’If there’s a way to make the ritual fail...’ she thought bitterly, her fingers digging into her scalp, ’...then I’ll find it.’
She wanted the power. Yes, she desperately did. But more than that, she wanted Zyren to suffer. Even a flicker of pain would be enough. A moment where he regretted ever thinking he could toy with her life.
He had killed her father. Her brother. And now he claimed she was only alive because she was "useful."
No. He would regret it.
Frustrated and in no mood to remain inside the room that reeked of his presence, she grabbed a much thicker coat and threw it over her shoulders.
The air outside would be cold, but she needed it. She needed to breathe before she drowned in her own rage.
She stormed toward the door, ignoring the guards who greeted her quietly as she stepped out into the hallway. Her boots clicked sharply against the marble floor as she walked toward the garden.
She didn’t expect to find Clay there. For once, she just wanted solitude—space to think.
But fate had other plans.
The last person she expected to see was King Jared.
He was already standing there, completely alone in the dimly lit garden, lost in thoughts of his own. His massive furry coat caught the breeze as he stood still, arms crossed behind his back, unaware of her presence.
Aira on the other hand might as well have seen an halo of salvation hovering over his head as she instantly moved closer to him, ignoring all else.
Meanwhile, in a different part of the castle, whispers were already spreading.
No matter how tightly they tried to seal the truth, news always found a way to travel—through the mouths of servants scrubbing the blood from the floors, the maids who washed the stained tablecloths, the stable boys who overheard too much.
It didn’t take long before Clay figured out what had happened.
He had snuck into the food hall late in the night, disguised with a hood and silent steps. The smell of the blood still lingered there. Heavy. Metallic. And familiar.
The second the scent reached his nose, his entire body went stiff.
His pupils dilated. His breath hitched.
It was the same scent from the seeds. The same energy. The same essence.
Panic gripped him like a noose.
He left immediately, his feet pounding against the floor, cloak whipping behind him. By the time he reached his room and slammed the door shut, his entire body was shaking. Sweat drenched his back. His hands trembled.
He knew. He knew without a shadow of doubt.
His breath came in gasps as he paced the room.
’Aria is dead! She has to be!’
’Stupid, stupid human. I should’ve never trusted her to follow simple instructions!’ He raked both hands through his blond hair, nearly tearing it out. His ice-blue eyes widened in alarm.
He cursed under his breath again and again.
If Zyren suspected even for a second that the monster came from him... it would all be over.
’I made the seeds too sweet! I thought it’d be more enticing!’ He nearly screamed in frustration, slamming his fists against the wall.
He locked his door, moved furniture to block it, heart thundering in his chest as he thought through his next move.
’I need to leave! Now. While I still can.’
He turned, headed to grab the satchel beneath his bed when a knock came at the door.
His entire body froze.
He didn’t expect anyone. He didn’t tell anyone anything.
Then the door opened.
She stepped in gracefully, unaware of the bloodthirst in Clay’s eyes or the claws slowly growing from his fingers. She was angry, snapping his name sharply, her gaze fixed on his face.
She took a step forward, irritated—but completely oblivious to the beast now staring at her like prey.
She missed it. Missed the black glint in his eyes. Missed the twitch in his jaw. Missed the way his tongue slid over his sharp teeth.
She had no idea how close she was to death.
Clay was very close to snapping.
Clay’s fingernails elongated slowly—dangerously—sharpening into slick, black claws as he stood completely still in the middle of the room.
His face didn’t twitch. His breath didn’t falter.
But his body was coiled like a predator ready to strike.
The tips of his claws glinted under the dim candlelight, curling inward and pulsing faintly with a dark hue. Behind his perfectly sculpted face, something feral stirred—something wild and barely restrained.
He could hear the sound of Lady Vivian’s heartbeat.
See the thin vein that pulsed gently along her pale neck.
If he was already bound to get caught then why shouldn’t he have one final snack.
Moreover he was confident that the higher ups had already found out about the mistake he had done, something he was bound to pay for.
For a second, he wanted to abandon all the self -control he had held on to and unleash them on the vampire woman in front of him who kept on seeking him out like a toy she was convinced she could control.
"You were supposed to come find me! I might favor you but have you forgotten who your master is!" she barked at him even as Clay lowered his head until no parts of his face could be seen.
His hands behind him even as he willed his claws back to their harmless appearance.
"I apologize Master! I heard about the killing and was terrified! I instantly locked myself in!" he said trembling hard as he waited for her to speak.
Aware that depending on whatever words that came out of her mouth would determine what his reaction would be.
Whether or not she would leave the room on her two feet or in his stomach.
He was a noble full breed Zygon. There was no doubt in his mind that he could filly take down the vampire woman once she embraced him with the utmost ease.