CHAPTER 254: THE BARGAIN_PART 1

There were no guards at the gates of the royal castle in Nightbrook when he strode through them. None on the towers. Not even the usual torchbearers pacing the upper walkways, he took note.

Rohan walked into the grounds with the same lazy stride he used when strolling down a familiar street. His boots tapped carelessly against the stone floor, hands tucked deep into his trouser pockets. A cigar sat between his lips, its smoke curling past his face like a ghost dragging its fingers along his skin.

To many, what he was doing would be seen as nothing short of suicide—but Rohan was confident in his strength. He hadn’t done anything physically draining and had saved his energy for this evening, where he planned to end everything and finally live the peaceful life his wife longed for. A life without fear. Without running. Without worrying about finding a home.

Just as his Isa wanted a safe haven, he wanted it too, but he could only secure that by getting rid of the vampire king.

Because if the vampire king lived, both his wife and son’s lives would always be in danger.

He had signed a document before his marriage to Belle, agreed, that he would never bear a child with his wife. And the terms stated that if he ever did... the child would be at the mercy of the king. The child’s life or death would lie in the king’s hands. And Rohan knew, without a shred of doubt, that the vampire king would not hesitate to kill his son.

He had not hesitated to sign that document then, because he hadn’t known who he was marrying—or that he would keep her, or even want a life with her. But now, he realized too late that he had not only put her life in danger... but their child’s life as well, placing it entirely in the king’s hands.

He had to make that right.

The demon king had tried to manipulate him, had whispered in his head, offering twisted logic and trying to convince him that there were other reasons he wanted the throne.

But the demon was wrong.

Rohan didn’t want only power, yes he wanted power but it was because he wanted to protect a future. He wanted peace. He wanted to erase every threat that stood in the way of that little brat and that little bunny of his having a future.

And he would never, ever grow desperate enough to agree to the demon’s terms and conditions. He didn’t need his help. Not now. Not ever.

Rohan would take down his enemies himself.

And then, he would bring his family home.

Home, where no one could hurt them ever again.

Rohan’s sharp eyes scanned his surroundings, noting the eerie silence and the stillness hanging heavy in the damp, rain-scented air. He didn’t need to lift a finger to know, this was a trap. It clung to the air around him, thick and tense. He was walking straight into it.

But he had prepared for this.

The royal castle had never been this quiet, not once in its history. Not when the vampire king was inside. And certainly not when that king knew Rohan was alive and that one day he was bound to come for him and take his sweet revenge—not only from the time he tried to kill him as a boy, but the time he sent creatures after him during the hunt.

Rohan stopped in the middle of the ground, one hand rising only to take the cigar from his lips. Smoke trailed behind as he exhaled into the evening air.

"You don’t have to sulk in the shadows," he called out, his voice low, calm, with just a hint of mockery. "I know you’re there, Zion," he said, dropping all form of respect for the king and the title. Why would he respect a vampire who wanted him dead? He would be a fool to do so.

Though Rohan’s words had been spoken in a low voice, it was heard by the vampires in the shadows, including the latter.

And soon enough, from the upper balcony, the king stepped into view.

Clad in heavy black robes, with gold embroidery marking his rank, King Zion appeared regal on the balcony, his head held high like the king he was, without an ounce of fear in him. Lowering his head, he looked down at the lone figure standing in the middle of the ground.

The sight of Rohan standing there, unarmed and casual, his expression almost bored, stunned the king more than he let on. He couldn’t believe his nephew had the gall to walk into the castle with the intentions to take his life without armed men.

The king had always known that his nephew was a crazy vampire, but he’d never known that his insanity would lead him into coming here like this. He should never have released him from the madhouse and let him rot his life there, King Zion thought, gripping the railings with white fingers.

"What brings you here?" the king demanded, as if he did not already know.

Rohan didn’t bow. Didn’t even look impressed. He simply cocked his head to the side, the corner of his lips tugging up in that signature half-smile that always came before someone bled.

"Isn’t it obvious, Zion?" he asked smoothly, his tone laced with a hint of dry sarcasm. "I came to say hello to my dear uncle, who, might I add, is rude enough not to inquire about me after I failed to return from the yearly hunting game. Tsk." He clicked his tongue, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Despite everything, I still have my manners, and I’m here to pay you my respects.

Should I come up there... or would you rather come down for our little private meeting?"

He smiled then, genuinely, it seemed. A smooth, unbothered smile that could’ve melted the heart of anyone naive enough to believe it wasn’t laced with quiet malice and a silent, deadly threat.

King Zion’s grip on the railing tightened even more. He was no fool. He recognized that damned smile on the vampire’s face, and for a brief second, a flicker of unease crossed his expression before he quickly masked it with his usual stoic calm.

Though he hadn’t spent much time around his nephew, he knew enough about the boy’s twisted nature, how he could kill with that same sadistic smile curling his lips.

After all, he had murdered the late king, when he was barely more than a teenage vampire. And now, fully grown... he was far more dangerous.

But Zion had nothing to fear. He reminded himself of that. Not now. Not with the power behind him. Not with the deal he had made, and not with the plan he had made beforehand.

"Don’t take me for a fool, Rohan. I know why you are here, and before you think you can have your way, I want you to back down now, and I will let you live freely in this land again. You and your wife are welcome back. The other castle is still yours."

A smirk curled across Rohan’s lips.

"Ah, a bargain. Tsk. Only, I’m not interested. How about we get this over with, my king?" he said.

And in the blink of an eye, he prepared to leap up and attack the king.

But just as he had expected, out of nowhere, chains were thrown, gripping his limbs and yanking him back down. Hidden soldiers.

He let out a sadistic laughter, and with the ease of a man pulling free from fragile ropes wrapped around his limbs, Rohan twisted his large form effortlessly and cut loose from the chains, and out of all directions, elite trained vampires leaped out of the hovering fogs in the shadows to attack him.

Rohan had prepared for this and knew there would be surprise traps laid out for him, only, he hadn’t believed the king would expect him to come on this particular day. It was almost as if someone had warned him. The king had arranged for the elite soldiers, not the regular ones usually stationed around the grounds.

The elite vampire soldiers were meant for war; they never stayed anywhere near the castle.

They attacked him ten at a time, and just as easily as he had broken free from the chains, he dealt with them.

He seized one of the vampires by the throat, his grip tightening until the skin gave way beneath his claws, slicing it open with a wet, gurgling tear. Blood sprayed as the body collapsed.

Then he turned to another, lifting his leg with calculated force. His kick landed hard against the vampire’s neck, and the sharpened edge of his toenail, so sharp it had torn clean through the leather of his boot, sliced through flesh and bone. The head tumbled to the ground, followed swiftly by the rest of the body.

He couldn’t afford to show his wings.

He had to fight them as a vampire, because even if he succeeded in killing the king, he wouldn’t be allowed to claim the throne if anyone knew he was anything else. Only a vampire could rule, and Rohan fought them off using his demon strength, hidden behind the guise of his vampire abilities.