Master Ivar had planned for years and the day had finally come. It was the day he sat on the throne. He was hardly able to sleep the day before he was so giddy. He excitedly rushed out of his chambers and through the library shelves. His kingdom was about to expand to the size of a country, instead of this small palace. He hurried to the room where his subordinates were ordered to take the girl. He could hardly wait to see her again. She would be the final piece that brought him victory. But when he entered the grand meeting hall, Evanhardt only stood with one other man. The guild leader Ivar had employed the last few months. The sight of him was pitiful. He was bruised, missing teeth, and his clothes looked ragged, dried stiff.

“Where is the princess?” Ivar demanded.

Evanhardt bowed low to the other man. “I’m sorry, Master Ivar. Hark said she escaped with one of his men.”

“What?” Ivar snarled. He felt the rage bubble in his chest like poison. Princess Iara was a vital part of his plans going forward. She was integral to keeping the promises he had made to his supporters. If she wasn’t here, his perfectly laid out path falls apart. She was the final piece to bring it all together. Without her, nothing mattered.

Hark wrung his hands in nervousness. “My men can track them. They couldn’t have gotten far in their current state.”

“You’ve done enough,” Ivar snapped. He had always found humans to be sniveling, disgusting beings. Hark was the exact picture of everything Ivar hated about them. Looking at the human now, he could hardly stand the sight of him. “Evanhardt, gather what knights you trust. Track them. Bring the girl back here at any cost.”

“What of Malachi and Jeremiah? They are both missing as well,” the man said in a small voice.

Ivar turned his icy glare to Hark again. “You couldn’t manage to capture either of them like I had instructed you to?” Just like a stupid child not following orders.

Hark kept his head down. His hands shook as he explained himself. “My subordinate betrayed me. He got to the palace before my men could-”

“I’ve heard enough. Drain him,” Ivar ordered.

Without another word, the thin, sharp vampire turned away and headed out of the room. He didn’t even glance back as Hark pleaded for another chance. Ivar slammed the door. The sound of a blade ringing as it was pulled from its sheath was audible even through the door.

Master Ivar had been so close to his dream. He had removed power from the royal family slowly, many days of his life dedicated to his goals. It enraged him that it was unraveling so close to the finish line. He pushed the anger down. Even if the girl slipped through his fingers, it was only a minor setback. He had faith in his knights, and he had confidence they would be easy to find again. The girl may have been blessed by the gods twice, but he knew he couldn’t fail. His life’s work was almost coming to a close. He would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.