CHAPTER 64 Journal

Magnus

New York City

I was seated near the fire in front of the fireplace of my estate, holding a glass of blood, being kept warm by the fire.

My laptop was ringing, signaling a video call. It was the dead of the night which only meant one thing... the Vampire King was calling.

New York City was on lockdown due to the harsh weather. Torrents of snow was falling from the angry sky above keeping most of the humans in their homes where it was warm and safe, leaving the homeless to my disposal.

I hated the scent of vagrant blood. It was malnourished, bitter, acidic, often alcohol and drug-laden... utterly dirty. Healthy blood from the blood banks during winter was a scarcity since even the healthiest of humans would get sick from the harsh weather.

Despite my low supply of healthy humans, I had to wait until spring to replenish my stock. Cargo from Europe and Asia were strictly being monitored. Usually bad weather meant lax security, however, port officials made sure nothing breathing was left in containers, preventing anyone or anything from freezing to death. This caused a problem because this left numerous starving vampires within the East Coast of the United States. Thus, even though the vagabonds disgusted us, we had no choice, but to sip their nasty blood.

Leaving the comforting fire would make the blood in my glass freeze, so I downed the contents of my glass before walking to my laptop. I was already informed by the Perfumer of the events happening in Asia and I was well aware the Vampire King needed my help since Damon, the idiot that he was, was no more.

I have always had a grudge against Damon and the Vampire King. He always favored Damon and his nobility versus mine. The West Coven Stronghold has always been ignored by the Vampire King which has pushed me to do whatever it took to keep my coven afloat. The empire that I had built here in the west was from my hard work.

I eventually realized being ignored by the Vampire King was a blessing rather than a curse. Practically, I ruled independently without the Vampire King breathing down my neck.

Although it was forbidden to speak to the wolves, I found them very helpful. Because of this, there was an unspoken truce between us. Honestly, I valued my relationship with the wolves more than my vampire kin of the East Coven Stronghold.

I wiped my mouth of the remnants of blood on my lips and clicked on the keyboard of my laptop. The Vampire King's face instantly appeared on the screen and judging by the expression on his face, he was furious. I quickly assumed he was angered by Damon's death which made me want to refuse him of my help.

"Eldest Magnus, it seems you are busy," he said, noticing it took me several moments to answer his call. "I hope I am not interrupting." His polite words did not match the anger in his eyes.

"I apologize, my King. I have been overseeing shipment. There is a blizzard happening as we speak and this kind of weather is cause for concern among the members of the West Coven Stronghold, " I replied. He scoffed at me.

"Vampires do not freeze in the cold, Magnus. If it is humans you want, you know where to find them. You do not need to rely on shipment," the Vampire King said, mocking me.

"Whatever the East Coven Stronghold does, my King, I do not allow. It is the West Stronghold's wish to remain anonymous. Especially when the Wolf Enchantress and the golden-eyed wolf are believed to be living among us," I said. The Vampire King smiled sinisterly at me.

"So, I gather you have heard," he said.

"Heard what, my King?" I asked, acting ignorant.

"That Damon is dead and the Enchantress was the one who killed him," he answered.

"So it is true then... The Enchantress lives? As for the Flaming Sword, has it reached the hands of its rightful owner?" I had warned the Vampire King that once the Flaming Sword leaves his protection, it will be gone for good. Of course, he did not listen to me.

"Unfortunately, yes. The Flaming Sword is now in the hands of Alpha Drew Drago, the mate of the Enchantress," he answered.

I paused, surprised. Now this I did not know. The descendant of Huang, one of the most powerful Alphas in the world is the mate of the Enchantress. This just keeps getting better and better.

"What is it you need from me, my King?" I didn't want to get into the middle of this. I loved my immortality and I loved my position. Unlike Damon, who was ambitious and wanted to become King, I was content.

Damon and I were once lords of the Vampire King during the beginning of the famed Cleansing Wars. We were rich, strong and noble and our estates were vast and many. Damon was one of the strongest lords while I, a novice, was one of the weakest.

A beautiful Asian woman with startling blue eyes appeared as a guest at one of Damon's parties. I saw her as a ill omen. I tried to shoo her away, but she just smiled at me and casually walked outside onto the terrace, basking under the moonlight, her blue eyes glowing like sapphires. When Damon caught sight of her from his dance hall, he fell head over heels in love with her. He dashed outside to where she stood, but she had disappeared. The lovestruck Damon searched for her, following her scent, but she eluded him.

Not long after, one by one, vampires went missing. At first, we had believed the vampires to be traitors who had decided to leave their covens and start anew. However, one evening, while I hosted a masquerade ball to usher in the autumn season at my estate, a blue light filled the courtyard and with it, ash blew.

I was the weakest of the lords and the first to be hit. I watched in horror as the blue flame turned my coven members into dust, including my two wives who I had loved with all my heart.

There was nothing I could do, but flee. As I took my last look at my beloved castle which I had called home, I saw her, the Asian woman with blue eyes, standing beside a Chinese man belonging to the Imperial family wielding a sword of blue flame in his hands.

I took refuge at another lord's castle near Damon's estate. It was then I learned that the woman was a she-wolf called the Enchantress and she was called upon by the Moon Goddess and the Virgin Maiden Aludra to exterminate all vampires.

When time came and the Enchantress found her way to where I was again, we called on Damon to help us. He came to our aid and negotiated with her. We watched desperately, noticing the silver dagger in his hands. All he needed to do was stab her heart with dagger, yet he did not. Instead, he fled, leaving us at the mercy of the blue flame. That night, ash filled the air and the Enchantress was triumphant once again.

I sought audience with the Vampire King, wanting to tell him of the treachery of Damon, however I was ignored. I decided to hide. I crossed the border and entered India, pretending to be a British man. Since tea was a popular commodity, I produced commercial tea and exported it to Britain which provided me a comfortable lifestyle while my brothers and sisters faced death.

When news arrived of the Enchantress' defeat and Huang's death, I returned. I searched for her and found her in a small village, pregnant, but without her blue eyes and powers.

She gave birth to a boy. I, then, concocted a plan to kill her son as revenge for killing my wives. I patiently waited for her mate to leave their tiny house before entering. When I entered their room, I was shocked to see her dangling from the ceiling while her son cried in his crib.

As I gazed down at her son, I saw her ring on top of a written note and her journal. I took the items and quickly left, letting her son live. Her tragic death by her own hands was enough for me.

"Do you have coven members in Asia? I need them to be part of my army. I will be waging war against Drago and the Enchantress. Send them to China immediately," the Vampire King answered. I sighed.

"Yes, my King. I will inform them of your commands," I answered.

"Very well. Tell them to make their way to the East Coven Stronghold. Eldest Albert Guillaume will be waiting for them at the estate."

Ah, the Duke was now the Eldest. Our plans were working. I smiled at the Vampire King, knowing this may be the last time I ever see him.

"I pray to Maacah for your success, my King."