Justin moved through the palace corridors, weaving between servants and nobles while keeping Lady Scarlet's gown in view. She was moving quickly—not running exactly, but with purpose.

He reached for the pouch at his belt, downing Lila's evasion booster. Something told him he might need it soon.

He reached out with Elea's Whisper, connecting to Alistair.

Alistair, what's your status?

The Paladin's response came immediately. We're on the palace grounds, but security is making things difficult. We're nearly at the chapel. It connects to the East Wing.

Perfect. I'm following Lady Scarlet Elandara. She has the blood crystal. I saw her take it from Lord Tennyson in the salon.

There was a pause before Alistair responded. Be careful, Justin. If she's connected to Blackwood and the Cult, she's more dangerous than she seems. We'll be on standby. Keep us updated on your position.

Understood.

Justin broke the connection and quickened his pace. Lady Scarlet had turned down a corridor away from the main palace chambers. The foot traffic here was lighter—just a servant hurrying past with linens and an official absorbed in reading documents. On the left side, the windows offered an ocean view, with terraced gardens spilling below.

Lady Scarlet glanced back once, and Justin thought he'd been spotted. But she simply turned another corner, her gown disappearing from view.

Justin hurried to catch up, rounding the corner just in time to see her pause before an unmarked door. She produced a small key from her bodice, already raising it toward the lock.

Her hand stilled, and the key vanished back into her clothing. She turned to face him, her expression shifting to annoyance.

"Are you following me, sir?"

Her tone was cold and would have been enough to discourage most men.

But Justin had to play the part.

He arranged his features into an expression of embarrassment mixed with determination. "Lady Elandara... forgive my forwardness; it is not my usual character. But I couldn't let you leave the salon without speaking with you."

She rolled her eyes, as if to say, "Not this again." Justin was certain this script had played out for her countless times in her life.

This time, at least, it wouldn't have a predictable ending.

"We haven't been introduced," she said, her posture shifting slightly. She was no longer quite so dismissive, sizing Justin up. Certainly not afraid to be left alone with him in an isolated corridor.

"Justin Talemaker, my lady." He took a step closer. "I saw you in the salon and... well, I had to take the chance to introduce myself. Someone of my station can never hope to meet a woman of your standing... and beauty."

"Please, Mr. Talemaker. If Lord Blackwood's interest in you is any indication, we would have crossed paths at some point." She studied him with renewed interest, though irritation tinged her tone. "While I'm flattered... you are certainly not unhandsome... I'm afraid you've caught me at an inopportune moment. I have business to attend to."

"Of course, I understand. I just..." Justin let his words trail off, as if gathering courage. "I've seen you at court before—from a distance, of course—and I've wanted to introduce myself for some time. This is fate giving me an opportunity; I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I let it pass."

Lady Scarlet's expression remained cool, though Justin noticed something calculating in her emerald green eyes. She was weighing him, trying to decide if he was worth the delay.

"You're persistent, Mr. Talemaker," she said. "Though I'm not sure if that's charming or presumptuous."

"Perhaps a bit of both?" Justin replied with a smile. "I've been told I sometimes let enthusiasm override judgment."

"Have you?" She stepped closer, and Justin felt something shift in the air between them. Her green eyes seemed to catch the light, almost luminous in the corridor's dimness. "And what is it about me that inspires such... enthusiasm?"

She focused on his monocle for a moment, as if questioning its abilities, but made no mention of it. Her gaze pierced into him, and he felt a warmth that surprised him. Those eyes seemed to promise understanding, pleasure, complete acceptance.

That was when his ridiculous charisma pushed back against the effect, and he recognized it for what it was: a subtle but powerful form of magical compulsion. Lady Scarlet was trying to entrance him, as she had Lord Tennyson.

But rather than resist, which would be too obvious, Justin let himself sway slightly, as if feeling the pull but not quite succumbing. He projected his own charismatic presence, as he had during the masquerade, creating a kind of balance. Not pushing her back entirely, but making it seem as though he was teetering on the edge of falling under her spell.

