Chapter 245 — The Vampire Cardinals

Chapter 245: Chapter 245 — The Vampire Cardinals

~ Raven ~

By the following morning, Valerius had become almost unrecognizable.

Raven stood near the entrance to the ceremonial grounds, watching academy officials hurry between rows of decorated seats while students crowded along the surrounding walkways, eager to catch a proper glimpse of the visiting vampires.

Banners representing the Cardinal Houses hung above the ceremonial platform, with several unfamiliar crimson and silver insignias arranged alongside them to mark the presence of the Blood Courts.

The vampire delegation might have arrived the previous day, but judging by the preparations taking place around her, the academy had no intention of allowing Sevrin Veyrholt’s little adventure to interfere with the official welcome.

Raven almost smiled at the thought.

That was probably how the bastard would describe it too.

She adjusted the collar of her formal uniform, making certain the insignia identifying her as Second Seat of the Luna Court was properly positioned.

There had been a time when she would have been expected to help prepare a gathering like this rather than attend it as an honored representative.

Back at House Blackthorn, she would probably have spent the morning carrying refreshments, cleaning rooms, or running errands for people who barely acknowledged her existence.

Now she was standing among the academy’s highest-ranking students, preparing to compete against some of the most powerful young heirs from the Blood Courts.

It was a rather ridiculous change when she thought about it, although she certainly wasn’t complaining.

"Raven!"

She turned at the familiar voice and found Brielle approaching through the crowd, her eyes moving toward the growing number of guests before settling on Raven.

"Have you seen how many people are here?" Brielle asked, glancing toward the ceremonial platform. "I knew the Concord was important, but I didn’t expect half the noble world to turn up."

"Considering two kings are attending, I suppose everyone wants to make themselves look important," Raven replied, earning an amused laugh from her friend.

Brielle was still smiling when she leaned closer.

"Speaking of important people, I heard something happened yesterday. Cassian and Dante fought one of the visiting vampire heirs."

Raven closed her eyes briefly.

Of course.

She should have known the incident wouldn’t remain private for long.

"People really need to find something better to discuss."

Brielle studied her expression, and Raven immediately regretted answering that way when an interested smile appeared on her friend’s face.

"You were there, weren’t you?"

"Unfortunately," Raven admitted with a sigh. "And before you ask, I didn’t start anything."

"Raven!"

"What? I was minding my business when they started fighting."

Brielle laughed, clearly finding the explanation entertaining, but Raven had no intention of telling her everything that had happened.

She’d already spent enough time thinking about yesterday, especially her encounter with Cassian’s father.

The memory of Lord Blade’s killing intent still made her uncomfortable, although what troubled her more was the expression Cassian had worn when he’d found them together.

She hadn’t realized just how strained his relationship with his father was until then, and something about the way Cassian had looked back at her before leaving with Sylvia had remained in her thoughts long afterward.

Before she could dwell on it further, a series of clear chimes rang across the ceremonial grounds, signaling that the official proceedings were about to begin.

Brielle gave her a quick wave before moving toward the other Hale Wing students, while Raven joined the section reserved for the Luna Court representatives.

The gathering gradually quieted as the Headmaster approached the central platform, looking considerably more composed than she’d been during yesterday’s confrontation.

Then again, there were no damaged training courts or troublesome Cardinal heirs to deal with this morning, although Raven wouldn’t have put it past any of them to change that before the day was over.

"Welcome to Valerius," the Headmaster began, her voice carrying across the grounds. "Today marks the formal opening of this year’s Renewal Concord, an occasion that brings our two civilizations together in the spirit of cooperation, mutual understanding, and honorable competition."

Raven listened as the Headmaster acknowledged the royal guests and the noble families attending the event, although her attention soon drifted toward the raised seating area reserved for the rulers.

The Vampire King sat beneath a dark canopy, his expression composed as he observed the gathering. Even from this distance, Raven could recognize the same overwhelming presence she’d felt the previous day, although his essence was now restrained.

The Alpha King occupied the opposite side of the platform, surrounded by several important werewolf nobles, and Raven noticed how respectfully everyone behaved whenever either ruler’s attention shifted toward them.

The Headmaster continued speaking, explaining that the Concord would include several competitions intended to test the abilities and cooperation of the participating representatives.

Raven already knew about the Sigil Trial, Night Pursuit, and Grand Concord Duels, having spent the past several days preparing for them, but knowing what awaited her didn’t make the prospect any less intimidating.

