Chapter 10

Eloise sat on the floor of the library with her head buried in books and old papers. For over two hours of research, she hadn't found any loopholes in the Bales Law. It was a rigid constitution, airtight and nearly impossible to go around.

'Impossible but not undoable' she muttered to herself. It didn't matter how long it took, she was going to find a way to take the exam.

She had to find a way. If not for herself, for little girls like Claire out there suffering.

'My Lady, we can not find what you are looking for here? I mean look at all these books, when are we ever…'

'Less talking and more reading Lucy. Get me those books from the rear section' Eloise pointed with her eyes still trained on the contents of the book on her lap.

Lucy groaned walking to the far end of the library with a lamp.

'And get me those books from the East section too…'

'You should go to bed, Eloise. It is past midnight. Remember we have to go to the Lenoires tomorrow?' Wrath said calmly from behind.

Eloise stayed put on the ground flipping the book she held. She was dressed in a long black silk night dress with her long dark copper hair sprawled on her shoulders. She ignored him as she schemed the book's contents. She wrote down notes with a quill and ink on a sheet of paper. Her handwriting with the quill was a bit messy since she wasn't used to it but she had no choice.

'Why do you want to join the Imperium?' Wrath asked from behind her, stepping towards the shelves and picking out a book.

'To teach arrogant and sexist old bastards like you, women can do whatever it is you men do and better' She said in a curt tone while writing down notes on the piece of paper.

Wrath chuckled softly.

'I deserve that' he muttered.

'I am arrogant. But I am not that old, six hundred is like being in your early thirties in human years. And I am not a sexist' he told her.

'Alright Wrath, I hear you loud and clear. You are the world's renowned feminist. Can I go back to my reading now?.... Uninterrupted?' Eloise turned to him with a frown.

Wrath smiled to himself, she had on that small pout she had on whenever she was annoyed.

'Come on now, El. There is no need to be angry. I thought we were friends' Wrath sat next to her picking up the book on her lap.

'Friends don't slam desks around during a heated conversation. Can you give that back? I was reading it' Eloise reached out for the book.

Wrath held the book away from her playfully.

'Friends do not threaten each other and call each other names either' He retorted.

'Everything I said about you is true. I will not apologize for that. Give that back, Wrath' Eloise reached in closer to get the book.

Wrath suddenly pulled her close to him, leaving no space between them.

'You said some awful words back there, Eloise. I am not as insensitive as you think me to be' he whispered on her lips, with Eloise going stiff in his arms.

'What are you doing? Let me…'

'Are you sure that is what you want? Letting you go?' He gently caressed her neck with his eyes trailing towards her small mouth to her eyes.

Eloise found herself speechless. She didn't want him to let go. She was curious to know how his lips would feel on hers again.

She suddenly eased up in his arms, placing both hands on the sides of his strong shoulders.

A little kiss would not hurt, she thought to herself.

Wrath smiled, slowly digging his fingers into her thick dark curls and pushing her head towards him. Their lips were inches away from each other when a sudden thud interrupted them.

They both turned to find Lucy slowly peering out of her hiding spot.

Eloise suddenly pulled away from his grasp, snatching the book from his grasp and flipping it open.

'My apologies, I did not….'

'Did you find what I asked for?' Eloise asked abruptly avoiding eye contact with Wrath.

'No, my Lady. There were no titles related to….'

'You are not going to find anything relating to the Bales Law here. I have made it so. The Bales Law is rigid and changes can not be made easily'

'You think I don't know that? You people were clever enough to make it this airtight. But nothing is impossible' Eloise said determinedly.

'There are only two ways to go….'

'Forgive my....intrusion, my Lord. My Lady may I...'

'Stay, Luce. What ways were you speaking of?' she turned abruptly to Wrath.

Wrath turned a glance to an uncomfortable Lucy.

'Lucy wants to leave. Why keep her here? Do you not want to be alone with me?' He asked with a smirk.

'That is not the point....'

'Lucy, do you wish to stay?' Wrath turned to a now scared Lucy with a smile.

'Yes, Luce. Do you wish to stay?' Eloise turned to Lucy with a glare.

'I...I....' Lucy glanced from Wrath to Eloise.

How on earth did she end up in this situation?

'Pardon my intrusion, my Lord and Lady, can I borrow Lucy for a minute?' Elric appeared from behind asking.

'Yes, yes, please' Lucy said eagerly with an audible sigh of relief.

'I will take my leave then my Lord, my Lady' Lucy bowed quickly, avoiding eye contact with Eloise, who was sending daggers her way.

She scurried off with Elric behind her. Elric closed the doors with a light thud from the outside.

Both Wrath and Eloise turned to each other with looks. Eloise with an awkward look and Wrath with a smug one.

'You were saying' She went on to ask in the most composed voice she could find. Looking anywhere but his lips.

Wrath fell back into the pile of books with a sigh. He rested his head on his hands which were tucked behind his head. Eloise looked at him to find his eyes closed. He was dressed in black night apparel, a black shirt with matching pants made from the best silk. His initials "WCV" was embroidered with a golden thread on his right breast pocket.

