My Vampire Harem Will Dominate Everything

Chapter 329: Command From Above

Ezra parked his personal car in the sprawling, immaculately maintained lot outside the City Lord's estate.

He stood there for a moment, staring at the mansion's silhouette in the night. The moon stood directly behind it in such a way that if a picture was taken, it'll look great as a wallpaper.

He looked at the huge gate, the towering tree and the beautiful gardens. This was the life of City Lords.

They ruled over every aspect of their cities. If there was any place filled with crime, it was a deliberate choice.

That is why he knows James will know something about the Veilbreakers.

He unclipped his seatbelt, looking down at himself.

He was dressed casually, in plain clothes that allowed him to blend in with the city's general population.

The last thing he needed was for a police car to be seen driving into the estate of Faewall's richest and most influential man.

The tabloids would turn it into a spectacle, something neither he nor James wanted.

As soon as he stepped out of the car, Alfred was there, waiting with a calm smile that Ezra was tempted to punch off his face.

Ezra greeted him with a curt nod, trying to keep his tone professional. "Alfred."

It probably wasn't a coincidence that the person killed was the same person that testified against his sole witness.

Alfred's smirk widened and he chuckled in amusement. "Captain Matten, always so serious." He gestured for Ezra to follow him. "Come. Lord Harlow is waiting for you."

Without another word, Ezra fell into step behind Alfred, following through a small side gate into the property.

They walked across the grounds, passing through the polished halls of the estate to get to their destination.

They finally arrived at James's study to meet the man himself seated behind his massive desk.

But he was not alone.

Anya was there with him at her usual spot, leaning casually against the bookshelves.

She grinned as he entered, her eyes shining with mischief.

Ezra was instantly wary. This was no normal meeting. If it was just James, he would be a lot less on guard.

"Well, if it isn't the ever dedicated Captain Matten." Anya quipped like she was saying an inside joke. "How many mysteries have you unraveled today?"

Ezra ignored her… jibe and inclined his head to James, who remained seated behind his desk, his expression neutral.

"Lord Harlow." Ezra greeted him formally.

James steepled his fingers, his eyes never once leaving Ezra.

Ezra felt like he was on display at a show as James spoke.

"Captain Ezra. I trust you've been making progress."

"Yes." Ezra nodded.

"Good. I called you here because I want to hear directly from you. Tell me what you've uncovered so far in your investigation."

Ezra paused for a moment, mentally tallying the facts he had gathered so far. Something was up but he would do his job like it was any other day.

"I've gotten close and have identified the costume the killer wears when he kills."

"And what is it?" James asked.

"A dark cloak and an iron mask."

James nodded for him to continue.

"I still haven't been able to determine who they are, but I'm getting closer. With the clues left at the scene of the latest murder, I've been able to piece together a clue."

"Whoever the killer is, they're a Veilbreaker."

At that, Anya laughed. Everyone turned to look at her but her eyes were fixed solely on James.

Ezra glanced at her in confusion before continuing his report.

"Chasing after this new thread, I've searched through the peacekeeper records, but all mentions of the Veilbreakers have been scrubbed."

"Someone went to great lengths to erase any trace of them. I was hoping, Lord Harlow, that you could shed some light on the matter."

A heavy silence filled the room as James stared at Ezra, his face a mask of deep thought.

For a moment, Ezra thought he might have struck a chord, that maybe, just maybe, James would share some insight or hidden knowledge that could further his investigation.

But when James finally spoke, his voice was cold and final. "I'm ordering you to drop the investigation."

Ezra blinked in confusion. "Wait, what?"

"You heard me." James said, his tone firm. "You're no longer needed on this case. Hand over all the information you've gathered to Alfred. He will handle things from here."

Ezra opened his mouth to protest, but something in James's eyes stopped him.

This wasn't his battle to fight. He couldn't risk pissing off James when he still needed his unsupervised freedom.

Not here. He told himself. Not now.

"I understand." Ezra said, keeping any trace of emotions out of his voice.

James stood, walking around the desk and stood in front of Ezra, his gaze hardening.

"Alfred has been much closer to the killer than you realize."

He held Ezra's gaze, allowing a hint of his Aura to leak outside his body.

"He will ensure that this case is wrapped up properly. You should focus back on what you've been doing before. Relax, enjoy yourself, and prepare for my ball."

Ezra nodded, keeping his face neutral. "As you wish, Lord Harlow."

James gave a nod of approval. "Good. You're dismissed."

Ezra turned to leave, his mind a storm of thoughts.

James was shutting him out of the investigation and for what reason?

Ezra could feel it in his bones.

There was a coverup happening here and whatever it was, James was in the thick of it.

A thought occurred to him.

What if whatever was being hidden was related to whatever had brought him here.

Thankfully, he hadn't told James about officer Connelly. He still had a thread to follow.

He'll continue to dig deeper on his own terms. This was far from over.

As he walked back toward his car, his mind was already working, putting pieces together, planning his next move.

Abraham and Connelly.

Two people who could hold the key to solving all this.