It was a delicate performance. Too much resistance, and she'd know something was off. Too little, and he might actually succumb despite his high charisma.

"I..." Justin let his voice soften. "You're remarkable, my lady. I can't quite explain it, but being near you feels like..."

"Like what?" she prompted, her smile growing as she apparently decided she had him hooked.

"Like everything else in the world has faded," Justin finished, his tone taking on the quality of someone under enchantment. "I have never felt this way about anyone before. It's... curious."

Lady Scarlet's expression transformed. The irritation vanished, replaced by something both predatory and pleased. She stepped closer, close enough that he could smell her perfume.

"You poor thing," she murmured, tracing a finger along his jaw.

It took all of Justin's willpower not to reach for his cane, but he had to trust in his performance.

Her smile turned wicked. "Would you like me to show you exactly why men like you find me irresistible?"

Justin nodded slowly, as if in a trance. "Yes. Please."

"Then come with me, darling." She took his hand, her skin curiously cold. "I know somewhere we can be more comfortable. Somewhere private, where we won't be... interrupted."

She led him down the corridor, away from the East Wing. Justin followed with the compliance of someone under her thrall, though his mind remained sharp. Now that she was no longer looking at him, it was much easier to focus.

He reached out with Elea's Whisper. Alistair, she's taking me to the West Wing. She thinks she has me under some kind of charm. Still on the third floor.

The West Wing. That one is for guest rooms, if I remember, though the upper floors are somewhat disused. Are you sure you're not under a charm effect?

Yes. My Charisma is high enough to resist, but I'm playing along. She has the crystal in her purse. This might be my best chance to retrieve it.

I'd do it now, assuming the corridor is empty. She's leading you somewhere she has the advantage.

I don't doubt it, Alistair. I'll strike when the opportunity is right.

Understood. We're in position at the chapel. If things go wrong, call out, and we'll come running. It shouldn't be more than a couple of minutes before we can reinforce.

Justin switched his mental connection to Myrelle.

Myrelle, I'm following Lady Scarlet to the West Wing. She's taking me to an isolated location on the third floor.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Myrelle's response was laced with frustration. I'm still being detained by Lord Tylin. He's droning on about agricultural yields and crop rotations, but Justin... something feels off. He's so boring it's absurd, yet he finds new topics every time I try to excuse myself. I think his façade is deliberate.

It probably is. They're separating us systematically. Make an excuse—any excuse—and get away. If you can't safely reach my location, head to the chapel.

I'll try. Where in the West Wing, exactly?

Lady Scarlet turned down another corridor, dustier and less maintained than the others. The portraits here were older, their subjects long dead, and the carpet showed signs of age and neglect. Justin described his surroundings over the link.

I know exactly where you are. Be careful, Justin. I'll be there soon.

They passed through an archway into a section of the palace that hadn't been used in years, possibly decades. Dust motes danced in the light filtering through grimy windows. The air smelled of disuse and mustiness.

Lady Scarlet paused before the door at the end of the corridor, about to open it.

It would be foolish to go in, so Justin had to make his move now.

"Lady Elandara," he called, his voice clear and commanding.

She turned, key in hand, confusion flickering across her face before, once again, her eyes shifted.

But this time, he didn't give her an inch.

She cleared her throat awkwardly. "Mr. Talemaker, we are so close to—"

"You have something that belongs to me," Justin interrupted, his hand moving to his Cane of Valoria. "The blood crystal you took from Lord Tennyson. Hand it to me, and we won't have problems."

For a moment, Lady Scarlet simply stared at him, trying to reconcile his clarity with her certainty that she had him enthralled. Then understanding dawned, and her expression shifted from surprise to calculation.

"Clever boy," she said, though her confidence remained unshaken. Her green eyes narrowed. "But you've made a mistake confronting me here."

She raised her hand and spoke a harsh word in Vranthillis.

Justin went into a crouch, ready to activate Gentleman's Sidestep.

The corridor's shadows deepened, and Justin felt something shift in the air. His Shadowhunter's Insight flared to life—Lady Scarlet's form blazed crimson in his vision. He supposed the coldness of her skin should have been the first clue. Clearly, she was using some form of concealment for her undead status, something his gear couldn't penetrate.

