My Vampire Harem Will Dominate Everything

James Harlow sat alone in his study.

As always, his window was opened to a view of the statue of the money king.

But this time, he wasn't watching the statue and this wasn't because of the moonless night. Vampire eyesight was good enough for that.

Instead, he was watching the analogue clock on the wall as it ticked, the sound the only thing one could hear in the darkness.

The hour was late and dawn was approaching, but James wasn't in the mood for anything else but waiting.

His fingers drummed lightly on the edge of his desk, his eyes focused on the hour hand.

Minutes passed, and finally, the door swung open.

Alfred entered the room, striding towards his master.

James had known him long enough to see the frustration inside him even as he held himself calmly.

It seems like this time, it was bad news.

"My lord." Alfred greeted him with a bow.

"Out with it already." James said impatiently.

"She's gone." Alfred reported, his head still bowed. "Genesis has disappeared into the city. We've searched every corner, but she's nowhere to be found.

"And there's no sign she's coming back to her home. Even Ezra is looking for her."

James leaned back in his chair, allowing a faint smile to appear on his face.

He wasn't entirely surprised. Genesis had always been slippery. "Keep searching." He commanded. "She's bound to resurface. She can't hide forever."

Alfred nodded, though his expression remained grim. "I'll continue the search."

With that, he turned and left the room, leaving James alone once again.

The moment the door closed, the temperature in the room seemed to drop. James's smile widened. He had been expecting this.

From the floor right in front of him, an astral projection rose like a ghost.

Dressed in a dark cloak that looked like it was made with darkness and an iron mask that gleamed even when there was no light, they did look the part.

"Looking for me?" Avenger's voice echoed through the room.

Their voice came out distorted, like they were speaking from far away. It heightened the ghostly effect.

"Yes, actually." James chuckled softly, amusement clear in his eyes. "I wasn't quite expecting you to hide like the rat that you are. Or have you lost your confidence?"

Avenger floated closer, their form hovering just above the floor, their cloak rippling as if caught in an invisible wind.

"You seem confident, James. Tell me, what makes you think you'll get to me?"

James chuckled, his shoulders shaking as he leaned forward. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"I know it's Genesis under that mask. You can't hide forever. Why don't you do us both a favor and take off the mask?"

Avenger tilted their head slightly, the iron mask reflecting a light that didn't exist. "Why would I do something so stupid?"

"Isn't it obvious?" James's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "If you don't surrender, I'll have Ezra Matten killed."

The room was silent for a moment before Avenger began to laugh. The laugh echoed around the room as they hunched in on themselves, their shoulders shaking.

James frowned at the mocking sound, saying nothing.

Avenger finally stopped laughing. They floated forward slightly, gesturing lazily with one hand.

"Oh, James, you truly are desperate." They said, dismissively as if James was a cockroach underneath their boots. "You won't kill Ezra. We both know that."

James's eyes darkened, though his smile remained. "Is that so?"

Avenger floated a little closer, their voice dripping with contempt.

"Killing Ezra would be the last move you'd ever make. You know exactly who would notice if all this happens, don't you?"

"A peacekeeper captain murdered in a time of peace? The moment Ezra dies, independent investigators from the council will descend on Faewall."

"And all those things you've been so careful to keep hidden? They'll come spilling out for the whole world to see."

They paused, making sure James could hear them clearly. "It's in your best interest to keep Ezra alive. The status quo benefits you, James. We both know that."

James didn't respond immediately, though his fingers stopped drumming on the desk.

He stared at Avenger but one could see that he was working something out in the comfort of his mind.

He knew that not a lie had been spoken.

Killing Ezra would raise too many questions, bring too much scrutiny. And that scrutiny wouldn't be worth it. Especially as Genesis was still running around.

After a moment, he sighed. "I'm curious about one thing. Why didn't you tell Ezra what you're doing?"

"Look at him going around cluelessly when he himself lives with the killer? Why didn't you rope him into your… crusade."

Avenger's head tilted again, as if the question amused them. "Ezra isn't strong enough. Not yet. One day, he will be. But who knows what that day will look like?"

There was a brief pause, and then Avenger's voice dropped, cold and sharp. "I'm not waiting for that day. I'm taking care of you now, while there's still time."

James stood from his chair, sighing in frustration. He had to understand.

"Why are you still coming after me? All I did was ensure that justice was served. Your coven broke the Law of Secrecy. They were Veilbreakers and had to be dealt with."

Avenger's hands twitched, the cloak swirling as they floated closer, their tone hardening.

"Do you really think I'm stupid, James? I know they weren't Veilbreakers. You killed them not for justice, but because you wanted to steal what wasn't yours. You're no lord. All you are is a petty thief."

James's eyes were filled with anger but he didn't lash out.

He had been careful to cover his tracks, but it was clear now that Genesis knew more than he had thought she did.

"And what does it matter to you?" He asked, his voice low and dangerous. "You only knew them for a year. Why care so much?"

For a moment, Avenger said nothing. The silence stretched, thick and heavy.

When they finally spoke, their voice was quiet but filled with a cold fury that made even James pause.

"You killed the wrong person, James. The one you took from me was my blood. My only family. That's a debt that cannot be forgiven."

James's expression hardened, but he said nothing. He hadn't suspected something like this.

This was his mistake. He should've killed her before she left the city.

Avenger floated back slightly, their form rippling like a shadow.

"You can try to stop me, James. You can chase me, send Alfred after me, make all the threats you want. But it's too late. I've set things in motion that can't be stopped. Not even if I die."

James's eyes followed the projection as it began to fade, the figure slowly dissipating into the shadows.

Avenger's final words lingered in the air like a curse. "You've already lost, James. You just don't know it yet."