Overlord of the Four Powers

Chapter 9: Tension Rising

Alkan opened the door, and two male vampires stood before him. He raised an eyebrow upon seeing them.

"Do you need something?" he asked.

The vampire on the left spoke. "The king is summoning you. The king of the witches is here."

Alkan froze at the statement. After a few seconds, he glanced behind him, where he saw Ambong with a dark expression.

There was nothing Alkan could do but follow the two men. Ambong walked beside him, silent all the while. He kept his head down, staring only at the path ahead.

It wasn’t long before they reached the vampire king’s throne room. And the two men were right—there, seated on a step just below the throne of the vampire king, was Surikong.

Surikong looked in Alkan’s direction, and their gazes met. A smile formed on his lips.

"Alkan Buena," he greeted.

It felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped on Alkan. A chill ran from his head to his toes, and cold sweat formed on his skin. He knew Surikong was involved in the strange events that had plagued the town of San Roque in the past—and now, once again. And he knew that Surikong held great power.

Fortunately, Surikong shifted his gaze away from him and looked at Ambong, who stood beside him.

"You’ve been away from San Roque for years. Why have you only returned now?" His tone was inquisitive, probing.

Ambong’s face soured, and he averted his gaze. "That’s none of your business," he replied, his brow furrowed.

Surikong didn’t press further and turned back to the vampire king.

"I've come to take the prince," he said.

The king’s brows knitted together, and he looked at Alkan.

"You mean to take him as well?" he asked Surikong.

Silence filled the room.

Alkan felt as if he were standing on a tightrope, flames raging below him. He didn’t know which was the better choice—remaining with the vampires or going with the witches.

Neither of these two factions could be trusted.

Surikong chuckled.

"I know that boy," he said. "He will come with us, along with the prince."

Disgust flickered across the vampire king’s face, but he had no choice but to agree. The vampires were only the second most powerful tribe allied with the Black Wing Tribe. The witches, however, were first on that list—far stronger than any of them.

But before the king could respond, a female voice rang through the room.

"That’s not possible!"

Then came the sound of hurried footsteps.

Alkan turned and saw Celya approaching the throne, her brows furrowed. She bowed slightly to the king before speaking.

"I won’t allow it, Father! Alkan must stay here!"

The king’s face darkened, and he glared at Celya.

There was a reason he had hidden her in the palace—to protect her from the witches. He knew she was beautiful, and there was no escaping the scrutinizing eyes of their kind. The witches had once come to the palace and forcibly taken the vampire queen. And because he had no power to stop them, he could do nothing but watch as they took his wife away.

He would not let his only daughter suffer the same fate.

"Leave. Now," the king ordered sternly.

He cast occasional glances at Surikong and Ambong, and his heartbeat quickened when he realized both witches were watching his daughter. His fists clenched.

"Celya, leave. Now!" he shouted.

But Celya thought her father was merely annoyed at being interrupted, so she stood her ground.

"Father, I want Alkan. Don’t let him leave the palace!"

Silence filled the room.

The vampire king had been breaking into a cold sweat for a while now.

Before he could speak, Surikong suddenly said, "Young lady, raise your face so I can see your beauty more clearly."

A smile played on his lips.

It was a small smile, but to Alkan, it was incredibly dangerous.

He glanced at Celya, his forehead creasing.

He had a bad feeling about Surikong’s expression.

Celya liked the compliment, so without hesitation, she lifted her face and met the witch king’s gaze.

The vampire king gasped when his daughter obeyed so quickly. He bit back a curse.

Why was his daughter so foolish? Who had taught her to trust witches?

Even though he was restless in his seat, he did not show his concern. If he did, it would only make the witch suspicious.

Surikong studied Celya’s face for a few seconds before nodding. His smile widened.

"You truly are beautiful. You are the vampire princess, correct?"

Celya nodded and smiled, lifting her chin slightly.

Surikong’s gaze deepened.

"Have you ever ventured outside the palace?"

Celya hesitated for a moment, and the king’s heart filled with hope.

He hoped his daughter would be wise enough not to trust a witch so easily.

He knew how deceptive their kind could be.

Celya blinked and smiled.

"I’ve never been outside the palace."

Surikong shook his head slightly, a sorrowful expression on his face. He then turned to the vampire king.

"You are her father. How could you bear to confine your daughter in the palace? Do you not know that at her age, she should be allowed to explore the world?"

Celya’s eyes widened at Surikong’s words.

Emotions flickered across her gaze, and she clenched her fists.

A smile slowly formed on her lips.

"You would take this princess outside?" she asked.

Surikong nodded with a smile.

"Not only will I take you outside, but you may also stay in the witch tribe for as long as you wish."

Celya’s excitement grew.

She had never been outside the palace, so she was thrilled by the idea.

She quickly turned to her father.

"You’ll allow it, won’t you, Father?"

The vampire king swallowed hard.

Even if he didn’t want to, he had no choice.

Aside from the power the witches held, he also didn’t want to humiliate his daughter—especially since she was the princess of their race.

He nodded, his expression dark.

But Alkan noticed something.