Chapter 123

I read about it during my stay with the Esparago Clan.

The Cloaks are the five original ancestors of the vampires. They were the ones who brokered peace between humans and vampires. They created the Treaty of Humans and Vampires.

They were untouchable—no one even knew where they were.

Brix was after them, and there could only be one reason why.

"I... I will stop him," Nathalia stammered. For the first time, she lost her composure. "This is insane. It's beyond our reach. Help me, Oscar. Help me stop him."

I froze where I stood, unable to speak.

"Oscar! They’ll come after him! Stop our brother!"

Oscar shook his head. "No one can stop him now."

"No. I refuse to believe that there's no way."

Lady Nath turned to me and walked over without hesitation. She grabbed my arms tightly and stared at me with a fierce expression.

"I don’t know if you understand what’s happening—"

"I do," I interrupted.

"Then do something, Astra. He’s putting everyone at risk!"

I closed my eyes as she shook my shoulders.

"Stop it, Lady Nath. You’re scaring her," Erikson said, pulling me away from her. "She doesn’t control Brixton’s choices. You know your brother—"

"I do know him. He’ll listen to her!" Lady Nath’s voice rose. "I just know he will. So..." She took a shaky breath. "This is where I ask for your help, Lady Astra. I’m begging you—please stop my brother."

I took a step back and shook my head.

Lady Nath looked confused.

"A-Astra!"

I shook my head again.

"T-That’s actually kinda cool, isn’t it?" Nigel said in awe.

"Shut up, Mr. Hezuera," Erikson hissed.

"He can do it! He’s Brixton Wenz Cardinal!" Nigel insisted.

Lady Nath turned away and stormed off. Lord Oscar followed quickly. That left Erikson, Nigel, and me behind. I remained rooted in place.

I clutched Erikson’s arm when my knees suddenly weakened.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked.

This had been Brix’s plan all along.

I swallowed hard. "W-We should go now..."

"You sure you can?" Erikson asked.

It didn’t matter anymore.

I let go of his arm and steadied myself. I swore to trust Brix. He wouldn’t risk everything for nothing. He knew what was at stake. I was sure he had prepared for this.

"Let’s go to the Dome." I walked ahead of them.

My heart pounded violently in my chest.

When we entered the Big Dome of the Luminous Clan, we were met with silence. At the front of the chamber were men on their knees, hoods covering their heads.

“That’s an act of treason, and the rightful punishment… is death,” Lord Omino declared, gripping a sharp sword. “Any last words?”

“They’re traitors…” Nigel muttered.

I scanned the room. Everyone was here—all the leaders—but one person was missing.

Brix.

I couldn’t find him in the sea of troops.

"I-I have a question..." one of the kneeling men suddenly said.

That caught everyone’s attention.

"Speak," Lord Omino ordered.

"I-Is it true? Was Lord Bueno planning to sell us out?"

A ripple of murmurs followed. The crowd grew uneasy, visibly curious about the answer.

"Is it true our leader betrayed us?"

Lord Omino didn’t flinch. "It’s true."

The kneeling man bowed his head.

"I see. Thank you for answering my first and last question, Milord..."

"Don’t look," Erikson whispered to me.

But I didn’t listen.

I watched as Lord Omino raised his sword—only to pause when a man entered the room.

The soldiers made way for Brix as he stepped forward.

"Milord..." Lord Omino bowed and handed him the sword.

"Shit. Don’t look, Astra—"

Too late.

In a single motion, Brix beheaded the kneeling men. Blood spilled across the floor. A gasp echoed, followed by suffocating silence.

I stared at Brixton.

There was no emotion in his eyes—nothing in his presence. It was as if I were staring into a void.

The metallic clang of the bloodied sword crashing onto the cement shattered the silence. Brix looked around, then walked up to the highest platform.

"Why did you summon us, S?" Lord Vienzara asked.

My breath caught when Nath appeared in front of Brix, pressing her sword against his neck.

But Brix didn’t flinch.

"Stop right now," Nath commanded, showing remarkable courage. "This ends here, Brix."

"Nath, stop!" Lord Oscar shouted as he entered.

"Don’t come any closer, Oscar!" Lady Nath yelled.

"Drop your sword, Nathalia," Oscar said firmly.

"I’ll drop it if Brix drops his plans."

Brix smirked, then let out a dry laugh.

"Your threats are loud, my sister. But my words—and my plans—are unbreakable." He stepped forward, making her blade press deeper into his neck.

Lady Nath's face crumpled.

"W-Why?" she asked, voice trembling. "Why can’t you just live in peace? You've fought all your life. Why more?"

"You’re right," Brix nodded. "I’ve fought all my life—for this moment."

He snatched her sword, snapped it in half, and tossed it aside. His eyes locked with hers.

"Step aside..."

"Y-You’re becoming just like our father—"

"That’s insulting, considering... you don’t even know my plans." Brix’s jaw clenched.

"Then tell us—what is your plan?"

I wiped away a tear.

"A kingdom for the abandoned..." he whispered.

Brix stood tall and scanned the room. His fists clenched.

"I will build a kingdom for those who were cast out," he declared. "In this kingdom, every insurgent will be given a chance to prove themselves."

Lord Vienzara stood from his seat. "Insurgents are traitors. How can you trust them?"

"To give them a chance to prove their worth. You see, Milords," Brix said, walking toward the leaders, "not everyone who was exiled was truly guilty. Most of them simply couldn't defend themselves. In this kingdom, they will earn their justice. Either they survive and return to their clans... or die trying."

"Is that why you need our help?" Lord Sentero asked. "That’s too shallow to call a kingdom. A kingdom is more than that. It’s a civilization."

Brix’s jaw tensed. "Am I finished speaking?"

He turned to me, and just for a second, our eyes met.

It was a signal.

"I am against the rules..." Brix continued.

Lady Grenda laughed, drawing attention. She stepped forward. "Of course you are. You’ve broken so many already."

"You’re not wrong, Milady," Brix said, smiling faintly. "I can’t undo my past mistakes... so I decided to—"

He paused.

Something was coming.

"—change the rules."

Silence descended.

Lady Grenda burst into laughter. "That’s hilarious! You got me there, S!"

But this wasn’t a joke.

Lord Hezuera stood. "The Hezueras are with you, S."

Lady Grenda’s laughter abruptly stopped.

The room buzzed with tension. Many were clearly against Brix’s plan.

"Changing the rules?" Erikson whispered beside me. "What rules exactly?"

And then, it hit me.

"What rule exactly, S?" Lord Vienzara asked.

"The pregnancy prohibition," Brix answered.

"Holy shit," Erikson cursed. "No. No, no."

"That’s insane!" Lady Grenda raised her voice. "You’ve lost your mind, Brixton. Do you know what you’re saying? You’re threatening the foundation of our entire world!"

"The vampire population is declining. We’re on the verge of extinction. If we keep this law, we’ll die out."

"Enough with this nonsense!" Lord Sentero bellowed. "I’m done here."

He was about to leave when a guard pointed a sword at his throat. The Sentero clan immediately drew their weapons in defense.

"Do you think I’m asking for permission?" Brix said coldly.

"Lower your weapon! Do you realize what you’re doing?" Lord Sentero growled at the guard. "You're pointing a sword at a clan leader—this is treason!"

But the guard did not move.