But that wasn't all. Two more crimson shapes materialized from the darkness of the corridor's corners. Without his new attire, he almost certainly wouldn't have noticed them, given how well they blended in.

He activated his monocle. The two entities were apparently called Night Shades, both Level 20, just like Scarlet. They were positioned in the shadows, waiting. There was something vaguely human about their shapes, floating above the floor stones. Two red eyes glowed within their shadowed heads, barely discernible.

He quickly updated both Myrelle and Alistair: West Wing, third floor, last corridor on the right. She's about to attack.

"A vampire," Justin said, trying to buy some time. "Like that one in the quarry."

"Oh, that amateur?" Lady Scarlet's voice dripped with contempt. "He was useful for his mining operation, nothing more. I, on the other hand, have perfected my craft for over a century at the highest levels of court. I wear a new face with each generation." Her eyes gleamed with hunger. "And you, my dear Mr. Talemaker, have just made a grave error."

Justin struggled to find something else to say to prolong the encounter. "Wait. I recognize you..."

Then it came to him. At Harrington's Fall Soiree, there had been a raven-haired lady Valdrik had spoken to for a bit. He was certain this was her.

"You were at Harrington's soiree in Windfall. Count Valdrik spoke to you for a bit."

"I was wondering if you'd remember that," she said. "But this revelation comes far too late. You had your chance, Mr. Talemaker. Time to die."

Justin immediately activated Upper Hand, realizing that Scarlet thought he didn't know about the shades.

[4 Advantages gained.]

Justin activated his Fireball Mastery, launching a sphere of flame at the nearest shade from the tip of his cane; thanks to the Sticky curse, it didn't matter whether he wielded Jester's Roulette or not.

The entity shrieked as fire consumed it, though it didn't fall immediately.

The second shade fired a bolt of shadow energy at Justin. Instinctively, he raised his Cane of Valoria.

[Gentleman's Rebuff has shielded this attack!]

Lady Scarlet snarled, then charged with inhuman speed, her fingers elongating into claws, her fangs fully extended. Now that her true form was revealed, her skin appeared pasty and cadaverous.

Justin dodged with Gentleman's Sidestep, then launched another Fireball at the damaged Night Shade. This one struck true, dissolving the creature into wisps of darkness with a final wail.

[Elegance in Motion is active.]

Scarlet began another incantation in Vranthillis, her tone venomous. Dark energy pooled around her hands, coiling like smoke ready to strike.

Justin activated Vorthak's Flame. Fire surged around him, wreathing him in orange light. The flames shattered Scarlet's focus; her spell dissolved as she recoiled.

Justin advanced, sidestepping her counterstrike and driving his cane into her side. The blow made her stagger, a hiss of pain escaping her bared fangs.

"Careful," she said, her voice low. "You'll ruin my dress."

Justin activated Poison Barb. "It's not the dress you should worry about. It's your skin care regimen."

She hissed, confusion flashing in her eyes as she was unable to move.

[Poison Barb refreshed.]

Before he could capitalize on the stun, movement flickered beside him—the second Night Shade. It lunged, aiming to surround him in its cold embrace.

Justin burned an Advantage, flowing out of reach, and answered with a fireball.

The explosion lit the corridor, but Justin was unharmed thanks to Vorthak's Flame. The creature shrieked and retreated into shadow, smoking and broken, while Scarlet gained some distance.

Once the fire dissipated, Scarlet pressed the attack. Her claws raked across his greatcoat.

Immediately, her pale hand ignited with angry, golden flames. She shrieked in pain and fury.

"Ouch," Justin said.

She uttered a few words, casting a reddish shield.

His buffs were fading. Elegance in Motion was nearly gone, while Lila's potion was wearing off.

He activated Poison Barb again. "Can't handle prey that fights back, I take it? At least the other vampire had insanity as an excuse. You're just sloppy."

She uttered an incantation in Vranthillis—ice forming in the air before him, a storm of spears. They kept building until they numbered at least thirty.

