Chapter 216: Puppeteer's Plans
The Necromancer whistled to himself as he made his way to the old apartment. He stopped outside to admire the crumbling exterior.
"No one would know that there's a vampire in the basement, would they?" He asked Bella. "And if they suspect, they'll doubt themselves because which self respecting vampire would choose to live here?"
"Reverse reverse psychology." He tapped himself in the temples. "Smart."
With a final nod, he entered the building, trailed by Z and Bella. He moved towards the basement apartment, having scouted the place earlier in the day with his human minions.
That was one of the perks of having a human minion. They could move around under the light of the sun. He chuckled to himself. If the authorities ever gather evidence of him controlling humans, it was a confirmed death sentence.
Everyone knew that controlling humans could be considered as a breach of the Law of Secrecy, in the same vein as drinking from humans.
He walked down the stairs, signaling to his minions that from here on out, it was silence. He knew that he didn't need to as he could mentally control them but what was the fun in that?
As they approached the door leading to the basement apartment, a wicked grin played across his face.
"Remember, guys. The element of surprise is on our side." He whispered, though the statement was more for his own amusement than any real instruction to his minions. They were always ready, always eager to serve.
He raised three fingers and began pumping vitality into them through their connection. As he dropped a finger, Z came alive, intelligence shining in his eyes. As he dropped the second finger, Bella blinked, stretching a hand over the lock which clicked open.
As he dropped the final finger, the Necromancer opened the door and the trio surged forward. Z and Bella deployed their Aura, the energy pressing down on the apartment like a heavy blanket.
At the same time, they deployed their black zone, the darkness coalescing into a dark, oppressive box around them.
X, who had been lounging on a chair surged to his feet in an instant, caught off guard. Before he could react further, Z was in front of him. X's eyes widened as red chains sprang from Z's hands, wrapping around him with unyielding strength.
In an instant, he was kneeling on the floor, the chains holding him down and Z standing behind him.
The Necromancer strolled leisurely into the room, his eyes sweeping over the unexpectedly luxurious apartment. "Wow. This is quite the hideout." He praised. "Fully furnished, a wall length television and is that a massage chair?"
X struggled against the chains, his muscles straining and fire whooshing into being around his body. Z touched the chains, a part of it sinking into his skin to become glowing red tattoos.
The minion leaned forward to speak in X's ear. "You're me and I'm you, dipshit. You know what these chains can do. I'll advise you to not move."
X froze before sighing,the fight draining from out of him.
The Necromancer stepped around the room, as if he were merely a guest admiring the decor of a particularly interesting museum. "Such effort you've put into hiding, only to be found so easily." He taunted. "Don't you think it's stupid to use the same safe houses you used when Griffin was alive? All I had to do was ask Z. You guys have the same memory."
"Fuck you, clown." X spat.
"Sorry, but I'm not into that." The Necromancer smirked. "Bella. Your turn."
"I'll enjoy this." Bella grinned as she stepped close, placing a cold hand on X's head. X screamed, a guttural sound of agony, as he felt his vitality being pulled out of him.
The Necromancer watched, a giggle escaping his lips, transforming quickly into a full-blown laugh.
"Yes!" He exclaimed, clapping his hands in mock applause as he observed the torment of his captive. "Oh, how delightful!"
Eventually, X's struggles weakened, his screams turning into moans of pain. Bella stepped away, breathing deeply as her skin glowed a faint blue.
The Necromancer moved to a plush couch set against the wall, sinking into it as if it was a throne. With a smug look, he said. "Ezra Matten is not the only one capable of stealing vitality, you know. But oh, how much sweeter it is when I do it. Can't wait to see the look on his face when I release that."
X, now slumped and bleeding from his nose, lifted his head weakly. "What do you want from me?" he gasped. "Fashion advice? Sorry but I can't help you there."
"Still trying to mouth off?" The Necromancer's laughter filled the room again, this time cold with not a hint of amusement. "Don't worry. What I want, dear X, is the face of someone that Ezra trusts."
X managed a bloody smirk. "You're a fool if you think Ezra trusts me." He retorted, the blood on his nose drying and flaking off.
The Necromancer stood, his expression suddenly serious as he crouched to meet X at eye level. "It doesn't matter. He trusts you enough to let you come within striking distance. And that... is all I need."
"I have to ask. For narrative purposes obviously. Why are you so fixated on Ezra?" X asked, his curiosity piqued despite his deteriorating state.
"Isn't it obvious?" The Necromancer whispered. "I want a prince of my own."
X stared. "Eww."
"No. Not like that. I meant that I want a prince as one of my minions." The Necromancer backpedaled.
"Sure you did." X chuckled.
"You don't understand." The Necromancer lowered his voice. "Having served a prince once, I know just how powerful they can get. Imagine a prince under my control. Do you know what I could achieve?"
"My minions can climb the rings like normal vampires. With Ezra Matten, I can finally stand alongside the likes of the elders, Prince Arthur and Prince Caspian. What more could a vampire desire?"
He stood, chuckling darkly. "And now that I've revealed my grand, evil plan like a cartoon villain," he continued in a theatrical tone, "I suppose I'll have to kill you."
With a swift, merciless motion, the Necromancer plunged his hand into X's chest. X gasped, his eyes wide with shock and pain, as his heart was wrenched from his body.
"F- Fuck you." He whispered before the light in his eyes faded and he slumped forward, lifeless.
The Necromancer let the heart drop to the floor with a wet thud, stepping back to admire his work. "One step closer," he murmured. "One step closer to the throne."