Chapter 238: Working Together
Later in the day, when the celebration had come to an end, whilst the people already returned to their designated homes, as well as those staying in the Winged Palace as guests, Duncan remained in the piano room, his fingers making soft notes on the white keys, and when he subconsciously hit a note, the corner of his lips formed a smirk.
He automatically stopped playing when he heard the sounds of approaching footsteps, his ears twitching when the sound of those footfalls drew closer to his sanctuary.
When the door opened, he didn’t need to look in order to know it was Ivan who walked in, and his long, slender fingers, which rested on the keys of the Piano, moved away to rest on his legs. The vampire who had joined in simply grabbed a chair from the corner and came to sit beside him, and Ivan gazed at the Piano after settling himself beside the one who had specifically sent for him.
"You’re still into playing the Piano?" Ivan asked Duncan whose eyes moved to rest on him, and he replied sedately.
"It’s an addiction, but that information is irrelevant compared to what I have to tell you. I have something to show you, and I have a deal to make with you as well." He went straight to the point. Taking his hand inside his sleeve, he brought out the one-piece crystal, showing it to Ivan whose calm demeanor instinctively tensed at the sight.
"Where did you get that?" He asked Duncan, his hand already reaching to take it away from his grip, and Duncan let him do as he pleased. Ivan gazed at the crystal, and although he sensed no energy emanating from it, he knew this was a completely different one, as he still had the other two Crystals securely kept in his study chamber.
"A little boy nearly picked it up." He informed Ivan, "I had been there on time to take it away... or else, he would have faced the unfortunate crisis that came with toying with something so diablic, not to mention but a victim to the crystal’s manipulation. I tried looking into the memories concerning the one who held the gem last, I didn’t get a name, but I saw someone." He hinted, resting his chin on his knuckles, elbow propped on the smooth panel of his Piano.
Ivan’s head snapped to the side to look at the vampire who was gazing back at him. His eyes were filled with apprehension, then it momentarily darkened. "You saw someone? Who is it?"
"It wasn’t a familiar face, it appeared vague actually." Duncan admitted plainly before walking his index and middle-finger on the panel. "He was walking freely within your Palace, unnoticed, obscured. I can’t say it was a spirit, I would have seen it myself but whoever it was used a concealing spell to cloak his appearance. What’s more confusing, his black garment sparked fire, but he was unaffected."