Silence reigned between Alex and Elizabeth as neither said a word, merely scrutinizing the other.
It remained like that for several minutes before Alex muttered with a sigh. "I thought only Vampires would use that title with me."
"Surprised we found you before you got a chance to grow stronger?" Elizabeth asked.
"Not at all. In any case, I didn’t think the title would cause such a major problem to have a person of your standing come to me with killing intent."
Alex met her resolute gaze and after pondering for a moment, slowly replied. "There is no need for us to fight."
"The Night Kindred may refer to me as the Dark Lord but I don’t plan to take up any responsibilities related to that title because..."
"I have..." Alex trailed off as he furrowed his brows. "You believe me?"
"I do." Elizabeth nodded. "I also know now that Damian is trying to frame you for the incident with the black market."
"Then... why are you here?" Alex couldn’t help but ask.
"It’s simple actually. You are the Dark Lord."
"You may not plan to take up the mantle but for years, the Eastern Highlands has been waiting for an opportunity to reclaim these lands and the awakening of the Dark Lord would work well as a signal for them to do so. That would undoubtedly lead to an age of blood and war...."
"So you wish to remove the source of the war before it takes place?"
"Unfortunately so. From the moment you became the Dark Lord, you were destined to become the reason for a great war to sweep across the lands. It is unfair but I have to do what I need to do for the peace the Great Families worked hard for to remain."
"Even if you might die trying to prevent that?" Alex asked, a somewhat saddened expression on his face.
He could see it clearly in the eyes of the Liaison.
This woman that seemed so strong was bogged down by her duties and had no choice but to carry them out.
It reminded him a bit of his past life and subconsciously, he found himself wanting to dissuade Elizabeth.
But more than anyone else, he knew it was pointless.
She came not because of personal reservations... but because she had no choice.
Elizabeth ignored his question as she remarked. "Thank you for saving my goddaughter."
"Arwen. You protected her from the breach, did you not?"
"I didn’t know you two were related."
"But you helped her and that’s all that matters."
Alex remained silent as he glanced at the bed instinctively only to hear Elizabeth speak up.
"I saw your friend leave earlier. Normally I would have apprehended her after all, she is an unregistered Mystic and what’s more, of the Devil Wheel no less but..."
"You let her go," Alex muttered under his breath.
"Consider it my repayment for saving Arwen’s life," Elizabeth said before adding. "Now we owe each other nothing."
"This Damian you speak of... you said he framed me for something."
"So that means he sent you to me to divert attention from himself, knowing fully well you would not go after him even if you know his words are false."
"A simple diversion but he’s smarter than I thought."
"... Will you not change your mind?"
"Do not make this harder than it already is," Elizabeth spoke as though she were speaking with a friend. "Act like the Dark Lord you are supposed to be and fight back."
"Are you always this friendly?" Alex inquired.
Elizabeth shook her head as she pulled out her switchblade and flicked the switch, revealing an ebony blade.
"I merely pity you for the cross you carry."
As those words escaped her lips, she moved forward without warning, crossing the distance between herself and Alex with a single step.
Alex however was prepared as his eyes flashed a bright golden shade before he snapped his fingers.
As black and white pulsating lights rushed to surround him, Elizabeth wasn’t flustered as she calmly swung her blade.
Her arm suddenly moved faster and before Alex knew what was happening, the blade was already at his neck.
"Begone," Elizabeth muttered as her blade touched Alex’s neck only to realize that she couldn’t move any further.
Glancing at her arm, she noticed her wrist was wrapped in black and white tendrils and at the same time, her body grew heavier than she was used to.
"Darkness and gravity?... No, it’s more than that." Elizabeth calmly analyzed the situation while Alex stared at her in pure admiration.
It was clear that Elizabeth had not risen to her position with mere words.
She was a seasoned professional capable of dealing with any situation with a calm mind.
In a way, her demeanor almost seemed inhuman.
’But then again, considering how fast Vampires can be... I’d be surprised if she had no means to deal with their speed.’
The way she suddenly increased the speed of her wrist was still etched in Alex’s mind.
Knowing fully well that escaping wouldn’t be easily accomplished, Alex guessed he was in for a troublesome fight.
Just then, silver light exploded from Elizabeth’s body and Alex immediately felt his strength leave him as the black and white tendrils dissipated with the wind, leaving him speechless.
There was no way he would mistake it.
Realizing now that his opponent had a firm grasp on antimagic, the previously troublesome assessment was raised to be truly bothersome.
Alex wasted no time as he reached out to grab Elizabeth’s wrist but she anticipated this as she calmly withdrew her wrist and moved to stab him through the chest.
Alex reacted quickly as he moved to the side but Elizabeth’s blade was quicker than him, leaving a cut in his side as he collapsed on the bed.
Not waiting to figure out the extent of his injury, Alex rolled over the bed and after he got to the other side, got to his feet just in time to watch as Elizabeth rushed at him.
Alex’s heart couldn’t help but palpitate at that moment as he understood that before him stood a real chance of death if he was the slightest bit careless.
What troubled him most was the calm and composed expression on Elizabeth’s face as she moved.
A cold and experienced killer.
That was the feeling Elizabeth gave him.