My Vampire Harem Will Dominate Everything - Chapter 89

A Price Too High
Ezra sat on the single chair in his cell, staring at the cold, stone walls. His eyes was on the wall but his sight was on the vitality within him. It swirled within him in beautiful patterns, his soul pumping vitality nonstop.

The dim light in the room casted long shadows, dancing and flickering, but he paid them no mind. His thoughts were elsewhere, racing through memories and legal precedents, as he tried to make sense of his current situation. Once a skilled lawyer, now a vampire entangled in a web of accusations, he found himself dusting off his dormant skills in a world where the rules were different, but the stakes were higher.

The heavy door creaked open, and two familiar figures stepped inside. Olivia and Gen walked in, looking grim as they approached.

“Ezra,” Olivia began, her voice steady but laced with concern, “the Peacekeepers have evidence against you. They claim you broke the Law of Secrecy.”

Ezra’s took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. The only punishment for breaking the Law of Secrecy was death. “What evidence do they have?”

“It’s a video. CCTV.” Gen said, his expression troubled. “It shows you revealing your red vampire eyes to a security guard at our old penthouse.”

Ezra froze in shock. What the hell? He remembered the incident clearly. That was the day he had gone out by himself. The day before he had been shot at the warehouse. On that day, the guard had just seemed confused, and he had quickly put on sunglasses to hide his eyes. “That’s impossible. The guard was just confused. I wore sunglasses right after that.” How did they know?

Olivia sighed, her gaze softening. “We know, Ezra. But the footage is damning. It shows you clearly.”

Ezra’s mind raced. How had the Peacekeepers obtained this footage? Who have it out for me? Malachi? Macmillan? “How did they get the video?” He asked, looking up.

Gen shook his head. “We don’t know. It just surfaced, and now they’re using it against you.”

Ezra closed his eyes for a moment, collecting his thoughts. “What’s the legal procedure?”

“A date will be set soon for you to meet with an Arbiter,” Olivia explained. “They’ll judge your case.”

Ezra knew that arbiters in vampire society were the ultimate authority, their judgments swift and often harsh. He knew he had to craft a solid defense. His lawyer’s mind clicked into gear, sifting through possible strategies. “Okay. This what we’ll do. We’ll argue that the footage is fake. It was filmed during the day, and everyone knows vampires can’t last long under the sun.”

Olivia nodded but looked uncertain. “It’s a good angle, but it’s not foolproof. Everyone also knows that vampires can move around during the day if they shield themselves well enough.”

Ezra frowned, considering this. “We need the guard. If we can find him and get his testimony to align with us, it could make all the difference.”

Olivia and Gen exchanged glances. “We’ll find him,” Olivia said firmly. “We’ll do whatever it takes.”

“Also, inform Target to come see me.” Ezra spoke. “He can be bought to our side.”

“That is risky, isn’t it?” Olivia asked. “He only follows the highest bidder.”

“Then we’ll make sure we’re the highest bidder.” Ezra smiled. “If we have the money.”

“We’ll find it.”

Ezra nodded sharply in gratitude. “Thank you. We don’t have much time. The Peacekeepers will move quickly. Whoever gave them that footage will be pushing for me to be punished immediately.”

Olivia placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “We’ll get through this, Ezra. Just hold on.”

Gen gave him a small, encouraging nod. “We’ll be back soon.”

Ezra watched as they left the cell, the heavy door closing behind them with a final thud.

**********

The heavy metal door of Ezra’s cell creaked open, and Target stepped inside. His expression was smug, and he looked at Ezra with a mixture of curiosity and contempt. “Ezra,” he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “You wanted to talk?”

Ezra stood, meeting Target’s gaze with a calm demeanor. “Yes, I want to negotiate,” he replied. “The evidence against me

It needs to disappear.”

Target chuckled, crossing his arms. “And what makes you think I’m interested in negotiating? You’re in a pretty tight spot, Ezra. Why should I help you?”

Ezra took a deep breath, knowing he had to play his cards right. “Because I have the money for it.”

Target raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Go on.”

“I can make it worth your while,” Ezra continued. “Just destroy the footage and help clear my name. I can get you any price you want, within reason.”

Target leaned against the wall, considering the offer. “Money is nice, but it’s fleeting, you know. Besides, I already have a pretty sweet pile of cash for my retirement in a few years.” He paused. “Influence… now that’s interesting. But what kind of influence can you offer me?”

Ezra kept his expression neutral. “What do you suggest?”

Target grinned, his eyes narrowing. “Do you know what I’m thinking?rt. I want something bigger than money. I want a piece of that Black Spider gang you’ve got going on.”

Ezra’s eyes widened slightly. “What do you mean by ‘a piece’?”

Target’s smile was cold and calculating. “I want control of part of your operations. A share in the profits, influence over decisions. I want to be a part of the gang’s inner workings. At least, until the new Count arrives.”

Ezra’s mind raced. He knew the value of what Target was asking for. It wasn’t just a piece of the gang. It was a piece of their power, their future. “That’s a lot to ask,” he said carefully.

Target shrugged. “You’re in no position to negotiate, Ezra. It’s that or the footage stays.”

Ezra took a step closer, his eyes locked onto Target’s. “You know I can’t agree to that.”

Target’s expression hardened. “Then you’ll stay in this cell. And the evidence will be used against you.”

Ezra felt a surge of frustration, but he kept it in check. “There has to be another way. You know as well as I do that power gained through betrayal is fragile. It won’t last.”

Target shook his head. “This is the deal, Ezra. Take it or leave it.”

Ezra stood his ground, his voice firm. “I can’t give you a piece of the gang. Find another way, or this conversation is over.”

For a moment, the two men stared at each other, the tension thick in the air. Finally, Target sighed, pushing himself off the wall. “You’re a stubborn man, Ezra. I’ll give you that. But remember, this is your last chance. Think it over.”

He turned and left the cell, the door closing behind him with a heavy thud. Ezra remained standing, a grim smile on his face.

He knew he wouldn’t be able to get the evidence destroyed. He just wanted to plant an idea in Target’s head. Target loved any opportunity to make money. Ezra was betting on the fact that Malachi would go to extort money from whoever gave him the evidence.

If they were busy trying to keep the evidence in play, they won’t be looking at his other hand. The security guard. As he sat back down, he sighed to himself. This wasn’t the end.