The Reaper's Wicked Obsession-Chapter 158: The Scheme

"So..." Dain began, turning ale into the wooden cup. He dropped the jug on the table and turned to Nyssa—half naked on his bed. "...Lady Raven."

Nyssa glared at him showing her obvious distaste for that name. It was a reality she didn’t want to accept.

Seeing Isadora sitting on Kraven’s lap while he acted like he couldn’t get enough of her only fueled her bloodlust. She did everything to mask it up and not go berserk.

That girl was becoming more of a disease and a thorn in her side.

"He’s taking her on a silent mission," Nyssa voiced her concern.

"A silent mission? Is that what the council meeting was about?"

"And her debut as Lady Raven."

Dain stiffened upon hearing those words, realizing the reason Nyssa was more irritated than usual.

"He wants to take down the Serpents. He chose her instead," she said through clenched teeth, just thinking about it got her pissed.

"The Serpents? The famous Huntsmen?"

"They are the five Court puppets."

"Lord Raven’s trying to cut the strings," he murmured, briefly frowning at the idea but quickly shoved it off forcing a smile back on his lips.

"Out of you, the other commanders, and the Faceless, he chose the mannfae to go on such an important mission?"

"He chose Logi too, maybe to keep from questioning his decision... I don’t know." Nyssa said, running a hand through her auburn hair let down over her shoulders.

"Just thinking about it gets me more aggravated. An inexperienced warrior for only half a winter. She has bewitched him entirely and now he’s making impossible decisions."

"Isn’t this in our favor though?" Dain asked, raising an eyebrow.

Nyssa shot him with a death glare. "Our favor?" She leaned away from the headboard. "What part of taking her for a mission where she’d be alone with him for one winter... be our favor?"

"That’s the thing, Commandress, you only see the present, I see much far ahead." He spread his arms. "We can’t touch her here... but outside the safety of the mountains we can."

Nyssa paused at his words. "What do you mean?"

Dain took a drink from his cup before placing it on the table. "Think about it, here she’s under the protection of Logi, Rav, and Lord Raven himself, but outside there, the realm is a dangerous place."

"Are you suggesting we get rid of her when they leave? In Alda’s name, you’re a fool then, Kraven will rip you to shreds."

"I know that." He chuckled. "I probably wouldn’t survive breathing the same air as him."

"Dain," she growled. "Explain yourself, you’ve got something in mind, what is it?" she demanded.

"Gods! You’re so impatient," he said, stalking toward her.

Nyssa leaned back on the bed as Dain crawled to her, locking her beneath him.

"You’re in charge of the forts right?"

"Yes?" Nyssa replied with a frown, wondering why he asked. frёewebnoѵēl.com

Dain leaned to her neck trailing kisses along the nape of her neck. "You’re the shield that protects this place."

Nyssa closed her eyes blissfully, imprinting the feel of his lips against her neck.

"Give me authority."

She flashed her eyes open, gripping his shoulder, and forced him up.

"Why would I do that?"

He smirked. "To get rid of the mannfae I need that."

"Go on..." she urged eager to know what he had in mind.

"I know a group of outlaws who’re capable of taking care of the mannfae."

"What does this have to do with giving you authority?"

"You know only those who go on missions and food hunts are allowed to leave to avoid outbreaks. I don’t have a mission and I don’t hunt for food. You’re the leverage I need to move freely."

Nyssa gulped. "These outlaws, how do you know them?"

"Winters ago a group mission where uncrowned warriors were needed I had the liberty of making acquaintances. I gave them something they needed and got their trust in return."

Nysa narrowed her eyes at his words, he made sense but for some reason she doubted him, something didn’t add up with his information.

’I’m just using him, there’s no need to think too much about it.’ she thought. ’This works best and I’ll not get involved if anything happens to that pest, a group of outlaws can be blamed for it.’

"These outlaws of yours..." Nyssa began a smirk playing on her lips. "Will they make her suffer like I did? Tell me, will they do the perfect thing of giving her what she deserves?"

