"Walk with me," Malakai said without stopping. "Tell me everything you found out."
Nyx vanished and appeared beside him, effortlessly matching his pace.
"The darkness creature," she began, "was born from the Maugrim that ambushed us on our way back from the Black Reach."
Malakai's steps halted. He turned toward her slowly.
He really tried to suppress the shock and the rising anger boiling inside him.
The same Maugrim they had captured. The same one Malakai had planned to use as a weapon against Khana.
'I was glad the Iron Saint was put in charge… was I wrong about him?'
The Iron Saint was known by all as a man of honor. He had distanced himself from politics and devoted his life to serving the Sovereign and protecting the west.
But for the first time, Malakai found himself doubting him.
"They're not sure," Nyx said. "But they suspect the Maugrim took precautions."
Malakai exhaled slowly and resumed walking. Nyx kept pace beside him.
'They must've done something similar to what I did with the servants.'
He believed the Maugrim must've planted something beforehand. However…
'It's been days already. It can't be the Vermyleaf parasite.'
That parasite only survived if constantly fed the first blood it bonded with. And it's already been days since his capture, even taking a truck load of the blood couldn't keep the creature docile for this long.
Still, Vermyleaf wasn't the only parasite humanity had discovered. The mutated fauna had changed everything.
Seeds that could heal the gravest wounds in seconds. Nectars that gave regular men the strength to uproot trees.
So much had emerged. So much was still unknown.
Malakai couldn't pinpoint what had been used. But one thing was clear now, it wasn't the Iron Saint's fault.
"What are they up to now?"
He didn't need to clarify. Nyx understood.
"The Sovereign was furious. He's ordered a region wide search for the Maugrim."
'Then it's only a matter of time.'
If the Sovereign had commanded it, the entire clan would move. With that many eyes and that much reach, something would eventually turn up.
He had hoped to use Delmas as a means to strike at Khana. But that window had closed.
Still, there would be others.
His eyes darkened. She would pay for everything. And when he was done… she'd regret everything she did to him.
Malakai picked up his pace, heading for the manor. He needed to be alone to think and plan his next move.
In a large office, a figure sat calmly, sifting through the numerous documents laid out before him.
His hair was deep crimson, his eyes to match. As he read, a coldness radiated from his being, rising steadily with each passing second.
A knock broke the silence.
"Come in," he said with a cold and irritable voice.
A figure stepped through the door, stopping a few meters from his desk. She dropped to her knees, bowing low.
"Third Pulse," she greeted with respect.
Varnel glanced down at her, with a eyes like frozen steel. "This better be good, Iris. I'm not in a good mood."
He didn't need to say it. The oppressive aura pressing down on her made that perfectly clear. But Iris remained calm, she was used to it.
"We've just received word from Vitaemore," she said evenly.
Varnel's eyes sharpened. He gestured slightly, signaling her to continue.
"I will quote the message exactly as received: The captured Maugrim is dead."
Instantly, the heavy pressure around her faded. A slow smile curled Varnel's lips.
Iris hesitated briefly before continuing. "One of our operatives made it into the Ninth Vein's manor."
Varnel tapped a finger on the desk repeatedly, as if trying to summon her image.
They had planted multiple spies among the candidates. Truthfully, almost every maid or butler Malakai could've picked from was a plant.
He recalled Karla, a woman who would use her body to get what she wanted.
'But would that work on him?'
Varnel needed someone close to Malakai. Someone who could observe him constantly, relay every detail.
The ideal outcome was getting Malakai to trust their operative. That's why he had chosen candidates with varying traits, subtle, obedient, seductive, sly.
'It's possible… but his Will…'
From the reports, Malakai was cautious and untrusting. However, Varnel would have liked to believe the boy might eventually fall to his base urges, but before Varnel left Crimson Hold, intelligence had already marked his Will as unnaturally high.
The boy had battled a Grade One without flinching, or so they claimed.
'Hm. Let's see how this plays out.'
"Has she reported anything?" Varnel asked.
"I'll quote," Iris said clearly.
[Infiltrated smoothly. Target leaves for training at approximately 4:50 a.m., accompanied by secondary target. Returns after 8:00 p.m., when training ends. Only myself and another servant remain in the manor during this window. Target resumes personal training in his chambers upon return, then retires. Schedule has been consistent. Special note: target continues avoiding contact with operative and fellow servant. However, target has been caught staring at operative on multiple occasions.
The report ended, and silence fell briefly.
Varnel massaged his chin, the smile widening. "Heh…"
It was better than expected. Way better.
'Target's gaze lingering…' he focused on those words.
"Looks like her seductive nature is starting to take effect," he mused, pleased.
"What are your orders, Third Pulse?" Iris asked.
Varnel thought for a moment. "Keep watch on everything he does. Report back the moment the operative sends anything."
Iris nodded. "As you wish."
As Iris left, a low chuckle escaped Varnel's throat, then it swelled into a full blown, deranged laugh that echoed through the office. It rang out for several moments before he finally fell silent.
He had been in a foul mood for days. Ever since Malakai brought back the Maugrim, and Varnel discovered Khana's ties to it, he had searched frantically for a way out.