Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 83

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 83: The Fox’s Trick**

“These little baubles? They are nothing but trifles. They hardly suit someone of your esteemed stature, Ms. Evie Graham. I have something far more exquisite in mind for you.”

As he spoke, Damian reached into his storage band, producing six vials that gleamed with an air of opulence. The lavish packaging alone spoke volumes about their worth, hinting at treasures contained within.

“What are these?” Evie inquired, her curiosity igniting a spark in her eyes.

Though the intricate labels were indecipherable to her, the sheer elegance of the vials suggested they housed something extraordinary. The mere sight of them hinted at the rarest and most precious materials used in their crafting. If the exterior was this lavish, surely the contents were nothing short of remarkable.

Damian offered an explanation, his voice smooth and reassuring. “These are high-tier serums derived from the cores of Rank 9 beasts, meticulously crafted by Nexus Prime Tech. When ingested, they can elevate a therian’s rank within a mere three days, and remarkably, without any adverse effects.”

Evie’s heart sank at the mention of her fallen mates. “I heard that since your arrival on Central Planet, several of your companions have tragically passed away. I was deeply saddened by this news and thought these vials might offer you some solace.”

More than ten of her mates had perished, and now only five remained, all of them living in a quiet state of dread. One by one, their brothers had succumbed to mysterious fates, leaving the survivors feeling helpless, their only recourse being to grow stronger and pray they wouldn’t be the next victims.

So when Damian spoke of the serums, the air around them shifted from fear to a palpable desire.

“Can these truly raise our rank?” one of Evie’s mates asked, his voice barely concealing the glimmer of hope that flickered within.

Damian nodded, a confident smile gracing his lips. “Ms. Evie Graham is under the Empire’s direct protection. If I were to deceive her, I would be sealing my own fate.”

Evie considered his words carefully. A man of his standing would not risk lying to someone of her significance. With a sense of determination, she accepted the vials and began to distribute them among herself and her remaining mates.

“I trust you, Mr. Voss,” she declared, lifting her vial with a self-assured grin before uncorking it and swallowing its contents in one swift motion.

The serum was precisely what she had longed for. If it could quickly elevate her rank, it would serve as undeniable proof to the Empire’s elite that her strength was genuine. The timing of this gift could not have been more fortuitous.

Her mates, witnessing her boldness, followed suit with eager anticipation.

Damian observed with a calculating gaze as each of them consumed the serum, one after another, before their bodies went slack and they collapsed at his feet. The smile that had adorned his face vanished, replaced by a cold, sinister sneer as he silently counted the seconds until they would awaken.

Five minutes later, Evie jolted awake, her vision swirling as she focused on Damian, who sat across from her with an air of calm indifference. Her mates were slowly regaining consciousness, their expressions mirroring her own confusion.

“What… what happened to us?” she asked, rubbing her temples as she tried to shake off the remnants of disorientation.

Damian’s tone remained steady, almost congenial. “Ms. Graham, you and your companions have just experienced one of our company’s latest innovations—a formula designed to induce a restful sleep and alleviate mental turbulence. You’ve merely enjoyed a brief respite.”

A formula that calms mental unrest? Evie frowned, casting a skeptical glance at her mates.

Yet, they nodded in unison. “Ms. Graham, our mental clarity does feel more stable now,” one of them chimed in.

Of course it did, Damian thought with a faint smile. He had indeed incorporated a mild sedative to ease their mental strain—just enough to lend credibility to his fabricated narrative.

“These serums come with a price tag of 100 million star coins,” he stated casually. “How would you prefer to settle the payment?”

“You… you’re charging me?!” Evie exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“Is there an issue?” Damian’s voice was soft yet unwavering. “You’ve just consumed Nexus Prime Tech’s latest high-tier product. Out of respect for your status, I’ve already offered you a 50% discount, Ms. Graham.”

Evie found herself momentarily speechless, grappling with the shock of the situation.

The Suncrest lineage had never been renowned for their intelligence, but their obsession with emulating the Enchanter Clan’s endless schemes and internal conflicts only made them worse. Any semblance of wit they possessed was squandered on family feuds.

With a sharp crack, Edric’s dark purple tail struck the ground, leaving a gaping crater six feet wide. He coiled it around Kael’s limp body, tossing him into the pit with a flick of his wrist.

Yet, he wasn’t entirely merciless. He left Kael’s head exposed above the ground, ensuring that when Adam awoke, he would see his master and dig him out himself.

This poison was not the same as the one he had administered to Damian. Damian’s had merely erased memories of the Divine Flame. Kael’s, however, would obliterate all recollection of Emma entirely.

Once everything was set, Edric departed without a second thought.

It had been days now. I wonder if the messages I sent to Frostveil and beyond have reached their destinations.

As the sky darkened, he rubbed his brow in fatigue, seeking a quiet spot to inject himself with a restorative serum. Within moments, the red veins in his eyes receded, and his pallor began to brighten.

Once he was certain no trace of exhaustion remained in his appearance, he summoned the courage to call Emma through her lightcore. He couldn’t allow her to see him looking so worn; it would only cause her unnecessary worry.

Emma had just stepped out of the training room when Edric’s holographic call came through. The moment she saw his name, her calm demeanor transformed, her eyes lighting up with joy. She answered immediately, and his familiar figure materialized before her.

“Emma, did you have a good day? Did you eat? Did you rest properly? What about the fruits and vegetables I sent? Did you enjoy them?”

The flood of questions didn’t irritate her; rather, they brought a smile to her face. It felt wonderful to be thought of, to feel cared for.

“I had a wonderful day,” she replied warmly. “I ate well, and I got plenty of rest. I loved the fruits and vegetables you sent. I even made some jam and dried fruit! I stored them away, so when you come back, we can enjoy them together.”