She gripped his neck with her hands and pulled him close. "I don’t want an easy death... she missed the chance of mercy."

"Don’t worry, Commandress, they won’t kill her, not yet..." He leaned to her, their lips inches apart. "They’ll scar her for life, I’m sure you’d enjoy this more. Watching her live in shame and Lord Raven will never look at her the same way again and then..." He snapped his fingers. "We put her out of her misery in the most satisfying way."

"I think I like this plan of yours..."

"These outlaws love females, especially ones like Isadora with such beauty. She’s perfect for them."

~♧~

Kraven’s senses were overcome by the sound of heartbeats, the thudding sound echoing through his head pulling him from the depths of darkness.

When he opened his eyes the sound of soft breathing filled his ears. The feel of a warm chest caressed his cheek, followed by the subtle rise and fall.

Pressing his palms on the bed he tried to lift off but the light weight of arms wrapped around his head caught him off guard.

Isadora had fallen asleep with his head nestled against her chest.

Kraven tried to move again but she subconsciously tightened her arms around him groaning in her sleep.

Repeating the action, he slipped easily from her hold.

His eyes descended on Isadora, still fast asleep, head turned to the side, her long golden blonde hair fanned out on his black fur sheets. He itched to touch her but stopped the urge.

His silver eyes searched for the dagger and found it at the far corner of the bed.

A frown morphed on his features. ’Careless girl,’ he thought.

He might have been vulnerable but that doesn’t mean she should’ve let her guard down, his thirst was still capable of taking his mind when sleeping.

He needed to teach her better to avoid making such mistakes again.

Kraven grabbed the dagger and pinned it to the mattress beside her before getting off the bed.

He walked to the dresser, searching for something, and when he found it, a smirk curled his lips.

~♧~

The doors spread open as Kraven strode into the council hall, his eyes lingering on his throne as the memories of yesterday found him.

A satisfying smug look overtook his features as the welcoming images plagued him.

"Well you seem to be in a good mood this fine morning," Logi said, already present. His eyes searched for a particular petite frame but found none. "And Isadora? She’s needed in this meeting, yes?"

"She needs her... rest." He grinned wider, anticipating the time she would wake up.

He played the scene in his head pondering what heated emotions he would drag out of her this time.

He couldn’t wait.

Logi cleared his throat at his reply. "How sweet of you." He mocked knowing whatever rest he meant was far from it.

At the other end, he was worried suddenly remembering what Rav told him. However, seeing Kraven’s good mood he knew all was well... for now.

"Brief me... how much is our chance of having a successful silent mission?"

"Slim," Logi replied, spreading the map across the stone table. It unrolled to the edge, emphasizing the size. "It’s full of holes. Did you think this through or just woke up one morning and decided to go on a mission?"

Kraven grinned in response. "Maybe?"

Logi ran his hand through his inky dark hair in distress as he muttered under his breath. "Now I wish you took Ekko instead of me."

Kraven chuckled as he sat on the stone chair and pulled his leg up the table. "You were envious. I took Rav to find Isadora and now I choose you, you act bratty."

Logi rolled his eyes, ignoring his words. "You had Ekko get some information which is a little useful. He may be good at his work but we’re still in the dark, so our best chance is paying your old friend a visit in Brookcrest."

"Thornfoot the dirtbag..." Kraven mused, folding his arms. "In Brookcrest? Interesting... I was saving him for later but I guess the dirtbag would be pleased to see an old friend."

"I know that look... we can’t kill him yet."

"I agree. I’ll torture him until he begs for death and I won’t give it to him."

"This Thornfoot is the only person who had direct contact with Aric, we need him."

"And if he doesn’t have what we need?"

"Then this silent mission is doomed."

"Think of something, I know you’ll," Kraven mused. "You’re my genius."

Logi huffed. "You mean fix your shitty plan."

Kraven pinned him with a dangerous look. "I know fourteen ways to silence a mouth. Want to guess which one I’d enjoy using on you?"

A cold chill shot up Logi’s spine. "I meant that respectfully."