Chapter 74 Outliers
Damien looked at the figure in front of him, shuddering.
“It's not what it seems, Your highness. I need to make her trust me more.”
“And you've been doing that since she got to the palace. How much more do you need?”
His voice was icy, a fiery look emanating from his eyes.
“J…just more time, my Lord. She'll soon be alone. She's currently with Lord Lucien.”
A shadow crossed Damien's face. “The effrontery.” He grunted, pacing around his table, while his strange female visitor stood some feet away from him, cowering.
“You should go.”
The figure made to move, but Damien stopped her. “Just so you know, you're out of time and I'm pretty sure you know what happens to people who are not of value to me?”
She nodded fearfully.
“Good. Because it would be a damn shame to watch you die.”
He waved her off with a curt nod and watched as she exited his study with a soft click of the door.
Damien sighed, reclining into the chair. It was almost time, he glanced at his watch, shifting through some papers.
“About time,” he muttered as th door opened and Lord Harlan stepped in.
“Thought you changed your mind.” He motioned to the chair for the older man to sit.
“An important call came in,” Harlan grunted. He was doing all he could to hide the fact that he was displeased.
“Thought we finalised everything and I don't have to come anymore?”
Damien grimaced, his eyes narrowing. “Ashamed to be seen with me or?” A curved smile formed on his lips.
Harlan winced. “That's not what I'm saying.” He shook his head, contemplating whether to go on. “Never mind. What have you got for me?”
Damien's smile seemed satisfactory. He was pleased the older man knew when to speak and when not to.
“It's time for war.”
“War?” Harlan asked for confirmation even though he'd clearly heard well. “You assured me this would be seamless.”
“I did.” He shrugged. “But there's been a change of plan.”
Harlan sighed, frustration building up in him. “What change of plan could there be that would require war?”
Damein smiled as though he'd been expecting such a question. “You see,” he began.
“I remember when we first met, and how you would put the benefits of being king in my head.”
“I didn't do any of that,” Harlan responded through his teeth, his expression changing.
“Really?” Damien's voice was harmless, even as his hands reached for a divider lying harmlessly on his desk.
“I would really love to hear you say that again.”
Harlan sighed, shifting nervously in his seat. “You were saying?” With every word that came out of his mouth, it killed him to speak, but he knew he had to play the longer game.
Damien was looking for a way to get rid of him, and he would not provide him with the best opportunity.
No one knew he was here. Not even his trusted men.
Damien grinned. “You're a wise man, Lord Thorne, I'll give that to you.”
Harlan grunted.
“Now, as you were.” Damien dropped the divider as he focused his attention on Harlan.
“A little birdie said I can't ascend the throne with legitimacy if Lucien is not dead.”
Harlan stiffened. “That's not possible,” he spat.
Damien shrugged. “Thought so as well. But…” he sighed. “If there's one thing I'm glad we did was our allies. I think it's time to bring them into the mix.”
“You assured me there would be no bloodshed.” Harlan’s voice was accusatory, his anger rising.
“And you assured me I could be king.” Damien retorted, matching his anger.
Both men stared at themselves. Behind them, the clock ticked, waiting for one of them to make the first move.
Harlan sighed as he reclined in his seat. “You never should have killed Lord Gabriel.” He muttered bitterly.
Damien shrugged. “He was being a pain in the ass. Somebody had to die.”
“No!” Harlan insisted. “That's exactly where you've gone wrong. Are there other better ways of going about it?”
“Really?” Damien sneered. “Just the same way you killed Lord Bakckburn? Slaying him in front of the council?”
Harlan looked away.
“Be mindful of the house you live in, Lord Thorne.” Damien's voice was controlled.
“I called you here, because Lucien Blackthorn has to die.”
Harlan spun. “You're going to kill him yourself?” His voice was filled with unbelief.
Damien smirked. “Not personally, but he will die by my sword.”
“And Isabella?” Harlan's heart clenched as he mentioned her name.
