Chapter 173

Chapter 173: Chapter 173

"Y-You..." Aylin stumbled over her words, not expecting to be stabbed in the back. "We’re supposed to be working together!"

Asael glanced down at her mildly, his disinterest was even more ruthless than an expression of anger. "You’ve begun a displeasing trend," He said measuredly, "I can’t kill that nuisance so naturally everyone else will take the fall."

Moira’s eyes went wide in shock; she couldn’t speak, so she pointed to herself, at a loss.

Gilles’ hands were clenched into fists by his side, the situation had taken an unexpected turn. Shadow Demons were a rarity, regarded as symbols of misfortune even in the Hells, if he was resigned to killing Aylin, there was about nothing he could do to stop it.

Despite being crowded against the stone wall by two Demons, Dulce effortlessly slipped past them and protectively stepped in front of Moira, a harmless smile on his face.

"Now, now, there was little harm done." He tried to mediate, caring more for the unthreatened witch than Aylin who had a blade to her neck. "How about we let the matter end here?"

"I also came to rescue you," Aylin said to him, aggrieved. "Don’t you possess even a hint of concern for me?"

Dulce frowned, torn. This was particularly the reason he didn’t like to mingle with other Vampires.

The blade pressed down deeper into Aylin’s neck, even more blood spilling down, it stained the neckline of her pale blue dress, drawing a sharp gasp from her.

Unable to hold back any longer, Gilles flashed in between them. He wielded a weapon, using it to push off the blade that had previously been inching deeper and deeper into Aylin’s throat.

"If I recall correctly," Gilles’ said pleasantly, although it took both hands to move the strange blade a few inches away, the strain showing in the form of veins on his forehead. "Aylin didn’t hold Lord Montesserat captive. If there are any who have earned your ire, it’s that reprobate bunch over there."

Asael studied the newest addition to the conversation with a flat expression, it didn’t quite seem like he was exerting any effort into keeping his shadow blade by the Vampire Queen’s neck.

Dulce wasn’t one to speak up for Vampires but Vampire Queen Aylin was a rather complicated matter, her death would only entangle him further with other Vampires. "He... He does have a point," He admitted reluctantly.

Gilles was stunned to hear this, he glanced briefly at Dulce, and in that short time, the blade he had been guarding against dissipated and reappeared right over his heart.

Behind this tense exchange, Aguilar and his coven members remained deathly quiet, too tense to even breathe. They would have made a run for it a long time ago but the two Demons inside the wrecked prison had fixated on their group like prey.

Asael didn’t seem particularly affected by the outcome, as if it didn’t matter who died or not. "Take her with you," He directed the Vampire at the end of his blade.

Although Aylin had just nearly lost her head, she didn’t lose her bravado, her dislike of the Demons overpowering her caution. "I don’t remember you being the one to bring me here," She lashed out, stepping to the side to glare around Gilles’ tall figure. "How do you get to decide when I leav....."

She didn’t get all of her words out before Gilles took a step back, he swept her off the ground with a single hand, his other hand still holding onto his rapier.

"What? What are you doing, Gilles? Put me down!" Aylin immediately protested.

Gilles ignored her and walked off without another word, he knew how to pick his battles. He had finally seen it in person, Dulce Montesserat’s indulgence of his Demons. If the Shadow Demon had really wanted to take Aylin’s head, Dulce Montesserat wouldn’t stop him.

Gilles’ coven didn’t dally, leaving the half-crumbling cellar in a blur of shadows. The air grew even more tense after they left, the only one able to manage a sheepish smile, Dulce.

The pale-haired Vampire gave Asael a tentative smile, he couldn’t deny that he had been able to escape at any time, yet he had worried them for no reason.

"I’m perfectly fine," He was quick with his excuses, "Miss Moira has been incredibly helpful to me, naturally I couldn’t leave her to fend for herself."

Behind him Moira nodded seriously, Asael still hadn’t put his weapon away, despite standing behind Dulce, she couldn’t help but feel the flames of danger lick at her feet.

Asael’s blade dissipated into mist, he reached out to take the Vampire’s wrist and pulled him to his side. He knew that Dulce couldn’t die, yet his heart had felt like a writhing, injured animal when the Vampire’s well-being and whereabouts had been uncertain.

Now revealed, Moira timidly shuffled to the side, staying close to Dulce, but not too close. Even if she could be dense and only cared for summoning magic, Dulce’s interesting relationship with his Demons was incredibly obvious.

Dulce blew out a breath of relief, looking over to Aguilar’s coven. "What are you going to do with them?" He asked flippantly.

Aguilar naturally stood in front of his coven, his red eyes looking from Demon to Demon unable to see an avenue where they came out of this unscathed.

He had long realized that Dulce Montesserat wasn’t a danger to him directly, and having observed the ongoings, he knew that Gilles’ companion had only been spared because Dulce requested it.

"W-We did have an agreement, Lord Montesserat," He mustered up the courage to speak up.

Three chilly gazes settled on Dulce.

"Agreement?" Asael asked, lifting a brow.

Moira’s brows dipped in anger, as much as the dangerous Demons terrified her, she had been pulled into this unwillingly, where was the agreement in that? Her precious shop had even been reduced to nothing.

Unfortunately, she had lost her ability to speak so she couldn’t even express her discontent, pointing angrily at the huddled group of Vampires.

Dulce hastily tried to dissuade any thoughts they had, "We didn’t have any agreement," He denied heartlessly.

It wasn’t often his actions garnered disapproval, but this time he was innocent!