My Vampire Harem Will Dominate Everything

"Ezra! My man. How have you been?" Ivo greeted boisterously as he walked in, Armand following closely behind.

Ezra stood, alert.
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"He's enjoying guarding Westside." Armand said to his friend, his impressive arms crossed over his bare chest. "Aren't you?" he asked Ezra.

"I am well." Ezra said in greeting. "Thank you for your concern."

"No need for all that between friends." Ivo said, waving away Ezra's words as if he'd done something grand. "We are friends, aren't we?" He grinned, his eyes staying on Ezra.

"How could I reject such an honor?" Ezra replied, bowing slightly at their words.

Why were they here? What did they want from him? Had they heard him warn Yuri?

He kept all expression clear from his face. They were still acting friendly. He took in their confident stance. The way they held themselves like they expected him to bow and scrape at their feet. They wanted something from him.

"As a friend of mine, there's something I want to show you, Ezra." Ivo said. "Out in Southside. I believe a man of your expertise would be able to help me with it, won't you?"

Ezra blinked. He was right. They wanted something from him. He watched them and as time stretched, he could see their smiles growing strained on their faces. He narrowed his eyes as he watched them.

"Well? What do you say?" Armand asked, taking a step forward, trying to intimidate Ezra with their bulk. His tone was light but no one could mistake the underlying threat in his words or body language.

Ezra knew they weren't stupid. If they were willing to do this in here, where Yuri could potentially be watching as her Aura was everywhere, it meant that whatever they were planning was getting very close.

And now, they were trying to rope him into it. Unfortunately for them, he has a ready made answer.

"I'm sorry, my lords. I'm waiting for my wife, Gen. She's on a mission for the countess and on her return, we have somewhere to be. I'm afraid I won't be available to check on what you want to show me."

The more he spoke, the more Armand's expression grew darker. But Ivo could control himself, his expression or body language not moving an inch. Armand opened his mouth to speak but Ivo raised a hand, silencing him.

"I see." Ivo said. "You have to wait for your wife, right?"

"Yes." Ezra said simply, keeping any trace of what he felt off his face and body. His hesitation. His mistrust. He preferred where he was and didn't want any part in whatever they were trying to pull.

"I see." Ivo said, eerily calm. "What if I were to assure you that it won't take too long?"

"I would prefer not to take that chance." Ezra replied. "Who knows if the mission will end early? What if I miss her arrival? That would impact our ability to protect Westside as we have an appointment to keep."

"Can't you just meet her at home?" Armand butted in, not quite managing to keep the indignation off his tone.

"I wouldn't have come here if that was an efficient option, my lords. The appointment is a last minute thing and she isn't even aware of it." Ezra said with a raised brow, trying to show Armand just how stupid his question had been. It seemed to have gotten through as he bared his fangs.

"How about this?" Ivo raised his hands as if he was mediating an argument between Ezra and Armand. "Armand will stay behind in the teleportation room, waiting for Genesis. When she arrives, he'll be here to pass on the message of the appointment and she'll wait for you. Isn't that better?"

Ezra watched them quietly, not saying a word.

Ivo glanced at Armand who got the message, speaking through gritted teeth. "Don't worry, Ezra, I'll make sure Genesis knows where you went. She'll be here when you return."

Ezra's eyes flicked between the two men. Should he accept and play along or reject and suffer the consequences because there will be consequences.

"It would be in your best interest to come with me, Ezra." Ivo said, his voice low. "You wouldn't want to disappoint a friend, would you?"

Ezra watched. He knew he couldn't trust them. But he also knew that whatever they were after, they would come after him if he wasn't on their side. It was much better to follow and see than to decline and wait. Who knows? Itachi might come before whatever they planned went down.

"That is in fact, a good idea." Ezra said slowly, breaking the silence. "I'll come with you and see what you have to show me if my wife would be informed of my whereabouts."

"Alright." Ivo said, a smile spreading on his face. "I knew I had a good friend, didn't I?"

"High praise from you, my lord." Ezra nodded buttering up Ivo. Maybe he'll forget Ezra's subtle act of defiance.

"Posh." Ivo waved away his words. "You deserve it don't you?"

Ezra said nothing.

"Come with me." Ivo turned, leading the way out.

Ezra returned the book on the bookshelf as he followed. His instincts were on high alert and they were telling him he was not in any immediate danger but that could change, depending on whatever came next.

The stroll to the nearby teleportation room was tense. Nobody said a word, only the soft swishes of their clothes as they moved, filled the silence.

When they got to the teleportation room, Ivo and Ezra stepped inside while Armand waited outside, sending them off with a curt nod.

Ivo returned the nod, grabbed Ezra on the shoulder and teleported away.

With a familiar flash of light, they appeared in a very familiar corridor. Ezra frowned looking around.

Could it be? He wondered. Or was this a replica?

"Welcome to Ascendant Capital." Ivo smiled.

His brows rose. He had been right.

"Follow me." Ivo beckoned.

Ezra had no choice but to follow, not knowing what he was walking into.