Book 3: Chapter 16
Zayde
Now that Tiffany was socializing with her mother, her father wished to speak to me man to man. It was 11:30pm. We’d spent the day with them, and that was fine, but I had things to do.
After all, the night is our time too.
“So you’re leaving this pack?” Asked John.
“You saw. We are called. It is not our choice whether or not we Want to.” I said firmly. “But no matter what happens, or where we wind up, I will protect her always.”
“You’re her mate; I know you will… Just… I don’t like the idea of my little girl being halfway across the world in the jungle with no shelter.” He grumbled.
/She may call you father, but she calls the master daddy./ Giggled Tinzaa. Thankfully he couldn’t hear that… I almost facepalmed. To him it would sound like chirps.
“I can tell by your face, your demon’s being sassy.” He smiled.
“I don’t want to repeat such *cringey* behavior.” I shot her a small glare as she sat on my shoulder. Her little form was adorable… but if she kept it up, I would punish her. Not much, but enough to let her know that I wasn’t playing around.
I don’t know why I valued the wolf’s opinion so much, but he was a noble man. I didn’t care for Ronitus, nor him me… We knew each other well….
I killed many a wolf in the old times… and he threw many a witch off branches with rope, or burned them at the stake. That was just how it was back then. Our presence was that of the Horned One. John saw that himself.
Where else could our master appear in his full glory without hesitation, nor his people persecution?
“What’s your plan Zayde?” He asked.
“I’m still waiting on word of the ruin’s condition, but I’ll assume it’s all shit.” I mumbled. “A counter curse for the land, you can never be too sure, contractors, city planners, then there’s the beasts who consider me the equivalent to their ‘Alpha’. They come first. I need to get the hunting grounds marked out, and more importantly, strike fear into the local nest of Priests if there is one.”
I left out that that would be the most dangerous part of this… If priests were left to watch the land, to break the stones and bless the rain that it be holy water… that land will be inert…
Many a mortal will have to be culled to make it the way it should be…
“You stopped talking.” Said John. He was a young man, but he wasn’t stupid….
“Aye…. Just come with me to my meeting. I’m sure Gulteer won’t mind. He likes you.” I said seeing Tiffany show off Aptherraam… She was so proud of him. I let her shine, while I went to the Center Tower with John.
He said nothing as the meeting room in here, floor 13, was larger than it should be. Indeed, every uncle was here, along with grandfather at the head of the table.
“I see Theophania is still downstairs. It matters not.” Said Gulteer. “I know you spoil her.” He said this warmly, as he was with my grandmother. I knew the secret… that his wife was his mate too…
He understood.
I sat in my place, next to Alteer, being his son.
“Tiffany knows too little of my assets at this time anyway.” I adjusted myself in my seat, as John was to my right, where Tiffany should be. “Fair compensation demands I offer 10 million US to each House of Diamond. May it be known that I have not only the funds of my own accord, but extra should it be needed. I know the castle will cost at least 45 million US.”
“Your mortal money is accepted. Phantom Coven knows of Typhen and Echidnah… They must leave with you.” Said Gulteer, glaring at Alteer.
“Father-” He was cut off.
“I know you two have already quarreled about this Alteer. I shall finish it. All 751 beast casters are to leave with Zayde. However, before they can go, reconnaissance has told me little whispers of the condition of the ruins. WE let it slip through our fingers… I mourned my son… but there is no excuse.” Gulteer waved his hand. He didn’t care Jahn was here, and showed us all the secret location of Yellow Diamond.
“It appears as though it has been blessed, but it is abandoned.” I said looking closer... “No… it is booby-trapped.”
“It seems your new body has given you sharper eyes.” Said the Second Brother, Lord Velimier of Red Diamond. He meant it as an insult, since he was offended that I technically disrespected father.
“Aye, and it gave me sharper fangs than *you*, bat.” I hissed. He turned into a bat with his staff, but if he really pushed me, I know I could take him.
I could in my last life. He still likely felt disrespected from the last time I pounded him in the dirt… As Stanley…. I wasn’t of royal blood. Gulteer, our King did not care, but about half of them did…. I worked so hard in both to be worthy of such a treasure… the only daughter of the Witch King married a commoner…
A commoner of no real standing, house, nor coffer….
“Phantom, Black, Red, and Orange Coven will need to work together.” Said Gulteer with a sneer. “Your petty squabbles must not get in the way of the Master’s Work, or I will kill you myself.”
“Yes Dark One.” We all bowed our heads…. He was never one to kid on killing. I’ve seen him skin men alive for less than words… They were merely in his way on a bad day.