“That's not a problem.”
“What do you intend doing?” Harlan insisted. “Like it or not, she's become a part of me.
Damien smiled. “Now, that's the big deal. We both know you don't really care. It's all a facade.”
Harlan shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “You're not going to touch her, are you?” For the first time, his voice wavered with fear.
He realised he was finally seeing the monster in front of him.
“Nah, but she won't be spared either.”
Unconsciously, Harlan bared his fangs, at Damien standing up in anger. “You wouldn't dare.” He was almost at the point of screaming.
Damien stared at him calmly. “You should try me and see.”
Both men had covered the distance between themselves and were breathing down their necks. Harlan looked like he was ready to kill.
Damien was the first to look away, taking a step back.
“Seems we started on the wrong foot today. I'm not here to fight you.”
Harlan hissed, taking his own step back. “Why did you have me summoned? To prove to me that you have the power?”
Damien chuckled. “That's totally unnecessary.” He walked back to his desk.
“I have to go to war with Lucien Blackthorn to become king successfully.”
“And?” Harlan urged impatiently.
“It's time,” Damien said with narrowed eyes.
His words made Harlan pause. “You don't really think we should be doing that, do you?”
His switch almost made Damien burst out in laughter. “Actually, yes. They've gotten a lot of slaves from ke for next to nothing. It's time they paid back.”
Harlan sighed, his brain working overtime. “Theyre going to hang Gabriel's death on your neck.”
Lucien shrugged. “Better than having him associated with me.” He said. “He was going to talk.”
The older man staggered, his eyes widening. “You don't know that. He would never have given us up.”
Yes, I do.” He reached for the pen and scribbled something on a paper.
“That's the meeting point he was going to set up with Lucien, a month ago.”
“A…month…ago?” Harlan stuttered, despite himself. “He never made mention of that, didn't disclose it to anyone.”
“Because he couldn't.” Damien sighed.
Harlan nodded in understanding. “He could have blown us all up.” He muttered, the sorry feeling he'd been having in his heart, suddenly evaporating.
“And the other?” He urged.
Damien smiled. “That was the warning. Now, he wouldn't dare cross us.”
Harlan gulped. “This has become too messy.” He whispered to himself, but Damien heard him.
“I agree, which is why I think we should put a stop to it.” He looked directly at Harlan.
“War has come. I intend to send out emissaries today. It's only a matter of time before we are struck by Lucien and his plans.”
“Harlan nodded. “What do you have?”
“The seal of the office.” Damien's smile was triumphant. “Just a basic appeal to join us in defeating the enemies.”
Harlan smirked. “You're playing the whole world.” His eyes were lit with excitement.
Damien nodded. “It's needed. Our support has to come in, before they really find out what we stand for.”
“And when do we begin?” Harlan asked, reclining back into his seat.
“Tonight.” Damien handed him a drink he'd just poured.
“This should be fun,” Harlan chuckled, taking a sip of his drink before setting it down. His eyes lit up as if he'd just remembered something important.
“Saw the slave girl you summoned. You really don't want anything loose, do you?”
Damien grinned. “Not on my watch. Everything has to be simple. I become king, you become prime minister.”
Harlan nodded in satisfaction. “How long has she been in your employ?”
“The moment they moved into the palace. She however, would soon have to go.”
“Not giving you what you want?” Harlan teased.
“I think,” Damien was interrupted by a soft knock on the door.
The door opened and a man with marks on all parts of his face stepped in.
“There's been a lot of recent developments My Lord.” He bowed slightly, before acknowledging Damien.
Damien motioned to him to step forward. “Speak.”
He shook his head as he walked towards Damien till there was barely any space between them.
He whispered into his ears, and every word made Damien’s face change till he was fuming with anger.
“Get everyone here now!” He roared. “Everyone. Nobody leaves. We move tonight.”
“Yes, my Lord,” the scarred man bowed, exiting the room as quickly as he had come.