BXBX NOVEL Chapter 155: Seed Of Defiance
Just when he was contemplating acting up, the air shimmered as Natalia, Griffin\'s assistant and first wife, teleported into the room.
He rose swiftly, bowing his head in a show of respect. "Welcome, Lady Natalia." he greeted, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Thank you, X," she replied, her tone as crisp and authoritative as ever.
"My Lord awaits." X waited respectfully.
"Let\'s go." Natalia nodded, her expression cool and unreadable. "Is everything prepared?" She asked.
"Yes, milady. The captives are prepared."
"Let me see Griffin first." She spoke and X nodded, leading the way.
Natalia was a striking figure, her presence demanding attention. X led her through the winding corridors of the sanctuary to the private chamber where Griffin awaited.
Before long, they reached the chamber. X opened the door, stepping aside to allow Natalia to enter first.
He followed silently, taking his place in the corner of the room, as was his custom. He stood there with his eyes trained on the ground.
Griffin, shirtless and well-built, stepped forward to greet Natalia with a deep, passionate kiss. It was a display of possession and power, one that made X\'s stomach churn.
Natalia responded with equal fervor, her hands tracing the contours of his back. X watched out of the corner of his eyes, his face impassive even as his eyes narrowed slightly.
They broke the kiss after a few seconds.
"My love." Griffin sighed. "It\'s been far too long."
Natalia laughed, light and airy. "It\'s only been a few days."
"Doesn\'t matter. I missed you all the same." Griffin said, his mechanical voice tinged with warmth. "Are you comfortable at Ezra\'s?"
Natalia nodded as they moved to sit on the luxurious bed. "Yes, very much so."
"And the man himself?"
"Secretive." Natalia answered. "He\'s not one to trust easily nor blindly."
"True." Griffin smiled. "And the relic?"
"As expected, Ezra\'s relic is strong. It has boosted his strength and natural vampire abilities significantly. He is able to take on a fourth ring vampire in single combat and win."
"We expected as much with his suppossed defeat of Malachi but it\'s good to finally have confirmation."
"That\'s the power of the seventh page." Natalia nodded seriously.
Griffin\'s eyes gleamed with curiosity. "I wonder what it would be like to have a full relic," he mused, his tone almost wistful.
Natalia placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "Having half a relic does not make you any less of a prince, my love."
Griffin hummed non-committally, gesturing for her to continue.
Natalia sighed like it was a well worn arguement and continued. "Genesis is now mostly at home, due to the decimation of the Black Spider gang. However, they have plans to revive the gang."
"What concerns me is the fact that they have an in with the City Lord\'s government in the form of Miss Red, a worker in the City Lord\'s domain."
Griffin nodded. "That must be how they could get an invite to Itachi\'s ball. Even if our esteemed Lord doesn\'t write the invitations himself, there\'s no way his wives would be interested in a newborn coven. We\'ll have to keep an eye on their relationship."
"Agreed." Natalia spoke. "Nothing is out of the ordinary, except for the fact that Ezra has been creating vitality almost exclusively with Olivia Wild. This suggests they all want Olivia to ascend as soon as possible."
Griffin\'s gaze sharpened. "Do they know about the Ascension well?"
Natalia shook her head. "I don\'t know. But it is worth investigating."
"Whyever would they want Olivia to ascend quickly?" Griffin wondered.
"Either they are with us or against us." Natalia answered.
"Well, I did hint of the coming war. he could be trying to consolidate power before it comes." Griffin chuckled.
"Whatever it is, we must remain wary of the Matten Coven."
X watched silently from his corner, feeling like a piece of furniture rather than a person. He hated how easily Griffin dismissed him, how his presence was barely acknowledged.
"Enough of this talk." Griffin grinned as he pulled Natalia in for a kiss. "Let\'s have some fun."
"Not today." Natalia resisted with a small smile. "You know I can\'t stay for long. Someone has to keep an eye on the Mattens."
Griffin laughed softly, trying to persuade her. "Stay a little longer."
Natalia\'s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Maybe if you removed your voice modulator. It\'s been quite some time since I heard your true voice."
Griffin chuckled, shaking his head. "Uou know it\'s not polite to pressure everyone else with the weight of my presence. Let\'s pity the weak. Noblesse oblige and all that."
"We\'re alone, aren\'t we?" Natalia countered, her tone playful. "There\'s no one here but us."
Griffin\'s laughter filled the room, and he nodded. "Very well."
X seethed inwardly, his resentment boiling over. He hated being treated like he was invisible, a mere tool for Griffin\'s use.
He watched as Griffin\'s aura descended, heavy and powerful, filling the room with an oppressive presence. The air seemed to thrum with energy as Griffin removed his voice modulator.
When he spoke, his voice was powerful, rolling with authority. "Natalia."
The sound of Griffin\'s true voice had an immediate effect, the vitality in the room almost bowing to his command.
He drew Natalia to himself, his kiss deep and possessive. X\'s fists clenched at his sides, the display of power and intimacy a bitter reminder of his own subjugation.
As Griffin and Natalia\'s embrace deepened, X\'s mind churned with dark thoughts.
He was a prisoner in this gilded cage, forced to serve the man he loathed. But deep within him, a seed of defiance remained.
One day, he would break free. One day, he would have his revenge.
Until then, he would endure, watching and waiting for the moment when he could strike back against the man who held him in chains.