Supreme Warlock System : From Zero to Ultimate With My Wives

Warlock Ch 186. The Evil One

"You all look ready," she said, her tone clipped but professional. Then her eyes slid to Evelyn, her expression shifting into one of mild surprise. "And you… Why are you here?"

Evelyn didn't flinch under Victoria's scrutiny. She tilted her head, her expression calm but firm. "To fulfill your invitation, of course. I'm Cassius' friend, and I couldn't help but wonder what made him finally accept a mission. He's not exactly known for being… cooperative."

Victoria's lips twitched into a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Fair enough," she said smoothly. "Perhaps while Cassius and his little apprentice"—her gaze flicked briefly to Damian—"are working, you and I can enjoy some tea. I'd love to hear your thoughts about your late mentor."

Evelyn's smile was razor-sharp, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Yeah. That sounds lovely."

Damian stood awkwardly between the two women, feeling the weight of their subtle tension pressing down on him. "This is going to be fun," he muttered under his breath.

Victoria, either ignoring or choosing not to respond to the comment, reached into her satchel and retrieved a gleaming crystal. It was multifaceted, glowing faintly with a pulsating light. Damian's eyes widened slightly. He recognized it immediately—a portal crystal. Expensive. Rare. And annoyingly flashy.

Without hesitation, Victoria crushed the crystal in her hand. The shards dissolved into shimmering particles, forming a swirling portal before them. The air around it buzzed with energy, and Damian instinctively stepped back.

"Follow me," Victoria commanded, stepping into the portal without another word.

Cassius exhaled slowly, casting one last glance at his estate. With a quick gesture, his hand glowed faintly as he activated a barrier spell to seal the place. Once satisfied, he stepped into the portal after her.

Damian turned to Evelyn, who gave him a small nod. "Let's get this over with," she said, stepping into the portal as well.

Damian hesitated for a moment, his instincts screaming at him to stay put. But he shoved the unease aside and followed them, the portal's energy enveloping him as he crossed the threshold.

When he stepped out the other side, the change in atmosphere hit him like a wall. The air was cool and carried a faint metallic tang. They were standing before a grand palace, its dark stone walls stretching high into the sky, illuminated by the eerie glow of crimson torches lining the pathway. The architecture was imposing and sharp, every arch and spire giving off an air of authority and danger.

Victoria turned to face them, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Welcome to my home," she said, her tone almost smug. "The Crimson Citadel."

Before Damian could respond, a group of servants and guards emerged from the massive double doors of the palace. They lined up in two orderly rows, bowing deeply as Victoria strode past them.

"Follow me," she said without looking back.

The group trailed behind her, Damian sticking close to Evelyn. Cassius walked ahead, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp as he surveyed their surroundings.

The inside of the palace was just as grand as the exterior. The floors were polished obsidian, reflecting the dim light of the massive chandeliers hanging above. Rich tapestries depicting various battles and vampiric legends adorned the walls, their intricate details catching Damian's eye. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease as they passed a series of statues, each one depicting a vampire warrior in various victorious poses.

"This place gives me the creeps," Damian muttered, earning a quiet chuckle from Evelyn. No… not a creep. Actually, there was something in him that made him feel… strange…

Victoria led them to a grand hall where more servants awaited, standing at attention. She gestured to a smaller set of doors at the far end of the room. "We'll discuss the mission in detail shortly," she said, her tone firm. "But first, make yourselves comfortable."

Damian exchanged a glance with Evelyn, who simply shrugged. Cassius, meanwhile, looked entirely unfazed, as if he'd done this a hundred times before. Damian wasn't sure whether that was comforting or concerning.

Victoria clapped her hands lightly, summoning a tall, stern-faced man dressed impeccably in a dark crimson suit. His posture was perfect, his expression unreadable. He bowed slightly before her.

"This is Henry, my most trusted servant," Victoria announced. "He will guide you to your quarters and give you a brief tour of the palace. Please consider yourselves honored guests."

Henry straightened, his sharp gaze sweeping over the group before settling on Victoria. "As you wish, my lady," he said, his voice smooth and formal. Then, turning to the group, he gestured for them to follow. "This way."

The group moved down the grand corridor, Damian trailing slightly behind Cassius and Evelyn. His boots clicked softly against the obsidian floors as he took in the palace's grandeur—ornate chandeliers, gilded columns, and paintings of noble-looking vampires that seemed to watch their every move. Damian wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt the faint hum of magic in the air, like the palace itself was alive.

Henry began his explanation, his tone that of a seasoned historian. "The Crimson Citadel has stood as the heart of vampire authority for centuries. Its walls have seen countless battles, treaties, and betrayals. The stone is imbued with protective enchantments, ensuring the safety of its inhabitants."

Damian nodded absentmindedly, only half-listening as his thoughts wandered. He was trying to piece together Victoria's real motives. Why go to the trouble of inviting them here? And what did she really want?

Henry continued, oblivious to Damian's distraction. "Of course, not all history here is glorious. We vampires have faced our share of setbacks, most notably due to… The Evil One."

Damian's attention snapped back at those words. He leaned closer to Cassius, his voice a low whisper. "This 'Evil One' guy sounds dangerous. Suspicious. Maybe we should look into him."

Cassius didn't miss a beat, his expression as neutral as ever as he whispered back, "The Evil One is you."

Damian blinked. "What?"