Finnick had wondered why he was so drawn to Alex.
It was enough to cause him to feel wary.
The only other time he felt this way was when he found himself underneath the night sky.
A beautiful scenery he had grown accustomed to seeing in his 300 years as a Vampire and a leader underneath the 11th Duke.
Yet as he stared at Alex, Finnick felt the same way.
It felt the same way a man would feel if he saw another woman that made him feel the same way as his wife.
It felt like he was cheating so Finnick wanted to chase Alex away as soon as possible.
Whatever the reason was for the attraction, he chose to send it away rather than trouble it any further than he already had.
It was simple and he expected his men to see what he saw but he expected too much of them.
This was why when they rushed at Nadia, he did not attempt to stop them.
They were bloodlusted and drunk, it was hard to control them in such a state.
If he did too much, they could end up turning against him, a situation he sincerely wanted to avoid.
So he saw it as a means to probe Nadia and Alex while avoiding the danger he sensed.
Whatever happens, he’d at least learn something out of it.
Of course, subsequent events left him completely speechless and confused.
"...Night." Those words were said in a bit of panic but the more Finnick stared at the pulsating black and white, he soon realized what he sensed earlier.
Alex was no ordinary mortal.
He was a being that held control over the night!
And this wasn’t just a simple mystic domain.
Evernight had never existed before so it couldn’t be said he was mistaken by the sensation.
Thinking back, he recalled the stories he learned about not just Vampires but all Creatures of the Night.
It spoke of a being that would one day arise from the shadows but he wouldn’t be born of the shadows nor would he wish to dwell in it.
Instead, he would seek to dominate the night, the perfect blend of light and darkness, and once dominated, he would lead the Creatures of the Night to a new era... an era of prosperity and greatness.
It sounded like a fairytale then even for a Vampire like Finnick but faced with Alex and his unprecedented show of unparalleled might, he was forced to believe it.
He recalled that the great being was not given a name but a plethora of titles.
Night King, Master of the Creatures of the Night, He who treads both Light and Darkness, Adversary of the Day, and lastly...
"The Dark Lord." Finnick was left in utter awe as he dropped to his knees and greeted the great being before him.
He cared not for the loss of his companions, they deserved to die anyway for daring to attack Alex.
How could they dare to attack the one meant to lead them to greatness?
Finnick had the desire to bring back those fools so he could rip them apart with his bare hands.
But alas he could not, so he was left angry for allowing his men free reign.
With no other option, Finnick muttered. "I apologize for the transgressions of my men, Dark Lord. Please punish me for my sins."
Smashing his forehead into the ground so hard he drew blood, Finnick awaited Alex’s reply with a faint trace of zeal in his heart.
Meanwhile, Booker was left confused while Nadia had a faint crease on her forehead as she seemed to be contemplating something.
Alex on the other hand, looked on at Finnick with interest.
It would seem Victoria had not lied.
There truly was a myth about a Dark Lord in vampiric lore, a being that they kept on confusing him for.
He had no idea if he was truly that great persona but he knew for a fact he had no desire to lead anyone to greatness.
His only goal remained to retrieve Nyx’s hearts and nothing would change it ... .not even the opportunity to reign over an entire race of immortals.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to play along all to diffuse the situation.
"There is no need to punish yourself. The sins of your subordinates are not yours to carry and they have already paid for their mistakes." Alex said in an aloof manner.
Finnick, overjoyed by Alex’s reply, raised his head and replied. "Thank you, my lord. Thank you for your mercies."
"Mn, no need to thank me," Alex said.
"I must, my lord. Please tell me, is there any way I can make up for troubling you?" Finnick had the zeal to please as he stared at Alex with eyes akin to those of a puppy awaiting orders.
Alex took a deep breath before he spoke up. "Then tell me why you attacked tonight?"
"It is all a misunderstanding, my lord," Finnick said before adding. "It is all because of the machinations of a Vampire that somehow happened to become a Monarch. He seeks to establish the Dark Ages once again but now that I have seen you, I see him as a blasphemer as he is not the one to lead our race to glory once again."
Alex nodded thoughtfully. "Do you know who this so-called Monarch is?"
"No one knows," Finnick replied. "No one else apart from the Dukes and their retainers at least."
"Alright then. I am satisfied with your answers. You may take your men and leave this place."
Finnick’s shoulders visibly deflated as he looked with a disappointed expression. "You wish for me to leave, my Lord?"
"Immediately," Alex replied, not bothering to mince his words.
"Will I see you again my lord?... I wish to serve you as a loyal servant." Finnick said in a reverent tone.
Alex shook his head. "That won’t be necessary. If you wish to serve me... do not arbitrarily take a human life."
"... I understand, my Lord." Finnick could only agree with Alex’s decision as he ordered his men to leave and after one last look at Alex, took his leave as well, a sharp air of melancholy about him.