Valerian Empire

Hearing this, the man cocked his head sidewards.

"I won't," he said, his eyes transfixed on her making her squirm with his intimidating frame. At the same moment, a blonde-haired woman appeared in a light armor suit, stepping inside the room with a small bow.

"Sir, we have taken the ones that were at the perimeter as hostages, few including witches though it two of them fled before we could capture them. Elliot has already headed out to catch up with them," the woman reported and the man gave a curt nod.

"What about survivors?" he asked his subordinate. She shook her head in disappointment, "None, sir. All of them have been drained out of blood.

"This is what happens with rogues of other empires. Breaking the law as they please, killing innocent men and women with no mercy," the man said with a cold tone. "If only that idiot of a Lord had decided sooner it would have saved unnecessary bloodshed and work."

"Weren't the half-vampires taken into custody of the council?" the woman asked him.

"Either the council didn't do a good job or someone's transformation went wrong while turning the humans to a bunch of deranged half vampires. Looks like the council will be sending another notice to us. Sylvia, get this place cleaned up and the bodies buried. And ask Elliot to meet me once he's done with his current assignment."

"Yes, milord," Sylvia replied with a nod and continued, "I found this lying on the ground," she handed the parchment of papers which was in a curled state to him.

She saw him uncurl them, to see what it was and heard him murmur, "These are names," and as he scanned it one of his brows raised up, "Did you find anybody lying around when you found this?" he asked. This was no ordinary parchment, he thought to himself, the contents inside it was a highly classified information.

"Too many. The villager's bodies are scattered all around the area," her eyes then shifted to the young girl, "What are you going to do with her, Alexander?" she asked the man. Poor thing, she thought, her family was wiped away and there was no human in the surrounding.

"I don't know," he answered with a sigh.

When they passed by the room, Katie saw her mother lying on the floor, lifeless. She ran to her side in an attempt to wake her up but it was of no use. Her mother wasn't going to come back. She felt a cold hand on her shoulder making her turn towards the man who had rescued her.

"It's alright," he said looking at the girl. A sob left her lips and she buried herself in the man's arms, crying softly. Unsure of what do in such a situation he wrapped his arms around the girl and let her cry in his arms.

Sylvia felt her eyes pop out in surprise at the Lord's gesture towards the girl. She had grown up knowing him and the Lord of Valeria had never shown such sentiments or gestures towards anyone. Lord Alexander Delcrov was the type of man who wouldn't bother providing water to a dying man let alone lend someone a shoulder to cry but here he was soothing her. Moreover, it was a human. He didn't mingle with the humans unless they had high connections in the society and were useful to him.

Katie didn't know what to do, she felt lonely and lost. Once she felt her tears cease, she moved a few steps back, looking at the man with her big brown eyes. He seemed to be thinking something before he spoke.

"She'll stay with me from now on," Alexander decided, making Sylvia snap her head towards him. There was no doubt in her mind that the vampire Lord had taken interest in the human, but this was a young one. "Once she's of age we can send her to a human household."

"I guess so," Sylvia replied. "We have humans working in the castle therefore that shouldn't be a problem." If they left her with the other humans they wouldn't know if the humans would treat her well, after all, slavery was still rampant.

"What's your name?" Alexander asked in an authoritative tone with his piercing gaze making her wary of him.

"You're scaring the poor girl Alex asking like that. Smile," Sylvia said making Alexander throw a glare across the room. Softening his gaze he tried putting a smile on his face which in turn earned him a snicker from his subordinate.

"You call that a smile?" Sylvia asked him.

"Fine you handle it!" he snapped at her before stepping out of the house. The woman walked towards the young girl and sat down on her knees.

"Hi, I'm Sylvia and that was Alexander," she introduced with a gentle smile, "We don't mean any harm and only want to offer help to you. What's your name sweetheart?"

"Katherine," the girl replied earning a smile from the woman standing in front of her.