X knelt in the dimly lit room, his eyes fixed on the cold stone floor as he waited.


    Even as he held the position, he hated the deference he was forced to show, the subservience that was demanded of him.


    Just when he was contemting acting up, the air shimmered as Natalia, Griffin''s assistant and first wife, teleported into the room.


    He rose swiftly, bowing his head in a show of respect. "Wee, Lady Natalia." he greeted, his voice devoid of emotion.


    "Thank you, X," she replied, her tone as crisp and authoritative as ever.


    "My Lord awaits." X waited respectfully.


    "Let''s go." Natalia nodded, her expression cool and unreadable. "Is everything prepared?" She asked.


    "Yes, mdy. The captives are prepared."


    "Let me see Griffin first." She spoke and X nodded, leading the way.


    Natalia was a striking figure, her presence demanding attention. X led her through the winding corridors of the sanctuary to the private chamber where Griffin awaited.


    Before long, they reached the chamber. X opened the door, stepping aside to allow Natalia to enter first.


    He followed silently, taking his ce in the corner of the room, as was his custom. He stood there with his eyes trained on the ground.


    Griffin, shirtless and well-built, stepped forward to greet Natalia with a deep, passionate kiss. It was a disy of possession and power, one that made X''s stomach churn.


    Natalia responded with equal fervor, her hands tracing the contours of his back. X watched out of the corner of his eyes, his face impassive even as his eyes narrowed slightly.


    They broke the kiss after a few seconds.


    "My love." Griffin sighed. "It''s been far too long."


    Nataliaughed, light and airy. "It''s only been a few days."


    "Doesn''t matter. I missed you all the same." Griffin said, his mechanical voice tinged with warmth. "Are youfortable at Ezra''s?"


    Natalia nodded as they moved to sit on the luxurious bed. "Yes, very much so."


    "And the man himself?"


    "Secretive." Natalia answered. "He''s not one to trust easily nor blindly."


    "True." Griffin smiled. "And the relic?"


    "As expected, Ezra''s relic is strong. It has boosted his strength and natural vampire abilities significantly. He is able to take on a fourth ring vampire in singlebat and win."


    "We expected as much with his suppossed defeat of Mchi but it''s good to finally have confirmation."


    "That''s the power of the seventh page." Natalia nodded seriously.


    Griffin''s eyes gleamed with curiosity. "I wonder what it would be like to have a full relic," he mused, his tone almost wistful.


    Natalia ced a reassuring hand on his arm. "Having half a relic does not make you any less of a prince, my love."


    Griffin hummed nonmittally, gesturing for her to continue.


    Natalia sighed like it was a well worn arguement and continued. "Genesis is now mostly at home, due to the decimation of the ck Spider gang. However, they have ns to revive the gang."


    "What concerns me is the fact that they have an in with the City Lord''s government in the form of Miss Red, a worker in the City Lord''s domain."


    Griffin nodded. "That must be how they could get an invite to Itachi''s ball. Even if our esteemed Lord doesn''t write the invitations himself, there''s no way his wives would be interested in a newborn coven. We''ll have to keep an eye on their rtionship."


    "Agreed." Natalia spoke. "Nothing is out of the ordinary, except for the fact that Ezra has been creating vitality almost exclusively with Olivia Wild. This suggests they all want Olivia to ascend as soon as possible."


    Griffin''s gaze sharpened. "Do they know about the Ascension well?"


    Natalia shook her head. "I don''t know. But it is worth investigating."


    "Whyever would they want Olivia to ascend quickly?" Griffin wondered.


    "Either they are with us or against us." Natalia answered.


    "Well, I did hint of theing war. he could be trying to consolidate power before ites." Griffin chuckled.


    "Whatever it is, we must remain wary of the Matten Coven."


    X watched silently from his corner, feeling like a piece of furniture rather than a person. He hated how easily Griffin dismissed him, how his presence was barely acknowledged.


    "Enough of this talk." Griffin grinned as he pulled Natalia in for a kiss. "Let''s have some fun."


    "Not today." Natalia resisted with a small smile. "You know I can''t stay for long. Someone has to keep an eye on the Mattens."


    Griffinughed softly, trying to persuade her. "Stay a little longer."


    Natalia''s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Maybe if you removed your voice modtor. It''s been quite some time since I heard your true voice."


    Griffin chuckled, shaking his head. "Uou know it''s not polite to pressure everyone else with the weight of my presence. Let''s pity the weak. Noblesse oblige and all that."


    "We''re alone, aren''t we?" Natalia countered, her tone yful. "There''s no one here but us."


    Griffin''sughter filled the room, and he nodded. "Very well."


    X seethed inwardly, his resentment boiling over. He hated being treated like he was invisible, a mere tool for Griffin''s use.


    He watched as Griffin''s aura descended, heavy and powerful, filling the room with an oppressive presence. The air seemed to thrum with energy as Griffin removed his voice modtor.


    When he spoke, his voice was powerful, rolling with authority. "Natalia."


    The sound of Griffin''s true voice had an immediate effect, the vitality in the room almost bowing to hismand.


    He drew Natalia to himself, his kiss deep and possessive. X''s fists clenched at his sides, the disy of power and intimacy a bitter reminder of his own subjugation.


    As Griffin and Natalia''s embrace deepened, X''s mind churned with dark thoughts.


    He was a prisoner in this gilded cage, forced to serve the man he loathed. But deep within him, a seed of defiance remained.


    One day, he would break free. One day, he would have his revenge.


    Until then, he would endure, watching and waiting for the moment when he could strike back against the man who held him in chains.