My Annoyingly Handsome Vampire

Chapter 8

The steel doors under VALOR HQ weighed 3 tons each.

They closed with a sound like the world ending.

Xeron walked down the concrete hallway alone. No guards. No cameras. The only people who knew this place existed were in the room at the end.

VEMATH.

His secret.

His war.

The door opened.

*The 4.*

Jace 2IC. Leaning against the table, arms crossed. Tired.

Aria J PR. Tablet in hand, already scrolling. Sharp.

Butler Larson. Standing. Hands behind back. Loyal.

Ken. Sitting, spinning a pen. Young. Hungry.

"Report," Xeron said. No greeting.

Aria J looked up. "House Vex bought another 3% of VALOR this week. They're at 15% now. They're pushing for a board seat."

"They won't get it," Xeron said.

"Alex has been talking," Ken added. "Spreading rumors. In Bars. Calling you slave son in public now. He thinks it's funny."

Xeron's jaw ticked. Once.

"Handle it. Don't touch him. Not yet."

Jace pushed off the table. "There's something else."

Xeron knew what it was before he said it.

"Kira."

"Kira," Jace confirmed. "She's being watched. Not by us. House Vex. Her project supervisor filed a report. 'Student associating with VALOR CEO.'"

The room went quiet.

Xeron walked to the head of the table. Put both hands down on the steel.

"Kira is off limits. To everyone." His voice was low. "To Vex. To the Council. To you four. To me."

Ken frowned. "Sir, with due respect, you're the one who-"

"I know what I did." Xeron cut him off. "And it stops now."

Aria J tilted her head. She was the smartest person in the room after him.

"Sir... there's something about the girl."

"There is," Xeron said. "And it,s none of your business."

Butler Larson cleared his throat. "The Council will ask questions if they find out you're protecting a human."

"Let them ask." Xeron straightened. "VALOR is untouchable. VEMATH is invisible. And Kira is mine to protect."

Not _his_.

_Mine to protect._

Jace caught it. His eyes flicked to Xeron's, but he didn't say anything.

"Hear my order," Xeron continued. "Send some of your trusted men, to keep her safe. Away from the eyes of Alex and the Council. If it's beyond your control report immediately."

"Yes, my lord," all four replied.

The meeting ended.

As they filed out, Jace stayed back.

"You're going to get yourself killed for her," he said quietly.

Xeron looked at him. 400 years in his eyes.

"Then I'll die protecting her."

He teleported out.

To check on her apartment light.

It was on.

She was okay.

For now.