The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Thirty One

Egan was listening to the Vampire King as he carried on about his plans to take over the surrounding kingdoms. He remembered when he was this passionate about Mavaka's plans so long ago. Then something came over him as his thoughts went to her. He had to harden his heart again. He needed to. He let his thoughts drift away from Navaro and back to her, and the day she left. It was the only he could tolerate Navaro's crazy rants.

"Are you even listening to me?" Navaro snapped.

He already knew that Navaro was crazy to think that Mavaka was returning, he couldn't. He had been killed and his body destroyed long ago. There was no coming back from death.

Navaro could tell that he was losing the interest of the demon king, and that didn't sit well with him. But he needed the demon king to help him. He had connections to Mavaka's heir, he knew it. It was the only way to succeed.

Egan lifted his head and waved away Navaro's worries. "Yes, of course, I am, Navaro. But, there is one major flaw in your plan," Egan stood and walked toward the door of his office, giving Navaro a not-so-subtle hint that their meeting was coming to an end. He paused when he caught the sound of Wash and Tree coming down the hallway. "What are those two thinking?" he muttered to himself. He hated the way Navaro eyed his minions, like they were dispensable pieces of furniture, here for his taking. They most certainly were not, especially Wash. He knew that he shouldn't favor any of them, they were sentenced to this life of servitude by Mavaka and he couldn't release them. He didn't know how at least not yet.

Navaro's nose twitched as he caught the scent of his favorite toy from Egan's collection. He stopped speaking and inhaled deeply, he loved the scent this minion let off. He couldn't figure out why this one, in particular, made his mouth water so terribly. His stomach grumbled in a reminder that he needed to eat. "Where is she?"

Egan looked at Navaro dryly, "Who?"

Navaro narrowed his eyes at Egan, "Don't play games with me, Egan. I can smell that minion." He inhaled deeply, the intoxicating aroma of that minion making his mouth water. and looked around hungrily.

Egan smirked at Navaro, "You know I won't give her up, Navaro, but I'm sure we can find a suitable replacement." As he spoke, the timid voice of Wash came through the air.

"Master, the mermaids returned these minions, but Wash does not believe they are yours."

Egan looked down at Wash, confused at the minion's statement, the mermaids shouldn't have had any of them. Unless they were trying to escape again. Egan studied the two misshapen creatures one cowering behind Wash, the other looking around curiously. He didn't recognize either of them but knew what he could do with them. He could see Navaro's nose twitching at the scent of fear filling the air.

Navaro growled low in his throat as he leaned down sniffing the hair of the fearful one. He turned to Egan, his eyes glowing a deep red and his fangs elongating. Egan wasn't so sure he wanted to lose that one just yet.

"Uh, uh, uh, Navaro, these two don't come cheaply," he informed the greedy vampire.

"What do you want?" he growled, his body tensing in anticipation. He was starving and willing to do anything, he just wanted to sink his fangs into this female minion.

"You will go with me to the dungeons, and speak with that dragon for me."

Navaro rolled his eyes, "That dragon is as conceited as you, he won't help."

Egan pursed his lips and lifted his eyebrow, "I don't expect him to, but the fear is always fun," he said an evil glint in his eye.

"Where is your son? He could stand to learn from this," Navaro smirked.

Egan shook his head, "He left for Avec." He put his hand on Navaro's shoulder and they turned to walk away from the minions and head to the dungeons. "We need to have the cooperation of this dragon. And if you do your job, I'll give you one." He pointed at the male minion. "What is he called?"

"I want one of the females," Navaro insisted before either of the minions could speak. He pointed at Wash, "Especially this one."

Egan scowled, "She is not available."

"He is called Furo," Tree explained quickly, hoping to distract the vampire king from Wash.

"Furo?" Egan asked. He turned his attention to the new minion. "Are you, really?"

Navaro's ears perked up at the mention of the minion's name. "I've changed my mind," Navaro said. His hand went to his chin, his pointy nails scratching his skin thoughtfully.

Egan waited, he was surprised by Tree's words. He didn't know that they had a minion like this in their ranks.

"Oh, have you?" Egan asked unfazed by Navaro's sudden change of heart. But he wasn't so sure he wanted to give up this new minion so quickly now.

"Yes, I want this one."

"You know the conditions," Egan said calmly. He began walking towards the door. He had Navaro where he wanted him.

Trixie was shaking behind Wash, she didn't understand any of this. She knew that she didn't belong here, she wasn't like these creatures.

Navaro looked down at the minions, he pointed at Wash, "Your time is coming." He warned as he followed Egan to the door.

Wash looked at Trixie and Furo, "We have to hurry, and you have to get ready," there was a sadness in Wash's eyes that made Trixie worry.

"Where?" Trixie asked.

"Master Navaro will take you both," Wash said.

"Take? Where?" Trixie asked. "They aren't my Master!"

Wash was confused, "Who is your master?" Wash only knew of one Master. Master Egan. The others were called Master or Mistress because Master Egan insisted. And when Master Egan decided to step down, his son would be Master Abigor, not young Master Abigor. Wash didn't know there were other Masters out there with minions. "Where is he?"

Trixie looked around, she was struggling to remember, "I, I don't know." A lone tear trailed down Trixie's cheek for the last time as her change completed.

Furo shook his head, "He will come back for us," he insisted as he fought to keep his memories of past life. "Our master will return for us. This is not our home." His defiance was strong, but the spell had finally consumed him as well with the help of the Isle. His last thought was of Joey, his best friend shaking his head sadly at him.