Krimson Mind: The Krimson Cycle Vol. 1

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Lord Kaign sat in his library and stared at the red stone chair that had, at least for a little bit, contained Krimson Rose. He had been prepared to offer a place at her side as queen. But that moment had passed. She had made her choice. And it left him with only one course of action. Krimson and her pet would have to die. Their mage friend would get to live, but he would be without the very thing that made him such a danger. He would be stripped of his magic forever. Kaign would make sure of it.

General Vladimir Alexioff, his last two brides, and Phantom stood in silence before him. They were waiting for their Master's command. Alexioff knew that his Lord would want to take Krimson's life with his own hands. Alexioff was certain that Lord Kaign would order him to return Krimson to Scholomace. But her pet and the Mage would be fair game.

"General, come. Stand before me." Lord Kaign ordered quietly.

Alexioff walked around his lord until he stood between his Master and the red stone chair. Alexioff kept his eyes lowered, trying not to arouse his Master's anger. Considering what had happened three days ago, the last thing that Alexioff wanted was for his Master to get angry.

"Burn Dodge City to the ground. Kill everything that stands between you and Krimson. Let nothing stop you. Find that bitch and bring her before me. Kill her pet. As for the Mage, use this." Kaign said holding out his hand.

Alexioff took the thin tube filled with blackish-purple liquid in it without any questions. Once Alexioff had secured it, Kaign continued.

"The fluid in that tube will forever seal away the mage's ability to perform magic. The Mage will be just like every other mortal on the planet, and as such, he should pose you no problems."

"What about exposure, my Lord?" Alexioff asked quietly.

"You know my law, General. Those who become exposed to the mortals, will be destroyed. There are no exceptions." Kaign replied quickly. "Bring her home. Lay waste to everything else. Do you understand?"

"Your will is law." General Alexioff said bowing deeply.

"Go, now." Lord Kaign ordered.

Alexioff and the three guards walked over to the elevator, on their way to the portal on level one of Scholomace.

"And General," Lord Kaign called after them, "Failure is not an option. Should you fail, do yourself a favor and commit suicide. Because there will be much worse, should you return without her." He warned quietly.

General Alexioff never responded. He and the guards entered the hallway to the elevator in silence. They were going to war.

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It was around one in the morning, and I couldn't sleep. James, however, was not having the same problem. He was lying on his back, with his left hand on his flat stomach. His body didn't move. He did not breathe. To anyone who cared to notice, James looked like a corpse.

Vampires don't need to breathe unless they are talking. We also don't have any heartbeat to speak of. It has only recently been discovered that when any vampire of the Royal bloodline uses their gift, their heart beats as if they weren't undead. Otherwise, a vampire's heart only beats after they feed. So, needless to say, when a vampire is asleep, they look very dead. During the Black Plague, many a vampire was buried, because their daylight resting-places had been found out by accident. Since then, we vampires have come up with ways to ensure that we won't be disturbed.

I looked back at James and sighed.

"But you are my beautiful corpse." I whispered to him.