(JO POV) As the limo pulled up to the academy, its arrival marked a distinct shift in the atmosphere. It was no ordinary vehicle but an opulent, brand-new stretch limo. The extravagance of the moment was not lost on me, reminding me of the world I was now entangled with. Deirk escorted us to the vehicle with a warmth uncharacteristic of the stoic persona I had come to associate him with. He wrapped me in a brief hug that felt surprisingly intimate. "Thank you," he murmured, "for allowing me to feed. I really needed it." The sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable. Dane couldn't resist a light-hearted jab. "Alright, don't go getting all sweet on my girl," he teased, his words carrying a playful edge that misrepresented the possessive undertone I clearly sensed. Though made in jest, his comment resonated with a sense of territorial claim that, oddly enough, didn't feel as suffocating as I might have expected. The sight of the limo elicited a laugh from Dane. He turned to Deirk in
(DANE POV)As we arrived, Magness awaited us, his youthful appearance and demeanor strikingly different from Jo's expectations. "Wow, I thought he would be... older. Well, turned older? I don't know. I didn't picture him so young," Jo remarked."Yeah, he was turned when he was barely 15," I replied, watching Magness closely. He was laying it on thick, his actions meticulously crafted to appear welcoming and kind. The smile plastered on his face, and his arm wrapped around Katerine as they waited for us at the courtyard gate was so fake it should have glowed. With his overly smooth, clearly rehearsed charm, Magness made every effort to enchant Jo with his graciousness. "Ah, my dearest Jo, my first princess, welcome to my home. Your sleeping chamber has been arranged with the utmost care, just for you. And do anticipate a dining experience tailored to delight your senses," Magness cooed, his tone saturated with an excessive sweetness that seemed to drip from each word like honey.Sick,
(JO POV) As Magness prepared to take Dane away, his demeanor shifted to an eerie sweetness that set my nerves on edge. "Jo, my dear, I trust you'll find everything to your liking here," Magness said, his voice unnervingly sweet as he gestured towards the opulent room that was clearly meant to distract me from something. Dane's reaction was immediate. The usually confident and imposing figure beside me seemed to shrink, his usual assertiveness replaced by a visible unease. "Jo, it's okay," he assured me, his voice clearly strained now. Just enjoy the room, alright? I'll be back really soon." The panic in his eyes caused a rush of protectiveness to flood my thoughts as I + watched Magness drag him away by his hair. Determined to not sit idly by, I hatched a plan. "Katherine, could I trouble you for a glass of ice water, please?" I asked. "Of course, Miss Jo. I'll fetch it for you right away," Katherine replied, obliging as she stepped out, giving me the opening I needed. Th
(DANE POV) I stood, mechanically pulling my tattered clothes over a body marred by countless slowly healing bite marks. "Shh, kitten, I'm okay. No need to worry. I heal really fast," I reassured Jo, even as I fought to hide the deeper wounds that no amount of vampire speed could quickly repair. With every step, I struggled to move without betraying the pain I felt inside. Thankfully, Jo had missed the part that caused all the internal injuries, where my punishment for resisting him all night came by way of a sharp 17th-century blade he favored for moments like this. I'd noticed the bloody knife lying on the floor as I got dressed and kicked it under the bed so she wouldn't see it. "Let's go back to your room, okay?" I proposed as I pulled her up from the bed. "Stop calling it my room," she remarked. "Okay, let's return to the pink... princess room?" I asked, happy to see a speck of her spirit peeking through. She just nodded in response. Katherine was still waiting out
(DANE POV) Determined to distract her from the recent trauma, I whisked her away on a tour of the castle's hidden delights. The things the castle offered that humans would find exciting and fun, something Magness didn't seem to understand when showing her around. Not that I was complaining, it gave me the chance to do so. First, I took her to the bowling alley hidden beneath the east wing I had added to the castle in the 1960s because it reminded me of a game we often played during my human life called Molkky. Magness despised the area, mainly because it brought me happiness, I'm sure. It was clear no one had been down here since the last time I was here. "Strike!" Jo exclaimed, her laughter healing my battered soul. The simple joy of watching her immerse herself in the game and with the fierce idea that she could still somehow beat me wasn't just endearing. It was exactly what I needed at that moment. These were the moments after Magnesses brutality I hadn't had before. It wa
(JO POV) On the last day of our retreat at the castle, Magness's return abruptly disrupted the fragile peace we had fostered. His presence alone reignited a caution within me, a guarded stance I couldn't shake off even if I wanted to. During dinner, the atmosphere was charged with underlying tensions and unsaid grievances. "We should dine together, Katherine, Jo. A proper meal for you both while he and I will partake in my wide array of donors," Magness announced. Dane, catching my quick glance, leaned in slightly. "It's going to be okay. It'll be a male donor again, I promise," he whispered, attempting to address the silent worry he saw in me. Yet, his words did little to ease my anxiety. The thought of him with someone else, even in such a context, unsettled me deeply. As we settled into the ornate dining room for what Magness insisted was a 'celebratory' dinner, the atmosphere was filled with an unspoken tension. Ever the picture of grandeur, Magness spared no expense in showc
