"A what?" Arlette asked.

Alexia let out a bit of an exasperated sigh as she followed Gareth, who led the way down the Hall. Arlette followed right after, her expression still puzzled.

"Yes, it’s very strange," Alexia said, "And it hasn’t been happening with other Noble houses in the Capital. Just with us— Just with Caius."

"But it’s ridiculous," Arlette said.

"I agree," Alexia muttered with a deep frown.

"You should object," Arlette went on to say.

Alexia paused then, and Arlette stopped as well. Gareth ahead knew to stop walking as well, even though he kept looking ahead and gave no indication that he was listening to the conversation.

"It’s not so simple. To object is to act like we have something to hide. And we don’t. Really, an inquisition is really very slight compared to what the Task Force is doing behind the scenes.

Caius is a Von Helsing; he should have the easiest time assuaging doubt and suspicion," Alexia said.

Arlette frowned but said nothing. After all, what could she say to that? Reveal that Caius did have something to hide from an inquisition, and it shouldn’t be allowed to proceed?

Alexia started walking again, and Gareth, ahead of her, did as well to keep leading the way.

"That said, I would have liked to speak to Caius before the Task Force got to him," Alexia said with a frown,

"I have enough reason to believe they are not being forthright with their investigations. Another three Noble houses have fallen in the past two weeks— and yet again, there wasn’t a single Vampire helping their fight despite ’evidence’ suggesting they’ve been consorting with them.

Even if Caius has nothing to fear, I don’t trust Leonce Duval."

It was fitting that those last two words were the ones Alexia said as she turned into the welcoming lounge, where the members of the Task Force were waiting. There they stood in their darker colored uniforms, and with them was none other than Leonce Duval himself.

"Good day to you, Lady Von Helsing," Leonce said with a smile and a little bow.

Alexia’s frown got even deeper.

"Good day to you, I guess. So, you got tired of sending your cronies and decided to come yourself?" She asked.

"Almost accurate," Leonce said,

"We still wish to have a talk with Young Caius before he goes off to Lochxen..."

"Well, he’s still not available," Alexia said.

"Lochxen resumes today," Leonce pointed out.

"It does, yes," Alexia answered.

Leonce tilted his head like he was waiting for Alexia to complete her sentence, but when it became clear that she wasn’t going to, he let out a little laugh. It was dry and without any actual mirth.

"I see," he said, and then waved his hand, "Well, that is not why I am here. I am here for you, Lady Von Helsing."

"You want me for an inquisition?" Alexia asked in a tone like the very notion was ridiculous.

"No, no," Leonce said with another dry laugh, and then he became somber,

"I have heard much of what you did against the Vampiric infestation a month ago. About how you led the Von Helsing Hellsingers against the threat.

I also heard that you had help..."

Leonce trailed off here. Arlette’s eyes were narrowed, but she said nothing. Leonce hadn’t acknowledged her presence even in greeting, and she, quite frankly, preferred that. She preferred to just watch the conversation rather than participate. Already, she felt she could see where Leonce was heading.

"What? You want to persecute us for fighting by the side of Vampires. Vampires that, mind you, we didn’t know before that day?" Alexia asked.

"No, no," Leonce said and raised his hands, "We don’t persecute for such frivolous causes."

Alexia couldn’t help but snort at that.

"Could have fooled me," she added, clear for all to hear.

"Yes," Leonce said slowly,

"I knew you would struggle with that truth. I am aware, Lady Von Helsing, of your sleuthing all about the capital. I know the questions you have asked— many of which have questioned my integrity and that of the Task Force."

Alexia didn’t look abashed. She would have preferred not to have had her intentions and her ’secret’ investigations so easily thrown in her face, but she felt no worry.

"What of it?" She asked with a little sneer.

"I commend you. You don’t take things at face value. You seek truth— That is a commendable quality in anyone," Leonce said.

"Really?" Alexia asked sarcastically.

"Of course," Leonce answered easily, "Why, did you think I would be against it? I have nothing to hide, so why would I act like it?

