Jirkan, who came from a group of wolves known for their extraordinary speed, still couldn’t keep up with Vlad. When he saw the man disappear from view, he clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Call Isla. He has to prepare something for Lord Montery," Jirkan said to one of the men nearby.
Halfway there, Vlad slowed down and stepped onto a large tree branch. He lowered Kai onto the end of the branch and sat him down.
Kai looked up, frightened. "M-master..." He then looked down, his legs dangling between the thick branches. The tree was tall enough that falling from it could break his bones.
He swallowed hard, then looked back at Vlad. He clutched the tree trunk behind him.
Vlad lowered himself. His shoes pressed lightly on the branch as if he were floating. Then he crouched down and stared intently at Kai. His gaze shifted to the young man’s exposed neck.
Kai swallowed hard when Vlad licked his lips.
Vlad couldn’t help himself. The smell of Kai’s blood was too tempting. He brought his fangs closer and sank them into the young man’s neck.
Kai groaned, tensing up as he realized what was happening. He pressed against Vlad’s arm.
"Ngh... master..." he groaned weakly. He held his breath, closing his eyes as he felt his blood being drained.
Kai’s body went limp almost instantly.
Vlad realized the problem right away. He couldn’t take Kai’s blood the same way he took it from other slaves. Kai was too weak. If he continued, Kai would faint.
Even though he wanted more, Vlad forced himself to stop. He licked his fangs.
Why was Kai’s blood so addictive?
Vlad took a deep breath. He had to stop.
Kai opened his eyes and felt Vlad’s hand on his. Then he cried out in surprise when his body was lifted again.
"Ahh!" he shouted as Vlad carried him over his shoulder.
"It’s a pity I have to return you. I really wanted you to be my slave," Vlad said, regretting that he couldn’t keep Kai.
Kai trembled with every step Vlad took on the tree branches, the movement making him nauseous. His body was weak and tired. On top of that, he was naked, his skin exposed to the cold wind.
When Vlad finally landed on the ground, Kai opened his eyes. He felt himself being lowered.
That voice, just hearing it made Kai forget everything. He turned his head immediately.
Sylas was walking toward him. His steps were steady, quick, and elegant.
That figure, that face. Kai’s eyes widened.
"Master..." He hurried to his feet. Tears almost fell, remembering how many times he thought he would never see the man again.
When Kai finally stood, his face bumped into Sylas’s chest. The prince’s familiar fragrance filled his nose.
"Oh, Kai," Sylas said softly, as if regretting ever letting the young man disappear from his sight.
After a moment, Sylas pulled Kai back a little, looking at his torn clothes with worry.
Kai’s eyes widened when he realized the cloth on his right wrist had come off. He panicked.
But Sylas was worried about something else. His eyes turned to Vlad. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NovєlFіre.net
"Who did this, Lord Vlad?" Sylas asked. He swore he would make them pay for everything.
Vlad stood there calmly. He wouldn’t say anything. After all, he didn’t want Montery involved in problems with the kingdom.
"Just a few kidnappers. I’ve taken care of it," Vlad said.
Sylas looked at Kai again, checking every inch of his body for injuries. He saw the rope marks on Kai’s wrists. His anger flared at the sight.
But then he focused on Kai’s frightened eyes. He gently stroked the young man’s cheek.
"It’s okay. You’re safe now." Sylas’s calm, gentle voice soothed Kai. But Kai still remembered his missing bracelet.
"I... I’m sorry, I lost my bracelet, Master..." Kai said, blaming himself.
Sylas didn’t care about anything else, only Kai. "Who cares about the bracelet, Kai? I’m just glad you’re safe. You don’t know how worried I was."
Sylas took Kai away from the crowd. Many people were staring, whispering, wondering what had happened.
Once in a quieter place, Sylas carefully checked on him again. He kept asking which parts of Kai’s body hurt and what had been done to him.
Kai explained what he remembered.
"The tent?" Sylas asked.
Kai nodded, pointing toward the back of the playground.
Vlad spoke up. "They took him to the tent and tied him up. But whoever it was, I’ve already taken care of them."
Sylas wasn’t convinced. They could have been people from the caravan. From what he had heard about them, they were likely the ones who kidnapped Kai. But how had they done it so quickly?
"The most important thing right now is that you got Kai back, Your Highness." Vlad saw Sylas’s unwillingness to let the matter go. But they weren’t human; the guards wouldn’t stand a chance against them. It would be pointless for Sylas to try.
Sylas stroked Kai’s cheek again. Then he noticed the bite mark on Kai’s neck. It was fresh, still smeared with blood.
Sylas immediately turned to Vlad.
Vlad looked away, pretending not to notice.
"Lord Vlad, what did you do to Kai?" Sylas demanded.
Vlad looked back at him and smiled innocently. "I’m sorry, Your Highness."
"Well, he’s still standing fine, isn’t he? Losing a little blood is no big deal. What would’ve happened if I hadn’t come? He might not even be alive right now," Vlad said with a sweet smile.
"How could you do that? You dared to touch the crown prince’s servant! Do you know what that means?!" Alvaro shouted.
"Should I return him now?" Vlad asked calmly.
Sylas glared at him. "You crossed the line, Lord Vlad. If this happens again, I won’t hesitate to take legal action against you."
Vlad tilted his head. "Of course, Your Highness. I won’t do it again, as long as you take good care of your slave."
Sylas clenched his fists.
Alvaro felt uneasy watching the tension rise.
Meanwhile, Vlad still wore his innocent smile.
"Well, now I’m asking for my payment," Vlad said.