SWNOVELS Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN "It seems like you're having fun with the human girl?" A voice peered out from the shadows the moment after Naya had left." What do you want, Draven?"Rhys asked with a bored look on his face and Draven emerged from the shadows seconds later. "Message from your father.." Draven began and Rhys's face immediately hardened. Rhys had never had the best relationship with his father, and he could already guess what the message would be. It was probably about his refusal to go back home and take after his father. "Which is?" He asked, bringing out a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket. "You should return to Britaris," Draven informed, shrugging his shoulders. "And your reply was?" Rhys grilled, puffing out smoke from his mouth. "You're busy with work over here in Shadowvale and you're not returning until you get what you want... " Draven responded and the corner of Rhys' lips pulled up. " Good.." Draven gave Rhys a quizzical look. "You don't even want to hear what your father has to say?" he asked. "Don't you think it's important? I think you should talk to him" Rhys just shook his head, still smoking his cigarette. "I'm not interested in what my father has to say. He's only trying to persuade me to come back and you know I'm not going to.." Rhys stated. " And your mother?" " Send my regards to her. Tell my sister I love her.." Rhys uttered with a playful look on his face as he began to walk into his room. Draven's eyes widened in surprise. He knew that Rhys didn't have the best relationship with his father, but he hadn't realized that it was so bad that Rhys didn't even want to hear from his own mother. This was new information, and it made Draven feel a little uneasy. "Are you sure you don't want to talk to your mother?" he asked, following Rhys into his room. "She's worried about you." Rhys stopped and turned to face Draven, a serious expression on his face. "I don't need my mother's worry," he said. "Tell her I'm doing just fine.." Rhys deadpanned, as he looked at the trolley in his room. He always ended up throwing the food away. He hardly ate human food, his basic supplement was blood. This was just a way to make Naya keep coming over to the left wing without being suspicious. "So you're interested in her right?" Draven grilled, referring to Naya. "The last time I checked it was none of your business.." Rhys snapped in a nonchalant and low tone. "You like her?" Draven cathesized, fixing his eyes on Rhys who shook his head. "No.." came his curt reply. Draven narrowed his eyes, unconvinced by Rhys' denial. "You know, I'm not sure I believe you," he said. "You've been acting differently ever since she started working here. You seem to be more... relaxed, I guess. And you've been spending more time with her than you have with anyone else." Rhys just shrugged, as if he couldn't care less about what Draven was saying. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said. "You're seeing things that aren't there." "It's just a means to kill my boredom. She's quite an interesting character... " Rhys chuckled, puffing out smoke from his mouth. " Aren't you going to kill her? I thought you wanted both sisters dead?" Draven asked in sarcasm. Rhys let out a short, mirthless laugh. "Maybe I changed my mind.." He shrugged his shoulders. "Or maybe not.." Draven raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Rhys," he said. "You can't expect me to believe that. I know you better than that. You're always up to something." "If you say so," Rhys said, his tone nonchalant. "If you don't care about her. I don't mind feeding from her today. What do you think?" Draven asked mischievously and Rhys' eyes suddenly turned dark. Rhys' eyes flashed dangerously, and he took a threatening step toward Draven. "You will not touch her," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Do you understand me?" Draven held up his hands in a placating gesture, a smirk playing on his lips. "I was just teasing, Rhys. You know I wouldn't do anything to harm her. I'm not that cruel." Rhys just glared at him as he stepped back. " No one is allowed to feed from her. No living vampire who sinks their fangs in her will live to see the next day. The sister can fill your curiosity.." He concluded and Draven found himself grinning. It was very rare to see Rhys acting all overprotective. Draven's grin widened, and he gave Rhys a knowing look. "I see," he said, his tone amused. "So you're admitting that you're protective of her, then? That you care about her?" Rhys just glared at Draven, clearly not appreciating his teasing. "I'm not admitting anything," he said, his voice tight. "I'm just stating a fact. She's off-limits." Draven's smirk didn't fade. "You do realize that you're being quite irrational, right?" he asked. "She's just a mute human. Why are... " Draven stopped in his tracks as Rhys suddenly teleported out of the room. He had a reserved look on his face as Rhys teleported back a few seconds later, but he had company. He had a black-haired maid in his arms. "You were saying?" He queried, sinking his fangs into the maid's neck as she just stood still, not making a noise. Draven did not look Surprised one bit as he saw Rhys appear with the black-haired maid in his arms. Rhys had always been a bit unpredictable and acted and did whatever he wanted, however he wanted it to be. He just watched calmly, as Rhys fed from the maid. The maid didn't struggle, and she didn't make a sound. It was as if she was completely unaware of what was happening to her. Moments later, her body dropped dead on the ground, completely pale. "That you seem so interested in the mute girl.." Draven continued after Rhys had finished feeding. Rhys wiped the blood from his lips, ignoring the body of the maid on the ground. He turned his attention to Draven, and his eyes were cold and unreadable. "You shouldn't worry about that.." "Naya should be placed under strict supervision and I need you to have a word with whoever the head of the kitchen is. She's seemingly playing with fire.." Rhys Drew out." Noted.. " " And yes, take care of this trash and let my father know that I'll kill the next person he sends her. "Rhys threatened in a dangerous tone. Draven shook his head slowly at Rhys' threat... There was no doubt that he meant what he said. He was deadly serious, and he would not hesitate to follow through on his threat. "I'll make sure your wishes are carried out," he said, keeping his voice level. " Rhys just nodded, seemingly satisfied with this arrangement. "Good," he said. "I appreciate your cooperation." Then, without another word, he disappeared in a swirl of shadows.