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Chapter 16: Reviewing the Options
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2022-04-15 14:01:40Related chapters
Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 17: The Arrival of Guests
The weeks leading up to the ball passed with shocking speed. The manor transforms before Lavinia's eyes. It loses its gloomy facade and starts to come alive. The floors become finely polished and the windows are washed and open. Even the weather seemed to clear. The grey of the skies broke into a welcome flush.For a time, Lavinia became Isaac's shadow. She acted as his personal assistant and constant aid. She woke and dressed him, ran errands through the day, and tried to blend into the household personnel. Isaac himself took on the role of director. He wielded the manor's staff as a precise tool, insisting that perfection was a baseline rather than a lofty goal.The first family to arrive did so just a day before the Betrothal Ball. Lavinia was not quite sure what to make of them. They offered no family name and Isaac simply referred to them as shades. They were definitely people, or at least they had been. They sported limbs and heads and bodies, but otherwise no disce
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 18: On the Edge
She had hardly spent a day in recent memory outside of the confines of a corset, but Lavinia has never a corset feel like this. She struggled for air as Arabella pulled the laces taut. Her chamise creased under the pressure, the folds more pronounced as the corset cinched Lavinia's waist to a daring angle."Some of us," gasped Lavinia. "Still need to breathe.""Not tonight you don't. And in any case, we breathe too. Just less." With a flourish Arabella tied off the laces, winding her excess under the modesty panel. She stepped back, picking up a thick bundle. Opening the waist, she held the petticoat out for Lavinia to step into. She then buttoned the crinoline into place, spinning Lavina around to face her."Now the hoop.""The hoop too?" Lavinia complained."Trust me. The hoop is easier to dance on. Way more space to move. I've worn layered crinolines before." She shook her head. "Simply put: a nightmare.""So we're compromising on the skirt and you still insist
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 19: Trading Partners
When the song ended the dancers applauded the band and couples rearranged as a slower rhythm started. Isaac spun Mrs. Astor out before bowing and releasing her hand. They parted and Mrs. Astor walked deeper into the crowd. Isaac made his way over to Arabella and Lavinia."Izzy, you look terrible," Arabella said bluntly.Though the gaunt circles under Isaac's eyes were prominent and there was a faint haze over his eyes, Lavinia could not bring herself to agree with Arabella. There was something terrifying but alluring about Isaac's hungry face. There was a desire in his frigid eyes, a need. He looked at Lavinia as if he were seeing more than just her newly styled frame. "Mother felt that going into the evening without feeding would only be polite. In case I meet anyone interesting." He rolled his eyes."This is much more than a night without feeding. This is days.""I will just remain on my best behavior then." He gave Lavinia a once over, then paused, looking at her anew.
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 20: Sitting Down to Dinner
Isaac pulled Lavinia into his arms, throwing a disdainful look over his shoulder at Cyril. Lavinia took his chin in her hand and pulled him back to look at her."Leave it. I didn't expect you to be the jealous type.""I'm not. He has," Isaac paused to collect himself. "A unique effect. Perhaps it's how long I've known him. He knows the exact right way to irritate me.""Not to mention, he is an incubus," said Lavinia. "That can't help the situation.""You're not worried about his sister?""No, she seems occupied at the moment. Not even looking at you."Isaac rolled his eyes and spun Lavinia so he could see the high table. He noticed his mother and Cordelia were still standing together. They had been joined by another man with a carefully shaped beard. He drew Mrs. Astor's attention entirely. She seemed to almost be interrogating him. His resemblance to Cordelia was uncanny and Lavinia assumed he must be her father. They were no longer paying attention to Isaac."Now
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 21: Mrs. Astor's Order
Mrs. Astor narrowed her gaze. Isaac's hands shook. His twitching fingers clenched into fists on the table. Looking closely, Lavinia could see the haze in his eyes had intensified. The icy blue of his eyes faded into a misty grey. He hunched forward over his plate, trying to avoid eye contact with Vivian Astor. Her own eyes were stern and focused. Their light hue seemed to be almost glowing, a mesmerizing blue as she stared at Isaac."Are you ready to answer me, Isaac?" Asked Mrs. Astor.He shook his head jerkily, responding only to Coredeia's grip on his thin wrist by trying to pull it away. She held fast, pinning his wrist to the dinner table. Suddenly, Isaac froze, raising his head. His eyes were completely glazed over, the irises barely discernible from the whites. "Are you ready to listen?" She asked, staring Isaac down.He nodded slowly, his motion barely perceptible. "Good," she said. "Then for your sake, I will state the question before I repeat my order.
