CHAPTER 275: _DAGGER WRAPPED IN VELVET

"Goddess have mercy..." Marcellus muttered when he was called in twenty minutes later alongside Althea, Layla and the military advisor.

He was the last to show up and stood by the office door, staring at the gory scene in the middle of Kaelos’ office with widened eyes.

I only glanced at him for a bit before bringing my gaze back to my aunt Althea who was busy tracing her fingers around the dead maid’s body, weaving spells and chanting some things I couldn’t hear.

She squatted in front of the body while Kaelos and I stood behind her. I subconsciously leaned closer to Kaelos, resting my head on his shoulder.

’I’m exhausted.’ I spoke through the mate bond, sighing heavily. ’I’m afraid of sleeping now. I don’t want any more nightmares.’

He was silent for only a couple of seconds before he wrapped his arm firmly around my waist. ’I’ll sleep in your bed after this. Or we can just... Stay awake. I don’t think I can sleep either after my dream.’

’Isn’t yours also technically a nightmare?’ I asked with a raised eyebrow at the same moment that Althea raised her head, withdrawing her hands from the body.

’No, I wouldn’t call it that. Lord Ryker is trying to manipulate us by manipulating our dreams.’ He spoke with a clenched jaw. ’But I don’t understand how he was able to get into my head. My Alpha King bloodline makes me immune to telepathic manipulation. Unless...’

"You two were right in your deduction." Althea suddenly muttered, getting on her feet and adjusting her purple robe.

She turned around, facing us with a solemn expression. "This girl was indeed corrupted with chaotic magic from the Vein. It’s almost untraceable... But that darkness."

She paused, glancing at Marcellus, the military advisor and Layla who stood at the other side of the office.

She let out a small breath before lowering her voice. "That darkness is the same as what I felt when I revealed the sigils within Odessa’s blood earlier today."

I swallowed hard.

"Does... Does this mean I caused this?" I asked, also keeping my voice low while staring at the dead body of the maid, a shiver running down my spine.

Althea quickly stepped forward, placing her hand on my shoulder. "We don’t know that yet, Odessa. I—"

"But you’re saying it’s a possibility," I repeated, raising an eyebrow. "That I’m already actively a danger to everyone around me. Including maybe... My mate."

I glanced at Kaelos who blinked back at me with confusion.

My mind reeled as I thought about something.

If Ryker has access to my mind, what if he somehow used the mate bond to get to Kaelos as well? What would that mean for us?

Suddenly, just as my aunt’s lips parted, Layla cleared her throat behind us.

"S–Sir? The Alpha Kings still request a video or a personal explanation from you about the—"

"Yes, yes, yes, Layla!" Kaelos snapped, raising a dismissive hand. "I’ll address the Alpha Kings tomorrow before making a public statement about the broadcast with my father. They can wait on their high thrones and continue fighting their wars on their continents."

He proceeded to fix his gaze on the wall behind his desk. His jaw tightened and I felt an emotion which I rarely ever felt from him.

Fear.

Of the unknown and of losing me.

"Wherever this Lord Ryker is, he’s made it clear that he’s after MY throne. Not theirs. And I’ll be damned before I let him take it or threaten my people." He finally added, drawing in a deep breath before turning to Althea.

"Is there anything you can do? A protection spell of sorts perhaps?"

The second I heard that I knew it wouldn’t be well received.

I was right...

"Alpha King, a protection spell?" The military advisor stepped forward, his face scrunched with confusion as he removed his hand from his brown beard. "It’s... It could be..."

He paused when he saw the cold look Kaelos gave him. Kaelos tilted his head, narrowing his eyes.

"Could be what, Jeremiah?" He asked, his voice daring. "Go on. We’re all here to input opinions, right?"

That last question felt like a dagger wrapped in velvet.

"W–What I was trying to say is that public distress is still very high, sir," Jeremiah spoke cautiously, glancing briefly at me. "The people are already uncomfortable with the idea of a high priestess living in your mansion. Some even suggest she might be responsible for the artificial hybrid among your guards ranks who was brought down."

What the heck?

I scoffed but Althea was surprisingly silent, her arms clasped in front of her body. I squinted my eyes as Kaelos spoke firmly.

"The public will always speak, Jeremiah. But I know what’s good for my people at the end of the day and I’m not hiding it."

There was a long silence as everyone glanced among themselves.

The atmosphere was tight with tension and everyone clearly had one or two things that they were thinking in their heads... But they didn’t dare voice it out.

"Layla, please get people to clean up this office," Kaelos spoke up just when the silence felt suffocating. "Marcellus and Jeremiah... Prepare points for a meeting tomorrow. After I address the Alpha Kings and make a public statement, we need to appoint a new Gamma and Delta."

The two men nodded at Kaelos as he finally turned to face Althea.

At this point, I felt dizzy and fixed my gaze on the door. I let out a sigh, speaking to Kaelos through the mate bond.

’I’m going outside for a little walk.’

’Don’t you want to wait for me? I can walk with you.’ he suggested but I declined.

’No need for that, Kaelos. I just... I need space to process everything.’

There were WAY too many things happening in one day.

From the reveal of the Vein and Ryker’s manipulation, to the broadcast revealing a dark secret Kaelos has kept all this while, then the weird dream I had and now THIS?

’I suggest a lot of wine.’ Sirena muttered in my head but I sighed, stepping away from Kaelos and walking out of the office.

I closed the door behind me, brushing my hand down my face as I turned a corner, heading down the hallway. But as I did, I paused when I spotted Caroline heading for me with a serious expression on her face.

Dear gods... Not more trouble..

"Caroline, I’m sorry, but whatever it is, can it wait?" I asked with a pleading voice when she finally got in front of me. "I’m exhausted and I—"

"There was a letter in Elder Davina’s body the night of her death." She spoke hastily, keeping her voice low. "And I think it was talking about you."