Kissing Hellfire: Marry Me, Evil Lord
Chapter 200: Scent of Blood

Chapter 200: Scent of Blood

As Alec and Lauren stepped through Alec’s portal, they were teleported directly to Anthony’s house, situated in a deserted place in Acheron. They stood on the worn-out wooden porch, surrounded by an unsettling stillness.

In the distance, towering trees loomed ominously, their branches stretching toward the darkened sky. Suddenly, as if disturbed by the newcomers’ arrival, a massive flock of birds burst forth from the treetops. With a cacophony of fluttering wings and shrill cries, the birds soared into the midnight sky.

Lauren was about to raise her hand to knock on the door when Alec held her back, his face hard and unreadable as if he sensed something wasn’t right.

"What is it?" asked Lauren, curiosity peeking through her voice laced with worry.

"I smell blood."

Lauren’s worry deepened, her gaze darting around the deserted landscape, searching for any signs of enemies. The silence seemed to press upon them, amplifying her unease.

"Stay behind me," Alec demanded as he pushed the door open.

Lauren obediently positioned herself just behind Alec, her eyes scanning the disarrayed scene before them.

The flickering candlelight provided a somber illumination, revealing the chaos that had invaded Anthony’s once peaceful abode.

Broken furniture lay strewn across the room, and shattered glass created a hazardous path. Strange liquids, their colors and consistencies unfamiliar, dripped from overturned containers, adding an eerie touch to the already unsettling atmosphere. The scent of decay and something otherworldly lingered in the air, perhaps from Anthony’s strange collection, and mingled with the metallic tang of blood.

The traces of blood on the floor and walls sent a shiver down Lauren’s spine. It was evident that something sinister had transpired within these walls, leaving behind a chilling testament to the violence that had unfolded. Her heart sank further, fearing the worst for Anthony.

Alec stepped forward, his eyes keenly surveying the room, searching for any clues that might shed light on the events that had taken place. His instincts were on high alert, ready to protect Lauren from whatever danger might still linger.

Lauren couldn’t help but feel a sense of trepidation as she followed Alec’s gaze, her mind racing to comprehend the scene before her.

Questions filled her thoughts. What could have caused such destruction? Who or what left this trail of blood? And most importantly, where was Anthony?

Their footsteps echoed softly as they moved deeper into the house, cautiously avoiding the shattered remnants of Anthony’s belongings.

"Does Anthony have enemies?" Lauren asked while they were walking through the wooden staircase after looking around the ground floor of the house.

"That is something I don’t know of."

Lauren swallowed hard. What if Simon found out that she met Anthony to seek help for her condition? And he sent men to assassinate Anthony...

Seeing the worry on Lauren’s face, Alec held her hand and said, "You shouldn’t worry. If Anthony was easy to kill, he would have been long dead for turning down job offers from powerful people."

She was relieved by that.

Alec stood in front of her in a protective stance when they reached the second floor, watching out for any intruders hiding in the shadows. With his heightened senses, Alec was soon convinced that at the moment, no one else was inside the house except him and Lauren.

"Anthony is not here. From the smell of the blood, it must have happened a couple of hours ago. I know the scent of Anthony’s blood and I don’t smell his among the blood downstairs, so he must be alive."

What Alec said eased the tension in Lauren’s nerves, but she was still anxious about the possibility that Anthony was attacked by the rebels because they knew he was helping them. The rebels posed a significant threat, and Anthony’s involvement in helping them could have made him a target.

She only met the man once, but she wouldn’t want anyone to be harmed because of her.

Lauren sat silently in bed once they were back in the castle. After confirming Anthony’s absence, Alec urged her to leave the place.

The weight of worry and uncertainty settled upon her. The events at Anthony’s house had left her emotionally drained, her mind racing with questions and fears. She clutched the book from the spellbound ship tightly in her hands.

"I’ll go talk to Vincent. He has connections all over Acheron so it will be easier for him to trace Anthony," said Alec, his eyes holding reassurance as he gazed down at her.

"Didn’t you mention back then that King Sebastian has his eyes on Anthony? Maybe he knows."

Alec nodded. "I will relay him a message."

Lauren nodded, her gratitude mingling with her concern for Anthony’s well-being. She knew that King Sebastian had taken an interest in Anthony, but the extent of his knowledge and involvement remained uncertain. Perhaps he held the key to unlocking the mystery surrounding Anthony’s disappearance.

With a tender touch, Alec planted a gentle kiss on Lauren’s forehead.

"For now, you need to rest," he whispered, his voice filled with warmth and concern. "Your body needs the energy. I promise I will do everything in my power to find Anthony, so he can assist us with your book."

Lauren sighed, feeling a mix of emotions wash over her. She was grateful to have Alec by her side; his unwavering support provided her with strength during these challenging times. Yet the weight of uncertainty regarding Anthony’s fate still burdened her heart.

Left alone in the solitude of their bedroom, Lauren glanced down at the mysterious book in her hands. Its ancient pages could hold secrets and spells that could potentially hold the key to unlocking her own destiny. No matter how much she was dying to know the answers to her questions, for now, finding Anthony and ensuring his safety was more important.

* * *

The grandeur of the guestroom in the castle of Evardin enveloped the two men as they stood in the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the window. Outside, a blanket of snow painted the world a serene white, contrasting with the intensity that radiated from within the room.

"I was about to sleep. What is so urgent that you need to meet me in the middle of the night?" Vincent asked, his fingers gracefully holding the stem of the wineglass.

Vincent stood by the large window, his sharp eyes scanning the snowy landscape beyond before he looked at Alec who stood rigidly a few feet away.

"Anthony has disappeared."

Vincent’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, his curiosity piqued. He took a sip from the chalice of blood, savoring its rich taste as he mulled over the information. Anthony’s sudden disappearance was indeed a cause for concern, considering his valuable knowledge and connections.

"Disappeared, you say? What do you mean exactly?"

Alec’s face darkened more, his voice was cold. "His house was in complete disarray as if it had been ransacked. There were traces of blood staining the walls. It was clear that Anthony was attacked by a few intruders."

Vincent’s eyes narrowed, the weight of the news settling upon him. He knew the value of individuals like Anthony, whose knowledge and expertise were sought after by many powerful entities within Acheron and in other lands.

The disappearance of such a valuable asset meant that something significant was at play. But Vincent knew Anthony wasn’t an ordinary man. He was an elder mage who had been living in this chaotic world for centuries, so he must have been able to escape his offenders safely.

"It happened about a couple of hours ago, based on the smell of the blood. King Sebastian must know where Anthony is now, so I came to talk to you about it. I need Anthony’s help so I need to find him as soon as possible."

Vincent’s smirk revealed a hint of amusement, and his words carried a touch of playful skepticism. "So, it is my help that you require," he remarked, his voice laced with a subtle undertone of curiosity. He leaned back slightly, his posture relaxed yet attentive.

Vincent nodded, his mischievous gaze unwavering. His curiosity was piqued by Alec’s mention of needing Anthony’s help—a puzzle waiting to be solved. "Indeed, I can easily send a missive to my uncle," he confirmed, his voice filled with certainty.

Pausing for a moment, Vincent’s eyes sparkled with intrigue as he continued, his tone tinged with wonder. "However, I find myself wondering... what is it that you need Anthony’s help for?"

Alec glared at him.

"It has something to do with Lauren, doesn’t it?" There was certainty in Vincent’s tone. "I felt the urgency of the matter when you left for a couple of days the last time and I realized I have never seen you frustrated before. So I thought it must have something to do with your beloved wife. After all, I see how you care for her."