"Bloody degenerates. . . "

" That idiot Forgemaster. Eugh, bloody disgusting. "

"Neither have I. He's busy being my sister's sex slave. I think." She lifted a shoulder nonchalantly. "I haven't seen much of him since I brought him to Styria." She deliberately ignored his gibe just to spite him, acting as casually as him.

Carmilla snorted despite herself. "With that, I have to agree. I'm having a hard time telling the difference myself. Knowing how coveted Lenore is by men in general, I would say the bloody idiot should feel grateful. She has shown him too much mercy. She's spoiling him, pfeh."

"She's right, you know? Lies and deceit are 𝘮𝘺 territory."

"Look who's still alive."

Carmilla clicked her tongue and averted her gaze, resting her cheek on the knuckles of her hand. "I would have beaten the shit out of him until he did as he was told."

"I know I said that lies are my territory but even I have my limits. Where have you been?"

He believed that because Lenore had showed him a little mercy, a crumb of sympathy, he was safe from Carmilla? He was a bigger idiot than she had him pegged. Gullible, too. "Sneer at me again, and I will tear your manhood from your crotch and force feed it to you."

Carmilla sighed, massaging her temples wearily. "So I've heard. What else have you got for me?"

"Now you remember who is the 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 master here. Begone from my sight, and remember to do your fucking job when you're not busy pleasuring my sister."

"Good pet."

She saw that and flickered, punting him down the stairs.

"I'm going to rip out your fucking dick. Then you'll see how quickly Lenore will discard you. Like a useless, broken toy."

" Maybe?" she repeated, arching an eyebrow.

" Why 'maybe'? You've never hesitated before." Carmilla smirked knowingly. "Has something changed in the past week?"

Carmilla looked at him deadpan, not at all surprised by his jokes, not after such a long time of knowing him. "If that is all you have, then we have a serious problem," she retorted drily, rolling her eyes. Tonight she had no energy to quarrel with him. She had bigger concerns.

Contemplating a very bloody threesome. Just contemplating.

She had awoken from her long slumber because her throat was terribly parched. Draining a dozen or so maidens of their life essence should quench the sovereign's thirst. Then she sought out ＧＯＤＢＲＡＮＤ (Hiatus) and punted him from his bed by way of greeting before returning to hers.

Hm... Too late for that—