Chapter 92

Oliver

Bring me Brutus’s mate. I linked casually, and his eyes grew wide.

“…. Your grace please do not do this.” He begged, but I shook my head.

“Do what you have to to get this done. I don’t care how long it takes, but don’t risk it if you’ll kill anyone. That isn’t what I want.” I mumbled. Honestly I kind of did… but it would make too much issue… I wanted to show that bastard that I could get to him if I wanted. He needed to know if he tried anything in my territory again, I could end him and his miserable line.

I almost felt like a vampire with that thought, but if he wanted to threaten my family, I would his.

“What of any Warriors or family?” He asked.

“No death. Just the target. Make this clean and quiet. Let him stew a while and I’ll make anonymous contact. Make sure they don’t know who took the target either.” I said interlacing my finger.

He bowed. “We will have it done within the week.” He left, and I did too. I needed to prepare for the fallout from this. If this played right, he would leave me the fuck alone. If not, he would only get worse. I got in my car, driving to Ruby Coven. They were segmented a bit because of me keeping the teens and children in my personal packhouse under Gamma, but they had appointed officers again.

They had a new High Maiden, Mother, and Crone, with me as their Master of the House. With their culture, men held leadership, though seeing Agatha, I don’t think I’d hold a candle to her if she was serious. They’d made her High Maiden, an accomplishment to say the least. It was I think the equivalent to Gamma. For one so young, she truly was gifted.

But I would not speak with her. They made Lady Ruby, the original daughter of their High Crone before Yolina killed their leader. She too was young, only 50. It was crazy how young everyone was that was left, but I should be one to talk. I became an Alpha in my 20’s.

The drive was uneventful, and I parked at their meeting place instead of their packhouse. Yolina was cocky, but Lady Ruby seemed cautious of me. Evil or not, I did suddenly slit her leader’s throat. The witches didn’t know what to think of me. I was their protector, but at the same time they knew I ate man flesh now.

They were nervous when I arrived, parking my car. This building looked like a normal skyscraper like all the others around it, but this one was actually the head of the investigations department. This was the base of operations for the Secret Police within New Apple.

Everything there was to do in reference to keeping everyone secret was done here. Mind wiping, a small holding prison, and even a negotiations room were here or in its basement. Witches ran this, with a unicorn as its head Chief of Police. Anyone deemed dangerous would be sent to Horizon, a large prison facility in the south. When I entered in the massive building, people stopped what they were doing. Witches showed the most respect, as there weren’t many wolves this side of town.

Some even learned a little wolf, bowing as a pack member would. This pleased my wolf, who was surprisingly behaved today. He gave me a small growl, feeling slightly offended. He was wild, not a pet. We work together because he is part of me, and no less.

“Your lordship, we have the meeting room prepared.” Said a witch who didn’t smell as strong of magic as the others… she must have been an Omega.

“Good, show me.” I said as gently as I could, but she still ran walked. I followed her, trying not to scare her too much, but nothing I did worked. It seemed my silence and my default face were too much.

“Don’t eat me.” She mumbled, and I couldn’t help but crack a small smile.

“I’m not that kind of Alpha.” I retorted, and she looked at her hands. She thought she made it worse. “I can imagine you have good reason to be nervous… I kind of recognize you. You were there when I killed one of the leaders of Emerald or Ruby, weren’t you?” I asked and she nodded.

“I saw you eat Lady Ezabi…. How you rotted her corpse and kept her head…” She said quietly, and the elevator dinged.

“Forgive me for my actions, but I believe I did the right thing.” I said getting off. “You don’t have to worry of mistreatment.”

“… Because of you I had somewhere to run when I left my husband… and you have my son in your care…. Thank you.” She said rushing to show me where the meeting room was, and I left her alone. It didn’t matter what I did or said, she wouldn’t trust me. That kind of thing is earned.

Eating witches in front of her would not do that.