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 22: Isaac's Second Nature
"Isaac, she can't see you here. You can stop this." Lavinia sat up in the armchair, every muscle in her body tensed. His own stance did not soften. He looked unsteady. His weight was shifting rapidly, his feet needing to readjust to support him."I certainly could." He whirled the fireplace poker to point at Lavinia, his grip alarmingly precise. The poker did not shake as Lavinia stared down its iron range. Suddenly, he slammed the point down into the wooden floor, leaning on it like a cane. The poker sank into the wood, digging a narrow hole into its hardened surface. "But I don't think I will."He ripped the poker out of its notch, the motion overbalancing him back towards the fire. The flames illuminated his white eyes making them look like swirling smoke. He was entirely vacant.Lavinia slowly stood up from the chair, raising her hands out in front of her. "Just calm down. We can figure this out. Your mother doesn't get to control you."Isaac laughed outright. "
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 23: Break your Boyfriend
Arabella stared down at Lavinia's body, her hands still grappling with her open wounds. She then looked at Isaac, catching him mid-swing. She lunged in front of Lavinia, taking the blow herself. Seizing the poker herself and throwing it back into the fireplace. "Snap out of it," Arabella hissed. "Don't make me fight you. I need to take her out of here."Isaac lunged at her, tackling her backward, slamming her into the floor. She growled at him, flipping him onto his back."Stop it!" She tried to pin his wrists but he was able to rip them free. "Leave it, Bells," he whispered. His voice was sickly sweet. Her nickname sounded uncanny in his labored voice. "She isn't worth it. Let me finish the job.""You don't want this," Arabella said. "You were breaking out of it. You were moving on. You were finding a way out from under mother's thumb.""Oh, but it's very comfortable down here. Very little personal responsibility with a high rate of reward." He kicked Arabella
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 24: Aftermath
Lavinia woke up in a dimly lit and unfamiliar room. Her back was pressed against a cold table, the sheet between her and its surface doing nothing to prevent her from shivering. She tried to sit up but a stabbing pain in her neck and side made her groan in pain and lay back flat. Turning her head to the side, she took in the room. There were cluttered shelves and tables. Instruments were laid out and she could see a roll of cotton bandages. On her other side, she could faintly make out two wooden chairs, one of them occupied. Squinting she could see a pale face and even lighter hair. For a second she froze, her eyes widening in horror. She felt her heart rate speed up and was sure he would be able to hear the pounding of her heart. The figure sat forward with a start, long blonde hair falling forward. Lavinia realized it was Arabella and let out the breath that she had been holding."Hey," said Arabella softly. "You're ok. He's not here." She took Lavinia's hand in hers
Last Updated : 2022-04-15
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Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 50: The End
Isaac stood at the head of the conference room table, hands splayed out on its surface. He stared at the assembled board of trustees. Cyril sat at his right hand, the bruising around his eyes fading. To Isaac's left was Sonia. Her hair was pulled up into a smooth bun. At the opposite head of the table was Lavinia. She sat upright, stacks of papers carefully arranged in front of her. "In the months since my mother's… shall we say, untimely passing," he said. "I have been disappointed in this board's performance. Its care and dedication to this company has waned."Several of the trustees sank back into their seats, not looking at Isaac. Sonia sat forward, trying to initiate eye contact with Cyril, who kept his gaze fixed on his own hands. "It feels as though your loyalty was to Vivian Astor, not to Astor Industries. And in light of that, I question whether your services are still needed.""Sir," an older man spoke up. "I think there is just some discomfort about the ch
Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 49: Matricide
Mrs. Astor turned as the two of them stood close together in the doorway. She smiled."So good of you to join us," she said. "I was beginning to think you were just going to lurk in the hall all day."She stalked towards them, giving Sonia a once over. "Sonia, dear, I would have much less of a problem with you if you stood to inherit anything. As it stands, Arabella has already had two eligible offers and I simply cannot allow her to risk our empire for something as frivolous as feelings."She looked at Lavinia. "You, on the other hand, were never an option. Though, I cannot exactly blame you for this whole affair. It's Isaac's weakness that led you here. He should have taken care of you when he had the chance.""Which time?" Cyril asked with a smirk. "When she was kept in his pantry or after you gave the order to kill her?"He vaulted over the couch, coming to sit on the armrest. He crossed his legs and leaned forward. It was impossible to deny his beauty. Every detail in
Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 48: Waking up Alone
When Lavinia woke up, it took her a moment to realize where she was. The heavy drapes around the bed blocked out all the light from the open window, leaving her almost entirely in darkness. She reached out, her hand brushing Isaac's pillow. Empty.Lavinia rolled over, turning onto her side. Isaac was gone. She sat up, pulling the curtains aside to look out into the bedroom. The door to the room was open and cold air rushed in. She pulled the comforter tightly around herself, trying to maintain the little bit of warmth still left.It was Isaac's room. They were back at the manor. For all the horror she had experienced within these walls she could not stop the thought that she was home. For a moment she sat there, wrapped in the warmth of belonging. She wished that Isaac were there to share the moment, so that she could tell him that his room finally felt welcome.But the cold from the door had started to curl around her, creeping into the open side of the bed. Isaac's ab
Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 47: Homecoming
Inside the manor, the four of them made their way to the upper floor, pausing in between Isaac and Sonia's rooms."Be careful, and lay low," Isaac said. "I have no idea who is still here. Cyril could still be waiting, and I know mother will not be happy that we were gone.""We'll be okay, Izzy," Arabella said. "You need to go lay down. You're no use to us if you're barely on your feet.""Call me if you need-""Lavinia," Arabella interrupted. "Just get him in bed, no messing around. He needs to rest. Tomorrow is going to be a nightmare." She put her arm through Sonia's, pulling her back towards her bedroom. Lavinia stayed close to Isaac as he limped towards his own room. She opened the door for him and he staggered to the bed, all but falling onto it. He unbuttoned his shirt, peeling it away from his open wounds. He threw it to the floor, trying to lie back, but Lavinia stopped him. "We need to get you cleaned up. You're not going to sleep with gashes like that."
Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 46: Going Home
The four of them stumbled out of the castle, finding it surprisingly empty. No one was waiting for them in the halls, no one was lurking to see the happy couple. It seemed that no one had heard anything coming from the ritual room. Still, they kept quiet as they crept across the front plaza, stopping just in front of the stables. Isaac motioned for the girls to wait, holding his hand out. "I'm going to get the carriage. Stay here." He leaned heavily on his right leg as he made his way to the stable. Lavinia caught up to him and pulled his arm over her shoulder so he could put his weight on her. She was all but carrying him as they passed through the wooden doors. As they swung closed behind them, Isaac sank down. He was shaking badly, his head falling forward against Lavinia. "Isaac?"He smiled weakly, looking up at her. His eyes glittered, red lines radiating out from his irises. "I am not doing well, Vini. As much as it pains me to say it, I might be out of my depth."
Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 45: Marco's Last Stand
Sonia picked Arabella up, holding her to her chest. She glanced at Isaac and Marco, still grappling each other in the center of the room. "Promise me," Sonia said. "Promise me that when this inevitably gets out of control, you will run.""I can't promise that," said Lavinia sadly. "Now go."Sonia nodded and stood up. She darted out the archway and her footsteps disappeared down the hall. Lavinia stayed where she was, still gripping the fireplace poker. Neither Isaac nor Marco was looking at her. Quickly, she pulled herself towards the fire pit.Lavinia ripped the ribbon from her neck and pulled off Isaac's ring. She pressed it on to the tip of the poker, twisting it until it stuck fast. She thrust it into the middle of the flames."Come on, come on" she watched the ring start to change color, starting to change shape around the poker. The fire was superheated, enchanted from the spattering of Rosie's blood. She looked back to the ongoing fight. Marco had pressed Isaa
Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 44: Severing the Link
Marco lept forward, now a huge wolf. His silver pelt was almost glowing in the firelight, his eyes a brilliant orange. Lavinia fell back, unable to break her fall as Marco's heavy paws landed on her shoulders.Her head hit the ground with a resounding crack. Spots of color blossomed in front of her eyes, almost blinding her. The room seemed to go quiet. Lavinia felt like she was underwater; everything around her was a mess, a blur of action. A low rumble brought her back to reality. She blinked, her vision clearing. Marco had his snout inches from her throat. With all the strength she could muster Lavinia struck him, her fist hitting him on the nose. He whined, shaking his head. His lips curled into a snarl and Lavinia braced herself for the feeling of teeth against her skin. Lavinia could feel his breath, hot on her neck, shudder. He had brushed up against Isaac's ring, still hung around her neck. He tried to swipe at the ribbon with his paw, attempting to sever it,
Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 43: Ritual
The man dropped Rosie's body to the floor where she curled onto her side, hands scrabbling to put pressure on her neck. Marco lowered his and Arabella's clasped hands into the basin. She stared at him, eyes wide as Rosie's blood started seeping into the long sleeves of her dress. The fabric clung to her wrists as Marco drew his hands back. He reached forward, using the sticky gore to draw a line across her mouth with his thumb. Shakily, Arabella raised her own hand to Marco's face, mirroring his actions. With a sudden motion, Marco pulled Arabella toward him and kissed her. She rested her hands on his shoulders, trying to push him away and end the kiss. Mr. Brogan rose from his seat and Isaac followed suit. Isaac took Arabella by the arm and she yelled something at him, her words drowned out by the applause from the Brogan family. He held onto her tightly, the blood spreading from her arm to the sleeve of his suit. Mr. Brogan lifted the basin from the top of the podium, ca
Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 42: Ceremony
The morning of the ceremony was bright and clear. The sky was nearly cloudless, just thin whisps of clouds hanging like strings across the blue expanse. It felt almost ironic. Lavinia could feel the weight of the plan ahead of her pressing hard on her shoulders, but the day itself seemed entirely open. Isaac joined her at the window. Had they been at the manor, he would have suggested a walk. But today wasn't about that.As the two of them dressed, they thought only of the struggle ahead. Isaac took off the silver ring he wore on his right hand and threaded it through a ribbon. He tied it around Lavinia's neck. "Keep it tucked under your gown.""Will that actually work?"Isaac shrugged. "It will be better than nothing. And in all the days we've spent here I have not seen a single member of the pack wear silver. Even their tableware is made of a different metal."Lavinia touched the ring. It was far too large for any of her fingers. It was an element solely for protecti
