Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 97: A Case Without a Head

The high courthouse stood proud and old. A distant ring could be heard from the tower bell nearby as it echoed over the land.

It was nine in the morning and in one of the corridors, Lucian Slater walked with his boots clicking against the polished floor. He looked refined as ever in his tailored black coat, his dark hair combed back, leaving nothing to distract from the his darkened gaze.

His footsteps finally came to a stop when he reached a pair of heavy oak doors.

"Lucian Slater. Are you here for disciplinary action? I heard you killed a human." It was Minister Maverick Griswold, who wore a sly smile.

"You heard it wrong," Lucian regarded the minister.

"Then you deny it?" Griswold pressed, raising his eyebrows at the denial.

"I meant you got the number wrong. It wasn’t one but twenty-one of them," Lucian replied while he glanced at his watch as if the minister was wasting his time.

"You should be careful," Griswold said with a chuckle. "Seats in this court have a way of remaining occupied. Especially when someone reaches for them too eagerly."

Not a flicker crossed Lucian’s expression. He then remarked,

"Then I suppose it will be rather embarrassing for whoever discovers they have been sitting in it without merit." After a pause, he continued, "But you needn’t concern yourself with my seat, Minister Griswold. I’m far more curious about yours. It seems awfully unstable lately with the missing reports on your investigations and the unfortunate habit you have of losing track of humans under your supervision."

He tilted his head slightly. "I would hate for anyone to think you were... distracted."

Griswold’s smile thinned at once. He murmured, "I didn’t know you took interest in my affairs."

"Hardly. The ministers are like bored housewives who are fond of rumours and remarkably poor at verifying them," Lucian replied with his voice detached.

Before Griswold could form a retort, the heavy oak doors swung open. Minister Gaile stepped out, bowing briefly to the older man out of formality before turning his attention to Lucian.

"It is done," Gaile informed Lucian in a low voice. After a brief hesitation, he added, "There is a small favour I must ask of you. There’s a report filed early this morning, but Woodsen has broken his leg to visit..."

leaving Griswold standing alone with a

at the audacity of the

son does not give you licence to speak to me in such

corridor, another minister who had observed the exchange in silence arrived there in time to catch Griswold mutter and he

Maverick. It is unwise to meddle with the Slaters. Especially the

scoffed. He responded clicking his tongue, "I know better than to lock horns with Lord Azriel. I am not a fool. But his son needs to be reminded

him well, do you?" The other

half this court. He should

remember him as a boy," the other minister replied quietly. "And the higher-ups learned very early not to underestimate him.

dismissive laugh. "He would have learned if someone threw him

I don’t

fear him." Then changing the subject, he asked, "I thought today was

I should head home. My wife insists on being taken to the theatre. See you, Maverick," the man gave a nod before walking

woman he had met at Lord Azriel’s elder son’s celebration. What was her

"Alanna Beckett, was it?"

the courthouse, Lucian Slater’s carriage rolled out of Willowmere, heading toward the town at Minister Gaile’s request on a

finally came to a halt, Lucian stepped down without waiting for the coachman to open the door.

the foul scent carried through the

officer hurried

was discovered?" Lucian did not bother with the pleasantry as he headed

officer cleared his throat, quickly following. He informed, "Yesterday evening, sire. The body has been identified as

out a notice," Lucian finished for him

but..." The officer hesitated. "Given

Flies swarmed lazily above the shallow

find it?" Lucian

are searching for the head," the officer replied quickly. "One of the villagers

beside the body,