Chapter 169

Chapter 169: Chapter 169

"What do you intend to do?" A grim-faced Vampire hissed, "You’re all rather eager to die."

"Cram it, Andreau," The spokesperson said ruthlessly, "You’re welcome to offer yourself to Gilles then. Our plan has always been rife with risks, death awaits us either way, wouldn’t it be far better to go with the least dangerous route?"

There was a brief stretch of tense silence after his lengthy speech, no one seeming to have any counter to the spokesperson’s words.

"So what is our next step?" The Vampire who had opened the prison doors for Dulce asked, bushy brows furrowed.

The spokesperson glanced at Dulce who was quietly huddled next to the human witch. The Vampire looked completely harmless, locks of his pale hair framing his face, but the spokesperson didn’t see this, instead, he saw their terrifying savior.

"There’s only one thing left to be done, take Dulce Montesserat with us to pay a visit to Gilles." He said grimly.

The table seemed to hold its breath, their mental struggle visible on their faces. Despite this, no one spoke against him, silently agreeing despite their dark expressions.

When the decision was made, the spokesperson rose to his feet and approached the prison. He adjusted the lapels of his coat again, an ingrained habit of his, his graying hair tied back from his face.

"Mr Montesserat?" He spoke up to get the Vampire’s attention, a pleasant smile on his face when the Vampire docilely rose to his feet and approached.

"Yes?" Dulce answered.

He had satisfied himself that Miss Moira was unharmed so he was more relaxed, but he would still rather resolve this complicated matter as soon as possible - he wanted to avoid worrying his summoned Demons.

"We seemed to have come to a perfect solution," The spokesperson said magnanimously, as if he wasn’t the one demanding a favor. "You simply have to accompany us to the coven, nothing more will be required of you but your presence."

Dulce remained hesitant to fulfill the demands made of him, "And if I don’t?" He asked calmly.

The spokesperson faltered then, "Then I apologize but I will have to hold you captive for the time being. The enemy coven will arrive eventually, our encounter can’t be avoided."

Dulce thought deeply about it, this way, he would be used as leverage regardless, and he couldn’t leave without Miss Moira. "Very well." He agreed, returning to Moira’s side.

While they waited for the enemy coven’s attack, he could think up methods to escape. The one thing the latter option provided him was time, his choice was an easy one.

The spokesperson’s face contorted but he made no effort to convince Dulce further, returning to the table to discuss with his coven. There was a fireplace in the cellar, which provided light and warmth, lanterns hanging off stone walls.

"I apologize, Miss Moira," Dulce spoke softly to the witch, "But we might be here a while."

Moira nodded gently, her clear green eyes free of blame. She had a lot to say to Dulce but was restricted from speaking, with her lips and her hands tied, she couldn’t cast magic. Although even if she could attempt it, it was futile, the Vampires who had captured her were far more accomplished than she could ever hope to be in her minimal lifetime.

She stared out of the bars in the prison where she was kept, she had been captured for days now. She couldn’t tell the time because the cellar was locked tight, but she had slept three times already, it had been at least four or five days. With a familiar presence next to her, exhaustion swept over her.

Sleeping previously had been out of necessity and even then, she had been too strung out to get any proper rest. Now she could gingerly lay her head on Dulce’s shoulder, falling fast asleep in no time.

Dulce tucked her wild, black hair out of her face, his expression tense. He wasn’t worried for himself, his inability to die a constant reassurance, but Moira was merely human.

He settled in to wait, resting his head gingerly against the grimy stone walls. If he couldn’t find an avenue to escape, then he had no other choice but to request the Demons’ help.

-+-

In the cottage, the air was tense. Night had already fallen, three Demons seated at the dining table with matching dark expressions.

"Where did you say Dulce went to?" Kath’tan was the one to speak up, the Fiend wore a scowl on a usual day but that was nothing compared to his current ferocious expression.

Asael’s anger was quieter, his gaze outside the window. It had stopped raining, the clouds parting for the first time all day to reveal a solemn crescent moon.

"To Fairwyn," He graciously repeated, "To speak to the witch about undoing your summons."

Ruoxi hadn’t spoken a word since they sat at the dining table to wait for Dulce. The Incubus’ charming smile was nowhere to be seen, even the impatient expression he had for the other Demons was gone.

Kath’tan shot to his feet, "Then what are we waiting for, he said he would be back in a few hours."

Asael glanced at the Fiend and remained seated, Dulce got along well with the human witch, he wouldn’t be surprised if they were still having a conversation late into the night. "Dulce said we shouldn’t follow him." He said simply.

The ball of shadows squeezed cruelly in his hands belied his words, but rushing there right away would only cause trouble.

Kath’tan scoffed, "Adept at obeying orders, aren’t you?"

Asael kept his expression placid, "I don’t care what you do."

Kath’tan was forced back into his seat, Asael was rather good at listening to Dulce, and it was clear the Vampire favored him. He crossed his arms, "If he’s not back in another hour, I’m going after him."

His proclamation was met with more silence, the air in the room growing heavier. It was already time for dinner but no one summoned servants to serve the night’s meal, the candles burning vigorously in the quiet room.