[h1][center][color=9e0b0f]Lavinia[/color][/center][/h1]
Fenixtear’s resident evil mastermind stiffened when Holly came near, trying not to look directly at her. She was still miffed about the S-class mage standing front and center for the press, when Lavinia had done at least as much work in slaying the dragon. [color=9e0b0f][i]She shields the citizenry from my villainous wiles… Curse youuuu, Holly Vertilaaaaa!![/i][/color]

Sadly, though, she had to restrain herself from kicking this particular antagonist between the legs. Not only was Holly a woman, she was also clad in armor, and any attempt at a surprise attack would only result in Lavinia breaking her foot. 

[color=9e0b0f][i]Besides, the guild’s probably already angry at me for what I did to Asher.[/i][/color] She didn’t exactly feel [i]bad[/i] for that violent act; back in Vampire Mirror it had been common to see guildmates attacking one another at the slightest provocation. It was a natural thing for a villain to do, a healthy expression of one’s internal darkness and savagery.

So she didn’t feel bad about it. Just… somewhat uneasy? Maybe her stomach was acting up, or maybe the drain on her magical energy was taking a toll, or maybe she was just feeling disgust at having brought her foot so close to that unpleasant part of male anatomy. There had to be something that explained her current state, the complete lack of glee and satisfaction at the harm she had wrought.

Anyhow, she didn’t move against Holly, though she did arch an eyebrow as she sensed something beneath the mage’s armor. [color=9e0b0f][i]Did her heartbeat just speed up a little? And that’s an unusual amount of blood in her cheeks.[/i][/color] Perhaps she was injured, but there didn’t seem to be anything else wrong with her. [color=9e0b0f][i]A true mystery…[/i][/color]

Rather than bring it up, however, she poked Zenith in the shoulder with one finger. [color=9e0b0f]”Hey, I’ll be on the front page too, right? After all, I’m the one who struck the final blow. There’s no way they could have missed me!”[/color] Yes, she could picture it now, a big sub-heading beneath the headline. [b]'THE BEAST WAS PUT DOWN BY A POWERFUL BLOOD MAGE, WHOSE PRESENCE WAS SO TERRIFYING THAT ALL OUR REPORTERS SPONTANEOUSLY PEED THEIR PANTS.'[/b] Soon, all of Fiore would know and fear her name!