Yurian had texted her in detail about the tragedy that had befallen Fritez City.

[At least 700 lives were lost, including innocent citizens of the city, vampire guards of Xiran, police officers, special forces and Carios. While Rivan had been hospitalised and Irlana had been taken back by his father.]

Reading his message, Aselia’s ever-steady hands trembled and her phone dropped. Her first thoughts went to Frila; how happy she was two days ago telling her about her upcoming wedding.

A whimper escaped Aselia as tears cascaded down her cheeks.

A lump had formed in her throat and she found it difficult to breathe. Carios’s face flashed in her mind and all the memories she had of him came rushing to her.

The day he sparred with her, how he was always afraid of incurring Xiran’s wrath and was forever asking her to not disturb him, the way he had threatened her because he cared so deeply for his Sire.

Then her mind wandered to Xiran and she hiccuped, how broken he must have been feeling. His most trusted subordinate whom he had raised was gone and his best friend was hospitalised. She should have been there for him, to console him, to take him in her arms and hold him to her. He needed her and yet here she was sitting thousands of miles away.

With a heaving heart, she instantly called Xiran but he still didn’t pick up. She left him a message to call her whenever he could. Then she went on to call Frila but her phone was still switched off.

Aselia texted Rivan after that, she knew he must still be in the hospital and probably resting so she didn’t want to disturb him. So she left him the following message:

[Hey! How are you feeling Rivan? I am so sorry to hear about what transpired there. Let me know if there is anything I can do. Please take care of yourself. Hoping for your speedy recovery.]

She then placed her phone aside and picked up Rony from his basket to snuggle with him. Her sturdy frame shook as she whimpered on the pillow while hugging Rony close to her.

Rony woke up from her crying and raising its tiny head, began to lick her tears. "Thanks, Rony!" Aselia snivelled and patted his head.

She had never felt so useless as she felt today. All of the energy seemed to have been sucked out of her body so she just curled up in bed and lay there with her dog. Hoping Xiran would be able to talk to her soon and she would be able to comfort his aching heart.

Knowing how big a softie he was for the people he loved, Aselia was sure he would be undergoing indescribable pain. Absolute hatred for his father surmounted to a whole new level in her heart. And all she could promise herself was, one day she will break his vicious cycle of evil.

-------------------

Phantom and Xifin had returned from Fritez City. Phantom was pissed, to say the least, not only had he lost more than half of the army he had created, but he also couldn’t get hold of the elven girl. His plan to capture and torture her in front of his son to darken his heart and make him lose the goodness he held, also failed.

This left a bitter taste in his mouth, he couldn’t believe he had missed that his son had finally bonded with someone. This was a moment he had been planning and eagerly anticipating for quite some time.

Ever since he knew what happened between him and his wife and how her species so strongly bonded for only once, he knew any of their kids who would inherit her attributes will do the same. But Xiran always kept a carefree attitude in matters of love, making him wonder if he had inherited that trait from her.

For Phantom wanted to weaponise that trait to his advantage, the loss of that bond will forever corrupt Xiran’s heart, driving him to the edge of insanity. Only then he might be able to unleash the true potential of his power.

Xifin was able to extract that human girl and she might carry the information he desired. She was seated on a chair in front of him as he observed her with keen interest and asked:

"So you used to be with my son; Xiran."

Treia seemed a bit taken aback and tensed to be taken from prison and land somewhere else.

"I don’t remember, my memories are all jumbled up especially a huge chunk of my memories from the last four years is missing," she confided to the blue-eyed vampire who sat across her. Humans were similar to useful vermins for him. They had the potential to be turned into vampires whenever he needed and of course, they were the primary blood source. Besides one day when he will rule them all, they will be his prime subjects.

"Smart boy seems like he wiped your memories clean. Let’s refresh her memories," he told Dr Guwiskle who nodded and left.

Treia seemed perplexed. "Who are you people and what do you plan to do with me?" she asked apprehensively.

"Your former employee wiped your memories, we are just about to return them to you so you can remember everything, especially the fact that what a prick he has been," Phantom snickered at her, enjoying her bewildered reactions. If everything went according to his plans, he will soon have a weapon to use against Xiran, a weapon his clueless son had created on his own.

Soon the serum was brought and Treia was tied to the chair she was sitting on. She peeked at the syringe with wide eyes and shivered.

"Don’t worry, it will just sting a bit," Phantom spoke calmly and indicated to the doctor to proceed. He plunged the syringe into her neck. Instantly she began to convulse and scream. This continued for 15 minutes as excruciating pain travelled through her brain and her memories were restored. Phantom and Guwiskle intently observed her.

Once the pain subsided and her screams stopped, her lips pulled up in a smile and she said:

"I remember everything."