Chapter 228: Subjects, Assemble

With a bright flash of light, the empty teleportation room of the Old Museum was no longer empty.

Ezra straightened his overcoat and led the way out, his wives following.

"Why don't vampire counts live underground anymore?" Gen mused as they walked. "Nowadays, everyone wants their throne room in the sky. I mean, what's up with that?"

"It's simple isn't it?" Red commented. "The two things they had to be cautious of are no longer great dangers."

"Okay." Gen frowned. "I get that the sun is one of those things but what's the other one?"

"Other vampires." Olivia answered as their footsteps echoed around the corridors. "Before the death wave, there were a lot more vampires. A lot more than we have today. Imagine First City with at least ten different counts, each with their own subjects."

"That's… a lot." Gen nodded.

"That meant both your friends and your enemies were closer than you are probably comfortable with. Building a throne room in the sky was not practical at the time as your enemies could attack you in such an exposed place."

"And by building underground, it was a lot harder to launch a surprise attack." Gen tilted her head. "I see."

They quickly got to the elevator and rode up to the throne room in silence. The door dinged and they stepped out into the room, the sky painted in hues of orange and pinks. The sun had made its way over the horizon and it was dusk.

The throne was empty and only four vampires were present in the room, standing as one when they walked in. Ezra blinked at the sight, wondering if they were putting on some kind of performance.

"Ezra Matten." Thor nodded in acknowledgement, his three wives standing behind him.

Ezra nodded in return. "Thor Odinson."

"Ha!" Gen spoke up. "Never knew I'd meet you fuckers like this again."

Everyone turned to see her staring and grinning widely at two of Thor's wives.

"Hello, Genesis." The closest wife waved jauntily at Gen. She wore a neon green pantsuit with a dark red shoulder pad jutting out like wings. Her dark hair curled chaotically, framing her face. Blood dripped slowly down her face like tears, vanishing as it dropped off her chin. Searᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

She stood there with her hands in her pockets and unlike the last time they'd met, her expression was calm instead of the crazy one she'd been wearing.

"I see that you still shop from the lost and found box, Coin." Gen bared her teeth. Her eyes went to the second vampire she recognized, who stood there, watching quietly. "How have you been, Gauntlet?"

The lady stood there, watching like a strict teacher. Her cold eyes sat on her skeletal face, the look completed by her tight, no-nonsense bun. Unlike Coin, she wore a dark blue, tailored suit that clung smartly to her thin frame like a second skin.

They were the two Silent Hand vampires that had massacred the Black Spider gang members and blown up the building while she'd been inside.

Gauntlet watched her, not saying a word.

"Fuck off, burnt face." Coin grinned. Thor's third wife snickered. Compared to her fellow wives, she was more ordinary, dressed in a cream colored dress, matching Thor's cream colored suit.

Ezra wondered if there was a statement in their choice of outfits before dismissing the thought. Not everything needed to have a hidden message.

Gen was about to retort when Ezra placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. With a subtle shake of his head, Ezra turned away to take his place in front of the throne.

His coven followed behind him, Gen glaring daggers at Coin who watched them with a superior smirk.

The door opened and the Flower Shop girls walked in. Everyone watched them as they took their place, their dresses shimmering. After acknowledging each other, they stood waiting in silence.

A few minutes later, Helena entered, followed by Lilith. Their white uniforms stood out in the room, but still not as much as Coin's outfit.

After the customary greeting, they took their place in the throne room, Helena's eyes lingering on Red. Red stood there, refusing to acknowledge Helena's existence. She conversed with Olivia in low tones as Gen continued her glaring contest with Coin.

Before long, they were joined by Lady Amara, dressed in her customary black dress, complete with a veil. She was followed by three female vampires, dressed similarly to her. Their dresses dragged along the ground as they walked as if gliding across the floor.

Ezra nodded to himself. So, the Lone Lady wasn't as alone as she would like everyone else to think.

With everyone present, the appointed time finally arrived. The door opened and everyone straightened in attention as Yuri entered, her hair changing color with each step. Even though she wasn't the only fifth ring vampire in the room, her presence was undeniable.

She was the oldest and most experienced fifth ring vampire and it showed. Her husbands, Ivo and Armand followed behind her, their muscles rippling as they walked past.

Yuri took her seat and her husbands took their place on either side of her.

Yuri watched them for a minute before she spoke. "Yesterday night, the war changed." She began. "We struck a blow at the Flower Shop girls, destroying the Flower Shop which we all know is very important to their… craft."

Ezra listened, thinking on her words. That had to be one of the distractions she had prepared to make sure the moving the Ascension Well was free of attacks.

The Necromancer was preoccupied with the seizure of his assets. The Flower Shop girls had been attacked in their own home. Count Vladimir wasn't as interested in the Ascension Well. And as for Count Solomon, Yuri had to have done something to keep his hand tied.

He watched the speaking woman. She was as much an Arbiter as she was Countess.

"And with our successful attack, we are in the second phase." She leaned forward. "It's time to sabotage."