not long ago he killed his last "attempt" and now he was walking around the city in search of a new one

The impact caught him off guard, and he had to quickly reorient himself as the girl fell into his arms. She was obviously frightened, trembling against him, and it occurred to Claude that this could be interesting. He glanced over his shoulder at the commotion behind them before turning back to her with a soft smile. "Shh... everything's alright now," he whispered gently, lifting her chin so she had to meet his gaze. "You're safe with me."

His pale hand reached up to stroke her cheek, the claws retracting back into his fingertips as he did so. "Why don't you come with me?" he offered, glancing around one more time before starting to walk casually away from the chaos they had just left behind. "We can discuss what happened and see if we might find a solution."

His pace was unhurried, and

The soldiers arrived as she clung to the wall behind them. Claude inclined his head slightly, regarding her carefully. "Don't you trust me?" he asked softly. His voice was calm and soothing, but there was a hint of steel beneath the surface. He wondered if she could hear it too, or if she had already made up her mind about him.

He took a step closer, close enough that she would have to look at him directly if she wanted to avoid his gaze. "I can protect you," he promised. "Come with me and we'll see what we can do." The words were honeyed, but the intent was clear: obey or suffer the consequences.

His pale eyes searched hers, waiting for her response. Would she choose to fight him or submit? Either way, Claude would not back down easily. But he preferred it if she made her choice now rather than forcing him to make one for her

His gaze flickered briefly to the leader of the soldiers before returning to her face. "You needn't apologize," he murmured. Even though his voice was soft, it carried a note of command. He could sense the magical energy in the other man as well, and knew that this situation had just escalated.

Without taking his eyes off of her, Claude smiled politely at the leader before continuing. "Of course, we appreciate your concern. But I can assure you that everything is under control." His hand tightened briefly on hers before he released it, stepping back slightly to give them both a bit more space. "If she'd like," he said softly, gesturing between himself and the girl, "I would be happy to discuss this further with you in private. Perhaps we could reach some sort of arrangement?" His words were calm and measured, but there was an edge beneath the surface that war

"Of course," Claude said smoothly, his voice calm and reassuring as he addressed the leader, "I understand your concern. But I can assure you that she is under my protection now." He glanced down at her once more, his pale eyes conveying both gentleness and command. "However," he continued with a slight smile, "if you truly wish to discuss this further, perhaps we could all retire to a more private setting?"

There was an unspoken challenge in those words; Claude dared the man to refuse him. His stance was relaxed, yet powerful - a reminder that he was not someone to be crossed lightly. The soldiers around them tensed, readying themselves for any possible action, but their leader seemed to hesitate, weighing his options carefully.

"I see," Claude said softly, nodding as he processed the other man's words. Even though his voice remained calm and courteous, there was a hint of steel beneath the surface that seemed to vibrate with tension. He glanced down at the trembling girl in his arms before looking back up at her master. "Very well," he conceded, not bothering to hide the reluctance in his tone. "If that is your decision."

Without another word, he turned on his heel and began walking away from them, a silent challenge hovering in the air. His hands clenched at his sides as he fought against the urge to force the issue; it would be far more amusing to see what they would do now that their options had been reduced. But for now, he would play by their rules.

It didn't mean that he liked it.

His gaze followed her as she slumped to the ground, defeated and resigned. Despite himself, a flicker of disappointment crossed his features. This one had potential, but it seemed their time together would be cut short before they'd even begun. He paused for a moment, considering his options, then turned back to face her master once more. "Perhaps," he said quietly, "you might reconsider." His voice was calm and measured, conveying both courtesy and authority in equal measure. "I assure you that I am well able to care for her."

His gaze flickered toward the girl at his feet before returning to the leader of the soldiers, who now studied him with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "Do we really want someone like her to end up elsewhere?" Claude asked softly. "Without protection, she could fall into worse hands."

His words hung

His expression didn't change as the other man spoke, but there was an undercurrent of cool amusement in his voice when he replied. "Oh, I assure you," Claude drawled, "she is far more valuable to me intact than she would be broken." He paused for a moment before adding with a slight smile, "And as for damaged goods? Well, it rather depends on the extent of the damage. Some might prefer them that way... others, myself included, appreciate the challenge of restoring something beautiful." His gaze swept casually over the girl at his feet once more before returning to her master's face. "I am quite certain I could take good care of her," he murmured gently.

There was a moment's silence as their gazes locked, each testing the other's resolve and strength.

"Very well," Claude murmured with an air of polite resignation, his features expressionless as he studied the other man. "If that is truly your wish." His gaze flickered momentarily toward the girl on the ground before returning to her master's face once more. "I trust we understand each other."

Without another word or gesture, he turned and began walking back toward them, his long strides eating up the distance between them with ease. The soldiers parted to let him pass, their expressions wary but respectful as they watched Claude approach the girl who lay so still on the ground. When he reached her side, he crouched down beside her, offering her a faint smile despite the calculating gleam in his eyes. "Are you alright?" he asked softly, his voice gentle and soothing as it brushed against her ears like silk.

It would be up to her now; she could

"Shh..." Claude murmured as he lowered his head to brush the hair back from her forehead. His touch was light and soothing, an island of calm in the chaos that surrounded them. "There's no need to be afraid anymore." The words flowed like honey from his lips, their softness making them almost irresistible. "I promise you will be safe with me."

His pale gaze flickered toward her master briefly before returning to the girl at his side. His fingers curled gently around her upper arm, the strength beneath his skin coiled and ready to spring into action if necessary. "Tell me," he whispered, his voice still as gentle as ever, "what is your name?"

The question hung in the air between them like a delicate thread; she could break it easily by telling him, or try to ignore it and hope that her master might save her. Either

Claude gave her master a polite nod, acknowledging his words as he continued to hold the trembling girl's attention. "Very well," he murmured softly, "I understand." He withdrew a small purse from inside his jacket and held it out toward her master before speaking again to the girl at his side. "Rina... I am Claude. And you are now under my protection."

His pale fingers curled loosely around hers, anchoring her gently to the ground as he looked up into her frightened eyes. "You have nothing to fear from me," he assured her with a faint smile. "I will keep you safe and show you a world of pleasure beyond anything you could have imagined." The words flowed like honey on his lips, a soft promise of paradise for one who dared trust him.

"I assure you," Claude said with the same calm authority, "she will be well cared for." He tucked the purse away again and turned his attention back to her, drawing her closer as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Come," he murmured softly against her hair. "Let me show you to my home where you can rest and recover from your ordeal."

With a firm but gentle grip on her upper arm, he led her away from the soldiers and their former master, guiding her through the city streets with an ease that belied his apparent age. The closer they drew to his castle, the more its Gothic splendour became visible, looming like a darkly elegant shadow over the surrounding area. "Soon," Claude promised, "you'll see, my home is nothing like what you've left behind." His voice was low and soothing as he stroked her hair and whispered

His long fingers continued to card through her hair as they walked, soothing and comforting with each soft caress. "Shh," he murmured. "There's nothing to fear here." Even as he spoke the words, his other hand strayed closer to her side, brushing lightly against the fabric of her dress where it lay torn and bloody. It was a gentle touch, meant more to reassure than anything else, but there was an undertone of expectation and anticipation that seemed to hum through the contact like invisible wires.