Mated to the Mad Lord-Chapter 288: Change of plans

Cain’s gaze flickered between Vazer and Violet, his expression unreadable, a mask of cold calculation.

The air between them felt suffocating, thick with the promise of violence.

The guards flanking them stood rigid, fingers twitching over their weapons, awaiting the moment when diplomacy failed, and bloodshed followed.

Vazer’s grip on Violet tightened as he spoke.

"Javi killed my family and took my sister. I want her back," he stated, his voice cutting through the tense silence like a blade.

"From Javi: You bring her to me, and I’ll hand Violet over. You don’t have to kill him, but I don’t how else you’ll get her!" Vazer continued to speak but Vazer had just mentioned what he wanted when Violet finally saw the need to speak.

The fear of Cain having to fight a Vampire Lord and rescue someone for her to be free was acary and something she didn’t want to happen.

But Violet had just opened her mouth, ready to protest when Vazer moved faster than her words, seizing her throat with such force that her breath was instantly cut off before any words could come out of her mouth.

Her body jerked, her hands flying to his wrist, grabbing and clawing to make him shift his grip and release her but he didn’t relent.

His fingers dug into her skin, pressing against her windpipe with a suffocating grip. Her lips parted in a silent gasp, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and pain.

Cain’s jaw tensed, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. His golden eyes burned with fury as he watched Vazer squeeze tighter, a twisted display of dominance.

"Let her speak," Cain said, his voice eerily quiet.

Vazer chuckled darkly, but he didn’t ease his hold. Instead, he tilted his head, feigning curiosity.

"Why? So she can beg? Says words that have no place in this conversation. So she can try and convince you to forget about her or whatever altruistic thing she has in her pretty little head?"

His smirk deepened. "Still, You should know better than to let sentiment weaken you, Cain."

Cain’s expression didn’t waver, but something dangerous flickered beneath the surface.

"If you refuse or fail..." Vazer continued, his grip on Violet tightening just enough to make her wince, "I will kill her." he said in a voice so cold it might as well have been laced with venom and ice.

Cain’s pupils shrank, his breath slow and deliberate as he took a step forward.

The wind billowed through his coat, the fabric snapping behind him like a beast rearing to strike.

His presence alone sent a ripple of unease through the assembled guards around Vazer who were wary against him, but Vazer stood firm, his smirk unwavering.

Cain’s voice dropped to a lethal whisper.

"...And what makes you think your sister is still alive? This is Javi we’re talking about."

"For all you know she could be dead and Javi could be stringing you along! I’m sure you’ve been looking for—" but Vazer didn’t let him finish before interrupting him half way.

Vazer’s smile faded just slightly, replaced by something colder, sharper.

"That’s your business," he said, his tone absolute, his eyes dark with the weight of his resolve.

"You find her! ...and for your sake she better be alive...Or she dies." tightening his grip around Violet’s neck a bit more enough for her to let out another louder gasp of pain.

A muscle in Cain’s jaw twitched. The threat was real—he could see it in Vazer’s eyes, in the way he held Violet like she was nothing more than leverage. If he called Vazer’s bluff and attacked now, Violet might not survive the next few seconds.

.

That realization seared through him like fire, his beast stirring inside him with violent protest.

Every fiber of his being urged him to act, to tear through Vazer and his men, to take what was his by force.

But cold logic held him in place.

Cain’s voice was a low growl as he stepped closer.

"I could kill you right now," he said, his eyes, red and gold glowed in the bright lights erected by the gates as he spoke with conviction.

Vazer was powerful but his bloodline ability wasn’t something that enhanced his attack power and it simply changed his body size.

Even if he changed to become the exact same size of his beast when he attacked, he wouldn’t have the strength to back it up when they both engaged in a full on fight. freёwebnoѵel.com

Instead of showing even an atom of fear a slow smile slowly spread across Vazer’s face as he started back at Cain with the same intensity.

