The city was still reeling from Victor Draemont's storm. Banks had bent, rival magnates had fallen, and corporations now whispered Lucius's name with trembling lips. Wealth itself had been shackled to the Devil, and none dared resist openly. Yet as the dust settled, a new rumor stirred within gilded halls and marble estates. The nobility, once untouchable, once proud, were now realizing that their wealth and honor meant nothing against the shadow that ruled both blood and gold.
It was not the underworld whispering this time. It was the noble houses themselves. And one of them, broken by enemies and desperate for salvation, made the unthinkable choice. They sought protection not from kings or the crown, but from the Devil who had already claimed the streets.
Inside Lucius's estate, the council assembled. The grand hall echoed with faint candlelight and the murmurs of his lieutenants. Darius cracked his knuckles near the door, his sharp grin daring anyone to test Lucius's patience. Silvio leaned over the polished table, maps and contracts spread before him, his mind already two steps ahead. Ravenna's dagger glimmered as she toyed with it, her mocking laughter promising cruelty, while Cain stood like a statue, the weight of his axe a silent reminder of what disobedience cost.
Victor Draemont's voice broke the silence, filled with scorn. "So the nobles crawl to us now. Once they spat at our names, now they beg for our mercy. Pathetic. I say strip them of everything before they even speak."
Adrian Crowe's smirk grew thin and dangerous. "I prepared the contracts already. They will not agree to alliance. They will sign their lives away. Their gold, their titles, even their heirs will bend under Lucius's name. Law will bind them as tightly as chains."
Lucius sat on his throne-like chair, his crimson eyes glowing faintly under the flicker of light. He let their words hang in the air before speaking, his tone calm yet suffocating. "If they seek me, then they will crawl. Pride will be torn from their bones, and they will learn what true protection costs."
Selene, kneeling nearby, lifted her head. Her voice carried loyalty and venom in equal measure. "Allow me to be the shadow that greets them, Master. I will remind them of betrayal's weight before they dare look at you."
Lucius's gaze lingered on her for a long moment. His lips curved into a dark smile. "Yes. They will see what it means to face the Devil's chosen. Bring them here, Selene. Make their legs tremble before they cross my threshold."
The heavy doors creaked open, and the noble delegation stepped inside. Their fine robes shimmered under the candlelight, their jeweled fingers clenched nervously, their heads bowed lower than they wished. Yet the fear in their eyes betrayed them.
"My Lord Lucius," the eldest among them stammered, sweat already dripping from his brow, "our house seeks your protection. Our enemies have risen against us. Without your aid, we are undone."
Ravenna's dagger spun faster, her laughter sharp. "Listen to him. A noble rat squeaking for mercy. Shall I carve away his tongue, Lucius, or would you prefer I make him kiss your boots first?"
Darius stepped forward, his shadow towering over them. "Your words are nothing. You want protection? Crawl. Show him your worth in the dirt. If not, I will split you where you kneel."
The nobles exchanged horrified glances, pride and desperation warring inside them. Slowly, shamefully, they lowered themselves further until silk robes dragged across the floor and jeweled hands pressed into stone.
Lucius rose, every step toward them heavy with menace. The air seemed to grow colder as he approached. His voice cut through the silence like a blade. "You laughed once, when the Devil was whispered in taverns and courts. You believed yourselves untouchable. And now here you kneel, begging to be spared."
Adrian Crowe laid the contract on the ground before them. His smile was cruel. "Sign. Your legacy, your land, and your gold are his. Refuse, and I will personally ensure the law erases your family's name from history."
Cain's massive axe scraped against the floor as he brought it forward, the sound echoing like thunder. His silence was more terrifying than any words.
The noble leader's hands shook as he reached for the quill. He dared to lift his eyes, only to meet Lucius's gaze. Crimson irises burned with an inhuman glow, and the noble nearly collapsed from the weight of it.
Lucius leaned closer, his words whispered like poison. "Sign, and you live as shadows under my throne. Refuse, and your children will be ashes before sunrise."
One by one, they scribbled their names, ink blotched by trembling hands. The contracts were sealed, every mark of pride dissolved into obedience.
Ravenna clapped mockingly. "Beautiful. Even the highborn know how to kneel. It suits them far better than crowns."
Victor sneered. "Their estates will fuel our empire. Their wealth is nothing but another jewel for our master."
Silvio gathered the papers, his eyes gleaming. "And now they belong to us. To him. There is no turning back."
Lucius's laugh filled the hall, deep and merciless. "Welcome to my shadow. You are no longer nobles. You are mine."
The council stood in grim satisfaction. The nobles remained prostrate, their pride shattered, their futures chained. The hall reeked of submission, and whispers outside spread like wildfire.
For the first time, it was not only criminals who bowed to Lucius. It was the nobility itself.
And the city trembled with a single question: if nobles could crawl before the Devil, who else would be forced to follow?