38: You're asking for it! (Seeking monthly votes and requests to continue reading)

As Serena questioned him, the atmosphere in the room plummeted to freezing.

Many of the Vampires attending the meeting were stunned by the news of Elder Emilia's death.

The Vampires from Emilia's faction were particularly panicked, finding the news difficult to accept.

However, they also knew that Kraven wouldn't dare lie about the death of an Elder.

Everyone was digesting the news.

For some reason, Serena felt she could detect a hint of amusement and schadenfreude on Kraven's face.

This made the anger in her heart surge rapidly.

Furthermore, she had already decided that if Locke died, she would not live alone; she would kill Kraven to avenge him.

She just hadn't expected this day to come so soon.

Originally, out of consideration for the crowd, Serena had been somewhat restrained, but as luck would have it, Kraven had the audacity to step up and taunt her directly at this moment.

"Serena, I'm sorry. What happened to your little boyfriend is not something I wanted to see, but there's nothing to be done. The Werewolf Clan is too ruthless; even Elder Emilia was unfortunately killed."

"It can be considered honorable that he died in battle. I will apply for honors for him."

He said these words with a sanctimonious air, and those unaware of the truth actually thought he was so kind-hearted that they almost couldn't help but applaud him.

However, after finishing, as Kraven looked at Serena, he couldn't help but let the corner of his mouth lift slightly, a movement that was keenly captured by Serena.

This sneering action was like throwing a torch onto gunpowder, immediately igniting Serena's rage.

"Kraven, you're asking for death."

Serena stepped on a chair with one foot, drew her guns with both hands, and shouted at Kraven in a voice that was nearly a roar.

The silver guns, without any hesitation, were pressed directly against Kraven's head in front of everyone.

"If you hadn't insisted on him going, would he have died? I'm asking you, if you hadn't sent him, would he have died?"

"You can't blame me for this; no one wanted to see this situation."

Kraven curled his lips with a look of helplessness and spread his hands: "I originally thought it was a simple mission, which is why I called on him. Who knew the Werewolf Clan would get involved..."

Kraven did not yet know that the connection between himself and Lucien had already been discovered by Serena.

Otherwise, he would never have mentioned the word 'Werewolf' so many times.

"F*ck, your 'thought'. A fine 'thought' indeed. Don't think I don't know what you've been doing behind the scenes."

Serena's expression was icy. Knowing everything, she did not believe a word of Kraven's sophistry.

She regretted it deeply at this moment; had she known, she should have listened to Locke and awakened Elder Victor to preside over justice.

Kraven clasped his hands behind his back, adopting an attitude of facing death calmly: "If you, Serena, insist on blaming their deaths on me, then do it. I will not resist."

Erica, seeing this, hurriedly stepped forward, pulled on Serena, and whispered in her ear: "Serena, calm down first. Since we haven't seen his body, we cannot assume he is dead."

Serena remained unmoved.

The gun in her hand remained pressed tightly against Kraven's head.

Erica sighed, thought of Locke's instructions, and continued to persuade: "If he really is dead, he surely wouldn't want to watch you give up hope of living for his sake. If you pull the trigger here, you will certainly be executed as well."

At this moment, others also began to speak up to dissuade her.

"Lady Serena, you must not act impulsively on this matter."

"Surely Lord Kraven didn't intend for this to happen."

"Yes, Lord Kraven sent your subordinate to perform this mission, likely because he valued him. It's just unexpected that things turned out this way."

"Our top priority is how to launch a revenge attack against the Werewolf Clan, and to select someone to preside over the big picture while Elder Victor and Elder Marcus are in hibernation."

The people in the Vampire crowd who belonged to Kraven's faction took this opportunity to put forward Kraven's goal.

Kraven had obviously communicated with them long ago, just waiting for this moment.

He wanted to take advantage of Emilia's death, combined with the fact that Victor and Marcus were in hibernation, to rise to power.

This was also the reason why he wanted to kill Emilia.

After the persuasion of several people, Serena's anger did not dissipate much, but her reason returned.

However, she felt unwilling to put down the gun. Just then, Erica racked her brains and squeezed out two more sentences:

"If you perish together with Kraven now, and Michael returns to find you dead, how do you think he will feel?"

"Besides, even if you want to kill Kraven, at least wait until it is confirmed that Michael has truly sacrificed himself. It won't be too late to act then."

These words struck a chord with Serena.

Although Kraven explicitly stated that Elder Emilia and all the guards were dead,

the other party never produced any evidence to prove the mission had failed.

Coupled with Serena thinking of the intelligence and strength Locke had previously displayed, she felt that perhaps there was still hope for Locke's survival.

Although it didn't seem likely right now.

But she was still unwilling to give up that tiny spark of hope.

Serena put away her silver guns with a dark face. Seeing this, Kraven also retracted the claws he had hidden behind his back.

Obviously, he was not truly prepared to let Serena shoot him.

Rather, it was for the benefit of the others present; once Serena showed any sign of pulling the trigger, he would have attacked immediately.

Fortunately, Serena stopped; otherwise, he would have felt somewhat reluctant to attack and kill his most beloved goddess.

Kraven placed his hands on the table: "Everyone, the Vampire Clan cannot go a day without a leader. I suggest we take this opportunity to elect a temporary Elder to lead everyone in resisting the Werewolves."

"I think that works. Why don't you, Lord Kraven..."

...

Meanwhile, on a hidden road leading to the Vampire Base,

a black car was speeding along.

The person arriving was none other than Locke.

He had originally intended to return immediately yesterday, but after arranging the follow-up matters for Emilia, he was entangled by her.

This was a side effect of the Star Slave Contract—though perhaps not a side effect, but rather that the contract causes the contracted to develop a powerful desire for the master.

So, there was no other way; Locke had to take out his 'long spear' and entangle with her for half the day, and only now did he have time to drive back to the castle.

"Sigh, this Emilia almost snapped my waist..."

"If I weren't more skilled, I'd probably still be pinned under her right now."

He rubbed his waist while driving, unable to help but think of the scene last night in the safe house in the city, where he was crazily demanded by Emilia.

Fortunately, this time Emilia was not affected by the pink energy again.

Therefore, the sensation she brought him was quite different.

The emotional value the two could provide was completely different.

It's probably the difference between a horn that honks loudly when pressed and a mute that makes no sound.

Coupled with Emilia's already alluring figure and the powerful physique possessed by Vampires, the two of them fooled around from last night until an hour ago.

With a screech,

Locke slammed on the brakes and stopped outside the castle gate. Looking at the eerie Vampire Base, his eyes were somewhat burning with intensity:

"The most critical moment has finally arrived. Victor, you can rest assured and go to your death."