Chapter 211: Threats And Territories

Ezra teleported straight to the teleportation room of the Old Museum. Countess Yuri was expecting him.He stepped out, navigating the corridors as he walked towards the base of the tower where the elevator was.

"Ezra Matten."

He heard a voice calling out his name and he stopped, turning around.

"We've not been properly introduced, have we?" The man on the right grinned, displaying his teeth.

"Not your fault, of course." The man on the left matched his partner's grin. "We didn't have enough time in our first meeting, did we?"

"No we didn't." Ezra bowed slightly to the two men, his face expressionless. These were Yuri's husbands. He had met them during his first visit to the Old Museum.

Ivo and Armand.

Both vampires were so similar, they could be mistaken as twins. Both were seven feet tall and had prominent but not too large muscles.

They also had an impressive set of eight pack abs, looking like handsome gym bros. The look was completed by their lack of a shirt and gray sweatpants.

He'd been surprised to learn that Yuri had not one but two husbands, a rare thing in a coven given how hard just one vampire was to claim. The three of them were also the only members of their coven, giving Yuri double the vitality.

"What a fine evening to properly introduce ourselves, isn't it?" Ivo said as they walked closer.

"Seeing as we all serve the Countess, it's fitting we understand one another, won't you say?" Armand nodded.

Ezra nodded, his gaze shifting between the two. "Of course. I am honored."

He bowed slightly to hide the irritation creeping into his face. The men had a tendency to end their sentences with questions which annoyed Ezra.

Ivo stepped closer, his gaze never leaving Ezra. "Yuri speaks highly of you, did you know?" he said, and there was something in his tone that suggested it was both a compliment and a challenge. Sёarch* The nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Ezra tilted his head slightly, his irritation gone and his focus back. What were these two playing at?

He lowered his voice, his smile disappearing from his face. "She trusts you with tasks she would trust to no one else, doesn't she?"

Armand moved to stand beside his partner, both radiating the subtle auras of fifth ring vampires, projecting a strong presence. "And trust," Armand continued where Ivo left off, "is not given lightly here."

He leaned closer, his gaze intense. "Not by us and definitely not by Yuri."

"There is nothing more fragile or precious than the trust of one who commands darkness as she does, is there?" Ivo asked. "What do you think will be a fitting punishment for any who breaks that trust?"

Ezra's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. They were threatening him? He almost scoffed but kept his calm, answering them.

"Who am I to punish those who are not mine to punish? I'm sure the Countess would meet whoever could be so foolish with fire and brimstone."

"Hmmn." Ivo hummed, his eyes narrowed. "A clever one we have here, Armand. What do you think?"

"It pays to have some brains, doesn't it?" Armando grinned, showing teeth. The both of them stood there, staring at Ezra.

"A word of advice, Ezra Matten." Ivo said, stepping back, his grin returning. "Betrayal here is met with consequences far graver than death. If you know anyone planning to betray, it would be good to advise them not to. Won't it?"

"Of course." Ezra answered.

Armand nodded, the ghost of a smile flickering across his lips as if amused by some private joke. "We'll be watching, Ezra. Not just for her sake, but for yours as well. Stay safe, okay?"

"Thank you." Ezra nodded and turned, resuming his journey.

He could feel their eyes following him as he walked down the corridor. Why were they so suspicious of him? He was sure he hadn't given Yuri any reason to be suspicious.

The fact that they were doing this in her domain, where she could see all, meant that they had nothing to hide from her.

Was this message from themselves or from Yuri? He thought as he stepped into the elevator.

He nodded to himself as the elevator rose. He was going to see Yuri. She'd tell him herself if she was displeased with him. And if she didn't, there was no problem with that. He wouldn't be in First City for too long, anyways.

In a minute, he was walking into the throne room, the light of the moon shining down upon him.

Yuri sat on her throne, the moon hovering behind her like a halo, casting her face in shadows. As a vampire, Ezra could still see her face clearly but the effect was unmistakable.

Her Aura was powerful in the space, making it known that she was the sole power in the Old Museum.

"You called for me, Countess?" He bowed slightly in her presence.

"Yes I did, Ezra Matten." She leaned forward on her throne. "It is time for you to choose. Tell me, have you decided which part of Southside you wish to rule over?"

"My lady?" Ezra stood there, his mind going through his options.

"Don't tell me you have nothing in mind, Ezra Matten." Yuri said, smiling slightly. "We both know that you do. So, what is it? Ascendant Capital? The TransitLink partnership? Mention it and it's yours."

He paused, staring at Yuri. "Any place I want?"

Yuri's half smile became a full smile. "Any place."

Ezra grinned in the safety of his mind. He would be leaving First City the first chance he got but that didn't mean he couldn't choose a place that would benefit him in the long run.

Southside had one thing in abundance.

Crime.

And he knew the place where the kind of crime he was after paid the most.

"Very well." Ezra nodded. "I want the farmer's market."

"Done." Yuri said.

Ezra allowed a smile to show on his face. He'd just secured the last piece he needed to survive the war unscathed and make it out of First City smelling like roses.