Chapter 30

MAX became a hot topic once more in the coven the next day, and not for the reasons that he would like. The officers went and asked the old vampires around their territory about the serial killings. No one suits their suspect. Well, one did. And that's why Max faced the accusing gazes from the elders as they questioned him.

"Your grace, where were you on the day of Friday the fifteenth, December?"

Max sighed. "In the office. The surveillance cameras on the hallways can prove that."

A knowing smile went past the questioning elder. He gently said, "The footages for that specific day were erased from the databases. How come your highness timely asked for it?"

Max gritted his teeth. He smiled falsely. "If it was erased from the databases, shouldn't you be embarrassed by now with the careless employees that this coven has?"

"What do you mean, Mr. Adenhart?"

'Great. It's no longer 'your highness'. Their true colors are starting to show. These sharks were either hungry for his spot or they wanted to humiliate him. He won't tolerate either of it.

"You know it yourself. Am I framed, or am I really the culprit you're looking for?" Max scoff. "I have the coven. I rule over this territory. I have a fated mate. That alone should prove that I didn't kill the latest victim. I can't feed on anyone anymore. But if you insist, why would I resort into serial killings in my own territory? I keep this place safe for my people. How dare you request for me to stand here and accept questioning!"

The elder wasn't fazed. The animosity and malice in his eyes wasn't even hidden to the audiences. He hinted, "You can't blame us for asking, Mr. Adenhart. If the speculation turned out to be true, this won't be the first in your record. Not a lot of people know this, but we are the elder. We have no ill intention towards you, don't misunderstand. Just like you, we're securing the members' safety. You once killed two humans before in the same manner. That made you a suspect in this case."

Silence followed the elder's voice. Max can hear his blood madly pumping in his ears. He can't believe it.

He said it, in front of everyone.

Even those who doesn't know would be curious.

And when they're curious, they're going to ask the elders about it.

It won't be too long then, and hate will pave Max' road down to hell.

His family will be denounced. His Dolly would know about his past.

Jeffrey doesn't know the whole truth. He will hate him.

"It's not me who killed those women." Max stood. His power rolling off his body in waves. Oppressing even the elder sitting on the highest stand. Max refused to look up to him.

Someone who wants to sabotage him isn't worthy of his glance.

"You can sense the truth in my words. Why do you insist on pinning this on me? Was it really concern for the people or the ambition for replacing my stead?" Max' irises went blood red. "Why don't we settle this once and for all? We don't need to result in such backhanded schemes. Challenging me face to face and fight right here and then is allowed by the rules. If you can kill me."

The murmurs of the people inside the huge room started to rise. Max can't hear what are they talking about but he knew that it wasn't in favor for him.

A righteous expression crossed the elder's eye. "You want me to challenge you? Is this a way of silencing me? No one is above your capabilities inside this room. This is blatantly persecuting me in front of everyone! If I die... who would be bold enough to stop you if the rumors were true? Your behavior right now only proves that the speculations could be right. Be careful, Mr. Adenhart. Everything you say can be used against you in this court."

"Your grace."

Cedric Mallory entered the room with a frown. He gave Max a cool look before walking up to the elder in front. "As an elder, one should not forget about how to address his superior. It should be 'your grace'. Max is still the leader behind this investigation. We shouldn't forget that he was a ruler first before this serial killings happened. One shouldn't forget his highness' benevolence because of ungrounded rumors."

'A hybrid teaching an elder vampire about how to conduct properly in front of the king.' Max can understand the seething rage lurking under the elder's eyes.

If he responded something wrong to what Cedric had said, it will be regarded as a discrimination against his hybrid status or an indirect challenge against Max. Then the duel would inevitably happen.

Therefore, the elder can only tactfully step back.

"You're right. This elder misspoke. Forgive me. I hope his highness won't mind." His tone was anything but sorry. "Mr. Mallory, is there something important that you have to barge in the questioning session?"

"Am I interrupting something?" Cedric held his nape and casually put his other hand in his pocket. "No, not likely. This event is open to the audiences. Even the stupid teenagers that are easily impressionable are here and were allowed to ask his grace. I'm here to participate. The elder shouldn't deprave me of this right."

Those who are watching the exchange look at Cedric with surprise and embarrassment. His mouth is as poisonous when he wasn't insulting someone. Max was reluctant to feel grateful for his presence though.

He knew that something bad must have happened.

"Since I am here, I might as well inform everyone about the new progress of the investigation. A new evidence has come up."

The elder regained his spirits. He leaned downwards, as if eager.

It was like he's expecting it to be a bad news for Max.

Cedric smirked.

"This brooch was found in the hands of the eighth victim. I am sure you guys are familiar with its design. The name engraved at the front plate of this gold piece of treasure has a cursive name written 'J. Hathaway'. We suspect that the victim got ahold of this while struggling with the culprit. We ran through the system to find names that has J and Hathaway but we couldn't see anything." Cedric took something out of his pocket. He had a transparent ziplock bag dangling from his hand. From afar, Max can see the blood still clinging on the brooch inside it. "I guess we can ask the only remaining Hathaway inside this coven."

Max' eyes widened. His bloodshot eyes stared at the rooted elder in front.

His full name is Howard P. Hathaway.

His voice recovered. The apprehension in his eyes doubled. "I think we should stand in the same spot, Mr. Hathaway."

Max faked gasping. His expression wan and tasteless. "Oh, innocent until proven guilty, I know. I called you wrong. It should be... Elder Howard."

The shock in the elder's eyes couldn't be feigned.