His shirt was unbuttoned exposing his solid hairless chest and rippling abs. Her eyes trailed down to his waist lingering on his ripped v-cut which run into his pants. She looked back at him to find him looking at her with a daunting smile.

'You like what you see?' He asked with that same smile playing on his lips.

'You are so full of yourself, aren't you?' Eloise chuckled slightly.

'I have no reason not to, do I? Has anyone told you how different you sound? I mean you speak differently. You say words like don't, won't, aren't....'

'Contractions. That's how people speak from where I come from. What ways were you talking about?' Eloise asked abruptly.

'Oh, you're so intolerant. Ha… I said it too. You're' His face brightened up suddenly as like an adorable child who had just learnt a new word.

'Oh, tell me already?' Eloise said with a sigh.

'There is the hard way and the easy way. First, the hard way, you would have to submit a motion to the house. If the Governors agree to hear the motion, you will be summoned to the house to defend your argument. Your argument will be open to scrutiny, after which the house will make deliberations based on your arguments. After these deliberations, the head councilman will allow a two days decision period. After the decision period, the house votes to either accept your motion or reject it. This is just a summary of the whole process. If Leo were here, he would explain it further' Wrath told her.

'That is one hell of a process' Eloise muttered. What are the odds these bunch of old men will even vote on behalf of the motion? She thought.

'And the easy way?' she went on to ask, hoping she was going to make headway this time.

'As Queen, you will have the authority to waive this kind of law in your favour while exercising your prerogative powers. Using some executive instruments as well as legislative ones. But all these are only possible, in my absence, if I die or take administrative leave. But we both know that is not going to happen…. never' Wrath said with a smirk.

Eloise scoffed. 'What is the point of me being Queen if the title means nothing in situations like this'

'To be fair you are the first Queen in Imperium history to concern herself with such issues' Wrath told her.

Eloise sighed with a groan closing the book in her lap. She stretched out with a yawn. All these hours of searching tirelessly only to find out she wasn't close to achieving anything.

'Okay, what say you we devise a plan. You take a diplomatic trip to where ever, and then I feel your shoes for as long as you are away. You take a break from your kingly duties, I waive a few rules and eeveryonewins' Eloise said in a jovial tone.

Wrath laughed heartily 'How convenient for you. What makes you think, I will leave my entire empire to you?' he asked with a narrowed look.

'Okay, you didn't have to sound so harsh about it' Eloise muttered in a curt tone.

'Do not take it personally but I do not trust anyone enough to fill these shoes of mine' he said quietly.

He was that paranoid? Eloise thought. She looked at him and for a second she saw a flicker of loneliness in his eyes. Wrath turned to find her staring at him with a narrowed look.

'I am going to kiss you if you do not stop looking at me that way' he told.

'What way?' she muttered feigning ignorance.

'This way' he made a funny face and she burst into giggles.

'You look ridiculous' Eloise said laughing.

'At least that made you smile' Wrath said.

Eloise tugged a strand of hair behind her ear, flashing him a smile. She watched as he stood to his feet with a sigh.

'Come on now let us go to bed. You continue this witch hunt tomorrow' Wrath told her.

Eloise chuckled as she took his hand and slowly stood to her feet. As they stepped out of the library into the quiet hallway, Eloise glanced at him quietly.

So far she had seen several sides of him. Some she disliked, other sides which took her by surprise, but she'd come to like anyway. She wondered if beneath that hardcore, smiling veneer he always had on was a Wrath she was yet to discover.

Meanwhile at Pitsbellow....

'Looks like we are not the only ones after what happened here' Leonard stepped out of the carriage to the quiet town of Pitsbellow.

At the entrance of the deserted town was a black man dressed in a fine suit leaning on a posh cane. He stood smoking a pipe while his light brown eyes scanned the burnt house before him.

Thorne stepped in behind Leonard with a sigh.

'Good old Stan' Old Stan turned quickly at the mention of his name. A small smile crawled onto his lips as the Valerian brothers approached him.

'Old friend' Old Stan opened his arms wide to embrace Thorne.

'It is always good to see you, Stan, even though it is always under unfortunate circumstances as these' Thorne said patting him slightly on the back.

Old Stan laughed 'Me and you both, mate. Ah, Leonard, good to see you again' he shook hands with Leonard.

'Still Serafine's errand boy, I see' Leonard said as they shook hands.

Thorne massaged his forehead with a sigh. He never really could put a finger on Leonard's constant hostility towards Old Stan. There was a time when they were inseparable but everything changed after the great purge two hundred years ago.

'Ah, blunt and rude as always, Leonard...'

'Let us spare each other the pleasantries and get to the point already. What did you find?' Leonard asked quickly.

'I believe what my brother wanted to say is if you would not mind sharing your findings with us, Stan' Thorne said calmly.

'You should have come with Miles. Although a raging lunatic sometimes, he is civil' Old Stan said only to receive a scoff from Leonard.