Especially now that she could see the number of powerful people who would be watching.

She remembered something Isolde had told her when they’d first discussed the Concord.

The vampires had been getting the better of Valerius often enough in recent years that some of them had grown rather arrogant about it. Isolde had described them as insufferable, although she’d also mentioned that Cassian was usually quite good at shutting them up.

At the time, Raven hadn’t given the remark much thought.

After witnessing Cassian’s reaction to Sevrin yesterday, however, she was beginning to understand just how personally the Cardinals seemed to take these competitions.

When the formal introductions began, the four werewolf Cardinals were acknowledged first.

Cassian Blade stepped forward alongside Dante Prymont, Rowan Ashbourne, and Nikolai Hale, each receiving considerable applause from the gathered students.

Raven found her attention drifting toward Cassian almost immediately.

He looked as composed as ever in his formal uniform, his pale silver-blue eyes fixed on the officials conducting the ceremony.

Anyone who hadn’t witnessed yesterday’s confrontation would probably have assumed he was perfectly calm, but Raven knew better.

She’d seen the way his expression tightened whenever the visiting vampires were mentioned, and judging by Dante’s unusually serious appearance beside him, neither had forgotten what happened with Sevrin.

Nikolai, on the other hand, looked thoroughly at ease. He smiled toward several familiar students before offering Raven a small wave when their eyes met.

She returned it, grateful that at least one Cardinal seemed capable of attending a diplomatic gathering without looking ready to fight someone.

Then the Headmaster announced the vampire representatives.

"The four Cardinal heirs of the Blood Courts."

A noticeable murmur spread through the gathering as the visiting heirs approached the ceremonial platform, and Raven leaned forward slightly, curious to finally see the two vampires she hadn’t encountered yesterday.

The first was introduced as Varron Kharveil, heir to the Fire Cardinal House.

He was a tall, broad-shouldered vampire with a powerful build, dark auburn hair and a sharp, handsome face that seemed incapable of maintaining a serious expression for long.

Even as he approached the platform, there was a restless energy about him, and Raven noticed how his attention moved across the gathering before settling on Dante.

A broad grin immediately appeared on his face.

Dante noticed him too, and the challenging smile he returned made Raven wonder what sort of history the two shared.

She remembered Cassian’s warning about Varron’s aggressive fighting style and his preference for overwhelming opponents with offensive Bloodscript.

Considering how much Dante enjoyed a good fight himself, Raven could already imagine how troublesome putting the two of them together might become.

The second heir was Cyran Noxmere, representing the Air Cardinal House.

Unlike Varron, Cyran was tall and lean, with neatly arranged dark hair, sharply defined features and an air of quiet arrogance that made him look rather difficult to approach.

His expression remained composed as he acknowledged the gathering, and even the smallest movements he made seemed deliberate.

Raven remembered Cassian describing him as an exceptionally efficient fighter who relied on precise attacks and pressure manipulation, and judging by the disciplined way he carried himself, she could see why.

Then Cyran’s attention settled on Cassian.

A faint, knowing smile appeared on his face, and Raven watched Cassian’s expression turn noticeably colder in response.

Well, that was interesting.

Whatever history existed between those two, Raven had a feeling it wasn’t particularly pleasant.

Next came Bastien Durnholt.

The Earth Cardinal stepped forward with the same controlled composure Raven remembered from yesterday, offering the assembled nobles a respectful acknowledgment before taking his place beside the other heirs.

His eyes passed over the Luna Court section, and for a brief moment, Raven thought he looked directly at her, although he turned away before she could be certain.

Then the final heir was announced.

"Sevrin Veyrholt of House Veyrholt, Water Cardinal of the Blood Courts."

Raven watched the white-haired vampire approach with an easy confidence that made it difficult to believe he’d nearly caused a diplomatic incident less than a day earlier.

He acknowledged the gathered nobles with a faint smile before taking his place beside Bastien, his crimson irises moving across the audience until they settled on Raven.

The bastard smiled.

Raven immediately looked away.

Goddess, she was beginning to think he enjoyed irritating her more than anything else.

Unfortunately, his attention hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Cassian’s gaze shifted toward Sevrin, his expression becoming considerably colder, while Dante glanced between the vampire and Raven with an unmistakable frown.

Were they seriously going to start this again?

Thankfully, the ceremony continued without incident, and after the formal acknowledgments concluded, the representatives were permitted to mingle with the visiting nobles.

