Chapter 17
The little boy trembled, his fingers tightening around the stolen purse as if his life depended on it. He wouldn't let go.
Was he that desperate for money?
Before Seraphina could demand an answer, one of the thugs let out a low chuckle.
"If the boy won't return it, why don't you pay us with your body instead, little miss?"
The words sliced through the air, thick with the stench of arrogance. The thug grinned, revealing yellowed, rotting teeth. His companions laughed, the sound grating against her ears.
Seraphina slowly turned, her gaze locking onto the man who had spoken.
"What did you just say?"
Her voice was quiet, eerily so, laced with a lethal edge. She had been looking for a reason—any reason—to kill these men. And now, they had given her one. A perfect, justifiable reason.
The thug, oblivious to the grave mistake he had made, smirked wider. "I said—"
He never got to finish.
In a blink, his body collapsed onto the ground with a sickening thud. His eyes bulged with shock, his mouth parted in a silent scream. Blood gushed from the deep wound in his throat, pooling beneath his limp form.
He was dead before his brain could process what had happened.
The remaining thugs froze, eyes darting between their fallen comrade and Seraphina, their faces painted with terror. None of them had seen her move. One second, she had been standing there—calm, still. The next, their friend was lying in a puddle of his own blood.
Seraphina cocked her head, a slow smirk curving her lips as she took a step toward them. Her violet eyes gleamed, glowing faintly under the dim light of the alleyway.
"You want my body too?"
Her voice dripped with amusement, but her gaze held a silent promise of death.
Panic surged through the thugs as realization finally hit.
She wasn't normal.
She wasn't someone they should have messed with.
Without a second thought, they turned and bolted, their footsteps echoing down the alley as they abandoned their fallen friend without hesitation.
Cowards.
Seraphina exhaled, shaking her head. Pathetic.
The street had gone eerily silent. Passersby had stopped to stare, their eyes wide with fear. No one dared to approach her.
They knew better.
Ignoring them, Seraphina turned her attention back to the boy—
But he was gone.
Of course. He must have seen what she did and run off in fear. Not that she could blame him.
With a sigh, she dusted off her clothes and walked away, blending into the bustling crowd as if nothing had happened.
---
It didn't take long before she reached her destination—a familiar tavern nestled between two older buildings. The scent of roasted meat and cheap ale filled the air.
Inside, an elderly woman moved swiftly, serving customers with practiced ease. Seraphina didn't hesitate. She found an empty table and waved lazily.
"Imelda, two bottles of the usual."
The woman turned, her tired face lighting up in an instant. "Oh my goodness, Sera, you came!"
She hurriedly handed a tray to her daughter before rushing toward Seraphina, beaming with joy. "Mae, take care of the customers. Aunt Sera came to visit. I'll be right back!"
Moments later, she returned with two bottles of fire fruit wine, placing them on the table with a grin.
"It's been too long," she said, pouring a cup and handing it over. "I thought you retired from your job."
Seraphina accepted the drink with a small smile. It had been years, but Imelda still treated her like family.
She had saved Imelda as a child, back when the woman was just a helpless little girl living in the vampire kingdom. Even now, after all these years, Imelda still saw her as a savior.
Seraphina had stayed at this very tavern countless times whenever she was on a mission in the vampire kingdom. Imelda always welcomed her, never asking for anything in return.
"I'm actually off duty for now," Seraphina said, swirling the wine in her cup. "You must have heard about the wedding yesterday—between the vampire king and the witch princess."
Imelda's eyes widened slightly before she nodded. "Yes. That must mean your clan and the vampires have finally called a truce. No wonder I haven't seen you in a while."
Seraphina chuckled, leaning closer. "Well, actually… I'm the bride."
She took a sip of her wine as she watched the woman's reaction.
Imelda nearly dropped the bottle she was holding. Her eyes went round with shock. "Are you saying… you're a princess?"
Seraphina smirked but said nothing, simply giving a slow nod.
She had never revealed her identity before—not in all the years they had known each other.
Imelda took a moment to process the information before setting the bottle down with a heavy sigh. "I should have known you weren't just some wandering assassin."
Seraphina chuckled but didn't respond. She leaned in, lowering her voice. "I need a favor from you."
The lighthearted atmosphere shifted in an instant. Imelda's expression grew serious, her body tensing slightly as she listened.
"I need that thing," Seraphina said, voice barely above a whisper. "I can't complete this mission without it."
Imelda's brows furrowed. "Another mission?"
Seraphina nodded and explained everything—the real reason behind the marriage, the revenge they had planned, the end goal that had yet to be achieved.
By the time she finished, Imelda's face was etched with worry. "You know it takes a toll on your body. Are you really willing to take that risk?"
Seraphina's grip tightened around her cup. "I have no choice."
She needed to end this as soon as possible. The longer she remained in the vampire kingdom, the more dangerous things became.
And if this method worked, not only would Rhydian be dead, but she would also be the least suspected.
A poisonous kiss.
A simple, undetectable method.
It was the best option she had.
Imelda studied her face for a long moment before sighing. "Alright. But you must take the antidote beforehand. I mean it."
Seraphina gave a small nod. "I know."
The poison they were talking about wasn't just any ordinary toxin. It was a lethal lip balm—an incredibly rare, nearly undetectable poison.
She had used it once before. Back then, she hadn't been as skilled as she was now, but even then, the effects had been devastating.
But Rhydian…
He wasn't just any opponent.
He was stronger than anyone she had faced before.
She could feel it whenever she was near him—the sheer raw power that radiated from him. He wasn't just a vampire king. He was something far more dangerous.
A man with secrets.
A man who had undergone brutal training, just like she had.
And now, she was going to end him with something as simple as a kiss.
Imelda stood up and disappeared into the back room. Moments later, she returned with a sealed letter, holding it out to Seraphina.
The wax seal was marked with a lotus flower.
"Give this to him," Imelda instructed. "He'll give you what you need after reading it."
Seraphina took the letter, her fingers tracing over the delicate carving on the seal.
Him.
The man known as the greatest venom master of all time.
Dorian Mace.
Imelda's father.