Vazer didn’t flinch. Instead, he exhaled a quiet laugh, shaking his head.

"Again... you can try. But I’m sure you’re already aware—it’s her dead body you’ll be taking with you."

His words landed like a hammer, and for a moment, neither man moved.

The wind howled through the trees, rustling the branches, carrying the scent of cold earth and tension.

Cain’s body burned with the need to act, his claws aching to unsheathe, but he knew the truth—Vazer held the advantage, and he would exploit it without hesitation.

"When you find my sister, bring her back," Vazer continued to speak as he slowly turned away making it clear that he was leaving, not seeing a reason to get a response from Cain.

His grip on Violet never relaxed, forcing her to stumble forward as he pushed her ahead of him.

"Killing Javi would be a plus, but regardless... I intend to do that myself." he said even as he began to walk away confident that Cain wouldn’t dare to launch a sneak attack at him from behind.

But regardless, he was still wary ready to snap Violet’s neck the second he noticed that Cain wasn’t willing to back down and wholly accept his terms.

Violet cast one last glance at Cain over her shoulder, her eyes pleading, desperate. Cain said nothing, his face unreadable, but the promise in his gaze was clear. He wouldn’t leave her here.

Cain’s bodyguards remained poised, waiting for the signal to strike, but instead, Cain simply turned. He exhaled sharply, shoving his emotions down as he stalked back toward the black car he arrived in.

Ignoring the slight looks of relief he caught on the faces of the guards he brought who werelow-key relieved that neither side would be fighting especially since in such a situation, their survival was never sure.

He slid into the backseat, his expression like carved stone. Harry climbed into the driver’s seat, casting him a wary glance in the rearview mirror.

"Lord Cain..." Harry hesitated, gripping the wheel. "Are we attacking at dawn?" he asked aware of just how much he cared about Violet.

Not a doubt in his mind that he would leave her with Vazer.

Also, it was the logical assumption. A strategic retreat to strike when the enemy least expected. After all, killing Vazer was the most direct route to resolving this.

But from the corner of his eye, he saw Cain shake his head. "No," Cain said at last, his voice laced with something unreadable.

"We’re going to find his sister first."

Harry blinked, caught off guard. "His sister?"

Cain leaned against the armrest of the car door, his mind already racing ahead. He thought of Vazer, of the countless battles they had fought side by side. Of the moments when their bond had been unshakable.

And of the letter.

A letter he didn’t remember, but deep down, he knew—Vazer hadn’t lied. The fury in his voice, the pain in his eyes... Cain had ignored him when he needed help. And now, Vazer had chosen the one person Cain couldn’t ignore in return.

"In his place, I would have done worse," Cain admitted to himself, his gaze darkening.

That was the truth of it. If their positions had been reversed, if it had been his family slaughtered, and Vazer had ignored his plea—Cain wouldn’t have stopped at a hostage.

Harry started the car, tires crunching against the gravel as they sped toward the airstrip where the jet that would take them back to the mansion was.

But just as they arrived, just as they approached the jet that was meant to take them back to their district, Cain spoke again.

"Change of plans," he said.

Harry stiffened. "Sir?"

Cain’s gaze was locked on the sky, on the stars above that burned like distant embers. His mind was already calculating the next steps, the next move in this deadly game.

"Inform the pilot," he ordered. "We’re not going home.

Cain’s gaze was steely, unwavering. "We’re going to Javi’s district instead."

Harry’s brows furrowed, but he quickly masked his surprise. He nodded and relayed the order to the pilot.

Cain tilted his head slightly, looking out into the darkness, his mind already working through the possibilities.

Javi and his forces were still weakened, still recovering. Their regeneration was strong, but not as rapid as his own.

This was the best chance they would get.

And Cain wasn’t about to waste it.

He boarded the jet without another word, his thoughts consumed with what lay ahead.

Finding Vazer’s sister.

Facing Javi.

And getting Violet back—no matter the cost