Raven had barely moved away from the Luna Court section when she noticed Varron approaching Dante.

The vampire looked unusually pleased with himself as he stopped before the Fire Cardinal, his grin widening when Dante turned toward him.

"Prymont. I was beginning to wonder whether you’d decided to sit this one out."

Dante gave him an unimpressed look.

"You’d like that, wouldn’t you?"

"Not particularly." Varron folded his arms, still grinning. "Where’s the fun in coming all this way if you aren’t going to compete?"

Dante’s mouth curved into a sharp smile.

"Still as obsessed with fighting as ever, I see."

"And you’re still pretending you don’t enjoy it just as much."

Raven watched Dante give a quiet laugh, although there was something distinctly challenging about the way he regarded the vampire.

"Keep talking, Kharveil. We’ll see how entertaining you find the competition."

Varron looked genuinely delighted by the response.

"I’m counting on it."

Raven shook her head.

Another battle-obsessed idiot.

At least this one seemed considerably more straightforward than Sevrin.

Not far from them, Cassian had encountered Cyran Noxmere, and Raven found herself observing their conversation with growing interest.

The two Air Cardinals stood facing one another with expressions so composed that she might have mistaken their exchange for a perfectly ordinary conversation if she hadn’t noticed the tension beneath their words.

"Blade," Cyran greeted, his mouth curving slightly. "You look about as pleased to see me as ever."

Cassian regarded him coolly.

"I was hoping you’d have found something better to do with your time by now."

"Unfortunately, the Concord keeps bringing us together." Cyran glanced toward the other representatives before returning his attention to Cassian. "Although I hear you’ve already managed to make this year’s gathering interesting."

Raven almost groaned.

Oh, he didn’t.

Cassian’s expression barely changed, but she noticed the subtle tightening of his jaw.

"If you’re referring to yesterday, Noxmere, I suggest you learn the circumstances before drawing conclusions."

"I’ve heard enough to know that Veyrholt has been enjoying himself."

"Then perhaps you should ask him what happened."

Cyran’s faint smile remained.

"I doubt his version would be particularly useful."

Cassian regarded him for a moment before giving a humorless smile.

"At least we agree on something."

Raven looked between them, finding it almost impressive how two people could exchange perfectly ordinary sentences while making it painfully clear that they disliked one another.

And judging by the ease with which Cyran continued provoking Cassian, this was hardly the first time they’d spoken that way.

She dimly thought of Isolde’s complaints about the vampires again, particularly the part about Cassian being good at shutting them up.

Apparently, that hadn’t made him particularly popular among them.

Cyran eventually excused himself, although the faint amusement on his face suggested he’d enjoyed getting under Cassian’s skin.

Raven decided she wanted absolutely no part of that conversation.

It was almost impressive how quickly the two groups of Cardinals had resumed their old rivalries.

She’d hoped the official ceremony might encourage a little more diplomacy, but clearly, she’d been expecting too much.

Raven was making her way toward a quieter part of the gathering when she noticed several noble guests watching her.

At first, she assumed they were looking at someone behind her, but when one of the women approached, Raven realized the attention was directed toward her.

"You’re Raven Rivers, aren’t you?" the woman asked with a polite smile.

Raven stopped and inclined her head.

"Yes, my lady."

"Second Seat, if I’m not mistaken." The woman’s attention drifted toward the Luna Court insignia on Raven’s uniform. "I’ve heard your name mentioned several times since arriving."

Raven was momentarily surprised.

"Oh. Thank you."

The woman asked briefly about her studies and the upcoming competitions before moving on to greet another guest.

It had been a perfectly ordinary conversation, yet Raven couldn’t help finding it strange.

There had been a time when women like that would have walked straight past her without a second glance.

Now they were approaching her themselves.

And the woman wasn’t the only one.

As Raven continued through the gathering, she noticed several guests exchanging curious looks whenever her name was mentioned. Some recognized her from her recent achievements, while others seemed more interested in how someone without the backing of an influential House had managed to secure the Luna Court’s Second Seat.

She even overheard one noble asking another which noble family the Rivers name belonged to, only for the second to admit that she wasn’t entirely certain.

Raven almost smiled.

Good luck figuring that one out.

She’d spent long enough being treated as though her lack of a powerful family made her worthless, and while the attention remained uncomfortable, there was something satisfying about watching people struggle to reconcile her background with her current position.

Unfortunately, her moment of amusement ended when a familiar voice sounded nearby.

"Miss Rivers."