The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 746. Red-handed

Chapter 746: 746. Red-handed

It felt as though Louis was just about to fall asleep when he heard a loud bang on his door. He had spent almost half the day dealing with the vampires. They bombarded him with questions, especially after it became clear Jael would not be coming down for the last meal. They all wanted to know what that was. If it was really a Paler and what kind of fire could have burned it like that?

Louis wasn’t surprised; he too had questions. But he was more concerned about the fact that he might know the answers to these questions and the bigger problem if the answers were revealed. Louis felt a chill at the thought.

"Lord Louis," the servant called from the other side of the door when he didn’t respond to the knock.

Louis didn’t stir or even open his eyes. Whoever was behind the door would get the hint and leave. They didn’t. The knocking continued and got even louder. Louis covered his ears with the pillow; he couldn’t seem to catch a break.

"The Primus wants your attention immediately, Lord Louis. Please wake up," the servant called, knocking simultaneously.

Louis’s eyes flew open when he heard Jael was involved. There was still some time before sunset. If Jael was looking for him now, it could only involve one thing. He shook his head. Mauve wouldn’t tell—or would she? She couldn’t exactly keep it hidden, he knew this.

Would it be better to go to Jael, or would he be better off hiding somewhere in the castle and running away once the sun set, or better still, taking his chances with the sun? Because if Mauve did tell Jael, his life was on the line.

He moved to an upright position. "Did the Primus say what he wants me for?" he asked. He was just overreacting. Maybe Jael needed him for something else. Though the timing was odd, there was no need to jump to conclusions. Jael would be inconsiderate towards him whether or not Jael was planning to have his head.

"I am afraid not, Lord Louis. The Primus just requested that I get you to his room as fast as possible."

The servant sounded agitated as they spoke, and the thought of declining crossed Louis’s mind. But if Mauve had truly told, maybe Jael might see reason. Though he didn’t want to admit that magic had anything to do with the situation, he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t thought about it.

Mauve being able to set Palers ablaze and kill them was definitely something they needed. However, he knew this was not going to sit well with a lot of vampires, especially Jael. Louis pinched the bridge of his nose as he stood up. Better to get this over with.

If push came to shove, he could always go to the estate. He was sure Kieran and the butler, Walter, would be happy to have him back. However, even as Louis thought of this, he knew he would never go back there. He just couldn’t.

"Lord Louis," the servant called again. They sounded on the verge of tears.

"Coming," he said and opened the door.

"Lord Louis," they said with a bow, though not before Louis caught the relief on the servant’s face. "Right this way, please."

"No need for that," Louis said as he walked past the servant. "I know my way. You may retire."

The servant looked hesitant but it was clear he didn’t want to be part of whatever this was and he also couldn’t refuse a direct order from Lord Louis. He withdrew, and Louis made his way downstairs to Jael’s bedroom.

He didn’t get a chance to knock before the door was opened in his face, and he was met with glowing eyes. Louis didn’t flinch; he met Jael’s gaze with the same tenacity. "Sire," Louis said softly and then bowed. "You called for me."

Jael’s free palm clenched into a fist while the other held the door open. He didn’t say anything, nor did he step aside to let Louis in. Louis braced himself as he bowed. He wouldn’t be surprised if he got a punch to the chin when he raised his head.

"Jael," Mauve’s voice called from the room. "You promised." There was fear in her voice, mixed with worry.

Louis thought Mauve didn’t have anything to be scared or worried about. Jael wouldn’t hurt her. The most he might do was scold her. He was the one in trouble. "Ah," he mumbled as he slowly raised his head. She was probably scared and worried for him.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Jael asked.

"Whatever do you mean, Sire?" Louis knew he had been caught red-handed, but there was no way he would admit anything unless he was explicitly asked. It was safe to assume Mauve didn’t say much, but he had clearly heard her voice. She told Jael. Louis sighed. Was he ever going to catch a break at this point?

"Don’t play dumb with me," Jael stated. His palm clenched tighter, and his grip on the wooden door was unnecessarily hard. Any more pressure and the poor door might smash into pieces.

Louis closed his eyes briefly, then opened them. "May I come in?" he asked. He wasn’t admitting to anything, but perhaps if he was going to speak on the matter, it was certainly not something to do in the hallway.

"Jael let him in," Mauve mumbled.

Louis couldn’t see Mauve. Jael stood at the entrance, his huge frame blocking Louis’s view of her and, of course, his way into the room. Jael was starting to piss him off. One would think he was begging to be here, but Louis could sympathize with the Primus and knew he was at fault here.

Jael slowly stepped aside, and Louis walked into the room, half-expecting to be stabbed in the back as he passed. But that didn’t happen. Instead, Jael shut the door behind him and said, "How could you put her through something so dangerous? Are you out of your mind teaching her magic? Just what were you thinking?"