The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 753. Further Investigation

Chapter 753: 753. Further Investigation

Jael was seated in his study after the ordeal outside the castle. He brought in his personal guards along with Louis to listen to their reports. Erick went first, standing directly in front of Jael’s desk, and he started to speak.

"Sire, unfortunately, I can’t send as many people because of the incident from last night. I was sure to send enough supplies and blood, but other than the guards sent to take this to Lord Phelan, I didn’t send anyone else," Erick explained.

"That’s fine," Jael replied. "We do have quite the ordeal on our hands. We need all the hands we can get. Have you heard any more news from the lord?"

Erick shook his head. "Aside from the very first letter I received, I haven’t received any more word. Though a letter did arrive for Corbin, it was simultaneous with the one I received. However, I couldn’t report on that because of the troubles that followed not long after."

Jael had thought about Phelan’s son; he had not seemed as panicked as he expected. Neither was he rushing to go back home to help. Rather, he seemed a little too calm and was one of the people pressuring Louis and him for answers.

"I understand," Jael said. As long as the young vampire wasn’t being disruptive, he could ignore his strange behavior.

Jael turned to Danag, Damon, and Louis as he waited for their report. Louis stepped forward while Erick stepped back. Jael tried his best not to scrunch his nose at the fact that Louis was going to speak next, but he failed miserably.

"We didn’t find anything useful," Louis said.

Jael frowned and leaned back in his seat. "That doesn’t make this much of a report, Louis," Jael replied.

"I suppose it doesn’t, but I did order the lords and the guards to cut down the burnt trees. The ones that can be salvaged will be; the others will be thrown away. Just a way to clear the mess the fire made."

Louis paused for a few moments. When Jael didn’t reply, Louis added, "Sire, I was wondering what your next step would be—and ours too?"

Jael visibly clenched his fists. "What do you mean?" He asked darkly. "Clearly, it would be to do our best to recover from the incident and adequately prepare ourselves for the next attack so we won’t be caught off guard."

Louis narrowed his eyes. "You know that’s not what I’m talking about."

"What else could you possibly be talking about?" Jael asked, his pitch slightly raised as he spoke.

Louis’s eyes darted around, and he took a step back, knowing his next words were going to make Jael even angrier, but he couldn’t just let this pass without trying his best. It would be crazy not to use such a solution, regardless of Jael’s feelings about the matter.

"I just thought further investigation into what must have transpired for a Paler to end up dead wouldn’t be a bad idea. Maybe this is something we missed," Louis mumbled.

Jael’s eyes darkened, but before he could speak, Danag cut in. "I agree with Lord Louis. I hardly think this is a mere coincidence. I’m sure if we look more closely, we will definitely find something. We can’t let such an opportunity elude us. A dead Paler? Ha! I never thought I’d see the day. I will personally oversee the guards myself to make sure we don’t miss anything this time."

Jael’s fists tightened. He couldn’t say no, and Louis knew this. He was hoping the incident would be completely forgotten after they turned up with nothing from the search, but Louis was not only adamant but constantly poking at the dying fire, making sure sparks remained.

"Okay," Jael said, and he slowly unclenched his fists. "Do what you have to do."

"Thank you, Sire," Danag said with a bow. Damon repeated his actions, and the two of them left the study, leaving Erick and Louis behind.

Jael turned to Erick, who was clearly waiting to be dismissed, but it was clear the Primus still had more for him, so he waited patiently.

"Mauve wants to send a letter to Greenham," Jael started to say. "Make sure the letter arrives as quickly as possible and without incident."

Erick did his best to hide his displeasure as he bowed, but the tic at the corner of his lips failed him. "Yes, Sire," he mumbled before speeding out of the study.

"Are you out of your bloody mind?" Jael asked as soon as the door closed.

Louis was surprised he didn’t bang his hands on the table; he looked like he just might, or maybe fling something in his direction. Jael wasn’t just angry, he was furious.

"I apologize, Sire. I didn’t mean to say something you wouldn’t like."

"Use that patronizing tone one more time, Louis, and watch what happens. I dare you." Jael’s blue eyes glowed.

Louis instinctively took a step back. He knew nothing good would come out of pissing Jael off. He didn’t plan to go this far; he was going to leave all the convincing to Mauve because somehow, she had a way to pull Jael to her side without him flaring up like this.

"I am truly sorry, but I can’t just pretend like nothing happened. We finally found a way to—"

"Shut it!" Jael interrupted. "One more snide comment, one more obvious comment that suggests there is more to this or you know more about this and you’d hate me. Don’t fucking test me! My mate is not your plaything; she isn’t your experiment. The only reason I haven’t sent you out of the castle is because of Mauve. You haven’t been family in a very long time; don’t dare push your luck!"

Louis bowed his head. "I understand, Sire. It won’t happen again."

"Get out!" Jael stated, and Louis nodded and slipped out of the study.

Jael grabbed his head while resting his elbows on the table. He knew he told Mauve he would think about it, but just the thought of her going next to a Paler made his ears ring and his vision blur. Why did Louis have to do something so reckless?