chapter 5: His distress.

Lumiére's POV

When Lumiére returned from the opening ceremony, the East sanctuary was exceptionally quiet. The silence was palpable, and it didn't take long for him to figure out why. He had a gut feeling, an intuition honed by years of experience. It could only be one person, Reagan, who was responsible for making everyone walk on eggshells.

Lumiére remembered the time he had asked Reagan how he managed to instill such fear and respect in others, and the High Lord's right-hand man had revealed his secret: he disliked sounds when he was angry and trying to think. Lumiére couldn't help but marvel at Reagan's commanding presence.

As Lumiére sauntered down the expansive floor, heading towards the elevator that led to his living quarters in the East sanctuary, he noticed Middleton sighing heavily behind him. Two maids hurried past them, bowing slightly as they went, and Middleton muttered under his breath, "He's probably pissed."

Lumiére shook his head in resignation. "And he gets to take it out on me. You should be grateful," he said with a wry smile.

However, he couldn't help but feel a pang of concern. "I hope he's not angry with me specifically," Lumiére added, hoping that he had not inadvertently provoked Reagan's wrath.

Middleton, curious and inquisitive, asked Lumiére about Reagan's mood, saying, "Knowing you, I highly doubt it. On a scale of 0-10, want to rate how pissed he is?"

Lumiére stopped in his tracks and turned to glare at Middleton, his annoyance palpable. "You're dismissed for the night," he told Middleton abruptly. Although Middleton was undoubtedly puzzled about his dismissal, Lumiére did not feel obliged to explain himself. Middleton bowed his head slightly and retreated down the hallway.

Lumiére let out a sigh of exasperation as he entered the elevator that would take him to the top floor, where he resided in a luxurious penthouse. He walked quietly into his house and headed straight for his room. Upon entering, he noticed the stark contrast between the state of his room when he had left it earlier and its current condition. The blinds were open, allowing the moonlight to filter in, and the bed sheets were neatly arranged. The clutter of books on his oak desk was also gone. It was evident that someone had been in a foul mood.

Reagan emerged from his walk-in closet, leaving Lumiére to wonder what he had been doing in there. Lumiére gestured around the room with his hands and muttered, "Thanks for the clean-up."

One might assume that as the High Lord of the Vampire race, Lumiére would have servants at his beck and call, and he did. However, they were not allowed to enter his room without his permission, so he tidied up himself.

Reagan walked over to the center of the room and sat down on the bed, stating, "You're back."

Lumiére raised an eyebrow at his cousin's remark and retorted, "I should be the one asking that question. You're not due to return from the North until next week."

Reagan snorted and replied, "Another day with those overbearing fools, and I would have killed them." It was evident that Reagan had a lot to get off his chest, and Lumiére braced himself for a long night ahead.

He groaned, Reagan could tolerate people to a certain point. Hell, the man had a higher tolerance than even he himself, but sometimes, even the most patient person was bound to snap.

“ what happened?” Lumiére asked, walking over to sit on the bed facing his cousin. The guy looked stressed and had dark circles under his eyes, he frowned. Whatever must have happened was not good.

“ It’s what didn’t happen… I got introduced to every single middle born female vampire in the North and South Sanctuary Miére. They were fucking waiting for me everywhere I went, even in my room… imagine trying to sleep only to feel the bed dip and boom, a female is on the bed… “ Reagan relayed.

Lumiére sighed, rubbing his temple. They were taking it too far over there. With Reagan being the third son to the Lord of the North sanctuary; his uncle, he also had a duty to produce a son. An act that wasn’t really required of him since his two eldest sons were still fully alive and his father was still the current Lord of the sanctuary.

Plus Reagan didn’t really have to do anything except Lumiére himself dies.

“ that’s not all… not even the worst of it. I got reprimanded for neglecting my responsibilities by fucking Isaac, who sleeps with everything that walks… you know what’s funny? It’s the audacity to summon the elders“ Reagan chuckled dryly.

Lumiére arched a brow at that, his demeanor changing immediately. That was very hypocritical of Reagan’s brother, Isaac. The man neglected his duties on a daily basis.

“ Isaac had the guts to call a disciplinary elders hearing, insisting that I return back to the North sanctuary and take over the duties of head of staff… “ Reagan added, shaking his head.

“ He’s a middle born at that…how insulting ” Reagan snorted

Okay, that was one funny joke from Isaac that went too far. That prickled his skin and was enough to make him angry.

First, There was no way Reagan was returning back to the North except he willingly goes back himself. He had allowed the one month visit because his uncle had specifically called him and made the request.

He scoffed, “ that must be a joke… I’m sure he’s not expecting me to react to that, right? “ Lumiére asked.

Reagan stared at him for a few seconds before shaking his head, “ let it go… he’s just being himself… I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t do anything whenever I visit” he said.

“ Let it go?” Lumiére snorted, “ I wouldn’t let it slide, Reagan. That’s a spite on me, his High Lord… he should know better” he said with a sharp icy tone.