“Welcome Dead One. I am High Matron Reda Rubyson. I thank you master for returning rule back to me… and also allowing real change. My mother would have slit my throat before I allowed such relaxed rules that fit the time we live in. Please sit.” She motioned a chair, and I waved my hand moving it for myself. It amazed some of them…. they didn’t know I was literally just copying what I’d seen just now.

“Alpha is fine.” I said sitting at the head of the table.

“It seems your Goddess allows many blessings upon you.” She bowed.

“Yes, and I wanted to speak with you in private.” I said seriously, and it became very quiet.

“But my lord.” She bowed, but I held up my hand.

“This has nothing to do with you I assure you. I only need the privacy to insure as few people know of my plans as possible.” I said calmly. “You have done a wonderful job with this strange transition. I also thank you for your aid on preventing me from being cursed by other covens.

“Yes.” She stuttered. “We all have been negating them for some time. Since you defeated Lady Yolina sir.” The other witches reluctantly left, leaving us alone.

“And if you have a chance and the time, I wish to ask something of you.” I said once the door was closed.

“Anything.” She looked at the table. I wanted to get up and console her, but I knew it would make it worse. I was her boss, and they didn’t have mates. She wouldn’t understand that I genuinely just wanted to talk.

“Is this room secure from prying of any kind?” I asked and she nodded. “I have a certain target. One who will arrive here shortly, and I need you to do something. Is there a kind of curse, or anything really that I could activate from anywhere at any time? It doesn’t have to be lethal.” I asked. She nodded, but spoke hesitantly.

“The Curse of Pain…. It isn’t lethal, but it’s one used to control slaves. I abolished that the moment I took office your grace… I could teach it to you.”

“How does it work?” I asked.

“It causes nerve pain throughout the body…. It feels as if they are being lashed severely…. It’s why most slaves never have hex burns… you don’t Have to…. This is permanent…. Dark…. Sadistic.”

“I’m sure.” I said with a small smile.

She summoned a small doll. “This is a practice dummy. It’s better if you knock them out so there’s no resistance…. But you put your hand around their throat and choke them a little. You focus your energy from that spot, and you say ‘Domination of the soul, Domination of the body, feel pain that you obey’ in Latin… if you want a slave’s mark to appear as a choker brand you tattoo it on, but most don’t go through all that.

“Is there anything else?” I asked.

“You are of the Pale Lady, she does not lend her strength on the Dark Moon…” she looked as if she thought I was going to perform the ritual on her, but I motioned for her to slide the doll instead.

“Like this?” I asked and she nodded when I took the doll and held it as she did.

“Now say the words.” She encouraged, finally getting that I was a friend. It would not benefit me to do something like that to her. I ruled with trust; this was just business.

“My Latin’s a little rusty…. But here goes. Dominatio animi, dominatio corporis, dolorem sentire et obedire?” I asked and she nodded.

“Good enough. It would be better if you knew an older language, but you chose your words well.” She nodded.

“Good. but if I may ask, why does this little wodden doll feel alive?” I asked, and she summoned it to her. “Wait… it isn’t is it?” I asked and she shook her head.

“The wood is fresh; I would not have you knowingly cast such a painful spell on a living creature. Whoever you have in mind for this must be a terrible person.” She mumbled.

“Her mate is, but I only intend on using this as a last resort.” I said getting up and we shook hands.

I opened the door to see Penny had been waiting for me. She had copper scales now. I could only guess that she’d equalized with the scale in my amulet, though she looked young and healthy now, about 20 in age. It seemed my mistake permanently damaged her since she didn’t go back to being a little kid… but at least she looked strong.

“Master, I mean Alpha, I felt your power and came to assist.” She beamed.

“Thank you, but I already learned what I needed. Come with me though, I don’t remember feeding you.” I smiled.

“Of course,” She nodded with a bow. She smelled more an more of dragon these days, almost like a shifter… but with a dragon scent in place of where one would scent wolf….

“Can you shift?” I blurted when we got on the elevator.

“It’s how I got here.” She beamed.

Why was I surprised? I got a scale from the literal King of the Sky…. I felt stupid asking that question, but I kept that to myself.