Chapter 543: The Summons

A Day Before

Tobias had no idea why Victoria had summoned him.

As he walked through the dark courtyard behind the guard, Tobias kept his expression calm, but inside his mind thoughts moved quickly.

*Do you think she knows?* Ryker asked.

"I hope not," Tobias replied quietly in his mind.

Because if Victoria had discovered even a fraction of what he had been planning these past few days, then this summons would not be a conversation.

It would be an execution.

Tobias glanced briefly at the guard walking ahead of him.

The man had said nothing more after delivering the message.

The timing could not have been worse.

Tonight was supposed to be the night everything happened.

But now... this was not part of the plan.

Tobias exhaled slowly.

Right now the most important thing was making sure Victoria did not suspect anything.

The guard led him up the stone steps of the castle.

The interior was just as lavish as Tobias remembered.

Polished black marble floors reflected the dim torchlight.

Tall crimson banners bearing the sigil of the Blood Moon pack hung from the walls.

Tobias followed the guard through several hallways until they reached a corridor he recognized immediately.

His stomach tightened slightly because he realized they were walking down the path to Victoria’s chambers.

The guard stopped in front of the familiar door and knocked on it.

"My lady, I’ve brought the man you requested," the guard said.

For a moment there was silence.

Then Victoria’s voice drifted through the door.

"Come in."

Tobias pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The first thing he did was glance quickly around the room.

Heavy curtains framed the tall windows, allowing only thin lines of pale moonlight to spill across the floor.

The massive carved bed still dominated the center of the room.

A few candles burned softly on a nearby table.

And standing near the window was Victoria.

Thankfully, she was wearing a robe.

Tobias nearly sighed in relief. He could only handle so much nakedness from a woman he was not attracted to.

Victoria noticed him immediately.

Her eyes moved slowly over him as she walked toward him.

Tobias bowed in greeting.

"My lady."

Victoria did not respond immediately.

Instead, she stepped close enough that Tobias could feel the warmth of her presence.

Then she raised a hand and pressed her palm against his forehead.

Tobias stiffened slightly as she frowned.

"You are still burning up," she said regretfully.

Tobias lowered his head respectfully.

"It is nothing, my lady. You need not worry."

Victoria studied him carefully.

"It appears your illness is quite serious. I doubt this is all because of what happened with Louis."

Tobias had no idea. He wasn’t feeling sick either, but the symptoms pointed to him being sick.

"You are too kind, my lady," he said.

Victoria clicked her tongue softly.

"This is unfortunate," she said as she walked away from him slowly. "I truly thought you would be well by now."

Tobias said nothing.

Victoria turned to face him again, her lips curving into a small smile.

"I wanted to have fun with you tonight."

Tobias lowered his gaze further.

"And now I cannot," she added lightly, "if you are still sick."

Tobias bowed again.

"My apologies, my lady."

Victoria hummed thoughtfully.

Then she turned and walked toward her bed.

The massive carved frame creaked softly as she sat down.

After a moment she patted the empty space beside her.

"Come," she said casually. "Lie down."

Tobias did not move.

Instead, he bowed again.

"My lady, I do not deserve such a privilege."

Victoria sighed dramatically.

"You are correct," she said as she rested her chin on her hand. "You do not deserve it, but I wish to do it anyway, as a reward for being a faithful servant to me."

Tobias hesitated briefly, then he spoke carefully.

"Perhaps... if I were given more money, I might appreciate it better. That is as much reward as I deserve."

Victoria stared at him.

For a moment the room was silent, then she gave a small laugh.

Victoria leaned back against the bed.

"You know, William, I made inquiries about you," she said casually.

Tobias’s heart skipped once, but his face remained calm.

"And?"

Victoria studied him.

"From what I have heard, you are acting somewhat differently from how you used to act."

Tobias said nothing.

"You were not so obsessed with money before."

Tobias nodded slowly.

"That is true."

Victoria raised an eyebrow.

"And yet now you are."

Tobias shrugged slightly.

"The world runs on money, my lady," he told her. "And even here in the Blood Moon pack... those without money are nothing."

Victoria tilted her head thoughtfully.

For a moment she simply studied him.

Then she nodded.

"That is true."

She stood again and began walking slowly around the room.

"I thought for a moment you were someone else."

She eventually stopped in front of him again.

"I have another task for you," she said.

Tobias bowed.

"I will obey."

Victoria smiled faintly.

"But you can only do this after you have recovered. I would not want you to hurt yourself after all."

She began speaking slowly.

"I need you to find someone for me."

Tobias lifted his head slightly.

"My lady?"

"A woman," Victoria said.

She walked toward the window again as she spoke.

"Early to mid twenties."

Tobias frowned slightly.

But before Victoria could say anything else—

The door burst open and a guard rushed inside.

Victoria turned immediately.

Her expression hardened.

"Who do you think you are," she said coldly, "to enter my chambers without permission?"

The guard immediately dropped to one knee.

"My lady, forgive me."

Victoria’s eyes narrowed.

"This had better be important."

The guard bowed his head lower.

"My lady... several prisoners have escaped from the dungeon."

The room fell silent.

Tobias felt his heart slam against his ribs.

The prisoners... Annabeth and the others. Could it be that they were noticed so early?

Victoria released a laugh.

"Well," she said lightly, "that would not be the first time."

Victoria waved a dismissive hand.

"Get out of my sight."

The guard immediately bowed and hurried out of the room.

Victoria turned back toward Tobias.

"Well then," she said as she began walking toward the door. "I suppose I have some pets that need to be returned to their cages."

"Go home," she said casually. "Get some rest. We will talk when you are well."

Tobias bowed immediately.

"Yes, my lady."

Then he turned and left the room.

He hoped this would be the last time he actually stepped foot in Victoria’s chambers.