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Janelle Verdon, still considered as one of the most beautiful vampires in the realm, strolled into the office with a charming smile on her face. Her white-blond hair cascaded down over one shoulder, and Benedict, despite his predicament, couldn’t help but marvel at the stunning creature. She was always a sight to behold. Her fair porcelain skin, with cheeks, chiseled to perfection, accentuated her allure. Her large green-emerald, wide-shaped eyes could pierce through anyone’s soul. Her charm was a weapon that could be yielded, whenever it was needed.
She stood before the kneeling goons and examined the room. She paid no particular attention to Benedict and practically skipped over him as she inspected the condition of her husband’s office.
“Rise.” She ordered, finally.
The goons quickly rose to their feet and stood to attention. They barely breathed as she took a moment to look them over. She showed no fear towards her husband’s hirelings but looked impatient and slightly annoyed.
“Where is my husband?” She asked, directing her question to Byt.
“Uh, um, well, he’s not here at the moment, Madam. He had some important matters to attend.” Byt offered meekly, still looking straight ahead.
“Is that so? When will he return? I was to meet him before putting the finishing touches on the ceremony.”
Both goons looked at one another, perplexed. They were not expecting any visitors, especially not someone of high rank, like Madam Verdon.
“We are so sorry, Madam. Truly, we are. But, Mr. Verdon did not elaborate when he was to return, and we were not expecting you.” Byt said.
“I see. Well, what is he doing here?” Janelle asked, nodding towards Benedict.
“This vampire is being held as a prisoner.” Urt added.
“And, he’s also my daughter’s fiancé. Why would he be held prisoner when he should be getting ready for their wedding?”
“Orders from Mr. Vincent Verdon.” Byt said flatly.
She smiled coldly towards Benedict and nodded. Of course, she knew a lot was at stake. Better to keep their prize possession where they could control and monitor. She walked towards their captive, and quickly notice that something was amiss.
“Why is he not tied up?” She demanded.
Byt shrugged. “Mr. Verdon did not give us the orders. Besides, with the two of us, he is no match for our strength.”
Janelle scoffed. “Maybe you oafs were able to restrain him, but you can never outmatch him when it comes to intelligence. As inferior creatures, do you actually believe you can outwit a vampire?”
“Now, Madam, we may not be as smart as your kind but—“
“Silence! One of you will head over to my quarters and fetch me an enchanted rope. My husband may have been in a hurry, but I can spare some time. We will make sure he is securely bounded. I don’t want any hiccups! As you already know, a lot is at stake.”
“B-but Madam, we were specifically told not to leave this roo—“
“Only one of you will leave. I won’t stand guard by myself. Who knows what he is capable of, and I will be damned if he escapes and embarrasses my daughter on this very special day. Now, GO!”
“As you wish, Madam.” Byt replied. He turned to Urt and nodded.
At Urt’s departure, Janelle re-enchanted the door and walked over to Benedict. Properly acknowledging his presence for the first time.
“Is it true? Have you found your match?” She questioned.
Benedict’s eyes narrowed. So, it seemed that the entire Verdon clan was made aware of his discovery. Without any shame, he held his head high.
“Yes, I have.” He stated simply.
Janelle laughed softly. “Well, then. I guess it’s understandable why you no longer wish to marry Moira.”
Benedict was unsure where this conversation was heading. He simply nodded, wondering all the while if he could somehow take on Janelle and Byt without getting killed.
Janelle pressed on. “Did you at least have the decency to tell Moira?”
“Yes, I did. And, she was very encouraging. Unlike, you and Vincent, she seems happy for me.”
Janelle, disregarding his comment, looked away, lost in reflection. She knew how difficult it was to find one’s mate, but she couldn’t help but feel repulsion over the idea of being intimate with a human. However, wasn’t Vincent taking things a little too far? How would it look if this was leaked out? Abducting Benedict Voss, of all vampires, and forcing him to either marry their daughter or forfeit his possessions. She sighed and began to frown. She struggled for a moment with her thoughts, then, resolute in her conviction, leaned over to Benedict, her mouth close to his ears.
“If that is truly the case, then something must be done about it.”
Before Benedict had the chance to ask what the hell she was talking about, Janelle twirled towards Byt while holding a previously concealed brooch in her right hand. Lifting her left hand, and without the need to chant any words, a massive beam of white light shot out from her palm, hitting Byt squarely on his chest.
The atmosphere in the room was snapping with electricity. Byt’s leathery gray skin turned instantly white, then red. He staggered towards them, his eyes bulging from their sockets. He tried in vain to grasp at something, but quickly dropped to his knees, before shriveling on the floor with his mouth gaped open.
“What in blood’s name are you doing?!” Benedict shouted, alarmed by the powerful fatal blow he had just witnessed. He couldn’t remember if he had seen such power before. Byt was clearly deceased, and he watched as his body quickly begin to decompose.
Janelle turned her attention back to Benedict, satisfied that the goon was indeed dead. She laid a hand on his arm and looked straight at him.
“Ally is in danger, and I am here to help you.”
“H-How do you know her name—” Benedict sputtered.
“You need to head over to Helena’s Bog quickly before Moira does something truly regrettable.”
“I-I don’t underst—“
“I know, I know. You must have plenty of questions. I promise I’ll try to answer all of them. But, now, we must leave.”
Benedict was grateful. Immensely confused, but grateful. Without wasting another moment, he stepped over Byt’s corpse and headed for the exit. He stood beside Janelle, facing the door, while she laid both hands on it, and began chanting. Once completed, she stood back, and the door unlocked itself. Smiling, she turned to Benedict.
“For a long time, I have wanted to switch teams. Vincent has done atrocious things to my friends, my colleagues, even my family. You cannot even begin to understand how disgusted I am with him and his ruthless methods. Such destruction to attain his ideals. Giving him more power will only make matters worse. Degrading our realm until it is no longer recognizable. We must stop him.”
Benedict blinked. Shit, Gabe was right. This situation was much bigger than he thought. There was real danger lurking around the corners. He could feel it in every fiber of his body. Resolved, he held the door open for Janelle.
“Lead the way, Madam.”
