Return to Jorgaldur Volume IV: Reunion

After auction (III)

As Gjaki threatened the bodyguards, the humiliated and angry Johil gathered his strength to lunge at her from the ground. He was holding a dagger, and intended to stab her in the back.

"Gjaki!" Goldmi shouted, as she wanted to warn her.

Nonetheless, it wasn't necessary. The vampiress had Bats watching her back. She moved to dodge the attack and Elbow him in the face. The blow also took advantage of the young man's speed.

Even from the ground, everyone looked at her in disbelief and fear. The name the elf had shouted was too famous.

"I'm sorry," Goldmi apologized. She felt guilty for having revealed her identity.

"It doesn't matter. After all, I couldn't leave it like this. It's time to check what the parents of these spoiled idiots are made of," the vampiress said.

As she spoke, she undid her disguise. Her long silver hair appeared, which she wore down today, as well as her blood-red eyes. Although what terrified those present the most was that she had stopped Disguising her level and aura. Before them, there was the Blood Queen herself.

In addition to being in pain, they felt dizzy, overwhelmed and terrified. They had wanted to rob her. To no one but her. Quite a few swallowed, although it hurt some to do so. Some were quite bruised.

"I just wanted to go to the auction to bid on some items, without attracting attention. I didn't expect some arrogant bastards to threaten me if bidding against them. I don't really know who you think you're. You know, I met some of you when you were still in diapers. I didn't expect you to have turned into spoiled rich brats."

Gjaki spoke as she approached them one by one. They only clenched their teeth when she scratched their cheek with her nail. No one dared to resist.

"Of course, I still expected less that you had degenerated to the point of trying to assault me. Of trying to rob me. You're a deep disappointment. A disgrace."

Eldi and Goldmi looked at her somewhat worried. Her friend wasn't faking her disappointment, her regret. She felt it from her heart.

"And you... You're supposed to be warriors. Is babysitting these idiots really worth it? The pay may be good, but is it worth the dishonor? Have you trained for so many years to end like this?"

The bodyguards didn't respond. They were very still, afraid to lift a finger. It was impossible to know what they were thinking.

When it was over, all the young men had a mark on their cheek, one that wouldn't vanish for weeks. Even curing it to make it disappear faster was practically impossible. It was something the vampiress had learned in the past, and which she called "the mark of shame." Although it was better known as "the dishonor of blood."

There was an almost permanent version, but she had preferred to give them just a warning.

"I have to talk to an old friend. You better go back," she addressed her companions.

"Sure. Will you be fine?" the elf worried.

"I won't. This's going to be unpleasant, but I have to go in person."

"If you need anything..." Eldi offered.

She smiled at him. It was enough for her that they were there for her. However, what she had to do was her responsibility, and there was no danger. Probably.

Therefore, she sent them back to the mansion. Nobody else moved. Though she was alone now, the thought of facing her was too terrifying. Maybe, she alone could be even more dangerous or cruel.

She approached Johil and used Blood Bind to immobilize him.

"Wait...! What're you doing...? Mmmmh!" he complained.

Not wanting to hear his voice, she gagged him. She then took him with one arm and opened a second Gate.

"Wait... He's the governor's son... If something happens to him..." one of the bodyguards begged.

After all, they were Johil's bodyguards. His lives could be at stake if something happened to him.

"I know. I'm going to take it to him in person. Make these idiots return to their families," the vampiress revealed.

The bodyguard stood with his mouth open, not knowing what else to say. He couldn't help but wonder if she was really going to take him personally, or if his own head would roll in a few days.

He raised his gaze and looked at the clock.

"The auction must have already ended. I hope he got what I asked him for, and he didn't cause too much trouble," he wished.

"Ha, ha, they're young. It's normal to cause a problem or two," the woman in front of him responded. "Anyway, it's already time for them to settle down. We should set a date for the wedding."

"Again with that? Are you in such a hurry to get rid of your daughter? It's not like they're going to change their minds now," he sighed.

"If you don't push them a little, they won't move forward. The best way is to give them a few options, so that they believe they're deciding," she proposed.

"As always, so manipulative... That's why I don't like negotiating with you," he complained.

"Heh, heh. Come on, Jonlof. It's just a little trick to make them feel good about themselves," she defended herself.

"Call it what you want... What's that...? She?"

"What's happening?" the woman asked, surprised.

"I have a visitor that I can't fail to attend to. We'll continue talking later," he assured and stood up.

She wanted to protest, thinking it was an excuse. However, the solemn face of her interlocutor made her change her mind. She knew him well enough to be sure that he wasn't capable of deceiving her like that. Besides, there was no reason for him to do it just to get out of that conversation.

Without a doubt, something important had happened. She was curious, but couldn't follow him. She had two options, leave, or wait for him to return.

"I guess I can wait a little. Besides, he hasn't even remembered to put away the liquor. Normally, he's quite stingy," she said to herself, as she got up to pick up the bottle.

Gjaki appeared in a small room that was barely big enough to contain the Gate. She then opened the only door, which was locked from the inside. No one could access the Exit Gate's place without breaking it. Doing so would activate Self-Destruct, and the Exit Gate would be erased.

She entered a medium-sized room, intended for receiving visitors. No one had used it in years, but it was still cleaned, so the dust didn't accumulate.

She walked over to a couch, sat on it and left her package on the floor. She undid the Blood Bindings, and looked at him with disdain. He, far from getting up, contracted slightly, as if feeling her penetrating gaze. He was terrified.

"Sit on the couch and don't move," she ordered him bluntly.

Trembling, he obeyed, not even daring to look at her. He stared at the door, fearing who might enter. It wasn't so strange that he hadn't recognized where he was. The room had no windows, and was always closed, except when they came in to clean.

"While we wait, how about you answer some questions?"