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Chapter 24: Aftermath
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2022-04-15 14:01:40Related chapters
Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 25: Isaac's Inheritance
Astor Manor was a vast structure. Below the level where the siblings stored their meals was a deeper basement. This level was open only to Mrs. Astor. Isaac and Arabella were familiar with the space only from their education as children. For them, it was a place of fear and pain. Occasionally, Mrs. Astor would take her board of trustees there. This became habit particularly when she did not want to be challenged. Such a meeting was happening now. The stone floor and walls made each voice at the long table echo. As they interrupted and overtook each other the sound became cacophonous. Mrs. Astor, seated at the head of the table, leaned back in her chair, removing herself from the bickering. Isaac stood behind her. He had changed clothes, looking much more casual than his standard dress. He wore no jacket or tie and his sleeves were rolled to his elbow. A spatter of red had dried on his collar and his face was still hollow. The circles under his eyes had faded slightly
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 26: Switching Sides
Isaac growled, baring his teeth. Cyril smiled faintly, cupping Isaac's face. His thumb rested on the corner of his stained mouth."Don't go anywhere near her," said Isaac through his teeth."Looks like Mummy hasn't done a good enough job on you. I remember when thrall made you a monster. Either totally compliant or absolutely feral. You were so much fun to play with.""Times have changed.""Right. You picked a toy that is breakable, so now you have to curb your urges. Lavinia is more work than she's worth." Cyril used his thumb to pull Isaac's lower lip down, sighing. "You should have just used her just like the others and been done with it."Isaac bit down, making Cyril whip his hand back and let go of Isaac's arms. Isaac fell backward, holding onto the stone wall behind him for support. Cyril looked at his thumb, putting it to his lips to stop the bleeding. "That's more like it. So when I go looking for Arabella will I find your little pet?"Anger coursed through
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 27: Homecoming
Lavinia only spent a few days recovering in the operating room. Once she was no longer concerned about tearing her stitches, Lavinia told Arabella that she was ready to return to the manor."Are you sure you're ready?" Arabella asked. "The manor is still occupied. The guests have not yet left."Lavinia nodded. "I need to go back. I can't stay here, and I won't go back to the factory.""As long as you know what you're doing," Arabella said. She helped Lavinia to her feet, assisting her in getting out of the office and into the waiting carriage. As she boarded it, Lavinia could see the look of discomfort and suspicion on the driver's face. Though he said nothing, he seemed incredibly wary as the door closed. He knew his cargo was forbidden, but he would not willingly speak against Arabella."Tell me again what you saw," said Arabella quietly. Lavinia looked forward to make sure the driver had his eyes on the road. "When he was under her thrall, he wasn't himself. His
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 28: Seeing Isaac
Arabella went back to her room, bringing Lavinia with her."This place is still crawling with monsters," Arabella said. "It has only been a few days. I doubt any of them have even noticed a change. You should stay here for now. No one will come in here. I'm going to talk to him one more time. Just to make sure."She watched Lavinia take a seat on the bed, slowly untying her hair. "Arabella, everything will be fine. know I can do this. I know I can save him.""I know," Arabella wrung her hands. "I know. I just worry about both of you.""Go. Talk to him. I'll be here.""When he comes in here I'll be right outside. In case anything happens.""Nothing will happen."Arabella nodded and headed up the hallway, letting the door close behind her with a click. Lavinia stayed sitting on the bed. She tucked her legs up under herself. Now alone, she took a deep breath. She let the worry flow through her. It was impossible now to deny that she loved Isaac. She was bound
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 29: Marco is Missing
"Are you sure?" Isaac asked."Well I don't exactly want you feeding on anyone else, now do I?"He smiled, rolling his eyes. Isaac lowered his mouth back to Lavinia's neck. This was the gentlest he had ever been with her. There was almost no pain as he bit down. The feeling of static was muted and it spread slowly. As the two of them knelt on the ground Isaac began to hold more of his own weight. He raised his hands to Lavinia's waist, pulling her closer. She put her own hands through his hair, holding him close. When he pulled away his face was clean and the circles under his eyes had faded. He looked much more present, his eyes bright."This was incredibly dangerous," Isaac said. "What if I had hurt you? What if you couldn't break my mother's control?""I wasn't worried, Lavinia said. "At the ball, I could see you peering through. I knew you were still in there. I knew you didn't want to be doing it but you had no choice.""This was still foolish. I could have killed y
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 30: Lurking in the Hallway
Isaac leapt to his feet, making Rosie jump back. He did not look at her. "I need to go," he said.Lavinia stayed on the ground with Rosie. "We can't just leave Rosie like this. This scratch is still bleeding.""There is no we. You'll be in danger if we go. Stay here with Rosie.""You are not going on your own," Lavinia said incredulously. "You are nowhere near your usual strength. I'm coming with you."Isaac looked like he wanted to argue, but stopped as he saw the stern expression on Lavinia's face. "Fine. We'll take her with us then," he pulled a cover off one of the pillows on the bed and handed it to Lavinia. "Keep pressure on her. I'll go get a carriage ready.""Carriage? We need to find Arabella.""There is no way he hasn't found her already. He's most likely already taken her to Castle Brogan."Lavinia carefully folded the pillowcase and held it to Rosie's side. "Can you stand?""I think so?" Rosie wrapped one of her arms over Lavinia's shoulders and let
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 31: Castle Brogan
Getting Rosie down the stairs was an ordeal. Isaac returned within minutes. He hurried to the top of the stairs, hair and clothes dripping wet. He stood a few paces back, looking expectantly at Rosie."Look, I am not exactly enthused about this either," he pushed his hair back, spraying water. "But this is a long staircase and it is pouring outside. I promise I'm not going to hurt you."Isaac extended his arms toward Rosie. Tentatively, she took his hand and let him pick her up, the arm supporting her back also keeping pressure on her wound. Rosie turned her face in towards Isaac's chest, gritting her teeth. Watching Isaac carefully descend the stairs, Lavinia felt a flash of warmth in her chest. It was not jealousy. The position had no air of romance or even tenderness. It was purely functional, but revealed a tendency towards altruistic affection. Isaac held the small girl so naturally, as if he had carried someone down these stairs a thousand times and would do so a th
Last Updated : 2022-04-15Bound to the Vampire's Heir Chapter 32: The Rooms at Castle Brogan
The door swung closed on Isaac and Lavinia with a click. They had been ushered into a warmly decorated room. In the center was an enormous four-poster bed. Over it was a thick duvet with intricate red embroidery. Beside it was a loveseat and two plump ottomans. Lavinia sank into the loveseat, letting out a breath. Isaac stayed frozen just inside the doorway. "Oh, sit down." Said Lavinia. "I'd think you'd be good at this.""Excuse me?"Lavinia sighed. "Clearly Mr. Brogan thinks we were invited to the ritual or wedding or whatever they're forcing Arabella into.""We should not be wasting time sitting here and-""Isaac, it will be much easier to get her out of here if we are welcome guests. For the time being, we just need to accept their hospitality and wait. When the time comes we will get her and run. "He looked at her incredulously. "How did you come up with that so quickly?""When you work under constant scrutiny you get good at reading people. Mr. Brogan do
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
