My Vampire Harem Will Dominate Everything

Chapter 309: The New Countess

Ezra drove through the streets of Faewall, all motorists suddenly becoming law abiding citizens at the sight of his police car.

One dude was about to jaywalk as he turned the corner. One look at his car and he stood there like he was only examining the road.

Ezra smirked to himself as he finally entered the street that held Hyde's domain. This was also another exclusive area but instead of one that appeared naturally, Hyde had built it himself.

The street was all high stone walls and heavy iron gates. Ezra had never visited it before, having no reason to. He only met Hyde and a few of his wives at the balls James Harlow always held.

Now, with Hyde dead and the suspects living in his house, Ezra knew he had to tread carefully.

He pulled the car to a stop outside the massive gates of the Hyde estate. There was a moment of waiting before the gates creaked open slowly as whoever was controlling the system inside, recognized his car.

He drove through, the gravel crunching under the tires as he followed the winding driveway up to the mansion.

The mansion itself was a grand, old thing with stone gargoyles perched along the roof, their faces snarling down at whoever was looking up.

As he parked and stepped out, one of Hyde's junior wives appeared from the front door, walking down the stone steps to meet him.

She looked young, even if that wasn't necessarily an indicator of age, with sharp, delicate features and long, dark hair that fell in loose waves down her back. Her eyes were cold and guarded, though she offered a polite smile as she approached.

"Captain Matten." She greeted him, her voice soft but formal. "The Countess is expecting you."

Ezra nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you."

The woman turned, gesturing for him to follow as she led him inside the mansion.

The interior was just as grand as the exterior, with high vaulted ceilings, dark wooden beams, and heavy velvet curtains lining the tall windows.

Ezra followed in silence through the long hallways until they reached a set of large, carved wooden doors.

The junior wife knocked lightly, waiting for a response. A soft voice called for them to enter, and the woman pushed open the doors, stepping aside to let Ezra through.

Inside, the room was filled with the scent of lavender and candlelight.

Sitting gracefully on a large, ornate chair at the center of the room was Hyde's main wife, who was now the Countess of the territory.

She was beautiful, sitting there looking perfectly composed. Her long, flowing gown shimmered in the candlelight, and her hair was tied back in a complex braid.

Her eyes, however, shined with a superior intelligence, watching Ezra carefully as he entered.

"Captain Matten." She said with a small smile, rising from her seat. "Thank you for coming."

Ezra inclined his head respectfully. "Countess, I appreciate you meeting with me."

The junior wife quietly left the room, closing the door behind her, leaving Ezra alone with the new Countess. He took a step forward, choosing his words carefully.

"First, let me offer my congratulations." Ezra said, his voice smooth but measured. The news had just got him. She had been elevated to become the new Countess of the territory and now, all of Hyde's wives and Subjects now serve her.

The Countess's smile was gracious, though there was a hint of something dark in her eyes. "Thank you, Captain. It is not the way I would have chosen to ascend, but I accept my new role."

Ezra nodded, his tone softening. "I'm also sorry for your loss. Hyde's death was… unexpected."

She inclined her head slightly, accepting the condolences with grace. "Yes. It was a shock to us all."

There was a moment of silence as Ezra considered his next words. He took a deep breath before speaking, approaching the subject delicately.

"Hyde was a man of… great influence. His many wives, his network of Subjects. He was known for keeping his affairs private, but I can't help but wonder if there was more to his life that might shed light on his death."

The Countess's smile didn't waver, but her eyes narrowed slightly in reaction to his words. "Was that a question or a statement?"

Ezra was silent for a moment. "A question."

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"Captain Matten, my husband's personal life is just that. Personal. His affairs, and the affairs of his wives, are not open for discussion."

Ezra took a small step forward, careful to keep his tone respectful. "I understand that, but with his death being so sudden, it's important that we investigate every possible angle. I'm sure you want to see justice served, and-"

"Justice will be served." She interrupted smoothly, her voice firm but not unkind. "But my family's privacy will remain intact. My husband's life was complicated, yes, but that complexity does not invite scrutiny into our personal affairs."

Ezra could see that she wasn't going to make this easy.

Her responses were calm and perfectly deflective. She wasn't just protecting herself, she was protecting the entire structure that Hyde had built.

The wives, the Subjects, the secrets that he had died holding. She was the gatekeeper now, and she wasn't about to let anyone pry too deeply.

"I see." Ezra said, nodding slightly. "I respect that. But if you or any of Hyde's wives have any information, anything that might help with the investigation, please, don't hesitate to reach out. The peacekeepers are here to serve."

The Countess smiled again, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Of course. I appreciate your concern, Captain. But I assure you, we have nothing to hide."

Ezra nodded. He knew a dismissal when he heard one.

"Very well." He said, stepping back. "Thank you for your time, Countess. I won't trouble you further."

"Thank you, Captain." She replied smoothly. "Safe travels."

Ezra inclined his head one last time before turning and leaving the room.

As he walked back through the mansion, the pieces of the puzzle continued to swirl in his mind.

The Countess had been guarded and he could sense that she was hiding something. Whatever Hyde had been involved in, she knew about it.

As he stepped outside and got back into his car, Ezra's thoughts turned to the next steps.

It was time to dig deeper.