Chapter 25: Dark rogues

The roguish-looking man dragged Ava into a dilapidated cottage with a roof made from rough wood that had long since softened due to rot.

The cottage itself reeked of an unpleasant smell, but the men seemed as though they were already used to it, their faces not changing in the slightest.

Ava and the young lady were dragged to a corner, their bodies making a dull sound against the ground.

“Such a good deal. We will get to enjoy ourselves before the real deal.” One of them said with a wide grin and the others laughed, their eyes sweeping over the two women.

“This new woman sure is beautiful, I almost can’t take my eyes off her.” One of them said, licking his lips as lustful eagerness flashed in his eyes.

At that moment, Hazel groaned slightly, her brain throbbing with an excruciating pain. But her eyelids felt too heavy, she could not open it no matter how much she willed it.

Just then, a tall man stormed into the cottage, his face increasingly dark.

“What are you three doing here? The leader is about to make his move and you are here, lazying around?” The man scolded angrily.

The three men avoided his eyes and scratched their heads in embarrassment.

“Well, we thought we would enjoy ourselves before we made our moves. Moreover, look at these two, look at the quality of the clothes they are wearing, especially this young one. Definitely, their background is not simple, it would make things easier for us.”

The new man glanced at the two limp figures on the floor and frowned, but after thinking about it, he did not say anything else.

“One of you should follow me, the remaining two can stay behind.” The new man finally said and without waiting for their replies, he turned to leave.

The three men exchanged glances and began pushing themselves, unwilling to be the one to leave. Finally, the shorter one was made to leave.

The market square was still bustling with life, with no difference whatsoever.

However, it was uncertain what happened, but a ruckus grew in an instant.

A scar-faced man, with scar that stretched from the middle of his brows to his ear suddenly appeared at the entrance of the market.

He casually grabbed a scrawny man near him and plunged his hands into the man’s chest. His fingers digging into the man’s flesh.

The commoner had his eyes bulging and his body twitching violently as his face went pale in a mix of terror and pain.

The scar-faced man sneered and withdrew his hand ruthlessly, but it was not empty. He was holding a still-beating heart in his hands, his whole hand covered with blood.

The commoner man stared at the heart in the scar-faced man’s hands and his body slumped, kicking up dust.

It was only a drip first, but then it turned to a pool of blood.

The commoner man had his chest carved in, the space that should have belonged to his heart now empty.

The scent of blood quickly overcame the scent of food and other goods in the market.

A woman saw this grotesque scene with her own eyes, and the goods she was holding fell slowly. Terror and horror overcame her and she turned around and began running.

“It is the dark rogues! Run!”

It was unknown who started it, but as soon as that voice fell, more rose.

“Run! The dark rogues are here!”

“Run for your life!”

Dozens of men emerged from behind the scar-faced man, they all had the same wild and unrestrained aura, looking like a group of savage and bloodthirsty beasts.

The scar-faced man, who was also the leader, glanced at the people running halter-skelter and the corner of his lips rose to form a ruthless smile.

“My brothers, it is time to feast. Kill anyone on sight.” He ordered with a grin and the men behind him gave a low battle cry that sounded like the growl of a hungry beast.

Then, together, they pounced on the people closely.

The once lively market square quickly turned into a bloody field, blood and broken limbs everywhere.

One man even had his lower body severed from the rest of his body, but he was still alive. With a pale face, he tried to crawl forward in a bid to escape, but one of the dark rogues saw him and with a grin, twisted his head to the back.

“Spare none of them!” The scar-faced roared, but he remained in the middle, watching the one-sided massacre in satisfaction.

Three more dark rogues quickly joined in, killing anyone on sight.

…

Damien sat in his study, going through an old parchment with an unfocused expression.

He had been on the same page for thirty minutes now.

He could not concentrate, he kept feeling like something was wrong. A part of him was restless, and his heart beat was even irregular.

“What is really going on with me?” He mumbled to himself, frowning.

He hated not knowing and that’s exactly what was going on.

Just then, he heard an anxious knock from the door which prompted him to raise his head.

“Come in,”

Matilda rushed in anxiously, “My Lord, something happened and I lost Miss Hazel.” She reported breathlessly.

Damien’s brows knitted quickly, "What do you mean? Didn’t you go to the market square with her? How could she get lost right under your eyes?” He demanded, his tone harsh and cold.

Matilda shook her head and was about to explain when a sweaty guard rushed over.

“My lord, there is trouble. The market square is under the dark rogue's attack!”

Hearing that, Damien sprang to his feet, his eyes and expression so grim that it could drip with water.

“How did they enter the pack?”

“I have no idea, my lord.”

“Call Killian and have him lead a few guards to handle the situation.” Damien ordered and was about to say something else, when he frowned.

Then, he walked out of the study chamber in large strides.

“My lord?”

“I will lead the team myself,” Damien declared calmly, “Matilda, you are following me.”

“Yes, my lord.”