A dull thud resounded in the basement, causing Nadia to flinch as she glanced at Booker’s unmoving body.
Everything happened so fast, it took her a full second to register his death.
Her breathing turned uneven as she turned to look at Alex.
His cold, expressionless visage reflected in her eyes, and at that moment, Nadia’s heart skipped a bit.
As her lips quivered, she felt like something had to be said but found herself unable to make a sound.
Ultimately, she resolved to remain quiet, allowing the silence in the basement to linger for a little while longer.
Alex didn’t as much as spare Nadia a glance as his gaze lingered on each suited male standing guard before finally landing on the blonde lady at the center.
Meeting his cold, unfeeling gaze, a smile tugged at the corner of Charlotte’s lips as she remarked. "You know how to set quite the atmosphere."
Alex looked her over briefly before he replied. "I have 3 questions for you."
"Ah, finally willing to acknowledge me." Charlotte joked but Alex was having none of it as he continued.
"You may call me, Charlotte."
"Did Damian send you?"
"Maybe, maybe not," Charlotte replied with a shrug.
Alex paused, taking the time to glance at Nadia before returning his attention to Charlotte. "Do you intend to use her against me?"
"I had intended on that but after what happened when you walked into this establishment, I’m inclined against taking such a bold step."
Alex didn’t immediately respond, quickly linking Charlotte’s statement to the weird sensation he felt earlier.
Letting out a sigh, he inquired. "Why?"
"Because I have a feeling that you’d kill her yourself in such a scenario."
Nadia’s heart skipped a bit yet again at the unexpected response.
She looked toward Alex expecting him to deny Charlotte’s words but all she got was an eerie silence and an implied agreement.
"This..." Nadia trailed off as she wasn’t sure how to feel.
She didn’t expect Alex to be her knight in shining armor but wasn’t this a bit much?
"Why are you here?" Alex asked after a full minute of silence.
"Oh come on, and here I was about to consider you more knowledgeable than most."
"If it is to kill me, I will let you know now, that won’t be possible."
Alex ignored Charlotte’s suggestiveness as he remarked. "Take me to Damian."
"I would like to put an end to this."
"To avoid unnecessary bloodshed. It is better for both of us."
Charlotte raised a brow as she replied. "Now I’m starting to feel offended."
"Will you deliver my message?"
Charlotte remained silent, seemingly pondering Alex’s words before she turned away, gesturing for one of her subordinates to approach.
Once within earshot, she whispered into his ear and the latter nodded before stepping away to deliver the message.
Alex watched the man step aside into a dark corner before returning his attention to Charlotte who was looking at him with a meaningful smile.
"Even though I doubted it before, I must confess, if you aren’t the Dark Lord, I believe no one else is."
Alex remained aloof as he mouthed a response. "Release the girl."
"As you wish." Charlotte bowed slightly before glancing at Nadia. "You have your freedom."
Nadia met her gaze and after taking a deep breath, she rose to her feet and slowly made her way to Alex’s side.
"Alex..." she tried to speak once she got to him but trailed off as Alex raised her hand, cutting her off.
Then in a cold voice, he responded. "I don’t want to hear it."
"..." Nadia found herself unable to say anything more and instead bit down on her lower lip as a feeling of weakness washed over her.
Alex expected this and for good reason, acted the way he did to induce it.
He knew well enough that situations would come up as long as he walked down the path he was currently on.
So he had to make sure that the team aiding him were capable enough to defend themselves, if not, what’s to say they’d be lucky to escape unscathed like Nadia did today.
’If you want to follow me, then get stronger.’ That was the hidden message he passed across to Nadia.
If she got it, good enough.
If she didn’t, nothing stopped him from sending her back.
Just then, the man Charlotte sent aside returned and whispered into her ear.
A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she remarked. "He has agreed to see you. Please, come with us."
"Before that, I will have to send her away," Alex remarked while reaching for Nadia’s arm.
"Hmm?" Charlotte’s eyes narrowed as she instinctively reached for her sword.
Alex raised a brow in surprise. "Do you not agree?"
"Is there a reason to?"
"Hmm." Alex was about to reply when Nadia spoke up.
"That won’t be necessary, my Lord." Speaking in the tone of a servant addressing her master, Nadia looked up and met Alex’s cold gaze as she added. "I promise not to be a hindrance any longer."
Alex remained silent as he read the emotions in her eyes.
A moment was all he needed to understand her.
Taking a deep breath, he snapped his fingers but apart from a resounding echo, nothing else happened.
Charlotte prepared to make a move but the next instant found herself calming down.
This was the same with her subordinates who seemed to be out for blood one moment but mellowed like a good dog the next.
It seemed like there was no reason to be so tense.
In the meantime, Alex’s clothes seemed to grow darker and his eyes turned deep, seemingly reflecting the night sky.
Glancing at Charlotte, he remarked. "It would seem I will be bringing her along."
"That’s for the best," Charlotte replied, completely ignoring Nadia’s presence.
Then, taking her hand away from her waist, she remarked. "Please... follow me."
Alex obliged as he followed behind Charlotte, the latter leading them through a backway that led to an underground tunnel, where a coach awaited.
"Please, after you." Charlotte gestured as she spoke.
Alex scrutinized the coach resting quietly in the dark tunnels.
At its helm, a vampire in a black and red coat sat and the two horses at the front didn’t seem normal, what with the dark wisps escaping from their body and their seemingly shadowy physique, Alex guessed them to be denizens from the Spirit World.
After ensuring there was nothing to be worried about, Alex stepped into the carriage with Nadia following closely behind.
Charlotte joined them along with two of her subordinates while she ordered the rest to follow along.
Then with a slight knock on the inside of the carriage, the coach began to make its way down the tunnel.