𝐌𝐘 𝐀𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

四十 | 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑

adulation (n.)
adoration. worship.
admiration. devotion.
reverence. favor.

「 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑭𝑶𝑹𝑻𝒀 」
𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑

꧁꧂

"Tsk," Ferid clicked his tongue when coming to a stop in front of the small squad, his blazing red eyes however focused on (Y/N)'s form so intently she swore he was going to bore a hole through her. "So this is where you've run off to, (Y/N)." He smiled in a rather condescending and sadistic manner, the look stretching thin across his lips as he hummed, "How disappointing."

   "Pet?" A woman murmured.

"What is that vampire talking about?" Another man questioned.

Murmurs shifted throughout the group of humans as puzzlement overcame them. However, they didn't  let their guard down for even a moment, not when they were in vampire nobles' presence. Guren let his gaze slide to the side before turning his head ever so slightly (Y/N)'s way, able to tell by the fear in her eyes that whatever these vampires had put her through, it had been worse then Hell.

Hm...

Quickly, he righted his stare.

"Be prepared," Guren then announced to his troop as he stepped forward with his weapon drawn. "Don't let these scum take the upper hand."

"Oh? 'Scum?'" Ferid laughed, placing a finger to his chin in amusement. "No, I don't want to fight, livestock. I would merely like to... barter with you since I'm feeling rather generous."

"Hah?" One of the men scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "And what makes you think we'll do anything of the sort?"

"I want an exchange," Ferid scowled, allowing his true persona to shine through and making the humans hesitate when sensing the bloodlust and need and irritation wafting from his form. "I'll spare your pathetic lives if you give me her." He then pointed towards (Y/N), his gaze never wavering from her own in a rather predatory way as he uttered, "Do that... and you will live."

Guren did nothing, his hand still gripping the hilt of his sword tightly as he mulled over this new predicament that he never guessed he would be in the middle of only mere minutes ago.

Why do these vampires want that girl?

    What is so special about her?

    Could she be... one of them?

    No...

    Not possible...

    Then... what?

"Tick, Tock, Sergeant," Crowley laughed lightly, his hands set on his hips in a relaxed manner despite the desperate itch of just want to barrel through the lines of the pathetic humans for the one he actually wanted and needed.

He couldn't believe he so carelessly had allowed her to slip away. Then again, it wasn't even his fault to behind with, but Chess'. He would have to find a suitable punishment for her later once (Y/N) was back in his arms. Pushing such thoughts away as he noticed the slight shift in Guren's position, his eyes flicked back to the human entourage, awaiting his answer. Yet, he had a feeling he knew exactly what answer Guren was going to give.

"No," Guren finally answered.

Crowley scowled.

He had been right.

Without another moment of hesitation, Ferid lunged at Guren with a speed that he was prepared for since he had fought off dozens of vampires before whilst having to match their agility as well. Yet, Guren still kept cautious since Ferid was a noble, knowing that underestimating him would be a death sentence. The same woman who had spoken up swung her battle axe at Crowley to block gee attacks from his sword whose spikes impaled his hand to strengthen his power. Mainly, as a means to match her own demon-infused weapons. The other four members of the group did what they could to aid Guren, two helping him and the woman whilst the other stayed back to protect (Y/N), muttering quiet curses under his breath as he did so.

(Y/N) was doing the same.

This is bad...

How did Crowley and Ferid find me? They must have tracked me somehow...

Shit.

"Sir," she turned towards the man, locking eyes with him and surprising him due to the determination that brimmed within her gaze. "I need to get in these walls. I can't be trapped with them again... I just... I can't."

He seemed to take pity on her as his expression softened just for a fraction of a second.

She pleaded with him silently.

Please...

I can't go back there...

"Come with me," he finally said, his words a whisper that she could barely hear.

Since Guren and the rest of his squad were leading Ferid and Crowley away from the city, (Y/N) and the man were able to sneak away without any of them noticing to soon enter an underground passageway that slowly melded into metal from the dirt, their footsteps echoing in the empty space.

"The name's Linder," the man introduced, his eyes never staying in one spot, as if daring anything that was hidden to try him. "What's yours?"

"(Y/N)."

"(Y/N)... huh?" Linder murmured, rubbing his chin. "So, (Y/N)... why are two vampire nobles so desperate to get you back, hm? I find that occurrence very unlikely."

"I'm not sure of that myself," she mumbled, unsure of how to answer him.

"Hm," he grunted.

Linder didn't say anything else after that, instead keeping silent as he continued with her on their way through the dark and empty tunnels. Soon enough, they emerged into a brighter corridor that trickled with some people. Lots of eyes landed on (Y/N), but she could hardly care. She was free. No sooner did the sun kiss her skin before there was shouting and commotion coming from the gate. Guren and the other three members of his squad appeared through the thick crowd supporting one of the women who was now sporting wounds.

"What happened!?" Linder demanded, rushing forward to take the woman from Guren.

"As soon as they realized that it was a diversion and that they had lost sight of the girl, they ended the fight pretty quickly and left," Guren sighed as he swept his hair out of his face, then looking at (Y/N) with narrowed eyes. "Well... it seems you're lucky, kid. Welcome to Shibuya."

━━━━━━━━ ꧁ ♥ ꧂ ━━━━━━━━

「 𝑻𝑶 𝑩𝑬 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑼𝑬𝑫 」