Chapter 226

Chapter 226: Chapter 226

Dulce fell against Kath’tan when they arrived at the cottage, his lips claimed before he could catch himself.

He broke away first, an apology on the tip of his tongue. "We couldn’t find a way to break your contract again." He sighed forlornly.

Kath’tan’s purple eyes were alight as he stared down at the foolish Vampire, very close to admitting that he would rather remain bound to him instead. But the others stepped into the cottage as well, hostile stares directed at him.

Dulce kept sighing even when he let go of him. He took a few steps back, his thoughts plainly written on his face. "I wonder if there is an unorthodox method of learning how to undo the contract—"

"My lords!" A servant called out in surprise when she opened the door and took a look around, a duster held in a slender hand. "You’ve returned," She bowed reflexively, still getting over her shock.

"Is something the matter?" Dulce asked mildly when the servant lingered for a moment, like she wanted to say something more.

"In a manner of speaking, my lord." She replied, stepping in to explain the situation. "A Vampire came knocking at dawn, claiming to have something important of yours. He had already begun to burn up from the rising sun, so we couldn’t turn him away."

The room grew tense at her words, Vampires rarely ever put themselves in the position of being at risk of having no shelter at sunrise.

Dulce frowned, momentarily distracted from his new plans to break the summoning contract. "Where is he?"

"In the cellar, my lord, the cottage isn’t built to accommodate Vampires." The servant explained, "We were unsure of the verity of his claims."

"Take me to him," Dulce reluctantly directed, looking like he would have preferred if the servants had turned the unwanted guest away at the door.

Without conversation, the Demons trailed after him on the short journey to the cellar.

Seated on a wooden chair in the cellar was a white-haired man wearing a cloak. His middle-aged features, combined with his white hair, were a startling contrast.

"Lord Montesserat," He said, standing up when he saw Dulce arrive. He was visibly injured, and if he had been here since dawn, it meant that he hadn’t healed in all this time and was gravely wounded.

"What is it that you have?" Asael asked flatly before Dulce could respond to him.

"I’m afraid I can’t outright say," He said solemnly, "But I can show you once night falls." He promised, earnest.

Asael had heard enough, "I think you should throw him out." He said bluntly, looking like he might like to go ahead and do exactly what he just said.

Dulce sighed, actually contemplating it, "And if you show me this important item at nightfall, you promise to leave without any other demands?" He asked pointedly.

The injured Vampire looked anguished at his words, "Very well. I just hope that Lord Montesserat will remember my efforts for his sake." He said cryptically.

Asael was unfazed, Vampires were very creative when it came to currying favor.

Dulce had already turned around to leave after the Vampire accepted his terms. He would be completely free to turn away the Vampire at the door once night fell.

It was just noon, there were still several hours until he would get to do that. He decided not to think about it, returning to more important topics like freeing Kath’tan from the restrictive binds of the summoning contract.

"...I’m afraid I might have to solicit the help of a Vampire," He was saying as he paced the length of the leisure room.

Kath’tan caught the uneasy Vampire’s wrist and pulled him down into his arms, kissing him for the second time. "Stop talking," He pulled away to say hoarsely after kissing Dulce until he was a little more than dazed.

Dulce wisely did not say anything more, stumbling to his feet to unsteadily take his favorite spot by the fireplace.

Tea and desserts were brought while they lazed around in the leisure room like they often did, unwittingly waiting for nighttime.

"Will you keep me company while I sleep tonight?" Caedos asked directly.

Dulce’s eyes sparked like he had completely forgotten about their arrangement from before they began their travels to the far side of the west. "Of course," He agreed easily.

Spring had come, and it would only get warmer. Soon, the fireplaces would have to be put out. He had taken off his overcoat and his cravat, revealing his neck, which was completely devoid of pale red bruises.

The sky was soon hued red, the sun disappearing beneath the tall evergreen trees. And so it was time for the Vampire to prove his claims.

They had left the carriage they took to Eynsworth in the institution’s environs, it still had quite the journey back to Dewmire, but there were more than enough carriages to pick from.

It was one of these carriages that they rode into Dewmire, it was night, so the injured Vampire could sit in front with the coachman to direct the way.

"Isn’t this another ploy to lure you into their matters?" Ruoxi asked.

Despite drowsily yawning most of the time, he insisted on coming along, his dark pink eyes lazy.

Asael had given up on trying to convince the Vampire, deciding instead to wipe out everyone involved in this farce.

The carriage moved with purpose until it rolled to a stop in front of one of the few manors in Dewmire. The windows were dark, which made the building stand out against all the other buildings, which were warmly lit.

The carriage door opened from the outside, the injured Vampire standing solemnly to the side. "Behind those doors," He said ominously.

Kath’tan looked the house over in distrust. "What is behind those doors?" He demanded with a scowl.

Caedos held Dulce’s hand from when he had helped the Vampire off the carriage earlier, the Hellhound frowned, an intensity in his eyes as he stared at the door.

"I smell blood," He said darkly.

That was enough for Kath’tan to step forward and kick open the doors, his scowl growing darker as he took a look at the manor’s foyer.

They quickly caught up, and together they stared at the scene in the foyer together. It was the very last thing anybody expected to see, it drew different reactions from everybody.

It was Aylin and Mildrede.

The Vampire witch was seated on the embroidered carpet bearing the emblem of the manor. The rich blue carpet was dyed dark with blood, and in her arms was the lifeless body of Aylin.

Her dress was ripped, and her white blonde hair was stained with blood. Her body was curled up against Mildrede, and if it weren’t for her limp head, one would think she was just sleeping.

"You dare return!" Mildrede shouted after the doors were thrown open, a magical shield coming up around them.

She didn’t take the shield down even when she saw that there was a crowd of people, staring hatefully at Dulce. She looked completely unharmed, if a little disheveled, her black hair wild.

"If you come within five feet of me, Moreau," She addressed the injured Vampire, even as she kept her glare on Dulce. "I won’t spare your life."

Dulce was startled to see Aylin in any capacity, not to mention finding her dead. "You promised to make no demands of me," He calmly reminded the injured Vampire.

"So cold," Mildrede sneered, "Even in the face of her death."

"And why should he care about her death?" Kath’tan cut in, still holding a grudge from their first meeting.

Mildrede broke into laughter, it was cold with a hint of mania. "Of course, why should he?" She repeated, finding the question incredibly humorous. "If only she could accept that." She spat out.

Asael had already completely run out of patience at that point, "Let’s return. We’ve already seen what he has to show." He said with empty black eyes.

Dulce didn’t linger a moment longer, already turning away to head for the broken doors.

"I have no use for it," Mildrede said with derision, throwing something at Dulce.

It was intercepted before he could turn around, every face painted with apprehension as they took in the strange thing that lay in Asael’s palm.

Within a silver-blue magical casing was a beating heart.

It beat steadily even though it was separated from its owner, pumping powerfully despite supplying blood to no one.

"Where did you get this?" Asael asked uneasily.

Dulce’s head started to ring, his vision swimming. The strange heart seemed to glow, it was blinding, so much that it made him want to close his eyes. He lost the strength in his legs and went down on one knee, his eyes stinging from the brightness.

The light only grew brighter, blotting out the rest of the room. It grew brighter until it swallowed him up, his vision going dark.

Caedos had already dropped to his knees then, catching Dulce as he went limp.

"Me? I did nothing of the like," Mildrede denied with fervor, disgusted by the mere suggestion. "Aylin bled out her life’s blood to recover that heart twice over, yet it remains cold, both within and without."