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The young duke tapped his finger on his chair. His hulking barbarian was announced as the winner of the scuffle but Donor’s attention was focused somewhere else.

The man in black. The murderer of his cousin. The strange magic. Was that him? Does he have the power to disappear after death? He had heard the reports of three of the masked men roaming about. I had figured they were folklore. Stories used to try to intimidate the Bones. Three or ten. The Hood can't match the Duke.

But his cousin.

He sat back, reminiscing about sparring with his stubborn but honourable family member. Like an older brother, he guided William Danor through the stance of the ‘way of the snake’—hours of practice and many more locking practice swords. William’s favourite memory was the first hit on Alfred after over 500 battles. Alfred looked proud and full of happiness. He must have used that strange magic. There is no other way he would lose.

Why did I send him with Toren? Why…

“Frederick!” The servant ran to The Duke at the summons.

“Has our VIP entered yet?” Danor ask. The servant shakes his head.

The duke’s impatience grows almost to a point of return. He breathed in and out in a weak attempt to control his anger and nervousness.

“I have done as he asked at great sacrifice to my reputation with the citizens. He better come with the Calm-”

Noise by the entrance of the Box seats. Duke turned on his seat.

“What is the commotion, guards?”

A man with a shrewd smile stares at Danor. His wavy short black and grey hair is unmistakable.

“Sorry, your Grace.” said one of the Guards. “This man says he has a meeting with you. Swears to ‘God’. We will remove this madman-”

“Let him in.”

The guards stunned, looked at each and the Duke.”

“LET HIM IN.” The guards quickly step aside. The smiling man sauntered through, confidence abounds. His cheaply tailored suits and trousers would have made it obvious that he was not meant for such a place as the auction. He must have had an in. A traitor.

The Duke stands up from his seat. His armour jingles. He was always a cautious man and with the Hood out there, it's better to be careful.

“Everyone, GET OUT!” The servants, guards and fellow nobles leave the box seating area.

“You would do that for me? Wow! I feel truly honoured.”

“Saint Issac. Nice of you to visit. What is the reason for stopping by?” William fights the nervousness in his voice.

“Oh, the same as everyone else. To spectate.” The priest's smile is inviting and dangerous.

“What are you here for old man? Go, find your demons somewhere else. You have no jurisdiction here!”

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The priest puts his eyebrow up. “You sure?” The crowd erupts. “Oh look! Your slave auction is starting soon.”

Mr Montgonery closed and locked the door with a padlock. Marina is encircled by the greasy old men. Like a cat playing with a mouse before swallowing it whole.

“Alan, this brings back some many memories. Remember the brown-haired girl by Ashton Lane?

The viscount giggles “Oh she was fun. Liked to move around a lot. But I like the struggle. Vanessa, will you struggle? This my first with a Noble girl.”

“It's ok Vanessa, just one night.” Mr Montgomery pretends to grab at her. “ and you will be sent along with the other slaves. We will get a pretty penny for you, so we won't harm you too much.” Their horrifying laughter echoes throughout the room.

Marina sighed, her hands on her hips.

“It's so cold here. Mind if I warm the room up while we get busy?” The old men stared at each other confused.

Marina lifted her gloved right hand. She tuned into Ignis. A ball of flame lights up the dungeon. The gaudy bed, blooded-painted walls and ropes were revealed by the fire.

The men sprint for the door. Montgomery takes out a key till they are blocked by a wall of blue. Marina looked at their frightened faces with glee.

“Why run? I thought you liked the struggle.”

“Calm down. Foreigner. The Madam just wants to have a little fun and it will be over.” Helio said. Drac struggles with his head covered and restrained by two guards. Helio leans into Drac.

“She will never replace me with you, dirt skin.”

Racist and jealous. Strange man.

Drac brought his head back. With aura, he broke Helio’s beautiful nose, knocking the servant unconscious. The guards shocked, loosened the hold. Drac twisted his right arm off a guard. With aura, he hammer punches the man's chest. He fell coughing. Drac formed a Knife out of Murus. He twisted around and locked the other guard’s arm. The knife made of blue light jabbed straight into the man's throat.

The madam looked at the carnage, frozen in fear. Drac removed the smelly bag obstructing his vision. A guard is stabbed in the head and she shows no emotion. However, she flinched when her favourite manservant was stabbed in the chest. Drac walked over the blood-soaked carpet to the teary-eyed Noblewoman. As she was about to scream, Drac blinked to the old woman’s side. A mouth covered and several stabs to the stomach ends everything.

Let's see how Marina’s holding up.

I hope she left the viscount alive.

Ropes of Blue light are tied around the old men. They sat on the floor, mouths gagged, their arms behind the back. Marina sat on the bed legs wide in her dress. She bends down, playing with the flames in her hand.

“I wonder. How many women have you brought down here.”

The men look down nervously.

She pulls the blue rope tight. Their eye widen in pain. Their groans are muffled and pleasing to her ears.

“Don’t you lot like it this tight? You were so sure the girls did.” Marina relaxed the blue rope.

“Luckily for you, I am not the kind to get my rocks off on torturing. And I have a time limit. I better stick to Drac’s plan.” Marina stood from the bed and walked fire in hand to Montgomery. She releases the rope for his mouth.

“Please spare us!! Money!? Jewels!? You can have it all!! Is it your House, The Rigens!? Want help!? Want to be promoted!? I am just a businessman but my friend here is a Viscount! He will give you what you need, Vanessa!!!

Marina giggles. “You still believe that Country Noble stuff? I guess your cock did most of the thinking for you.”

A knock on the door.

Marina put her hand on the padlock and softened it to a glowing sludge. Drac opens the door, unarmed.

“Phew! They are not dead yet.”

Montgomery looked outside the door for the guards. Only to see his wife lying in her blood. He screamed like a harpy. Tear run with snot. Drac covers his ears.

“I hope you used Silentium, Marina.”

“If you keep underestimating my intelligence, I might think you hate women.” She muffled his mouth again for the sake of their own ears.

Drac stretched. He formed a blue knife and walked to the terrified Viscount. “Kill the creep. We just need the viscount.

Marina aimed her flame at the crying geezer. “By the way, my name’s Marina. ” Mr Montgomery was cremated alive.