Trinity was positively radiant as she stood alongside Anthony in the middle of the debriefing room. Her skin had such a healthy glow that she had captured the attention of the many people present. Anthony was sure there’d be speculation. However, there was little he could do about that, and no one was going to say anything so long as they didn’t have proof that something was going on between them.
They were a mixed group. Aside from Anthony and his harem, there was also Trinity and the forces she had brought, and Captain Denisson and his men.
Captain Denisson was a member of Academy Island’s Private Security Force and someone who had worked closely alongside Professor Incanscino. Anthony brought him on because his professor trusted him.
“It’s time to begin the briefing,” Anthony said. “We’ll be making for Britannia in two days. I’ve already contacted Athelstan de Britannia and informed him of our plans to visit. Ostensibly, we are visiting to discuss joint ventures between the three of us. However, the real purpose is to root out Lucius Alfoy.”
“And the King of Britannia has agreed to this?” asked Captain Denisson.
Anthony nodded. “I called in a favor he owes me from long ago. However, he also wants to be rid of Lucious Alfoy. The man has been causing trouble in Britannia lately, stirring up anti-nonhuman sentiment. Several riots have already started to break out. He’d like to nip this in the bud before it becomes an even bigger problem.”
Britannia was the birthplace for Custodes Daemonium, and it was also where the previous incubus before Anthony had gone on a rampage trying to save one of his members and died. Every king of Britannia knew of that event. None of them wanted a repeat. So when Anthony had come to him, Athelstan de Britannia had agreed quite readily. It helped that the man owed him a favor.
“I assume we are going to divide our forces?” asked Trinity.
Anthony nodded. “Trinity and I plan to engage with Athelstan in public talks. Meanwhile, a group of special forces composed of the PSF and Custodes Daemonium will deal with Lucious Alfoy. Since this is a problem for Custodes Daemonium, your group will be at the forefront, but you will have PSF support and also Secilia and Brianna’s help.”
“Two days isn’t a lot of time,” Noelle said. “Are you sure we can gather the forces necessary for this?”
“We already have everything we need,” Anthony answered. “All the equipment is being provided by Academy Island. We are in the process of packing everything up, and I have already handpicked the forces that will be coming with us for this operation. They will combine with the group you brought to Academy Island and form the squadron that’s going to deal with Custodes Daemonium.”
“What’s more, we’re on a timer,” Trinity added. “I’m sure Lucious Alfoy already knows that I am in Academy Island and meeting with Anthony. If he doesn’t know we’re leaving for Britannia, then he will know soon, and he’ll know what our purpose is. We need to limit the amount of time he has to prepare.”
Anthony agreed. “The fact that I had to notify Althestan de Britannia of our arrival means Lucius Alfoy already knows we’re coming. I can’t imagine he doesn’t have spies hidden within the Royal Family.”
“Speaking of,” Secilia finally spoke up. “We should help remove those spies while we’re at it. We don’t want them reporting anything of our meeting with the King of Briannia back to their master.”
“Hmmm…” Anthony stroked his chin. “That means we’ll have to split our forces into three. Trinity and I will be engaged in talks with Asthelstan de Britannia. We’ll need a security detail. Meanwhile, Brianna, Secilia, and Marianne can deal with the spies. The joint forces of Custodes Daemonium and the PSF will deal with Lucius Alfoy.”
Trinity turned to Noelle. “You’ll be in charge of the operation to deal with the traitor. Captain Denisson will support you.”
“Does anyone have any questions?” asked Anthony.
There were a few questions, but most of them involved logistics and were easily answered. Soon, the group dispersed and everyone went to prepare.
***
Lucius Alfoy sat in a chair that was more like a throne, swirling a glass of wine around as he watched the holographic display. On it were two individuals. Anthony and Trinity were walking together toward an airship.
“It has been confirmed that Academy Island and Custodes Daemonioum have entered into an allegiance designed to not only further ties to each other but help promote peace throughout the world. Anthony Amasius, Academy Island’s President, and Trinity, leader of Custodes Daemonium are now on their way to Britannia, where they plan to meet with Athelstan de Britannia, in the hopes of creating new ties and allegiances,” the newscaster was saying.
Lucius scoffed. “Blind sheep. It’s obvious those two are not coming here for peace, but to make war against me.” A growl erupted from deep within his throat. “This is all your fault, you know?”
“My fault?” a young voice asked from behind him. “I’ve done nothing. You are the one who was smuggling illegals into Academy Island for profit. I had nothing to do with that.”
“That operation was found out because of you,” Lucius snapped. “I had a plan! I was going to build that operation into a massive scandal that would have further dragged Academy Island’s reputation through the mud! Now all that is ruined, thanks to--”
He froze when sharp nails tapped against the side of his neck. There was a slight sting of pain, followed by a trickle of blood.
