Chapter 229: Suspicious
Nesroth’s eyes widened. “But that would—”
“It’s better than having this ripped from our hands,” she cut in, firm.
“What we suspect the Gor’khai possess must never be known to the world.”
Nesroth nodded, face grave. He, more than most, understood its significance.
If word ever spread about what they’d discovered… forget the Sanguine clan, even the other grand clans would descend. It could very well spark a war.
“What about the Warden, Madam?” Nesroth asked.
The Warden was in charge of all the Blood Guardians in Sylvastein. He was a noble man by reputation, which was why he’d been selected in the first place.
Nesroth had no idea how Beatrix had kept him in check this long, but an operation of this scale wouldn’t go unnoticed by him for much longer.
“I’ll handle him,” Beatrix said simply. Then her gaze flicked back to Nesroth.
“I’m running low on ingredients. Bring more of those savages to .”
“As you wish, Madam Beatrix.”
“You’re dismissed.”
Nesroth rose and turned to leave, only to pause when she spoke again.
“Wait…” she said, thinking aloud. “Try and include the Fifth Vein in whatever plan you co up with to take care of that bastard.”
Nesroth hid his grimace and bowed deeply. He left the room monts later, thoughts already spinning. There was a lot to do.
. . .
Malakai walked through the dense forest that led back to their base. He had just finished his discussion with Whiteshade about the Murkroot Hollow situation.
Unfortunately, there was no new information about the Gor’khai. He had only managed to confirm a few of his suspicions.
‘The Fourth Pulse…’
He pulled up every record and mory he had of her. The Fourth Pulse of the Sanguine Clan.
She was usually silent during etings, especially ones involving him.
Malakai had never sensed disdain from her. Instead, she gave him sothing else: indifference. She didn’t speak to him. Never spared him a glance. As if he was beneath her notice.
She had never crossed him, and he had never bothered her.
‘Until now.’
Now, he had stumbled onto sothing she clearly wanted to keep buried. Malakai couldn’t say for certain what would happen next.
Would she co for him?
‘Very likely.’
The Sanguine Clan was filled with bloodthirsty individuals who wouldn’t hesitate to kill anyone in their way. He had no doubt the Fourth Pulse was the sa.
Whiteshade’s words echoed in his mind.
‘She rules the city…’
The Fourth Pulse wasn’t just the commander of the Blood Knights, she ruled Sylvastein in all but na. The Council of Clans was supposed to govern the city, but clearly, she had overridden them.
Malakai wasn’t surprised. That just made her more dangerous.
“Nyx.”
A figure appeared beside him, matching his pace. She paused briefly, eyes scanning the forest before speaking.
“Malakai.”
He ignored her slight hesitation when saying his na.
“I’m sure you’re aware of everything that’s going on?”
“Yes…”
“What do you think?” he asked.
Nyx blinked, caught off guard. This was the first ti Malakai had ever asked her opinion on sothing this important. She thought carefully. She didn’t want to say sothing wrong.
“If they’re trying to hide this from the clan,” she said slowly, “then they’ll make sure you haven’t told anyone yet. And then, probably…”
She trailed off, unwilling to finish. She couldn’t bring herself to say it.
Malakai smiled faintly. It was odd, given the topic.
“Kill ?” he finished for her.
Nyx clenched her fists tightly.
“I won’t let anyone hurt you,” she said, eyes full of resolve.
“Of course,” Malakai replied. “I expect nothing less from the Red Eclipse.”
A flush crept up Nyx’s face. It was the first ti Malakai had ever addressed her by her title.
Malakai shook his head and drifted into his thought.
‘She’s perceptive.’ He was glad to see that Nyx wasn’t all brute force, she had the ability to observe and comprehend too.
‘She’s right,’ Malakai thought. He had co to the sa conclusion after speaking with Whiteshade. Others might be too afraid to kill a Vein, but a Pulse was different. His life was in danger.
As Nyx had said, he suspected they would first confirm if he hadn’t sent any word to the clan, before making their move.
‘But there must be sothing else…’
Malakai had been thinking about this for a while now. The marrow dust was truly an amazing resource, but even then, he couldn’t see it being worth all this, the secrecy, the bounty, keeping the blood knights in check.
He suspected there was sothing else at play. Sothing he would figure out eventually.
Still, he decided on his course of action, for now.
‘She won’t do it herself. I’ll first have to determine the enemy.’
This wasn’t his full plan, just his next step.
“Malakai…”
Malakai was snapped out of his thoughts by Nyx’s voice.
He glanced at her. She was looking ahead, at sothing in the distance that he couldn’t see.
“What happened?”
“I noticed you were looking at the big guy suspiciously during today’s mission.”
“Grunde?” Malakai asked. “What about him?”
“He’s currently leaving the base. Alone.”
Malakai narrowed his eyes. ‘It’s really late… where could he possibly be going?’
He thought for a mont. It wasn’t his business, but Grunde had been acting very suspicious today.
“We’ll follow him,” Malakai said, and Nyx imdiately nodded.
“I want you to stay out of sight. You can manipulate my blood to stop if I’m getting too close. Just don’t let him sense . Control my finger to point in the right direction.”
“Yes.”
Nyx vanished from his side, and Malakai continued moving. She took control of his finger, and he followed the direction it pointed toward.
As he ran, Malakai couldn’t help but wonder where Grunde was heading.
‘This direction…’
The big man wasn’t heading into the Kaer Thorn district. He was leaving it completely.
‘He’s heading towards the Murkroot Hollow…’
Malakai narrowed his eyes. Now, he was sure sothing was going on with him.
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