Webnovel Author: Sherr_marnati - Novel Collection

The bait had begun, Mallory thought to herself, her eyes meeting the calm golden eyes from a distance. 

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

Did Hadeon witness the scene between the tavern keeper and his wife? Mallory questioned herself in her mind. Her gaze drifted towards him, who was engaged in conversation with the village head. It seemed he hadn't acted randomly in taking a life. At least not this one.

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

'As for the tavern keeper, he had it coming.' Hadeon's earlier words echoed in her mind.

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

"We didn't mean to talk ill about the deceased. But when he was alive, he wasn't a good person. He tormented his wife, subjecting her to unspeakable cruelties that kept her imprisoned within the walls of their home for days on end. And on the very night of his demise, he subjected poor Dulce to his brutality once again, shouting at her."

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

"I can't believe only two nights have passed since I almost got beheaded and met Hadeon," Mallory murmured as she recalled the night of her desperation to run. 

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

"Stupid… tall tree!" Mallory cursed while walking away from there. 

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

Mallory felt a nerve twitch on her forehead as one of the villagers piped up, "Lord Hadeon, did you see a monkey?" 

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

"Don't go too far. I don't need anyone stealing the monkey," Hadeon called after her, loud enough to attract attention.

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

"Ah, something spicy, perhaps?" Hadeon teased, turning to face her fully with a playful grin.

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

"Definitely not the kind you're assuming," Mallory blurted out before catching herself. Realising her slip, she hurriedly added, "What I meant was—"

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

Mallory's lips set themselves in a thin line, hoping nothing would backfire and they would catch this second killer. Because obviously the first killer had zero chances of being caught, considering he was assisting the villagers and making it seem like both kills were done by the same person. Cunning vampire, she thought to herself.

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

"You must feel right at home then." Hadeon continued with a sly grin, "As for the feast, who said I was planning on indulging? And even if I do decide to partake, rest assured, the ingredient won't affect me as much as it would a weak vampire."

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

"Considering my address is hell," Mallory muttered under her breath. 

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

"Milord, you know so much about this! Someone go get it right away!" The village man barked orders, sending two men sprinting off to fetch the mysterious shrub. 

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

Hadeon rolled his eyes before standing straight. He explained, "The smell of Death Poke entices the vampire, which equally irritates them when they consume it. Prepare an open feast tonight and invite people for dinner. It will be easier to find them."

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

Another villager, who had followed, scratched his head, looking utterly perplexed. "Um, my Lord, are you saying you want us to fetch you some Death Poke for dinner?"

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

"Ask your men to go to the mountain where the river flows from. They will find a short white shrub, which is popularly called Death Poke. A popular ingredient in tea, cookies, cakes, and biscuits that people once used to use with. Excellent smell and taste would make you think it is better than chocolate."

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

Hadeon kneeled beside the body, examining the wound with detachment. He then said, 

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

"Talk about a headless beauty," Hadeon remarked dryly, his golden eyes scanning the scene before him. 

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17

Mallory noticed how most of the villagers of Ghoulsville followed them with their eyes and not their feet. When they arrived where the villager had led them, soon the body of a beheaded woman whose head was nowhere to be seen greeted her and Hadeon. Blood had spilled on the ground from the area of the neck, which had dried and turned dark. 

Beauty and the Immortal: It started with a dig

Fantasy · ash_knight17