The meeting hall for the vampire council was lively once again as all 13, no, 11 seats were filled with the Dukes taking up their respective positions with slight trepidation visible on their faces.
Nikolas, once the leader of this great council, no longer bothered to refer to himself as such as he sat with a complicated expression.
Just what is the problem now?... He couldn’t help but wonder as he waited with the rest.
The same question was on the mind of the others but knowing better, they chose to wait patiently.
It took almost an hour before the doors leading into the hall opened again with Damian walking in with Charlotte beside him and Horace behind him.
The latter had his head down in servitude as Damian stopped at the entrance to scrutinize the expressions of everyone present.
A few averted their gaze for fear of gaining his ire causing him to scoff in his heart whilst Charlotte looked on with disdain.
’These are the so-called dukes of the modern era?’ disgust welled up in her stomach as she fought back the urge to cut them all down.
Even though there was no reason to hold back, Charlotte chose to do so at the behest of Damian.
It seemed he still had his uses for them.
Once he was done with his scrutiny, Damian strode over to the seat that once belonged to Nikolas with Charlotte and Horace moving with him.
Once seated, he gestured for Nikolas to give up his chair for Charlotte.
Albeit unwilling, Nikolas knew what disobedience could amount to so, taking a deep breath, he rose to his feet and offered his seat to Charlotte.
With a smile that did not reach her eyes, Charlotte sat comfortably whilst Nikolas and Horace were left standing like mere servants.
Of course, given the opportunity, a brief exchange occurred between the two.
Charlotte crossed her legs, taking on a more dignified noble appearance whilst Damian leaned back in his chair before placing his right palm on his cheek.
Letting out a tired sigh, he remarked. "I’m sure you all are wondering why I have called you here today."
There was no response but of course, everyone agreed with his assessment.
"I have met with the Dark Lord," Damian said after a brief pause causing a few gasps to escape the lips of everyone present.
Some were excited, others were surprised while a few kept to themselves, unwilling to reveal their true thoughts.
"But!" Damian said rather loudly, jolting everyone from their initial reverie.
"He is not the savior prophesied by the Witch of Fables."
Gulping hard, Nikolas asked. "Then what is he?"
"A bastard only seeking to further his own goals," Damian said matter of factly. "He would rather watch our kind crumble than save us from the terror humanity has inflicted on us."
Then taking a deep breath, he looked around before adding in a disdainful tone. "What’s more, he is human."
A deafening silence fell upon the hall as the Dukes exchanged looks with one another, unsure of what to make of Damian’s words.
It was too heavy to accept just like that.
Wasn’t the Dark Lord the being they had waited so long for?... For 2000 years since the end of the Dark Ages, the prophecy of the Dark Lord was something they looked forward to but now this?
No... they shook their heads, trying their hardest to ignore Damian’s slanderous words.
However, Damian fully expected this but cared less about their thoughts.
Only his words mattered and anyone that went against it would die without question.
"I called this meeting for one reason and that was to inform you all that the Dark Lord cannot save us... we can only save ourselves which is why we have to focus everything on completing the Blood ritual. Only then can we fight back against the bleak future that awaits us if we continue down the path we are currently on."
Then, taking a glance around, he added in a threatening undertone. "So anyone that had any plans of breaking camp, it would be best to rethink your actions."
A few audible gulps were heard but ultimately there was still no response... at least until the 2nd Seat spoke.
"My lord, if I may." He spoke in a rather relaxed manner, naturally masking the true emotions he felt.
Damian glanced in his direction. "And you are?"
"Jairus, my lord." He replied with a curt bow.
"I see." Damian nodded before adding. "Speak, I’m listening."
"Thank you, my lord," Jairus said.
Taking a moment to choose his words carefully, he began. "The news that the Dark Lord is human and what’s more, doesn’t plan to save us isn’t news that can be shared with the public so I ask that my lord doesn’t with the others."
"I understand your worries, but I won’t do that," Damian replied, almost sounding like a true ruler as he added. "The Dark Lord was a symbol of rejuvenation for our race and he will remain as that, but of course, I shall take that mantle."
"The Dark Lord is not a title that should be held by a human and so, I will seize it from the bastard currently parading with it."
"There are no buts, Jairus." Damian cut him off before staring down at everyone present. "Before this happens, however, the Blood ritual must be completed."
"... I understand." Jairus could only sit back down, swallowing whatever reservations he had about the matter.
Damian remarked soon after. "Now then, next on our agenda is the changes I will be making to the Blood ritual taking place on the Emperor’s birthday."
"Changes?" Frowns dotted the faces of the Dukes as they waited for Damian to explain.
Jairus, and in extension, Nikolas could sense that whatever would be said was the real reason Damian called for the meeting.
"The Liaison is currently out for blood, having figured out my plans which means, the act of sacrificial offering can no longer happen... at least not as I initially planned."
Pausing momentarily, Damian ensured to scrutinize their expressions before he continued. "Which is why I have decided on a different method...."
He trailed off as the atmosphere in the hall dipped to an unnaturally cold level, causing a deep sense of foreboding to creep up the spines of the Dukes.
Then, in a chilling tone, he ordered. "Give up your bonds."