Chapter 36
A cold, rough hand touched her chin. "Look where your recklessness got you." The voice was so cold and void of emotion.
"W—what d—d—did y—you d—do to me... me?" Zheira could barely move her jaw. Her muscles were throbbing while her veins were tightening. Not to mention the chain that was linking her to the chair. Oddly, she felt nothing with it.
Xavier's high, cruel laugh rang in the air. "Nothing. I merely injected some anesthesia. It's for your own good. At least, you won't feel anything when you die."
"I—I... w—will k—k—kill—"
"Save your breath, child! You are not in the position to threaten me. Your life is in my hand. If you want me to spare you, you shut your d.a.m.n mouth first!" He smirked, slapping her gently.
Zheira's head droop. It's useless. She couldn't do anything unless the numbness of her body lifted. She's no match to the former king even with her full strength, fighting him without even feeling her body would be a suicidal mission.
Her hopelessness amused Xavier. He patted the top of her head. "Good girl!" Then he sat back on a chair opposite to Zheira.
His eyes wandered to the laboratory with satisfaction. It's like going home after a very long day. Indeed, his son's interference to his plans has given him a real headache, but look at what's happening now, everything's coming back to its place. He stared at Zheira's immobile body, and a big smile curved his lips.
"I have to express my grat.i.tude to you, Zheira. Without you, my plan would have been trashed in the backyard." He caressed the metallic armchair before rolling it with a sigh. "My tubes. My dear, dear tube! It's time for you to get drain." He stood, facing the big b.u.t.tons on a rectangular counter. He started working while humming, "Tiptoes in the Tulips."
It didn't take long before a yellow light pa.s.sed through the room, catching Zheira's attention. There was a clicking and slurpy sound, and then the tubes started to drain. There were six tubes to sift, because the other two were already sifted. As to the whereabouts of the two prisoners, she didn't know.
"You see, it doesn't matter how much everyone disagrees as long as my plan succeeds, they will not be capable of harming me." He faced Zheira, his scarred face lit with enthusiasm. "Since you're about to die, let me tell you something I only knew. You want that?"
Zheira could only glare at him.
"Zheira, it's a proper manner to answer." He flicked his hand, and the air pushed her head into a nod. "There. You're easy to talk sense with." He settled in his old trusted chair.
"Let's start with the basic." He crossed his legs, and rest his hand on top of it. "It all started with a stupid but gorgeous vampire who's
It was perhaps a good thing that she couldn't feel anything. She knew what the king was doing, though. Her half-asleep eyes showed her everything she needs to know.
Xavier let go of her and diverted his gaze. "The man was broken. His soul was ripped apart. He wanted to die, but his immortality saved him from that lowly death. In his brokenness, he found a ray of light through a dead body." He looked at Zheira as though telling her that this part was more interesting than anything. "Vladimir's not really my son. We, vampires, are incapable of giving birth to a child. Little did everyone know, I am the great-grandson of the first-king Volioirae and that makes me the rightful Heir to the throne. Shame on those who tried so hard to defeat me. Huh! Who did they think they are?"
"Anyway, I transferred some of my blood to Vladimir and that ungrateful child seemed to be useless. He didn't show me any ability, so I dedicated myself to finding a host that would give me the power I'd need. That's where Alic enters. That talented child..." He shook his head. "If it weren't for that ungrateful scam, she should've been the greatest weapon."
"W—why?" Zheira managed to voice out. Even her voice sounded weak.
He looked at him for a while. "Power. Once I gained that there's no way someone would defeat me. Not even that stinging neighboring city."
"Y—you m—me... mean..." Zheira's eyes were wide.
"Yes, Zheira, you're right." He inclined his head. "There is another clan of vampire threatening my territory, and they need to be annihilated." In a speed of light, he moved towards Zheira. He caressed her shoulder. "And, you'll be the key, Zheira. I've been observing your ability and Alic's couldn't compare to yours." It's like he'd gone mad.
"W—what—"
He put his thumb in her lips, feeling its softness rubbed in his rough skin. "I've been practicing with your ability and it worked even when your unconscious. You're way stronger than Vladimir ever gives you credit from. With proper practice, you can alter memory and even make non-existing ones. I need that ability and you'll give it to me without hesitation."
Zheira shook her head. Bullet of tears started streaming down to her cheeks. Xavier wiped it gently. "Don't cry. I promise it would be painless. That's why I give you Anesthesia. Once you die, please tell me how it feels, okay? After all, It would never be possible for me to experience such a thing."
A sudden knock interrupted Xavier's entertainment. He straightened, fixed his hair, and winked at Zheira. By snapping, the door blasted open, revealing Louise's screwed face. He was carrying Vladimir in his back.
Xavier beamed. "Excellent work, my faithful man! Excellent. Put him on the side and make sure to tie him up carefully. I don't want him to escape his brutal end." He looked at the tubes and couldn't stop himself from cackling. Seeing the mortal's helpless body gives him satisfaction. Truly, he'd been hating their kind ever since Zayne was stupid enough to even love one of them.
"What are you going to do now, your majesty?" Louise asked. He was standing beside him for quite some time, and Xavier didn't notice. He'd been too occupied by his plans.
"We proceed with our plan." He crossed his arms. "What happened the mortals. Did they panic yet?"
"I'm afraid, the plan had gone haywire, your highness. The show I'd used seemed to be not credible enough to arouse—"
"If there's one thing I hate..." His voice shook as his hand gripped Louise's small neck. "It's stupidity. There are other means to get them out of their seats and run from each other. Are you not aware of that?"
Louise trashed from the former king's grip, but he's way too strong for him. Growling, the king slammed him out of the room. The wall next to them cracked with his impact. "Go! If you fail me again, you have to say goodbye to your pitiful life."
Poor Louise didn't waste any more time and vanished in a blink of an eye.
"Those mortals should live in fear. That's their only payment for taking what has been mine." Xavier stared at the bodies in the tube. "As for you, you'll be my next weapon. It's a privilege to be born under the full moon, and you'll be more powerful once Zheira's blood flows in you."
"Elites, " he whispered. A gust of wind introduced new-comers and before Xavier, seven cloaked vampires stood. He faced them with an appraising look. "You are my best guards and I trust you. Now, I want you to bring these mortals, as well as my son in the forest. Everything should be perfectly smooth. If you give me a headache, you'll be dead before you could even ask for it. Understand?"
"Yes, your majesty!" the Elite Guards chorused.
He put his hands on his back. "Don't disappoint me." It was the last thing he said before he decided to leave them.