money's been shared. The captain has taken her piece but don't worry. I can get fifty million back to you."

For a moment, X toyed with the idea of retrieving the money for himself before dismissing it. He was here for something else.

"The Ascension well. Where is it?"

Target froze.

"I know you know where it is, Target." X growled. "You keep an eye on everyone including your boss. Don't make me ask a second time. Where is the Ascension well?"

"I... I..." Target stammered.

X tightened his grip.

"Wait! Wait! I'll tell you! Don't kill me. I'll fucking tell you." Target cried out.

X waited in silence.

Target rattled off the address to a cathedral, begging for his life on every fifth word.

When he was done, X stood silently before sighing. "You should've been a good cop and not follow your boss, Target. Now, I've got to report to my master."

X squeezed and Target's body slid off his hand, hitting the floor with a muffled thump. The man was dead.

X materialized his fire, burning the body into ashes. He brought out his phone and sent a message. It was much easier to clean up dust than to clean up bodies.

As he left the private corner, he turned Griffin's words in his mind. Searᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Go among the peacekeepers. Find the Ascension well and report to me."

Griffin hadn't specified the time he had to make his report.

X smiled to himself.

That was a small loophole he could take advantage of.