He was mad. Furiously mad.

Asher ran his hands through his dark hair and tousled it while glaring daggers at the idiot being held prisoner in his secret dungeon .

“I warned you, didn’t I? why did you do it?” He asked, his voice dangerously low and cold.

Gideon leaned against the prison wall, his gaze fixed on Asher’s and replied

“I tried to stop but I couldn’t help myself . I felt like I would die if I didn’t do it ”

Asher’s eyes narrowed but the fire in there didn’t diminish at all ” What did you mean you couldn’t help yourself, perhaps is she your truemate? ”

Gideon stared at him and snorted in disbelief “Seriously Ash? . You know how much of a romantic I am yet you think I’ll think do that to my true mate on our first meeting? ”

Asher tilted his head questioningly “Tell me something Gideon, cause you of all people should know how tempting the blood of a truemate is ”

Gideon stiffened immediately glaring daggers at Asher for evoking  nostalgic  memories of her.

A sickening smirk appeared on Asher’s face “Yes, that’s it. Are you going to spill it or not? or should I continue pushing your button? ”

“Why don’t you compell me instead? “Gideon spat

“No Gideon ” tsk-tsked Asher ” you know how boring and easy it sounds ”

Asher squat down meeting him straight in the eye and said casually “You know how much I love hearing it from the horse’s mouth or …. ” he trailed off

Suddenly as if a dam was broken, his eyes darkened and murmured in a monotone “I can simply break the horse and still hear it from the horse’s mouth ” he threatened.

Gideon felt the hairs on his skin rise.

Whenever Asher was like this it always reminded him of the old king. Even though he was the youngest of the Nicoli clan and wasn’t born until the death of the old king, he heard tales of him, which weren’t exactly pleasing in the ears.

He had often heard the other vampires gossip Asher was going to be worse than his father and Judging from his volatile mood, it couldn’t be far from the truth but Gideon knew better.

Eventhough Asher was quite unkind sometimes when put lightly but he has a flicker of light in him. He cares deeply for his people unless when betrayed. Asher and betrayal doesn’t exactly go hand in hand.

“Fine ” Gideon sighed “I took her blood but not because I was attracted to it …well I was a bit attracted by it ” He mumbled under his breath

“But the fact is, I wasn’t myself Asher ! I suddenly felt this great ache, a great need to feed and no matter how much animal blood I consumed, it just didn’t help. I was unsatisfied until I took hers ” He finally confessed letting out a breath he didn’t know he was holding in.

A suspicious look flashed across Asher’s face but he managed to look stoic.

“You do know I’ll hand you over to the council if they come for you even if you’re one of my outstanding henchmen ”

Gideon didn’t reply but his expression managed to portray an answer but that was until he dropped the bomb

“They won’t find out, I gave her my blood ”

Asher froze before he suddenly slammed Gideon against the wall with his ability. He didn’t even move his hand, all he did was just will it and it happened.

Gideon let out a shaky breath from the impact before he was slammed into another section of the wall.

“Do you know how dangerous what you did was?! You could have turned her !” He roared continuing his torture

“Only if she dies with my blood in her system” He retorted amid the torment ” Besides, it was to heal her not kill her ”

Asher laughed in disbelief “What a big idiot you are ” He released his hold on Gideon as he slumped on the ground

“Moreover, what’s wrong with turning a few humans,the other vampire clans do it !” Gideon protested

“Other Clans might do it but my clan would not turn a human against their will!” He growled at Gideon who didn’t flinch at all. He knew he was safer when Asher was angry than when silent with a sadistic smile on his face.

Asher took a deep breath in “You’ll stay in here until you upgrade your senses ”

Then he turned to leave but Gideon’s comment stopped him in his track

“Times are changing Asher, don’t you wonder why we aren’t hurt by the sun anymore ? ”

Asher faced him “That’s not for anyone of us to answer and also, go and study your evolution, blockhead ” He mocked and left leaving Gideon to make do of what’s left of his self esteem.

“Time has changed and we have changed with it ” Asher suddenly whispered to his hearing, grabbed the door knob and left.

Once outside, Dan rushed him ” What did he say? ”

Asher frowned but answered ” That boy is a fool, doesn’t even know he was a pawn in their game ”

Dan stared at him shocked ” Do you mean the council used Gideon? ”

Asher grimaced “Not you too ! Do I only have fools around me for crying out loud ”

Dan ignored Asher’s mocking jibes as he tried to figure out his earlier comment. What did he mean by in their game? unless….

“Bingo! “Asher snapped his finger in front of Dan ‘s face upon seeing the astonishment in there. “Thankfully, you’re a fast one ”

“Should I take that as a compliment ?” Dan asked walking side by side with him

“If you want to but enough of the chitchat, would ya cause I have an important assignment for you ” Asher said, stopping suddenly prompting Dan to stop as well.

“Umm, that girl ” He mentioned absentmindedly, probably thinking deeply about something

“Just investigate her, period ” he commanded while Dan bowed and left to go complete his mission.

“This is quite an exciting game ” He murmured continuing his stroll down the hallway.