章 30: INTERFERENCE
This novel is exclusive to Web Novel, if you find it posted other than this website please contact me through the chapter comments. Thank you.
Jackson chuckled about Dante and the cat. The entire situation was comical to him. He looked back over at The Lord and opened his mouth to speak. "Yeah, and curiosity killed the cat, too."
Christopher closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, and shook his head at the man in front of him, "making puns and speaking in idioms at a time like this" Then he fired back at Jackson, "But satisfaction brought it back." With that response, both men broke out into laughter.
"I know Dante will interfere and try to prevent me from reaching out to Rose. He's not unintelligent, and if Giselle sees the flowers, she'll figure it out quickly. I will have to find another way of getting a message to Rose."
"Well, I'm done spying for the day. Let's get out of here. I believe my stitches have ripped. Lucy is going to reprimand me when we return. I promised her to take it easy." Christopher touched his leg. When he pulled his hand back, it was covered in blood.
Jackson and Lord Thorn were leaving when they were stopped in their tracks by a terrifying scream from Dragonwood. Both men paused and looked startled by the loud cry. It made the hair rise on Christopher's body.
As Lord Thorn heard the gut-wrenching howl for the second time, he felt alarm bells go off in his head.
"Who is crying out like that?" Jackson asked. He was curious about the current turn of events.
"I'm not sure, but I think we need to investigate quickly," said Christopher. He was unnerved by whoever it was, yelling out in such pain. It was grating on his conscious. The Lord could no longer endure hearing the unidentified screams and started charging back toward Dragonwood.
Jackson reached out and apprehended Christopher by his arm. "No, Milord, it's too dangerous. The last thing you need is to tangle with the Count. Dante's going to know you are here. You're bleeding, and he will smell you if he hasn't already."
Christopher dug his nails into the palms of his hands, almost to the point of bleeding. He clenched his fists in frustration. He wanted to know what was going on behind the walls of Dragonwood. The Lord would not leave until they discovered what was happening.
"I'll go," said Jackson. He walked to the edge of the woods and looked at Christopher reassuringly before vanishing.
It was easier for him to get in and out unseen. Jackson walked through the library wall like he had just hours earlier and into several rooms till he stood hidden in the bath chamber of Rose's room.
He watched from a crack in the door as Dante split the palm of his hand to give Rose his blood. Jackson could see she was pale and soaked in blood. The girl looked like she might die. He didn't stick around long to see more. Even if he was a phantom, it could put him in peril. Dante was a powerful demon, and there was a possibility he could steal Jackson's soul if he caught him.
He hurried back to where Christopher was waiting and described what he had seen. Jackson looked up just in time to see Milley, the maid from last night, walk into the woods on the other side of Dragonwood. He nudged Christopher with his elbow to signal that something was afoot with the servant girl.
The two sat and waited longer to see if there were other concerns. Jackson and The Lord were about to head back to the Thorn estate when they saw the Count and Giselle pursuing the trail of the maid from earlier.
Christopher's wings materialized from his back, and he rose off the ground into the forest canopy. His beautiful silver feathers glinted even without the sun shining. He was going to follow the two terrors. The Lord was curious about what they would do to the young maid.
Jackson was furious that Lord Thorn would follow the demons on his own unarmed. He was bound to get caught or start a war. Jackson walked into the woods and tried to follow along, keeping a reasonable distance. He did not want to be noticed.
Christopher silently perched atop a gigantic sycamore tree and watched as Dante and Giselle tormented and eventually killed the maid. Christopher would typically have intervened, but he could see Milley's soul was black with murder and guilt. He felt she died appropriately for her sins. Justice had been served. Christopher was about to leave when he saw Dante walk away. Then Giselle spoke to him in the tree. She had known he was there the entire time.
"Nice wings you have there. So, did you enjoy the performance, Christopher, or should I say Samael, the left hand of God? What? Didn't you think I knew you were there? I'm astonished you didn't intercede," Giselle stated as she looked up at Lord Thorn sitting on a large tree branch. His beautiful silver wings spread out, ready to take flight.
"My apologies for interrupting, but it looks like you handled my job for me today."
Christopher hummed, "Hmm... Tell me exactly how you discovered who I am? It took the two of you long enough to figure it out." His grey eyes shone with a strange light that Giselle did not recognize. Something was different about him.
"You can thank Rose for that. She disclosed the information to Dante when he found her. She's been pretty sick with a fever since you ran that blessed claymore through her gut. I'd steer clear of my Master if I were you. He's going to tear you limb from limb if he catches you. He is pissed at what you did to his daughter."
"So, it is true. Rose is the Count's daughter." Lord Thorn muttered. He kept a close eye on Giselle and the surrounding forest. He did not want to be ambushed by the two demons.
Giselle knew he was cautious regarding matters with her and Dante. She watched him scan the woods to ensure Dante was not sneaking up on him. "Every night creature from here to the coast can smell you. How did you get that nasty wound? Was it Rose? She must have used the dagger. I bet that hurt." Giselle spoke sarcastically.
"Yes, it does hurt, and Giselle, don't underestimate Rose. She is intelligent, agile, and quick. I can see her giving you a good run." Christopher thought he'd like to see the two women get into a scrap. His bet would be on Rose to win. She was quite the combatant.
Giselle inhaled deeply; the blood was making her thirsty. "You smell divine, Christopher, similar to honey and white jasmine. Why not give a girl a taste of that sweetness you have to offer?" She smiled, and her fangs gleamed in the soft light. The smell of The Lord's blood was driving Giselle's senses to feed over the edge. She could barely hold back her urge to attack him.
"I don't believe I will, Giselle. You are not good for my health or anyone else's. Why don't you run along now like a good hound and do your Master's bidding? I bet he has plenty to keep you busy." Christopher grinned wide and leaped from the tree branch into the fog bank. He disappeared before Giselle could grab him.
~~~
When Dante returned to the mansion, the servants were still busy cleaning Rose's room. His shoes clicked on the stone floors as he walked up the stairs. The staff bowed as he walked past, keeping their eyes downward in respect. The Count reached his room and gently cracked the door open. "Are you decent? May I come in?" He waited for an answer.
A small, weak voice responded. "Yes." Dante opened the door and saw Rose lying in the middle of his enormous bed. She was clean again and had Oscar next to her. He was purring peacefully. Rose looked so frail and tired but had a smile. She was happy to have her cat.
"I see Oscar has made himself at home already. He must trust you to be so relaxed in a strange place." Dante came to sit on the edge of the bed and stroke Rose's chestnut hair. He was glad he had returned when he did in the morning. His daughter was dear to him, and the Count would do everything to keep her safe.
"Dante, what happened? Where did you go?" Rose was curious why he disappeared so quickly.
"I had unfinished business and needed to retrieve your belongings." Dante handed the travel bag to Rose, and she opened it to find her books, dagger, and necklace. Dante reached into the bag, pulled out the chain, and placed it around Rose's neck. It was his link to her.
-- 贈り物
が届きました 
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット