Ezra followed the group as they made their way to James Harlow''s study with Hannah following behind him.


    He''d managed to piece together what had caused this whole thing. Gen had somehow managed to sneak in and kill Lana.


    With Gen in sight, James had used the opportunity to try eliminating him, removing everybody close to the truth that was not on his side off the board. Fortunately, he''d been saved by the Attendant.


    He nced at the man who walked beside James like he couldn''t feel the tension he''d brought with him.


    Ezra resisted the urge to turn and re at Connell. Even if he did so, he would be ring at the wrong person. It was Hannah now, not Connell.


    She''d known that an Attendant wasing and had made him use it to threaten Lana. While he was pleased to have gotten the information out of her before she was killed, he was furious to know that with the Attendant in town, the only way to save Gen was to prove that she didn''t break thew of secrecy.


    If he could prove that, she can still keep her life. After all, violence between vampires was not punishable by officialw and was left to the discretion of the City Lord. All he had to do was find a way to make the Attendant override whatever James'' judgment would be.


    Better yet, the exposing of the truth should result in James'' death. That would solve a host of problems.


    They finally got to the study and the Attendant strode in, his white suit standing out like a beacon. Without hesitation, he moved to the chair behind James''s desk and seated himself as if he owned the ce.


    James''s jaw clenched at the audacity. "That''s my-" He said, his voice tight with anger.


    The door opened before he could finish and everyone turned toward the sound.


    Ezra instinctively stepped in front of Hannah at the sight, instantly ready for a fight. When he saw who it was, his eyes narrowed.


    Anya entered, looking disheveled. Ezra frowned, his vitality surging within him. Was Gen dead? Had she escaped?


    That was when the second vampire entered. The woman was dressed in tight dark clothes like an assassin of some sort, a half mask covering her face. Just like Anya, she looked like she''d been in a fight.


    Ezra connected the dots. The two women had somehow fought.


    He couldn''t help but notice that as Anyaid eyes on the Attendant, she froze for a fraction of a second and what might''ve been terror appeared on her face and disappeared almost too fast to be registered.


    She walked forward and bowed before the man. "Attendant Michngelo. Wee to Faewall."


    Michngeloid his elbows on the table and steepled his fingers. "Arbiter Anya." He nodded at her. "Good on you for joining us."


    Anya rose up from her bow. "It''s an honor, Attendant."


    Ezra''s eyes moved to the woman who was dressed like an assassin, his instincts screaming for him to be on guard.


    She moved like she expected to be attacked at any second, scanning the room and cataloging every threat. She walked to Michngelo,ing to stand beside him.


    Michngelo''s eyes flicked to the women beside him before addressing the room. "These are mypanions, Lisa and Daphne. They hold the same authority as I do." He said before turning to the woman he''d indicated as Daphne.


    "What happened?" He asked her.


    Daphne tilted her head slowly and crossed her arms. Continue reading at empire


    "I see." Michngelo nodded as if he was confirming something he''d already suspected.


    Ezra frowned, wondering what he''d seen. The woman hadn''t said anything.


    As if to answer the question on everyone''s mind, Anya spoke. "Genesis escaped."


    The room fell silent and Ezra was only barely able to stop himself from sighing in relief. It felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Fortunately, he was able to keep all expression off his face as James nced at him.


    "I had her but I was attacked by Daphne here due to a misunderstanding and she escaped."


    "I see." Michngelo''s expression didn''t change as he tilted his head slightly. "Genesis." He repeated. "rify for me. Who is this person?"


    James and Anya exchanged a quick nce, the kind that spoke of someone making a blunder, before James cleared his throat, speaking with forced calm. "Genesis is the wife of Ezra here, your precious peacekeeper captain."


    Michngelo''s dark eyes turned to Ezra. He studied him in silence for a few seconds before speaking. "Let me guess. You had no idea your wife was behind the murders." He said, with no trace of judgment in his voice.


    Ezra stood his ground. "No, I didn''t."


    Michngelo held his gaze for a moment longer before nodding, seemingly satisfied with the answer.


    "Very well." He said. "Your continued involvement in this case would be a conflict of interest. I''ll need you to hand over all records and findings rted to the investigation to Lisa. Understood?"


    "I''m afraid I''ve already submitted everything to Alfred." Ezra said.


    "Alfred?" Michngelo frowned slightly. "Who is this Alfred?"


    James shifted ufortably. "Alfred is my right hand. A loyal servant."


    Michngelo''s sharp gaze turned to James. "I see." He paused before speaking. "Summon him." He ordered tly, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    He turned back to Ezra as James snapped his fingers and a guard scurried in. "For now, Captain Matten, I''ll need you to give a verbal report of the crimes so far."


    Ezra stepped forward calmly. All he had to do was give his report and convince Michngelo that Gen hadn''t broken thew of secrecy.


    "Count Hyde''s death was the starting point." Ezra began. "He was killed by a fast-acting toxin or tattoo ability that left his blood bright red. Green, a suspect connected to the incident, disappeared under suspicious circumstances and Hyde''s body was stolen from peacekeeper HQ."


    He paused briefly, gauging Michngelo''s reaction, but the Attendant''s expression remained stoic.


    "There was a fire at Forge Trust shortly after, which seemed to be an attempt to destroy evidence. Survivors were sparse, but one man provided a lead. That lead pointed toward the Moore family, Hyde''s human rtives."


    "Go on." Michngelo said.


    "Maya, one of Hyde''s wives, was also killed. She was hanged in a staged suicide, her blood showing simr signs to Hyde''s. It became clear the killer was attempting to point to…," he paused as this could make or break his attempt of keeping Gen clean, "... Veilbreakers."


    He stopped there, not willing to give any other information. Michngelo didn''t press further, simply nodding as he absorbed the information.


    "Thank you, Captain Matten." Michngelo said finally. "Your report has been noted."


    Ezra nodded in acknowledgement.


    "For now, you are relieved of your duties rted to this case." Michngelo said. "You will remain in Faewall until further notice. If you attempt to leave the city, we will find you."


    "Understood."


    Michngelo gestured toward the door. "You''re dismissed. We''ll call on you if we need anything further."


    Ezra bowed slightly, nced at James and Anya who both avoided his gaze and left the study with Hannah.


    He had a cache to get to.


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