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Watching the couple playfully exaggerate surrender at the sight of the cross in Henry's handâonly to follow it with mocking laughterâHenry lowered it like a defeated rooster, letting it hang from his chest.
In truth, Henry was acting as well. What occupied his mind was something else entirely:
Do vampires in the Marvel universe experience rejuvenation?
Setting aside animated versions, most portrayals of vampires in film and television followed a common ruleâtheir appearance froze at the moment of transformation. Turned as a child, they remained a child forever. Turned old, they stayed an immortal elder.
Perhaps only the Twilight series portrayed vampires differentlyâaside from children, all appeared somewhere between young adulthood and middle age, never truly elderly.
But in the Blade trilogy and Underworld, there were clearly vampires who showed signs of aging.
Ignoring casting choices, the existence of elderly vampiresâand the concept of "pureblood" vampires in Marvelâsuggested that vampires in this world didn't have fixed appearances. They aged⊠or at least changed.
So how did they achieve rejuvenation? Why didn't vampire elders maintain youthful forms instead of appearing old?
The ecosystem of vampires in this universe was becoming increasingly intriguing.
Maybe I should capture one and study itâŠ
Dangerous Kryptonian thoughts were quietly taking rootâwhile the vampire couple in front of him remained completely unaware.
James Arden spoke confidently, "Mr. Brown, I didn't invite you here today to scold anyone, nor to revisit old matters.
"I simply want to remind youâthis world is far more complicated than you think. Do you believe Stark can protect you? Whether it's the elder Stark or the younger one, they can barely protect themselves.
"Or perhaps you think your enviable talentsâyour bulletproof body of steelâare truly flawless? Can it protect everyone you care about, even when you're not by their side?
"There are countless ways to make people yield. I don't need to threaten your lifeâor anyone close to you. I only need to nudge them off their normal path, create a little inconvenience.
"Just like what happened to you today. Did Stark help you? Or were you planning to use that bulletproof body of yours to force your way through customs with your little girlfriend?
"Do you understand now? Powerâthat is true strength. And in front of real power, everything you have is insignificant. I only hope our relationship can be⊠simpler. More harmonious."
Faced with a threat this blunt, Henry fell silent.
On the surface, he appeared intimidated. But his mind was racing, calculating the best way out.
Charlize's visa cancellation. Katy nearly being detained in quarantine. It was now clearâthis couple was behind it.
In a contest of power like this, even a Kryptonian was like fish on a chopping block. The only one who might stand against them was Tony Starkâdespite their open disdain for the name.
But why would that arrogant genius help him? Did Henry offer enough value?
Perhaps Henry's performance was too convincingâthe couple looked thoroughly satisfied. Or perhaps the long speech had made the vampire thirsty.
With a snap of James Arden's fingers, drinks were brought in.
Three wine glasses.
And a decanter filled with a thick, dark crimson liquid.
Unless his Kryptonian nose had failed him, Henry could swearâit wasn't wine.
It was blood.
The sommelier's hands trembled ever so slightly, his eyes darting nervously. He didn't want to look at what he was pouringâbut he had to.
Yet outwardly, he remained professional. Flawless.
The blood wasn't poured into Henry's glass.
The couple drank insteadâelegant, refined, as if savoring a vintage wine.
The only break in etiquette was that blood, unlike wine, tended to cling to the lips. Instead of wiping it away, they licked it clean.
Lilith Arden's hazy gaze resembled someone intoxicatedâalmost high. Henry couldn't help wondering if their "source" had been a drug user.
It was in this state of indulgence that she spoke:
"Child, you are still young. You don't understandâbut I won't blame you. When you reach a certain age, you'll realize that the body is the greatest wealth.
"What use are power and money if you're confined to a wheelchair, dependent on others? Watching the youngâso full of vitality, with skin as smooth and radiant as an infant's⊠it's tragic.
"But look at us now. Eternal life. Isn't this the most beautiful arrangement?
"I won't hide it from youâeverything has a cost.
"Just like wealth is finite. The more you take, the less others have. Youth is the same. Parents sacrifice their present for their children's future.
"And when you want it back⊠you can only take it from the young.
"Do you know, child? I was once deeply envious of the girl beside you.
"She was radiant. Glowing. Wrapped in love, she seemed to emit happiness itself. If I could become like her⊠would you fall in love with me? Would more people love me?
"Heh⊠have you heard of Countess Elizabeth BĂĄthory? I've always wanted to try bathing in the blood of beautiful womenâsee if it grants more youth and vitality. Like your girl."
The infamous "Blood Countess"ârecognized as one of history's most prolific female serial killersâwas not a name to be mentioned lightly.
And yet here she was, speaking of it as casually as idle gossip.
The couple hadn't raised their voices or issued explicit death threatsâbut every word carried unmistakable menace. Personal. Direct.
Today, it was just administrative interference.
But Henry had no doubtâthey could escalate at any time. And they were confident no one could stop them.
Henry forced a strained smile. "Mr. Arden⊠Mrs. Arden⊠is this really necessary? Not even giving me the option to refuse?"
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