Chapter 256 - The New Orders* (2/2)

”Caged Mist…you are the Magicians that were reporting on the Moonshadow business, yes?”

Elva nodded to Jane and Jane took a breath before she spoke.

”Yes, your highness,” Jane stated.

”I see, your reports…”

Jane and her team waited on baited breath for the Prince to continue.

”…were somewhat lacking in detail,” the Prince admitted, ”I was disappointed to not be as impressed as I was by your Graduation Mission Report. I have come to question your worth to the Imperial Guild. 3 years, and you could give me little more than what was already public knowledge”.

Jane closed her eyes to gather her words carefully before she lowered her forehead to the floor in a clear bow, ”We have disappointed his highness, please, tell us how best we can redeem ourselves”.

The Prince sighed, ”It would be a pain to seek out another team to replace you. Especially one that may not have the same potential…very well, I will give you another mission, one I hope you can complete with greater ability”.

”We are ready to serve, your highness,” stated Jane.

”I'm sure you have heard of the Vanguard,” the Prince stated, ”We had an understanding with the makers, but they seem…unwilling to continue with that understanding. I need you to convince them otherwise. Understood?”

”We understand, your highness,” Jane replied, moving back to sit upright.

”Good,” said the Prince, ”And Master Magician Jane?”

”Yes, your highness?” asked Jane, a little surprised that he knew her name.

”You will not return with such disappointing results again. Bring me something substantial…by any means possible,” stated the Prince.

Jane bowed her head lower.

”Understood, your highness,” said Jane.

”You are dismissed,” stated the Prince.

***

Kevaster Kildare watched as the Magicians left his rooms, his eyes unimpressed. That was the girl his father had played with as a child? How disappointing. She was barely passable. The Prince, who appeared around eight years old despite his 3 years of life, looked down at the beautiful maiden whose head rested across his l.a.p. Her eyes were distant as she stared at the curtain, the dried tracks of her tears a remnant of the wonderful pitch of her screams just minutes before.

He reached forward to run a finger down along them, and she flinched at his touch. He barely noticed as his finger followed the line of her jaw to her lips, then down her neck to the partially sealed wound on her neck, still dripping blood from the places he hadn't bothered to lick closed before he greeted his guests.

He dragged his finger through the blood, then raised it to his lips.

”I bet she wouldn't taste as good as you do, darling,” Kevaster smiled, leaning forward, a faint whimper escaped her lips and Kevaster delicately cupped her chin, turning her eyes to face him, ”Fear not, darling, I shall love you so much that you'll beg me to consume all of you”.

Fresh tears sprung from her eyes as Kevaster leaned forward and kissed down her cheeks to the dip of her jaw, then swiped a tongue along her bloody wound.

He leaned back as he g.r.o.a.n.e.d at the taste.

”I suppose one day, I shall have to find my father and thank him personally for the ability to taste something so utterly divine,” Kevaster grinned as he turned back to the woman, his fangs extending, ”But for now, I'll just enjoy it how it was supposed to be enjoyed”.