Chapter 220: Hunter’s offer(2)

"Now they show up!" she snapped through gritted teeth."They might as well continue to stay in the shadows!"

"Do you really think you can take King Zyren on your own? You tried to kill him once, and he was more than magnanimous for not splitting your throat open!" Verret pointed out.

"Who’s to say that he wouldn’t do more for something less?" Verret asked.

"If you get us all we want, you’ll have our support and—"

"I don’t need it!" Aira snapped, not seeing a need to let him finish since everything that came out of his mouth sounded disgusting to her ears.

"They can keep their help!" she told him, even as she turned around to leave—but not before tossing the sword in her hand in his direction. He easily avoided it with more ease than she would have liked.

But at that point, Aira didn’t care. All she cared about was leaving—only to hear him continue speaking, his words buzzing like a bee, slithering into her ears whether she wanted to hear them or not.

"Aren’t you curious about how hunters were powerful enough to be feared by vampires? Aren’t you wondering how I can move so fast for a human?" He asked her with a sense of pride in his tone as he spoke one he didn’t try to hide.

"You’re strong now because of the bond, but how long do you think it can last? The House Lords have decided that if you agree to join us, then the secrets of our bloodline will be given to you!" he told her—words that made Aira slow her pace.

She couldn’t help it. Verret was offering her something—something to make her stronger.

She was already almost as strong as a lord. If she did whatever Verret did, didn’t that mean her physical abilities alone would rival Zyren’s?

"They have also offered to do the ritual for you at no cost! I think this is something you should think deeply about. Zyren might be kind to you now, but he’s still a monster!"

"He’ll always treat you as less! The Houses understand the error of their ways and are ready to make up for it!" he continued, even as Aira turned back to look him straight in the eye.

"What are you? Their spokesman?" she asked, having heard enough lobbying for one day, only to watch him lightly shake his head.

"I’m Verret. Royal Guard to the Vampire King and second son to Lord Elvane," he said, explaining without giving any more than Aira had already pieced together herself.

For him to be there, exposed, he couldn’t be too important. But at the same time, he had to be high enough in rank to be trusted with carrying such a message.

With nothing more to say to him, Aira simply turned around with every intention of leaving—only to hear him call out from behind her.

"Our sparring lessons will continue as usual! You don’t have to give me an answer right now!"

Aira didn’t respond. She simply continued walking, heading out through the door without looking back.

She closed it behind her with a huge frown fixed on her face as she headed back upstairs, passing servants and guards who greeted her. She ignored them all.

Her mind was still fixed on everything she had just heard, even as she climbed toward Zyren’s wing. All she wanted was to get back to her room and have space to think about what she should do.

Passing up the chance to get stronger would be foolish—but siding with the Hunter Houses could very well get her killed before they ever put themselves in danger.

She was still deep in thought when she raised her gaze. Still a few feet away from the huge doors she was headed toward, she caught sight of someone familiar standing beside Rymora.

The figure was covered in a huge black coat that concealed their face and body—but the long red hair draped forward across their chest gave them away instantly.

"Liora!" Aira called out, stepping closer, relieved to see that her sister seemed to be doing well.

Liora’s lips broke into a wide smile, and she instantly rushed toward Aira, not waiting for her to get closer.

"Sister! It’s been a while!" she said, beaming from ear to ear in a way that made it obvious to Aira that Liora was in a very good mood.

"You seem happy! Did something good happen?" Aira asked, but Liora only pulled her toward the room, a light in her eyes showing she wasn’t going to say anything until they were alone.

Rymora bowed her head as she stepped in behind them once the doors were opened, moving to stand silently by the wall.

In her hands, hidden behind her back, was a letter—clearly from the temple, bearing the temple’s insignia. It was meant for Aira, but she chose to keep it until Liora had left.

Rymora didn’t like Liora. She could feel the girl’s hatred toward her, for reasons she refused to waste thought on. All she knew was that everything Liora did seemed excessively selfish, and she was convinced that even the reason behind her sudden happiness—such a sharp contrast to her usual gloom—would not benefit Aira in any way.

"Sit!" Liora told Aira, who chuckled, relieved and satisfied to see her only remaining family member in such a good mood.

"You’re the Messenger of Light now... you should be more excited than me!" Liora teased, while Aira shook her head with a sigh tugging at her lips.

Aira was about to speak, but Liora cut her off.

"So? When are you going to the temple?" she asked, her tone edged with desperation she managed to hide well enough that Aira didn’t notice.

If Aira’s sense of smell had been sharper— even if it was just like that of a child vampire—she would have long since caught the metallic tang of blood that lingered on Liora’s breath.