Chapter 193: The Power Behind Vampire Titles (Part Two)
"Just because a person in a position of power falls to madness or the frailty of the mind doesn’t mean that the Gnawing Death has come for them," Nyrielle said with a light chuckle. "Philosar would like you to believe so," she added. "It enhances his mystique and aura of fear. My teacher often says that Philosar lies and boasts, taking credit even when he wasn’t involved and denying blame when he was."
"No wonder a person like him is attuned to the rat," Ashlynn whispered, shivering in dread at the thought of someone with the power to gnaw away at a person’s mind. Growing up in her father’s manor, she’d spent most of her childhood immersed in books and studying with tutors. Her mind was the thing she prized the most. To know that someone could destroy it directly was one of the most terrifying things she’d ever heard.
For a few moments, she’d considered Nyrielle’s idea that she might like browsing Philosar’s library. Now, however, she felt she was better off avoiding such an insidious person.
"What about the other one?" Ashlynn asked, wanting to change the topic to something less likely to give her nightmares. "You once said that your grandsire Torbin was descended from the ’Jaws of Death’, didn’t you? Who’s he and what does he do?"
"His name is Bardas," Nyrielle said with a twinkle in her midnight blue eyes. "He’s very pretty in the same way that Thane is pretty. Strong, rugged and he lets his predatory nature shine. You haven’t met anyone from the clan of the Golden Mane yet," she added, looking a touch wistful.
"They all have a sort of feline grace when they move," Nyrielle said. "Bardas could model for one of Erna’s sculptors and everyone would believe that the resulting statue was too ideal to be real. Long flowing hair, perfect proportions... he has no shortage of women who are eager to spend time with him."
"Oh? Do I have competition I need to worry about?" Ashlynn asked, putting on an expression of mock jealousy. "Is there a history between you?"
"All three of them have tried to court me at one time or another," Nyrielle said casually. "Bardas might have moved my heart if we’d met under different circumstances. When I was a little girl, I thought he was very charming, but he treated me like a favored grandchild."
"He praised Torbin for taking in my parents and he gave me a piggy back ride on his broad shoulders," Nyrielle said with a nostalgic look on her face. It had been one of the most normal and happiest memories of her childhood, being spoiled by the ancient ancestor who came to visit her grandsire. "By the time I grew up and he grew interested..."
"He was already fixed in your mind as a doting grandparent," Ashlynn chuckled. "Then, if I ever meet him, I’ll thank him for his error. You belong to me and no one else," she said, wrapping her arms around Nyrielle’s arm and holding her close between her breasts.
"You should meet him some day," Nyrielle agreed. "He’s easier to be around, in part because he’s more straight forward. The ’Jaws of Death’ represent violent ends. He’s attuned to the wolf, and while there is savagery and senselessness to what he does, there is less cunning and scheming to it."
"I’m not sure I believe that," Ashlynn said as she tried to reconcile the image of the handsome man who gave young girls piggy back rides with someone who engaged in ’savage and senseless’ slaughter. A man who could wear such different faces couldn’t be a simple man.