My Anti-hero Fairy System-Chapter 78. Joana’s Castle

"My name is Cara Bolton, and I am not here to be sucked dry by low-class, ugly-looking vampires," she yelled.

The three vampires froze, momentarily stunned by the audacity of a mere human speaking to them like that. The group consisted of two women in barely-there, skin-tight outfits, and the bald, muscular man—who wore nothing but black leather pants.

The bald one grinned. "Ah, this one’s got guts. Since you’re not here to be sucked dry by ’low-class, ugly-looking vampires,’ then tell me—what did you come here for?"

Before Cara could respond, the red-haired woman lunged forward, her eyes gleaming with menace. "This bitch just called us ugly, and you’re asking what she came here for?" She turned on the bald vampire. "Thaddeus, don’t tell me you’re getting hard for this one. Her fate is already sealed."

"Come on, Wilhelmina," the other woman—a tall, black-haired beauty—purred. "Let’s hear what the bitch has to say."

Cara smirked. "Like I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, I’m here to meet with the lady of the house, the vampire chief of Hemridge, Joana Trier. Now, be a dear and take me to her." Her tone was light, almost mocking, but her stance remained firm.

[What are you doing?] Hagrit’s voice echoed in her mind.

[Do you have a death wish?]

’I know what I’m doing, she replied. Joana is close—I can smell her. I just need to buy myself some time.’

"You’re definitely going to die, bitch," Wilhelmina sneered.

"I think we’ve heard enough," Thaddeus said, stepping closer, his fangs glinting.

Edwina, the black-haired woman, circled around Cara, her eyes dark with hunger. "Yes, we’ve definitely heard enough."

They closed in, ready to strike. Cara tensed, heat pooling in her palms as she prepared to unleash her Fire-Blast ability.

But before she could attack, a powerful voice echoed from the far end of the corridor.

"Leave her alone!"

The air shifted. The three vampires froze.

Joana Trier materialized before them, her presence radiating authority. She wore a black leather jacket over a red bikini, an outfit that made her look both regal and deadly.

Thaddeus barely spared her a glance. "Joana, don’t tell me you’re selfish—let’s share her."

Joana’s lips curled into a smirk. "What part of she is mine don’t you understand?"

Wilhelmina let out a low whine. "But Joana, she’s hard to resist. She smells better than a virgin."

Joana shot her a sharp look before turning to Edwina. "Your companion seems to have forgotten her place."

Edwina raised a delicate brow. "Sorry, Joana, but she’s not wrong. Her scent is... intoxicating. We should feast together."

Joana’s expression darkened. She took a step forward, her presence suffocating. "I am a three-thousand-year-old vampire." Her voice dripped with warning. "Do any of you toddlers think you can take me?"

Silence.

The three vampires exchanged uneasy glances.

Joana’s eyes narrowed. "I’ll ask again." Her voice was calm, but it carried a lethal edge. "Do any of you think you can take me?"

The fear in their eyes was answer enough.

None of them dared to respond.

Joana smirked. "That’s what I thought."

Without another glance at them, she extended her hand toward Cara. Cara grabbed it without hesitation, and together they strode down the corridor.

Before turning the corner, Joana tossed over her shoulder, "You can all feast on the humans you brought. I have no interest in them."

Joana’s grip tightened as she led Cara through a series of hallways, finally stopping at an imposing wooden door. She pushed it open, ushering Cara inside before shutting it firmly behind them.

They were in Joana’s grand library, the scent of aged parchment and ink thick in the air. The towering bookshelves lined the walls, and a dim chandelier bathed the room in a golden glow.

Before Cara could let out a breath of relief, Joana whirled on her.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded.

"Sorry, I needed to clarify something," Cara said, still catching her breath. "I... didn’t realize you were hosting a party."

"And you forgot to call?" Joana’s sharp gaze pinned her in place.

Cara winced. "Yeah... I kinda forgot I had your number. So I figured I’d just knock, you’d open the door, and I’d ask my questions."

Joana scoffed. "Don’t ever make this kind of mistake again. They could have killed you."

"I promise, I won’t," Cara said quickly.

Joana studied her for a moment before sighing. "So, what brought you here?"