"I don't think your flames will help you here," she said. "It has been a pleasure, Mr. Talemaker."

With a scream, she launched the projectiles at high speed.

But Justin was ready, waiting for the perfect moment to activate Sapphire Aegis.

A shimmer flared around him, absorbing the icy barrage. The wounded Night Shade, which had hung back, hurled a bolt of shadow that similarly powered the shield.

Scarlet stared in disbelief. "How is that...?"

Rather than answer, he pressed the counterattack. Twin fireballs blossomed from his cane. One hit true, erasing the Night Shade in a shadowy burst. Another forced Scarlet back, her crimson shield flickering under the strain.

The aegis fractured, its energy funneling into his cane until it hummed with power. Scarlet's eyes widened as she realized what came next. She stepped back, but she could not escape him.

At last, her now crimson eyes burned into him almost hypnotically. "Mr. Talemaker, please... there is much opportunity for one such as you within our ranks. Morvath will reward one such as you richly."

"Horrible sales pitch."

His strike connected with an impact like thunder. The blast hurled her into the far wall, cracking plaster and filling the air with smoke.

She slumped but wasn't finished. Her lips moved, whispering a healing spell. Black veins pulsed across her skin as wounds began to knit.

To finish her, he needed fire, silver, or sunlight. He had only one of those.

He burned his remaining Advantages, resetting his cooldowns. Flames flared anew as he advanced.

"Let's end this, shall we?"

As she was forced into a corner, she could no longer escape Vorthak's Flame. She screeched as she ignited like a torch, golden flames surrounding her as his greatcoat made contact.

Then, he activated A Proper Send-off.

The strike punched through her guard, through her shield, through everything.

Her scream shook the corridor, but only for a moment as her form burst apart into ash.

Justin stood amid the wreckage, chest heaving. Charred portraits hung askew, the air thick with smoke and ozone. He deactivated Vorthak's Flame, the fire dimming to nothing, leaving only the glow of ruin and his own breath.

[4,000 experience gained! Your experience stands at 15,750/37,000.]

He moved to where Lady Scarlet had fallen, searching through the pile of ash for her purse. He found it fully intact.

His stomach dropped as he opened it and peered inside.

No crystal.

He searched thoroughly, sifting through the ashes with growing desperation, checking the floor, even patting down his own pockets in case he had missed her transferring it during the fight.

Nothing.

She'd passed it to someone else, likely during the brief moment she left the salon before Justin caught up with her in the corridor. Perhaps she'd given it to Blackwood or another agent nearby.

Justin reached out with Elea's Whisper, connecting to Alistair.

What's your status? Everything okay?

Forgive the delay, Justin. We're almost there. The Queensguard started pursuing us, but we managed to shake them off. How are you?

I'm fine. Lady Scarlet is dead—she was a vampire. But the crystal isn't here. She handed it off to someone.

A vampire in the Royal Palace itself! High Priest Kaive will be grieved to have let it progress this far. You believe she's given it to Blackwood?

Almost certainly. Change of plans. We need to find him immediately.

Alistair's mental voice was urgent. Justin, there's a developing situation. Palace guards are ordering nobles to evacuate. They're citing a "security threat." The Queensguard are concentrating near the throne room.

The throne room? You're sure?

Yes. Guard presence, and they're clearing the surrounding corridors. Justin, I think there may be guards heading toward your location as well. It's clear the Cult has deep roots here. They may even control parts of the palace guard. We cannot kill any of them, Justin. It would irreparably damage our position and make us look like the aggressors.

Understood. Moving to a new location now.

Collect some of that vampire dust as evidence. I'm concerned they may try to clear it and frame you as a murderer. Take anything identifiable that belonged to her. You never know when it might be useful.

Smart thinking. Justin grabbed Scarlet's purse and stashed it securely in his pack along with a handful of the ash. It was finer and paler than ordinary ash, with a faint iridescent quality that marked it as vampire remains. There would be time to examine it later.

Already moving, he confirmed.

He ran back toward the East Wing.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.