Reagan must have noticed the change in the atmosphere because he stretched forth his hand and patted him on his thigh, squeezing gently. A gesture that was meant to calm him down.

Instead of responding to his cousin’s silent request, he pushed Reagan’s hand away and stood up from the bed.

“ Miére… “ Reagan called, making a move to follow him.

“ Isaac should have known better… he should know not to piss me off with silly remarks” Lumiére snarled.

It’s been clear ever since they were little that Reagan belonged to him, not as a property though, but with him, by his side. His place was here at the East sanctuary, beside the High Lord. Not even the Lord of any sanctuary could override that and Definitely not his offspring.

The guy was the only Vampire who was equal to him, being a mixture of high blood and middle blood. His mother, who was related to Lumiére, was a high blood vampire and later wedded Lord Brennan Fergal II, the Lord of the North Sanctuary.

His cousin rightfully belongs in the East Sanctuary.

Lumiére stormed out of his room, his anger fueling his supernatural speed as he hurtled down the hallway and towards the elevator. He could feel his emotions boiled over, his eyes glowing with an intense, blood-red hue. He slammed his hand onto the elevator button and the doors opening almost instantly. He stepped inside, his movements too fast for the security camera to catch, and hit the button for the ground floor.

As the elevator descended, he paced back and forth, his mind racing with thoughts of retribution. His Sanctuary was a place where he could control everything and everyone, and the thought of someone daring to challenge his authority made his blood boil.

When the elevator doors opened, he burst out into the lobby, his speed causing a gust of wind that nearly knocked over the guards standing there. He ignored their startled gasp and sprinted towards the exit, his coat flapping behind him as he pushed open the door.

Outside, he took to the air, his powerful wings- another advantage he had as a high blood vampire, beating furiously as he flew towards his office building. His eyes were locked on his destination, his anger lending him a fierce determination that drove him forward.

He landed on the balcony outside his office, his eyes blazing as he kicked open the door and stormed inside. His employees scattered before him, too intimidated to even speak as he stalked towards his desk.

As he sat down, his anger slowly abating. He was a creature of power and control, and no one dared to stand in his way.

He was the fucking High Lord.

“ Call Isaac Fergal of the North sanctuary” he ordered no one in particular.

Within seconds, the call connected and he heard the voice of the man he wanted to kill. The only reason he was not ordering Isaac to appear before him was because he knew Reagan wouldn’t be pleased to see the man there.

“ Hello… “ Isaac slurred.

“ Lumiére Colton, your High Lord, speaking” he spat.

There was a quick shuffle on the other end of the call, Isaac probably realizing who was calling him. He could hear a female voice at the background though it was faint. He scoffed, the man was with a woman; perhaps a human, how shameful.

“ My Lord! “ Isaac rasped.

“ Did I interrupt your fuck?” he fired.

“ No My Lord”

Better.

“ To what do I owe this pleasure. You rarely call me… “ Isaac muttered with a domineering voice. One that would have worked on vampires below him and not the High Lord.

“ I would advise you to drop the tone and pay attention. I need to talk to you about something important," the High Lord said.

“ Reagan does not, and I repeat. REAGAN DOES NOT BELONG TO THE NORTH SANCTUARY” he bellowed, "I’m quite aware of what happened at the North Sanctuary lately, and I want you to stay away from him." Lumiére added.

“ He has a duty to the North" Isaac said with a low growl.

He could growl all he wanted, it still does not change anything.

“Reagan belongs to the East Sanctuary," the High Lord said. "And if you so much as breathe wrongly near him, I swear to you, I will kill you. Am I clear…" he asked.

There was a brief pause on the other end before he heard a sigh.

"I understand," Isaac said quickly, trying to keep his voice steady. "I will not act out near him again."

"Good," the High Lord said. "And remember, Isaac, I'm not one to make empty threats. Stay away from Reagan if you value your life." With that, he hung up the phone, leaving Isaac shaken and terrified.

To calm his nerves, he poured himself a drink and walked out the balcony. The cool night air bringing relief to his bones. It’s been long he bursted out in anger like this, and even used his wings.

Lumiére sighed, taking a sip of his drink, whatever was contained in the glass, it wasn’t strong enough to intoxicate him. He swirled the ruby red wine in his hand as he closed his eyes, savoring the taste of the rich liquid as it trickled down his throat.

Suddenly, a sharp pain exploded in his head, causing him to drop his glass and grasp his forehead. He groaned in agony, unable to comprehend the sudden and intense pain.

As he tried to shake off the pain, he was inundated with a series of images flashing before his eyes. He saw Raven, lying motionless on the ground, blood pooling around her body. She was hurt, badly hurt. He felt His heart rate quicken as the images grew more vivid, and he could feel the pain.

He shouldn’t be able to feel anything or have his heart beat, he was a vampire, yet it was strange.

The High Lord opened his eyes, breathing heavily. He had never experienced anything like this before. He prayed that his intuition was wrong and that Raven was safe. But the images he had seen left him with a sinking feeling in his heart that he couldn't shake.

He had to make sure that she was safe.