I will not deny that I—and by extension, the Task Force—persecute due to grievances, but they are not at all personal. I persecute for a shared grievance with the rest of the Capital. Including you, Lady Von Helsing.

You have only been here a month or so, but you have become very involved with our infestation problem. You must understand why the guilty need to be punished and why the monsters need to be purged from our midst."

"Yes, the guilty. And the monsters. Not thousands of innocents," Alexia retorted.

"There are no innocents," Leonce repeated what he had said at the function three weeks ago, and it made Alexia all the more angry, but she said nothing as Leonce continued,

"When those vampiric allies came to your aid, did you not think what such a large number of those monsters within the Capital meant for its safety?

Just imagine that that wasn’t even their entire horde. Imagine just how many more of them there are."

"How do you know they live in the Capital?" Alexia asked.

"So what, they were only visiting and just happened to choose to battle in the Capital, leading to the death and turning of many innocent denizens?" Leonce asked, and it was his turn to use a tone that suggested such a notion was ridiculous.

Leonce let a moment pass with his eyes boring into Alexia’s before he continued,

"You and I both know those vampires reside in the Capital. I just happen to know that they have been here for centuries, growing their numbers.

It is a conspiracy involving many Noble families who seek to secure their legacies in decadent eternity. Families who have l long given up on the lofty goal of true Ascension and are ready to descend into that horrid existence as parasitic monsters."

"A conspiracy theory," Alexia laughed, "Really? That’s what you’ve come up with?"

"Give it some serious thought, and you’ll know it’s true," Leonce said calmly,

"Or else... That uneasy and forced alliance hasn’t softened you on the dangers these monsters pose, has it?"

"Don’t be ridiculous," Alexia snarled at him.

"Good," Leonce nodded,

"It is vital that, even if you disagree with my methods, you understand why they are important.

Thousands of Vampires roam the Capital and they have even more human allies helping them evade capture. We cannot afford to be lenient. We must strike hard, and we must strike fast."

"And why did you deem it necessary to tell me this?" Alexia asked.

"Because you and I are on the same side. Don’t waste your time investigating me for grievances and motives that don’t exist, and let us help one another.

Together, we can rid the Capital of the Vampire infestation that has sunk its claws deep into our nobility. And that is only the beginning. The entirety of the Capital needs to be cleansed, and we can do it... together."

A moment of silence passed.

"Wow," Alexia said, looking like she was barely holding back laughter,

"Great pitch, but I don’t work with those who slaughter innocents."

"There are no..." Leonce started.

"Innocents," Alexia completed for him with a snort, "Yeah, keep saying it. Maybe that’ll make it true.

And you’re wrong about me not finding anything, though I suppose it barely counts as a result of my investigations; Anyone with eyes can see your hate isn’t for vampires but rather Nobles.

There’s also the fact that you’re a thief, but that’s a lot more pending."

Leonce shook his head.

"You are shortsighted, I understand. When you are truly prepared to find and eradicate the Gold-black Vampires, you know how to find us. I expect it won’t be long."

Leonce stood up then.

"When Young Caius is available, do let him know we have questions for him. It’s of the utmost importance.

We’ll speak again, Lady Von Helsing. I expect it will be soon."

Leonce Duval walked out of the lounge then, his entourage of militants with him, and soon, their carriages were pulling out of the Von Helsing Estate and on their way out of the territory.

"He called them Gold-black vampires," Alexia said in a musing tone.

"So?" Arlette asked.

"That’s a moniker I chose because of their attire. Interesting to hear another person use it. Especially since he wasn’t there," Alexia said.

"News could have spread, My Lady," Gareth said shiftily.

Alexia understood why he was behaving like that. If the news spread, it was because the Hellsingers—the only witnesses to have seen the Gold-black Vampires—hadn’t been able to keep their lips sealed.

Alexia wasn’t upset. It wasn’t some secretive thing, and she hadn’t ordered them not to speak of it. Still, she just couldn’t help but see it as interesting.