My Vampire Harem Will Dominate Everything

Chapter 327: Next Move

Gen's eyes flickered with recognition at hearing the name. "Are you sure? Veilbreakers?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

Gen frowned, stepping closer. "What do you mean?"

"The killer." Ezra said, his voice growing more certain. "They're pointing to the Veilbreakers."

Gen's face darkened. "That's why the deaths are all public. They are using it for one of their twisted agendas, aren't they?"

"That's the only explanation I've got." Ezra said. "For now."

Veilbreakers were the third vampire faction, equally hated by both Councilariand and Monarchists.

The Veilbreakers were the vampires who wanted vampires to reveal their presence to humans and live in harmony among them.

They were also known as the idealistic bastards. After all, humans are known for fearing what they couldn't understand and peace cannot be guaranteed.

Both the Monarchy and the Council wanted to rule humans but from the shadows. Due to the hatred, Veilbreakers live hidden among other vampires, only known to themselves.

"They're leaving us a message." Ezra said, his voice grim. "The killer wants us to know who they are, or at least who they're aligned with."

"Wait a minute." Gen said. "What if it's the opposite? What if the killer wanted to point you away from themselves and to the Veilbreakers?"

"No. That's not the message." Ezra shook his head with certainty. "The killer is making statements and sending messages. They want all this public. That's a Veilbreaker trait. Normal vampires take care of their mess in private.

And this… is not private."

Ezra stood in silence for a long moment, thinking through the possibilities.

Whoever had done this was getting closer to their endgame. And now, they had drawn a direct line to him, inviting him to follow the trail they were leaving behind.

Ezra made a sudden decision. "I'm bringing you guys into the investigation."

"What?" Gen asked, surprised that he wanted to defy James' orders. Not because he was being disobedient but because he preferred to do as he was told in order to be free to go about his search.

"I can't afford to be reckless." Ezra finally said, his voice low and steady. "Now that I know the Veilbreakers are involved, I can't afford to make any mistakes."

"The Veilbreakers are organized. We know that if they have a cell in a city, they make it a point of having it be more powerful than the peacekeeper force in that same city."

"Alright." Gen nodded, her expression serious. "I'll stay here and finish securing the scene."

"Good." Ezra nodded. "I'll go back to HQ and start digging. There has to be old records of Veilbreakers in the city."

Ezra took one last look at Maya's body, her lifeless form swaying slightly in the middle of the stage.

The killer had left their mark. It was his move now.

**********

James Harlow stormed into his study, his footsteps echoing with barely controlled rage.

The door slammed against the wall, shaking the shelves that lined the room.

His usually calmness was nowhere to be found, replaced by a furious scowl that could set the air on fire if it wanted to.

Even in his rage, he maintained perfect control. The air immediately around him trembled but nowhere else was affected.

Standing in the center of the room looking perfectly composed as always, was Alfred. Despite James' explosive entrance, Alfred's expression remained blank.

In the corner of the room, leaning casually against the shelves, Anya, the Arbiter, watched in amusement, a small smirk on her lips.

James glared at Alfred, his voice a sharp bark that echoed through the room.

"What the hell were you doing, Alfred? Another murder, right under your nose, and you let it happen! How did this happen?"

Alfred didn't flinch, even though there was the barest hint of tension in his posture.

"I was misled, my lord." He said calmly. "I had no idea I was following a false trail. They moved in a way I didn't anticipate, and by the time I realized what was happening, it was too late."

"Too late?" James spat, his fists clenching. "That's the excuse you're giving me? Too late?"

Alfred remained silent, his eyes never leaving the floor.

The silence in the room was deafening.

James paced the room, his anger spilling over into every movement.

"Do you have any idea what kind of position this puts me in? Another body, and this time it's someone directly tied to Ezra Matten's investigation. If this news gets out…"

Alfred's jaw tightened ever so slightly, but he remained silent.

In the corner, Anya chuckled softly, drawing both men's attention. She didn't seem the least bit bothered by James' outburst. If anything, the chaos seemed to entertain her.

"Oh, James." She said lightly, her voice carrying a hint of mockery. "I do love it when you get worked up like this. It's almost... amusing."

James shot her a withering glare, though the anger in his eyes didn't seem to faze her. "Is that all this is to you? Amusing?"

Anya tilted her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Come now, don't be so dramatic. What's done is done. The question is, what's your next move?"

James let out a frustrated breath, turning back toward Alfred, but Anya's words had clearly struck a chord.

He knew she was right. He couldn't afford to dwell on what had already happened. He needed to regain control.

"What's my next move?" James repeated, his voice lowering as his mind shifted gears. "Ezra Matten."

He turned fully toward Alfred. "Summon Ezra Matten. I'm taking him off the case."

"Really?" Anya laughed. "You think that's wise?"

"Wise?" James barked. "At this rate, Ezra will find something he won't be willing to let go. You know the type, don't you?"

"He's exactly like that beast we have downstairs. He's unwilling to throw away his conscience. It's no longer feasible to have him so close to all this."

"It never was feasible, James." Anya said. "Yes, he doesn't know now but that doesn't matter. He'll know eventually."