Old Stan was a four hundred year old vampire who had been under the service of the De Richelieus as long as they'd known him. Although he looked like he were in his late twenties, he earned the name Old Stan after passing on as an old man on his first encounter with Ferdinand De Richelieu, Queen Serafine's great grandfather. Ferdinand thought it funny how he bought Stan's act. He commended him for his genius. There off the name old Stan stuck and until this day a few people knew what his real name was. But Old Stan was not always a loyal servant to the De Richelieus. He was once one of Wrath's advisors but switched sides before the events of the purge. Wrath did not take his betrayal lightly and sorted his head on a platter. Stan eloped from London to France, seeking refuge there. In exchange for his safety, Ferdinand De Richelieu bid him give his allegiance to his family on a long life service. As an advisor and an investigator for him and witch rulers after him.

'Queen Serafine was right to worry. This is the second witch town to face such a terrible fate. First Oaken Town, now Pitsbellow. There are rumours of Pride town being the next' Old Stan said as they slowly began strolling into the town.

'So far these attacks have been limited to only witch towns on the outskirts of both Thornton in Spain and Elda in France. Why would they venture into Valeria now?' Thorne asked.

'They are getting bolder' Leonard replied scanning the burnt down wooden structures around them.

'That and following some kind of a pattern now' Old Stan said.

'So you mean these attacks are not random at all?'

'You can say that' Old Stan said in a quiet tone to Leonard.

'Then how do you explain the disappearance of the fairies in Furrfold' Thorne asked.

'That has nothing to do with these massacres. I believe the disappearance of fairies is a single handed job which has nothing to do with any of this' Old Stan replied as they walked to a stop at the town square, situated at the centre of the town.

'And what made you arrive at such conclusions?' Leonard asked.

'That' Old Stan pointed towards the large incomplete sigil drawn at the centre of the town square.

Thorne bent down to examine the sigil closely.

'You see both in Oaken and Pitsbellow, this was left behind along with a burnt town with everyone else in it. Ten fairies went missing after the events at Oaken. Five more disappeared from Sirn after Pitsbellow. You see gentlemen, none has anything to do with the other. Whoever is taking these fairies is only taking advantage of the situation, making you think they are linked. When in truth they are not. It just happens I know who these kidnappers are?'

'Kidnappers?' Leonard turned to look back at him with a raised brow.

'Close to home than you think. But I will let you gentlemen deal with that for yourselves. Fairies do not concern me' Old Stan said to him.

'Because they do not give you trunks of gold every year?' Leonard said abruptly.

'Even better, it is Imperium business. I do not interfere with Imperium business' Old Stan retorted.

Leonard chuckled slightly keeping the rest of his remarks to himself. From the way Thorne looked at him, it was a signal to leave it be.

'This sigil, it was curved with runes in them and...' Thorne rubbed the powderish ash substance in the curved lines between his gloved fingers.

'Witch ash' Old Stan said to receive a nod from Thorne.

'Just as I thought. Whoever did this, did it in a span of a night. Strong enough to conjure such a power to bring down a whole town' Old Stan said.

'No amount of power can devour a whole town within such a short possible time' Thorne said.

'Oh, there sure is. This is not the first' Leonard said giving Thorne a knowingly look.

Thorne sighed.

'He had nothing to do with this. He said so'

Old Stan suddenly laughed.

'Of course, the Lord did not do this. What need does he of a sigil when all he has to do is click his fingers? Besides, what does he gain in killing a town of witch civilians? An unwise move in light of the new alliance and the Lord I know is a very wise man' Old Stan said.

'So, if our brother did not do this? Who did then? The Enclave?' Leonard asked.

'Possible but I am sceptical. But for centuries, the Enclave has been a bunch of dysfunctional rogues with no clear purpose. They only banded up to fight the ideals of the Imperium, because they did not believe in the one rule policy. But that ended quickly and poorly after the Great Purge. After that their organization was merely a society of criminals and outcasts, unorganized and scattered. But this... this is work a united front with a goal. A goal crafted and planned so carefully over a very very long time' Old Stan said in deep thought.

'Makes sense. But why this sigil?' Thorne asked with a serious look.

'Beats me' Old Stan said shrugging his shoulders.

'Cut the bloody act already. You know exactly what this sigil is?' Leonard snapped.

'What if I do?' Old Stan snapped back.

Thorne furrowed his brows. 'Then you have to tell us'

'I do not have to tell you anything if I choose not to'

'Why the sudden slyness? It is not like you? Unless whatever it is you are refusing to share puts your master in a bad light. Serafine and the coven leaders know something about this, do they not?' Leonard asked in a demanding tone.

Old Stan stood silent staring at the sigil.

'Stan, there are lives at stake. This is not the time to hide any information as little as it may be' Thorne said calmly.

'I have my suspicions but there is something about this whole situation that puts the De Richelieus in a bad light but mostly... Queen Eloise' Old Stan said hesitantly.

Both Thorne and Leonard turned towards Old Stan with rapt attention.

'What has this have to do with Eloise?' Leonard asked with a narrowed look.