“Phantom will be the first wave. I will send my best to dispel the traps. We will also re-establish the barrier, but you will maintain it Zayde. As a Yoltier, your task will be great… your bloodline will make Yellow Diamond. Red specializes in building. You will make a castle on the original foundations. Orange must drain the basement of all the holy water… it will be difficult. I will come to aid you then. Once I’m there, all at this table will imbue the black stone below with power again… And it should spread to the land and castle.”
“Will the castle be made of the same stone as here?” I asked.
“Not much is left of the original, but the gray cobbled stone will be imported. That will also take time.” Said Gulteer.
“What of Blue Diamond?” asked Azuriel. “We specialize in necromancy… perhaps we could use the locals for labor…?”
“And attract the church.” Said John. “I hold the title of Heir to the Second Wolf’s Council Seat.” He said leaning back. “I can literally hear the argument of the council to send someone to deal with you all.” He said this more in annoyance, and they were offended that he would speak.
“My grandson-in-law is right.” Smiled Gulteer. “I should have had you myself, if not for the deal Alteer already had, little Zayde.” His praise made me bow, as it was custom.
John was my guest, so if he looked good, I looked good, but I could see Red Diamond’s leader sneer silently at it.
“Then we can raise our own people, should they consent to walking this land again.” Said Azuriel…
“You could make them vampires.” I blurted. It wasn’t my time to speak, but Green and Blue Diamond were excited. I could see them already silently scheme on how to do this.
“Oh, I *like* that idea.” Said Gulteer. “But first, we should ship enough mortals and an established, experienced Vampire Lord to run a mortal farm. We will need one anyway for safe sacrifices. Green Diamond, I task you with this.”
I bowed. “With respect, I don’t think my uncles would like this. I already insult Red with my praises.”
Did I start this on purpose? Yes, yes I did. Better I do this NOW than Later when I’m deep in the jungle with a knife in my back.
“You do not best me Now Stanley.” He hissed. “That commoner’s blood sits at this table is beyond sickening. The Master chose to bless weakness.”
“Do you wish to know your place Again?” I asked standing. I let my iron scales ripple across my face.
“The only thing his behimoth misses is wings, but if you wish to challenge one so high, I will not stop you.” Said Gulteer.
Velimier looked insulted and offended.
“He is Low. Too Low to Sit at this Table. Our sons know their place.” Said Velimier.
“Your sons were not handpicked to run a Diamond.” Said Alteer a little pissed off.
“You forget your sister is birthed in flesh this time, the lowest born of all my children.” Said Gulteer. “The Master Recognizes Merrit, my son, who is Too Proud.”
“…Red Diamond renounces aid to Yellow Diamond.” He hissed. “Red Diamond Does not recognize Zayde as a nephew.”
“You would make disorder in my house?” Asked Gulteer. The slight rise of his voice made John sit up. Werewolves are more sensitive to auras… and the air did change with such a passive fluctuation of his tone….
“I would. He goes too far. He is Too Proud to be So Young.” Velimier slammed his hand on the table, and a servant rushed to his side to offer him tea. He took it, and sipped it.
“Zayde, take Velimier to the ritual floor, and if he returns without broken bones, I will break yours.” Said Gulteer.
Grandmother said nothing. This entire time she was enraged…. Their demons frothed at the mouth to attack at any moment.
“I gladly accept. I will kill this filthy little shit.” He screamed.
/Please stop blocking me master. Let me slit his Throat!/ Hissed Tinzaa. I silenced her. I was a very good demon handler. She knew I wouldn’t allow that.
He was *my* prey.
“Don’t come crying to me when there’s egg on your fucking face. Let’s go. I actually want to see this now.” Gulteer got up, and the rest did as well. “The Challenge has been made.”
“The Challenge is honored.” We all said in response, except John. He wouldn’t know that.
We all used the elevator, though the only one who smelled nervous was the leader of Red. He did this to himself. I wouldn’t kill him though... at least I’ll try not to.
“Are you sure about all this?” asked John, being passed by the leader of Blue Diamond.
“I am.” I said casually.
The only thing I regretted was seeing my wife and mother so upset. They didn’t know we were doing anything like this until word flew around for so many people to come see. Everyone wanted to see what I could do against another witch…
My beast mages bowed as I ripped the shirt off my chest. I was still scarred from the holy blade, but those scars were trophies…. They were healed. It made me look as fierce as my eyes were.
“Don’t do this husband. Please, he may cheat….” Said Tiffany holding my arms. She did not know she’d said that word for word a long time ago….
I held a finger under her chin, and kissed her softly.
“Don’t worry about me.” I smiled. “Just watch.”
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