The Reaper's Wicked Obsession-Chapter 221: Ranks, Rules & Altered Serpents

Kraven’s arms were crossed against his broad chest, his fingers tapping lightly on his biceps.

A foul look morphed on his face, and his head stirred with many things that kept him on edge.

’She slammed the door in my face. I? The Reaper. The most terrifying warrior known,’ he thought with a chuckle, but it was dark and soulless, like a self-mockery.

Frustration crawled down his spine, and he popped a hard muscle on his neck multiple times just to relieve some tension, but it did nothing to stem the pressure or the desire in his pants.

He could still taste her on his tongue, her delicate skin flavored with sweat and his favorite honeyed fragrance.

He made the mistake of tasting her because now he wanted to go on a rampage, peel the clothes off her body, and mark every inch of her until she forgot she was never in that Hive in the first place.

If only she would let him show her just how much she should fear his darkness and not others.

Only his darkness was meant to traumatize her and bleed horror into her bones.

Only his darkness could worship her properly.

He had been patient. The seven gods knew he had. He had been stilled with every fiber of his bones, every breath he took, and every thought he had.

This took an ounce of power that rivaled even when he tried to control his thirst.

They both were a losing battle, and he pondered which would consume him first.

Getting more intolerant by this new attitude of changing alone, he pushed off the wall he leaned against, marching toward the door.

He yanked it open, expecting to see a glare or a run of curses, but he met an empty room.

"Isadora?" His eyes skimmed the room, and then they fell on another door that was left open.

’Did she leave?’ he thought. But knew Isadora wouldn’t, then again, she might do something like this because of how desperate she was to see her friend Serena and get Aric for tormenting the demoness of the ocean.

What happened to the part of not leaving his sight? Did she not understand? Did she not realize the risks that were involved?

Maybe his message wasn’t passed clearly, and he started to think he should have done so with her petite body pinned on his lap as he showed what happens when she defied him.

Perhaps he had been too tolerant. This space for two moons made her forget what kind of monster he was, or was he getting soft for her?

He scowled at the thought; it left a bitter taste and made him question his insanity.

Kraven was instantly snapped from his turmoil when a presence came behind. He didn’t hesitate as he drew his dagger and swung coldly for the kill.

"It’s me!" Logi yelled.

Kraven ceased his actions immediately, the blade just mere inches away from splitting his head open.

Kraven tipped his head to the side, tempted to drive the dagger through. "Careful on how you sneak up on me, Logi. I almost saw what color your smart brain has."

A cold chill dipped down Logi’s spine. He swallowed a heavy lump in his throat and said. "I’d prefer it if you don’t see the color. I very much like my brain."

"Hmm..." he murmured, retreating his dagger.

"Where’s Isadora?" Logi asked, eyes searching for her.

"She decided to play solo," Kraven said as irritation crawled through him.

"That’s not good. We can’t let her be on her own."

"You think I don’t know that?!" Kraven snapped.

"Why do I get the feeling you’re working your frustration on me? Did something happen between you two?"

"Ah, the smart Logi," Kraven mused scornfully. "Here to listen?" He chuckled, but the chilly sound quickly dialed down. "Shut it before I cut your tongue."

Logi exhaled sharply but shook his head. It was obvious he was troubled. And his ill fate was being present when the madman was on edge.

"What did you find?" Kraven demanded, walking to the door, eyes skimming the corridor.

"I figured something out about this place."

"Speak." His eyes shifted to the single stairs leading to another floor.

"They’ve got a rule or order here. Separate ranks for different floors, like a hierarchy or something. Did you notice Isadora’s Serpent attire was different from ours? It had a rune mark here..."

Kraven pulled his attention back to Logi, who pointed to the rune on his shawl.

"A rune based on strength."

Logi nodded. "I don’t think Isadora left on her own, she wasn’t supposed to be on this floor. She’s a different rank. Someone must’ve seen her."

Kraven didn’t know if he should be relieved that she didn’t act on her own or be troubled by what she could do when she wasn’t under his watchful eye.

He could still remember the dark look in her eyes. She had a grudge against Aric.

"Go on," Kraven said, knowing there was more.

"I couldn’t make it after the first five floors, there is some interference, it could be Fort or something else. I’m not too sure." Logi narrowed his eyes in deep thought.

"Aric must be at the highest tower," Kraven nodded. A king needed his stature because that was what it seemed here.

A place where he could oversee everything through his Huntsmen.

"I still think there’s more to this," Logi explained, knowing for sure. "I need more time before we proceed."

"Find out what you can."

"And Isadora?"

Kraven’s teeth clenched. "I’ll find her."

"It might not be as easy as you think."

"What makes you say that?"

"It isn’t just about the ranks, it’s how determined they are to keep the classes separated. This is Aric’s kingdom, he’s the king, and the status is clear."

"Don’t expect me to stay here and let her wander this tower alone."

"That is not what I meant. You can only move with your shadows between short distances and only to places you have seen or fortified. That particular ability is useless here, and the rule of separation is a hindrance. It would be difficult to reach Isadora."

Kraven’s teeth clenched, knowing Logi’s words were true.

"I think this is the point where I say we should trust in Isadora."

~♧~

Logi continued his assignment. He could investigate three floors because of the rune rank embroidered on his shawl.

Other Serpents walked past him without suspecting anything, and it made his goal much easier to achieve.

Logi’s green eyes scanned the corridors and halls, scrutinizing every activity he encountered. Displaying the same pattern just to blend in.

As the hour passed, Logi came to the conclusion that everyone had been altered.

Logi knew Aric could possess his Huntsmen. So he took the prospect to study it before they left on their mission.

Reading from the archives in the Raven Court, there was information stored that helped through the mystery. He came across findings relating to Aric’s abilities.

It was a forbidden technique called the soul weaving; it wasn’t part of the gifts bestowed by the gods, hence why it was considered a taboo power.

And multiple uses of soul weaving made the weaver blind over time, but that doesn’t mean their sight was completely gone. This was more strength than a weakness because the weaver could see through anyone, as long as the connection was made.

The effect of continuous body possession had made the members of the Serpent function under one brain cell.

However, Logi had a nagging thought that Aric wasn’t careless enough to alter all his Huntsmen to do his bidding. Some must still have their sense of reasoning.

Aric may be a coward, but he wasn’t completely stupid. This was the only thing that troubled Logi because there was a dreadful thought that their infiltration wasn’t a secret anymore.

A spy was tailing them from the beginning, altered his tunnel, and possibly was responsible for Isadora’s abduction. It was not far-fetched that information had already been leaked about their silent mission.

They had to complete this mission quickly before everything went sideways, and killing Aric would make his Serpents go down with him. This was one advantage they had.

Logi needed to find Kraven. The faster the better. His theory had already been confirmed.

Logi pushed off the wall and scurried to the stairs, venturing into the corridor. He turned around just to make sure no one was coming, but he bumped into someone.

"Alda!" he swore, lifting his gaze.

It was a Serpent.

’Great... another brain dead,’ he thought, adjusting his attire, he walked past the Serpent, eager to reach Kraven quickly.

"Wait!"

Logi froze instantly, eyes going wide. ’He’s not altered.’

No one had stopped him or acknowledged his presence, and that could only be one reason. This particular Serpent was not amongst the ones Aric possessed.

Logi swallowed hard as the Serpent’s echoing footsteps got closer.