Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 449: A former acquaintance

Chapter 449: A former acquaintance

Rose leaned against the window, her gaze trained on the scene outside as she awaited the return of her husband.

Despite the pain wracking her nerves and hallucinations plaguing her senses, she found herself hoping for Albus’ quick return.

The urge to go out in search of her husband rippled within once or twice but she managed to suppress it as she knew that she was hardly in the state to carry out such an audacious act.

Apart from that, she feared that in a bid to find Albus, she would end up putting him in danger.

What if she stepped out and he returned to an empty house?

So she had no choice but to pray to the Hexad, hoping that it would bring her husband back safely to her.

Meanwhile, behind Rose, thick black liquid resembling ink covered the rug with its source tracing back to her.

It rippled as though alive.

***

"Unbelievable." The voice intoned as its owner slowly emerged from the darkness afforded by the tall trees of the forest.

His pale skin was the first aspect of him that stood out, marking his identity as a Night Kindred, a proud member of the Vampire race.

If that wasn’t enough, his flowing white hair, blood-red eyes, and pointed ears served as additional proof.

Victoria’s eyes narrowed as she recognized the man, distant memories of a period a long time ago flashed in her mind as she muttered softly. "Lestat."

"When I heard that an Envoy of the Dark Lord had appeared, never in my wildest dreams did it occur to me that it could be you, Victoria?" He remarked in a heavily accented tone, his piercing gaze leaving Victoria rather unsettled.

The man or rather, the Vampire, Lestat, wore a red and black suit that gave off a rather sophisticated air while his aura, augmented by the crimson of the Nighteye, rippled with power.

"Lady Ara, who is he?" Arwen inquired as she as well as the others rose to their feet.

"A former acquaintance." Victoria calmly replied before shifting her attention to Lestat.

"How did you find me?"

"Your aura, my dear. The Night cannot be hidden from those that faithfully seek it." Lestat replied before inquiring. "Tell me, how did you do it?... How did you manage to catch the eyes of the Great One?"

"I hardly think that concerns you, Lestat." She replied matter of factly. "So unless you are here to offer your allegiance to the Lord, I advise you to leave. Your presence sickens me."

"Still as sharp as ever, aren’t you, my porcupine." Lestat joked earning a sharp glare from Victoria.

Meanwhile, Arwen muttered. "I don’t think Lady Ara’s relationship with that vampire Lestat is simple."

"It isn’t but that shouldn’t be our concern right now," Douglas remarked. "We are being surrounded."

His eyes darted about, seemingly trying to figure out just how many enemies there were.

"Do we strike first?" Elena inquired, already poised to make a move.

"Do not move." Victoria suddenly remarked, putting an end to the conversation.

"What do you want, Lestat?... I sense way too many Kindred for a simple conversation."

Lestat sighed. "You see my dear, Lord Blackwood is quite interested in the Dark Lord."

"Interested?... He wishes to pledge his allegiance."

"Not at all. On the contrary, he wishes to claim the authority of the Dark Lord as his own."

"Blasphemy." Victoria spat coldly. "The Dark Lord is meant to lead our kind to salvation. Why would some Monarch dare to have dreams of usurping our savior?"

"Because he is worthy, my dear. You, more than anyone, should know that Lord Blackwood is a capable Kindred worthy of the position to lead our kind to the promised Land."

"I know that he is a tyrant and would do anything to one day stand at the top."

"A tyrant is better than a figurehead that does nothing despite the power he wields. The Dark Lord you claim to serve has done nothing but twirl his thumbs while we fight the good fight. Is it not only right that those more competent should step forward?"

"And Blackwood believes he is the one most competent?"

"Speak his name with respect, Victoria. I would not wish for you to be hurt all because of a loose tongue."

Victoria smirked. "I serve a being far greater than your pathetic Monarch, you should be the one that speaks his title with respect."

Lestat’s expression turned sour but ultimately he did not attempt to move.

Maintaining his noble bearing, he remarked. "Come with me Victoria."

"Unfortunately, I’ll have to deny your invitation."

"Do not be stubborn. Return with me to Lord Blackwood and I will ensure you are handed a title equal to mine."

"Return, Lestat, I have nothing else to say to you."

"Victoria!" Lestat suddenly bellowed. "I did not think that after a few years away, you would become so insolent, biting the hand that once fed you!"

"Watch your tongue, Lestat. I am no longer the naive woman you knew before."

Lestat’s expression shifted as he regarded Victoria.

"It would seem you require discipline," Lestat muttered as his tone suddenly turned hoarse. "Come here."

Victoria paused, her expression suddenly becoming docile as she began to take steady steps toward Lestat.

Arwen tried to reach out to stop her but Nadia held her back.

At this point, those who had hidden themselves in the shadows for so long had begun to reveal themselves, their pale skins illuminated by the crimson glow of the Nighteye, enhancing their bloodlust.

Lestat shook his head in disappointment as he watched Victoria approach. "You overestimate yourself, my dear. Did you think that your role as Envoy would save you from the effects of the sire bond?"

He didn’t expect an answer as he closed the distance between them before reaching out to touch her cheek only to feel a sharp pain through his chest in that instant.

Lestat trembled as he looked down to find that a fair and slender hand had penetrated his chest, taking his heart out in the process.

Then he shifted his gaze to meet Victoria’s own, quickly finding that her docile expression had all but vanished, once again replaced with arrogance.

"To think that I once adored you as a mentor," Victoria muttered disdainfully as she moved closer to mutter in his ear. "However, I am grateful that you made me a Vampire. If not for you, I wouldn’t be in such a prestigious position today so, my dear Sire, thank you, and more importantly, goodbye."