“I don’t think you want to finish that sentence,” the voice said pleasantly. “Your little operation would not have amounted to much anyway.” Lucius wanted to say something to refute the claim, but the nails on his neck, sharp enough to pierce his skin, kept him silent. The nails were soon withdrawn. “That said, they did catch on sooner than I would have liked. It matters little though. I have other plans that need attending to. You should deal with those who will arrive on your doorstep soon.”
Lucius closed his eyes and listened. He did not hear anything behind him. He had very strong senses. They were so strong that he could detect anything within a twenty meters of himself. It was almost like having a sonar map inside of his head.
He sighed when he didn’t sense a presence behind him.
“Fucking vampire,” he muttered.
***
Anthony stepped out of the Aetherwing. There were not many people there to greet him. Several media personnel who had been handpicked by Britannia’s government to document this moment. He and Trinity were not supposed to wave at them, so they walked down the stairs and toward Britannia’s meeting procession. Meanwhile, his own security team fanned out and joined Britannia’s security.
“Anthony Amasius. Trinity. Well met,” said the woman at the head of this group.
She was a well-put-together woman who looked to be in her late 40s but was probably much older. Her hair was…shaggy. He would have put that more diplomatically, but there was no way to do that. She looked like she’d just dragged her ass out of bed. This wasn’t any fault of her own, however. She was a werewolf. It was easy to see from the slight fur lining her wrist as she held out her hand and the canines visible when she smiled.
“Prime Minister Trellony,” Anthony said, taking the hand.
“It’s a pleasure,” Trinity said when she took the woman’s hand next.
The woman smiled and soon introduced them to her chief of staff, chief of protocol, and several ministers. Anthony knew he would never remember their names, but he nodded along and greeted them with a smile.
There were several vehicles waiting for them. One of them was a very expensive and very fancy hover limousine. It was long and black. Surrounding it were security vehicles. They didn’t look like much, but he wasn’t fooled. The vehicles were all heavily armored and armed.
“That’s a very large limo,” Marianne muttered.
“That’s what she said,” Secilia snarked.
Marianne blinked. “Who is she?”
Brianna sighed. “Pay her no mind. She’s an idiot.”
“Takes one to know one,” Secilia snapped.
Trellony raised an eyebrow. “Quite the entourage you have. I take it that’s your harem?”
“I don’t like the term… but yes,” he said.
Anthony stepped inside after Trinity and Trellony, and his harem followed after him. They sat around the large interior. Anthony sat in the middle of his harem. Brianna and Secilia had procured his left and right, which left Marianna to sit on his lap. This was against protocol, but Trellony did not say anything. She did stare, however. Trinity also stared, but hers was of jealousy. She looked ten seconds away from pouting.
“So, what’s our schedule going to look like?” asked Anthony.
Trellony tapped into a datatablet. “You’ll be meeting with Athelstan de Britannia for lunch tomorrow. He’s currently attending meetings all day. Tomorrow was the earliest he could pencil you in. I hope that is all right?” she asked, looking up from her tablet.
Anthony glanced at Trinity, who shrugged.
“It should be fine,” she said. “I’m fairly tired from the flight over, so a bit of beauty sleep before a big meeting would be nice.”
You wouldn’t be so tired if you actually slept on the ride over, Anthony thought dryly.
Trinity had been… voracious. According to Trinity, all elves had high libidos, but they erased the memories of all who entered their glades, which was why every tale about them said they were pristine creatures free of worldly desires like lust and sin. Trinity might have actually been the most sexually active member of his group. She had tried dragging the others into bed with her, but true to their words, Brianna and Secilia had both refused. They really didn’t want to share their time in bed with him with another woman. Marianne had almost capitulated, but she was saved at the last minute by Brianna.
They spoke of mundane matters during their drive to the embassy. Academy Island had its own embassy in Britannia, which was where they would be staying. Trinity was staying with them too, under the pretense of combining the PSF and Custodes Daemonium forces to increase their security. It was a bit flimsy as far as excuses go, but no one would question it publicly. He was certain there’d be plenty of speculation flying around, however.
The embassy suite was a nice place, though a bit too opulent for his tastes. It was large and there were quite a few branches. Most of them were for the administers who ran the embassy. They greeted Anthony and his group, and gawked at Trinity when she swept in behind him. Prime Minister Trellony left them at the entrance, saying a detail would arrive to escort them to see the king tomorrow.
As Anthony made himself comfortable on a chair overlooking a meticulously mowed lawn, he prayed that their plans would go off without a hitch… even though he knew the truth.
No plan survived first contact with the enemy.