Cara hesitated, then asked carefully, "Did you have a hand in Reverend Franklin’s death?" She watched Joana’s expression closely, searching for any sign of deception.

Joana’s brows lifted. "Reverend Franklin is dead?"

"Yes. He and his wife were murdered tonight."

Joana’s surprise seemed genuine. "And you think I had something to do with it? Are you crazy?" She scoffed. "Look, I get why you might think that, but I told you—I wouldn’t touch the Reverend until tomorrow if you didn’t find anything on him."

Cara studied her reaction and detected no lies.

"I just needed to be sure," she admitted.

Joana crossed her arms. "Cara, I’m a woman of my word. And if I had killed the Reverend, I sure as hell wouldn’t have killed his wife. My issue was with him, not her."

Cara exhaled. "Okay. I’m sorry for suspecting you. It’s just... this happened at the worst possible time."

Joana tilted her head. "Why’s that?"

"I found everything I needed to expose Franklin," Cara said, her voice heavy with frustration. "Documents proving his involvement in the Temp-V trade. Enough evidence to destroy his strict Christian reputation."

Joana’s interest piqued. "Oh? Do tell." A smirk played on her lips, her curiosity evident.

Cara pulled out her phone, scrolled through her files, and selected a video. Turning the screen toward Joana, she smirked. "Why tell you when I can show you?"

Joana’s expression shifted as she watched. Then—pure, unfiltered shock.

A slow, delighted sneer curled her lips. "I knew it," she spat. "These hate-mongering Christians always preach against what they do." A dark chuckle escaped her. "Look at this bastard—clutching another man’s crotch when he spends every sermon damning people for being gay. Hypocrite." She shook her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. "I swear, humans are so predictable."

Cara leaned back. "I’m thinking of leaking the video online and writing an article in the newspaper about the Reverend’s criminal activities. What do you think?"

Joana considered the idea while pouring liquor into two glasses. She handed one to Cara before taking a sip. "You can leak the video—no problem there. But once you write an article and get it published, that’s when things will get dangerous."

Cara took the glass but didn’t drink. "Can you explain?"

Joana swirled her drink. "I’ve been alive for three thousand years. I know humans like I know the back of my hand. Getting the article published will be a hurdle because you’re writing against a dead religious leader with a lot of followers. Even if the editor-in-chief allows it, that’s when the real trouble begins.

"Reverend Franklin’s followers will stalk and attack you. They’ll terrorize the newspaper until they have no choice but to fire you. They’ll brand you as the enemy—the one trying to destroy their faith."

Cara raised an eyebrow. "So, you’re basically saying don’t expose him?" She took a small sip of her drink.

"That’s not what I’m saying." Joana tilted her head. "I’m saying you should leak everything—but do it anonymously. Make sure it can’t be traced back to you."

Cara smirked. "That’s actually smart." She took another sip before setting the glass down. "By the way, where’s Lisa?"

Joana’s gaze darkened slightly. "She’s well hidden right now."

"Why? Aren’t you going to use her like a slave in front of your friends?"

Joana chuckled. "I can’t, kitten. Not with these vampires lurking around."

Cara frowned. "Would they kill her if they saw her?"

"I wish," Joana said dryly. "But no. They’d report me to the Adjudicator because I committed a crime creating a vampire without permission." She poured herself another drink, taking a slow sip.

"So it’s a crime?" Cara asked.

Joana nodded. "Yes. And if those idiots outside see her, they’ll report me in a heartbeat. Great friends." She exhaled and shot Cara a knowing look. "You do realize this is all your fault, right?"

Cara chuckled. "No, this is your fault. We made an even trade, remember?"

Joana sighed and shook her head. "I think it’s time for you to go, kitten. This house isn’t safe for you tonight."

Cara finished her drink, then followed Joana out of the library and down the corridor toward the sitting room.

As they stepped in, Cara’s stomach clenched.

The three vampires were circling a woman, their fangs inches from her neck and wrist.

But then, Cara heard it.

The woman’s thoughts sliced through her mind like a blade.

Go on. Bite me, you bastards.

Suck my blood.

And die.

This is my revenge.

Cara’s heart slammed against her ribs.

Without thinking, she shouted, "STOP! Don’t suck her blood!"