The Vampire King's Pet-Chapter 365: Kill her.

The lords of each hunter house were gathered together at Lord Elvane’s estate, seated within the grand hall of his manor where thick stone walls and towering pillars spoke of wealth and authority.

Long banners bearing the crests of the hunter houses lined the walls, and a large oak table sat at the center of the hall, already cluttered with goblets of wine.

Lord Elvane stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding even in silence, while his son, Varret, stood a short distance behind him. Varret was the one who had been in direct contact with Aira, and it was for that reason he had been invited—ordered—to speak.

"She agreed to help us," Varret said, lowering his head in a respectful bow. "But in exchange, she wants the ritual we promised her first... before she considers handing anything over."

Barely had the words left his mouth when one of the lords snapped in anger.

"How insolent!"

Lord Dargen’s voice boomed throughout the hall, echoing sharply off the stone walls. He slammed his palm against the table as he stood, his long white beard shifting as he ran his fingers through it with irritation. Though his face was aged and weathered, his body remained powerful and agile—courtesy of the countless rituals the hunters used to strengthen themselves far beyond normal humans.

"I’m sure she’ll be desperate now that Zyren killed her sister!" he continued, a sharp, humorless chuckle escaping him. "A pity we didn’t get to learn the ritual her sister used to obtain her ability first."

His bemused gaze shifted toward Arun.

It was no secret how Arun had hovered around Liora in life, constantly searching for the source of her power, always probing, always asking questions he pretended were harmless.

Arun merely shook his head, a sad smile forming on his lips as he folded his arms.

"I don’t know it," he said calmly. "And even if I did... I wouldn’t dare use it."

The image of what Liora had turned into flashed vividly in his mind.

A grotesque monster, he thought. Twisted beyond recognition.

I very much like my human form, he added inwardly, thinking of all the pleasures—comfort, indulgence, control—he would be forced to forgo if he ever crossed that line.

"We can simply give her one of the obsolete rituals we no longer use," Lord Elvane interjected smoothly, his voice cutting through the tension. "It’s not like she’d know the difference."

As he spoke, his sharp eyes flicked toward Varret, who had been unusually quiet ever since delivering his report.

"...Is that all?" Lord Elvane asked, his gaze hardening. "You didn’t notice anything unusual?"

Varret stiffened and shook his head almost immediately—too quickly for Lord Elvane’s liking.

"No, my lo—" he stopped himself just in time. "My lord."

For half a second, Varret had considered mentioning the baby.

The faint swell beneath Aira’s clothes. The careful way she moved. The life she carried.

But he dismissed the thought just as quickly.

Aira already has enough problems, he told himself. The death of her sister alone is more than enough.

Lord Elvane studied him for a long moment, clearly unconvinced, but eventually nodded. Turning back to the others seated around the table, he raised his voice louder than before.

"It’s a good thing Zyren wiped out the Zygon army," he said firmly. "Once he is dead, we’ll temporarily join hands with King Jared... before we kill him as well."

A ripple of approval moved through the hall.

"What can a werewolf with a missing arm possibly do to us?" Lord Elvane announced confidently as he rose to his feet. He picked up his wine cup and raised it high.

The others followed suit, wide grins spreading across their faces as they lifted their goblets.

"With the new weapons we are producing, humans will soon reclaim their place at the top of the food chain," Lord Elvane continued loudly. "The werewolves and vampires will be slaughtered in great numbers—or enslaved under us. Nothing will be able to stop it!"

A chorus of cheers followed as they raised their cups higher before bringing them to their lips and drinking deeply.

It had already been decided—long before this meeting—that Lord Elvane would be the one to lead them once their plans came to fruition.

As long as they were able to complete the final step.

They drank more wine after that, voices lowering as they discussed smaller details, making sure no loose ends were left unattended. Laughter filled the hall—until a single voice cut through it.

"What about Lady Aria?"

Turn spoke suddenly, his tone serious and subdued. Aria was related to him by blood, and Liora had once been family. He was the only one seated at the table who had barely touched his wine, his goblet still nearly full.

All eyes turned toward him.

Lord Dargen frowned but said nothing as Lord Elvane let out a deep sigh.

"Aria is bound to King Zyren," Lord Elvane said flatly. "Where do you think her powers come from?"

He paused before delivering the words that froze the room.

"She needs to be killed."

Silence expanded outward, heavy and suffocating, making its home within the hall.

Even Lord Dargen looked momentarily stunned.

His mouth opened to speak—but Varret beat him to it, his shock evident.

"That’s—!" Varret stopped himself, clenching his fists behind his back.

It was already bad enough that Aria’s family—hunters by blood—had been killed one after the other. Every single one of them was gone.

"But if she gets the vial, she’s helping us," Darren finally pointed out cautiously.

Lord Elvane shook his head slowly, his expression hardening as he rose to his feet once more and looked down at them all.

"She’s helping herself," he said coldly. "Zyren killed her sister. He killed the rest of her family. She has no allegiance to us."

This time, Varret could no longer remain silent.

"Still," he said, stepping forward slightly, "she is human, is she not? Moreover, her healing abilities are useful."

Arun nodded in agreement.

"She’s also the only one who can identify the Zygons," he added quietly.

That gave them pause.

A deep frown settled on Lord Elvane’s face as he considered it, his fingers tightening around his cup.

"...If she performs well," he said at last, "then I see no reason we can’t spare her."

A breath Varret didn’t realize he’d been holding escaped him.

"But," Lord Elvane continued, "she will be watched every day for the rest of her life. That power—and her connection to Zyren—make her dangerous."

Slow nods followed as the lords agreed, the matter seemingly settled as they moved on to another topic.

Varret, however, couldn’t shake the tight knot in his chest.

Her belly is already beginning to show, he thought grimly. If her clothes were any tighter, they’d notice.

Once they discovered she was pregnant, he knew without a doubt that every man seated there would demand her execution—along with the baby.

The thought made his stomach churn.

The child was innocent.

And so was Aira.

Keeping his expression blank, Varret lifted his cup and drank more wine, letting the bitter taste linger as he waited for the meeting to end.

When his presence was no longer required, he quietly took his leave—his mind heavy with thoughts he dared not speak aloud.