My Vampire Harem Will Dominate Everything

"Genesis." James hissed. He stood from his seat and crossed his arms, staring her down.

"I can tell you're not very happy to see me." Gen giggled at him, trying to rile him up. If he focused on her projection, he wouldn't be looking anywhere else.

"And I can tell that you're no longer hiding the fact that you're the killer." James said.

When Gen said nothing, he smirked and sat down. He no longer displayed aggression and was now relaxed.

Gen narrowed her eyes. What was he playing at?

"You know, I have to applaud your hiding skills." He said casually. "I always knew you were a rat but you didn't have to go this far to show it."

Gen grinned at his words, her astral body projecting amusement. "Call me whatever you want. At the end of the day, you'll never catch me."

"Is that so?" James said. "Let me guess. You're planning something so big, it'll catch me unawares aren't you?"

"And you're fishing, aren't you?" Gen shot back. "There's no way I'm telling you my plans just because you asked. I'm not that stupid."

"And yet, you're stupid enough to start this whole thing." James waved vaguely. "You had to have known that you can't win against me. No matter what you do, you'll die in the end, Genesis."

"But that's the thing." Gen took a step forward. "I don't have to win. I just have to make sure you lose. And I'll do it soon. Very soon."

"Stop it with your cryptic and theatrical nonsense." James leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. "We both know the only thing you'll attack is my party. There's nowhere else that'll satisfy your... need to publicize my so-called injustice. All you're doing is signing your death warrant, Genesis."

Gen said nothing. She just stood there, watching him. Let him take whatever conclusion he wanted from her silence. She was only here to distract him.

In the floors below, she moved steadily through the building, walking past walkers or other vampires. She didn't need the map to tell her where to go. She already had it memorized.

In James' study, the man spoke up. "Did you know that your plan failed?"

"What?" Gen frowned. What was he talking about?

"I'll admit it was quite smart. Send a message to the Ark, making sure an investigator is sent to check on the state of affairs in this city."

Gen stood still, making sure not to give away anything with her facial expression or body language. They had found out about her sending Travers to Decapolis.

James watched her intently, studying her. "Unfortunately for you, your message never got to the Ark. In fact, it never left the city. There's no one coming to help you, Genesis. No one."

Gen stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter. James watched, not moving a muscle.

When her laughter finally died down, Gen spoke what was on her mind.

"Nice bluff. You almost had me." She said, chuckling. "We both know that's a lie."

James said nothing, keeping his relaxed smile on his face. Gen was impressed at his poker face but she knew she was right.

He had been desperate enough to cover the city in his Aura in search of her. He wouldn't do that unless he'd heard news. The kind of news that indicated that the Ark was sending someone after him.

Down below, Gen finally got to the door of the basement. She placed her hand on it and began pouring vitality into it.

She could feel the door slowly filling up but the more seconds ticked by, the more concerned she got. Just how secure was this door?

Up above, her projection kept talking. "I told you, didn't I? Your end is coming and there's nothing you can do to stop it."

"Why are you here, Genesis?" James' eyes narrowed and down below, Gen worked harder, pouring her vitality into the door. "You're not here to just say the same things you've said before."

As if on cue, the basement door clicked open. Gen stumbled in and closed the door behind her.

The basement was a black spot which meant that James could not find her here from the outside. She walked deeper inside to see the secret James had been hiding.

The vampire snarled even while held down by the golden chains around him.

"Hello, Nicodemus." Gen grinned.

Up above, she replied James. "I'm here to tell you that your days on this earth are numbered. Enjoy it while you still can." She'd gotten what she wanted. It was time to leave.

Her projection dispersed with her last image being of James' eyes widening.

**********

James Harlow watched the projection disappear, his eyes widening in realization.

Genesis hadn't been here to gloat. This has been a distraction for something.

He stood, his Aura blossoming out of him. He unfurled it as large as he could, frantically sweeping through his estate and parts of the city he could reach.

Genesis had been doing something in Faewall and had sent a projection to confirm where he was.

He went from block to block and district to district, trying to find traces of her.

He had to admit, she'd played him masterfully. Whatever she had been doing, she'd completed it and was gone.

He retracted his Aura and sat back down, waiting.

Alfred finally burst into the study, bowing before him. "My Lord."

"I want all recording devices removed from the estate." He commanded. "Make sure all guests have no way of recording and keep all media personnel outside. Whatever happens during the ball must stay within the ball."

"Yes, my Lord." Alfred bowed.

James was uncomfortable with Genesis' confidence. Whatever she would try, he wanted no cameras recording it. It would also give him free reign to retaliate. But that wasn't all.

"Increase the number of vampires we've got welcoming guests. Tell them to spend more time on checking for mind tampering. Whatever sleeper agents Genesis has, I want them found. Understood?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Good. Dismissed." Alfred left, leaving James to his thoughts.

He would make sure he came out of this untouched. Whatever it takes.