Vanessa’s arm steadily supported Coleia’s limp, sliding body.
This carefully nurtured shell was surprisingly light in her hands.
The girl’s icy body heat came through the thin fabric.
The two fresh bite marks on her neck were slowly oozing blood, staining the pale skin with a glaring red.
“Information.”
She extended her hand, pointing gracefully forward.
“I’ve already paid the deposit.”
She glanced meaningfully at Coleia.
A flash of cold anger passed deep in Vanessa’s gray eyes, but she forcibly suppressed it.
The person was already in her hands; it was meaningless to tangle with Elizabeth now.
“Next Sunday, Adrian will appear on the east side of your castle and enter that secret passage you thought no one knew about.”
“Collison’s army will simultaneously feint from the front. They plan to pincer attack from inside and out to quickly subdue you…”
Hearing the contents revealed by Vanessa’s mouth, the lazy smile on Elizabeth’s face gradually stiffened.
‘The Eastern Secret Door, that’s her last retreat and one of the important secret passages. How could Adrian…’
“How does he know…”
she murmured to herself unconsciously.
“You have a mole, and not a low-ranking one.”
Vanessa interrupted her, her tone decisive.
“Cleaning house is the first thing you should do after getting the intelligence. Now, can you let us leave?”
As she spoke, the hand supporting Coleia’s shoulder did not loosen, but her other hand raised, its target clearly reaching toward the top of Coleia’s head.
Coleia seemed somewhat dazed from blood loss and the earlier torture.
It wasn’t until Vanessa’s cool fingertips touched her head that she raised her unfocused crimson eyes to look at the black-haired woman so close.
Vanessa’s fingers found the buckle of the elastic band.
With a gentle flick, the pair of fox ears along with the strap were cleanly and neatly removed.
Freed from the restraint, a few strands of Coleia’s silver hair fell loose, hanging by her cheeks.
Without even looking, Vanessa backhandedly tossed the fox ears onto the side cabinet.
Then her fingertips hooked onto the collar.
With a forceful snap, the collar popped open.
She pinched the open black collar and flicked her wrist.
A black arc cut through the air.
With a snap, it landed precisely beside the pair of fox ears.
Elizabeth stood by, watching coldly.
Vanessa’s actions were undoubtedly a provocation, but at this moment she was more concerned with the intelligence she had obtained and the impending crisis.
“Tell me the mole’s name.”
“That’s the other half of the deal.”
Vanessa supported Coleia, making her stand more steadily by leaning against her.
“Once we reach the human town, you will get the information you want.”
Elizabeth’s fingertips slowly tightened within her sleeves.
She hated this feeling of being controlled, but the first half of the intelligence Vanessa had provided was already shocking enough; its value was beyond doubt.
“You are very cautious, Hunter.”
She finally said slowly, her voice unreadable.
“Faced with a cunning Vampire Duke, caution is the first rule of survival.”
Vanessa responded without hesitation.
“Hmph…”
Elizabeth’s face darkened.
Without further words, she turned aside to clear the path to the door and made a “please” gesture.
“You can leave through the western side gate. The guards won’t stop you.”
“Remember your promise, Vanessa. If you deceive me and take her away for good…”
Elizabeth looked at the two, her voice icy.
“No matter where you flee, I will find you both. When that happens, the lessons Coleia has to take won’t be so gentle…”
Vanessa did not respond.
She wrapped Coleia’s arm around her own shoulder and, half-supporting, half-carrying, turned and walked toward the door.
Just as they were about to step out of the room, Elizabeth’s low voice came again from behind, but this time it was directed at Coleia.
“Remember this feeling, my dear. Remember who gave you everything and who left their mark on you. We will meet again.”
Ignoring Elizabeth’s parting words, like those of a loser, Vanessa, half-supporting and half-carrying Coleia, walked through the deep, long corridor on the west side of the ancient castle.
Coleia’s body was even weaker than expected, her entire weight hanging on Vanessa.
She walked very slowly.
Sensing something wrong, Vanessa looked down.
The girl in her arms had her head lowered, silver hair covering her profile.
Only her small pale chin and bloodless lips from the loss of blood were visible.
“Too slow.”
Vanessa spoke abruptly.
Hearing this, Coleia tried her best to stand straighter and quicken her pace, but her body wouldn’t obey.
Instead, she swayed from the movement and nearly fell.
And the next second, Coleia felt her body suddenly become lighter, her vision rose, and the cold stone brick floor quickly receded.
Vanessa’s arm slid under her knees and back.
With a slight effort, she lifted Coleia horizontally into her arms.
“Eh!”
Coleia let out a startled cry.
The weakness from blood loss and the sudden feeling of weightlessness made her subconsciously clench her fingers, helplessly grabbing the fabric at the front of Vanessa’s hunting outfit.
This position pressed her cheek against Vanessa’s neck.
The unfamiliar body temperature and Vanessa’s scent washed over her.
“System, save me!”
[The system you are dialing is sprinting back to the service area. Please try again later.]
“?”
In countless cycles past, Vanessa had also seen Coleia Scarlet many times.
But those Coleias always had dull eyes like stagnant water, their faces forever filled with numbness and hopelessness.
They were perfect, more like broken collectibles than beings.
But this one was different.
Vanessa lowered her gaze, looking at this little face in her arms.
Her eyes were slightly wide with surprise.
When picked up, she showed panic.
She could think, and she even seemed shy—not a toy that only obeyed its master’s orders.
Vanessa smiled slightly.
‘Interesting.’
Thus, this cold-faced Hunter decided to test Coleia.
As she walked, Vanessa’s arms holding Coleia tightened imperceptibly.
Coleia’s small body was pulled tighter into Vanessa’s embrace.
Inevitably, Coleia, who had only been lightly leaning against her chest, now had her entire side of her face pressed more firmly against that soft and pliable area.
Even through the hunting outfit’s not-too-thin fabric, the clear warmth and extremely full curve still pressed against her face, impossible to ignore.
!!!
Coleia’s body instantly stiffened.
‘It’s… it’s pressing against me!’
A wave of heat uncontrollably rushed to Coleia’s cheeks and the tips of her ears.
She could feel her face burning, her heart inexplicably skipped a beat, and then started racing wildly.