Prey

“How’s that? Satisfied with my work?” The white-robed masked man’s smugness was palpable through his mask.

“Hmph, it’s just reacting. How can you be sure that girl carries the Ancestor’s Blood?” Eviea said, arms crossed, her tone dripping with skepticism.

Though inwardly thrilled at the rapid lead on the Ancestor’s Blood, business demanded shrewdness.

One couldn’t simply accept a seller’s claims at face value. Questioning and haggling were essential, even if she recognized the item’s value. Conceding too easily meant losing control of the deal.

“My dear lady, you’re a princess. Surely you don’t need to nickel-and-dime a humble diviner like me. Touch the compass—you’ll feel the divine aura. It can’t be faked. If I could forge divinity, I wouldn’t be peddling small wares,” the masked man sighed, spreading his hands in mock resignation.

“I know, but I’m not convinced,” Eviea replied coldly.

“What will it take to satisfy you?” he asked, his tone yielding slightly as he clasped his hands on the table.

“Swear to Shesia, the Goddess of Miracles. You know the terms. We’re both smart—no tricks,” Eviea said, leaning forward, her assertiveness clear.

“…Fine, fine. I’ve never met a girl so meticulous,” he grumbled. “I’ll swear, but it’ll be in the contract. Swearing here would disrespect the goddess. The price doubles, though—you’ve seen it works.”

He pulled out a prepared contract, an ancient parchment, and slid it across. As it reached Eviea, elegant script magically appeared on the blank surface—a diviner’s parlor trick.

Eviea studied the parchment, then set it down. “Price isn’t an issue. Fulfill my wish, and we’ll talk.”

She glanced at Heros, who tossed a silver-gleaming ring. The masked man caught it, rubbing it with a satisfied hum.

Eviea pricked her fingertip with a silver needle, letting crimson blood drip onto the contract’s signature line—a vampire’s signature.

The diviner unhurriedly produced a small jade seal, stamping his unique mark. Diviners never revealed their names to outsiders, tied to their faith in fate, using seals instead.

“Deal done. I’m pleased. If my product has issues, contact me as before. I’m a conscientious diviner with after-sales service,” he said, rolling up the parchment. Relaxed, he downed his untouched rum and stood to leave.

“What’ll you do with those ten thousand gold coins?” Eviea asked suddenly.

He paused, turning. “What, controlling my spending now?”

“Just curious. You’re not actually betting most of it on horses, are you?” she said, her blood-red eyes glinting.

He chuckled, unfazed. “Of course not. I’d go big—shuttle it all.”

“Crazy gamblers rarely end well,” she warned.

“You’re right. Diviners can’t read their own fates, but I’ll shuttle anyway. It’s a kind of wisdom,” he said, exiting with a magically amplified parting shot: “Free advice: leave this tavern soon. A riot’s coming.”

Glancing at the chaotic tavern, Eviea sighed. Her eyes lingered on the black-haired girl chatting with the tavern owner at the bar, her blood-red gaze brimming with possessiveness.

Raising alarms wasn’t the vampire way.

Since the target was identified, Heros could track her. His high-tier mage skills were more than enough, and with the compass in hand, the prey was as good as caught.

Eviea’s confident smile reflected in the mirror, her blood-red eyes burning with deepening obsession. “You’re mine, Selina!”

Her sharp nails pierced her skin, drawing blood, but she felt no pain, consumed by intense emotion.

Achoo!

“Your Highness, are you alright? Feeling unwell?” Cuibis asked, concerned by Selina’s sneeze.

“It’s nothing. Someone’s probably talking about me,” Selina said, wiping her nose with a handkerchief, waving it off.

Their elven allure drew eyes, even with their appearances toned down. After five years as a girl, Selina was used to the discomfort of attention.

Looking at the crowded entrance, her dark eyes sparkled with rare, childlike excitement.

Today was Tianqi Academy’s assessment day—her first major test as an elf. She wasn’t nervous; the warrior assessment was child’s play for a seasoned thief like her. The thrill of new experiences fueled her.

Even among Tianqi’s prodigies, her decades of combat experience gave her an edge no young genius could match.

“Best of luck, Miss. I wish you a satisfying result,” Cuibis said. Though aware of Selina’s talent, a blessing was customary.

Selina nodded, accepting the sentiment, then waved goodbye to Cuibis and joined the throng streaming into the assessment entrance.