(DANE POV)The moment Magness growled at Jo, something primal within me responded in kind, a protective instinct that surged forth with a ferocity I hadn't unleashed in centuries. This confrontation felt eerily reminiscent of the tense "negotiations" that had secured Deirk's release. It marked a rare instance in which I dared to defy him openly.Magness's laugh cut through the apprehension, his amusement chilling. "Awww, my pet. I haven't seen you this protective in what... 300 years?" Jo's eyes snapped towards me. She thought he was talking about another girl... another ward. I hoped she'd see through his manipulative games and understand that there was a deeper and more complex history here than she knew. Later, I'd have to explain Deirk and the significance of Magness's reference.Testing the limits of my resolve, Magness made a proposition that sent a surge of anger through me. "Okay, my pet. If you're so protective of her and her you, then she can just join us." My response
As we neared, Dane began to disrobe, stroking himself as we walked. Curiosity and concern mingled within me, compelling me to question the ritualistic preparation. "Why does he expect that of you?" I inquired, the memory of our last encounter with Magness still fresh. "Especially if he's planning to do what he did before?" Dane paused before responding, "It might not be the only thing he wants. But Jo, just remember, go along with whatever happens. It's going to be okay, alright?" Katherine, following at a discreet distance, gathered Dane's discarded clothes as he dropped them. Leaning closer, she whispered, "Follow his lead, child. That's your key to getting through this night unscathed. He's not interested in us...he does not like humans, let alone females. Just play your part, and he won't touch you." Her advice only increased my anxiety. The very thought of 'playing along' in a scenario where I had no real understanding of the rules left me feeling more on edge than reassu
(DEIRK POV) The struggle had been almost overwhelming for hours. Mag was vulnerable and weak, and all I could think about was how easy it would be to rip him apart. Every time I tried to push the thoughts away, the memories came flooding back, vivid and sharp, slicing through my mind like the knives he used on me for centuries.I leaned back, trying to escape the constant loop of flashbacks. Percy lay beside me, close enough that I could feel his heartbeat against me. He always knew when I was close to breaking. His touch was steady, tracing shapes across my chest.He was trying to remind me I was still here, still in control. But the memories were relentless.The first time Mag strapped me down, I thought I'd die from the pain. I could still feel the cold metal biting into my wrists, the restraints cutting into my skin as he stood over me. The blade he used wasn't sharp. It was dull, dragging across my chest just deep enough to make me scream but not enough to kill. He enjoyed it
(DANE POV) I stood outside the room where Mag was held, feeling the moment's gravity. For 1,200 years, this man had been my "Daddy," inflicting pain, manipulating me, and shaping my life in his twisted image. Yet, there were times when he provided care and shelter, giving me some stability in the chaos. Now, the roles were reversed, and it was my turn to take care of him. A responsibility I never imagined. I opened the door and stepped inside. The air was thick with the smell of blood, remnants of the recent horrors that had unfolded. Mag lay on the floor, battered and broken, his once formidable presence reduced to a fragile shell. "Mag," I said as I approached. "It's time to get you cleaned up." He didn't respond, his vacant stare fixed on the ceiling. The man who once controlled everything now seemed utterly defeated. I crouched beside him. "Let's get you up and into the shower," I said, offering my hand. "I'll make sure it doesn't hurt more than it has to." Mag's eyes f
(DANE POV)I didn't want her to deal with my insecurities right now. She had enough on her plate. Between last night's chaos and everything still unresolved, burdening her with my doubts felt selfish. But I couldn't shake the nagging thought clawing at me for what seemed like forever.She pulled away slightly, her expression shifting as she processed what I had said. "What? No, Dane, you know I chose you. How long have you been dealing with that and not said anything? What the hell?"Oddly enough, seeing her getting worked up over this made me feel a little better. It was like a reminder that she did care, that this wasn't just something trivial to her. I shrugged, trying to downplay the unease that had been messing with me for days. "I didn't want to upset you more."Without hesitation, she pulled me down until I was practically kneeling in front of her so we were at eye level. She gripped my shoulders, and the intensity in her eyes forced me to focus on her and nothing else. "I ch
I left Deirk, Jo, and Percy curled up in bed asleep, intertwined after the chaotic night. They refused to sleep in different rooms, insisting on sticking together. They insisted on the same during sex with us, effectively turning it into our first foursome. I didn't dwell on why. Maybe they sought comfort, or perhaps they were afraid of us. Nevertheless, it was the right decision. I had to restrain Deirk more than once to prevent things from escalating. I hoped I had done it subtly enough that Jo and Percy didn't notice, but I wasn't so sure. They seemed more aware than they let on.As I stepped out of the room, I found Dom and Marshall loitering in the hallway. Seeing them there so early wasn't surprising, but there was something different about them. There was a hunger and eagerness in their eyes that I hadn't seen before. Lately, they had been pushing boundaries and testing limits, as usual, but this time it felt different."What's up?" I asked, heading toward my office. I had a
(JO POV) I woke up to the unsettling emptiness beside me. Percy was still there, deep in sleep. Dane and Deirk were gone. I slipped out of bed. The silence weighed heavily, broken only by a distant, rhythmic sound that made my skin crawl.As I moved closer, the noise became unmistakable.Agonized groans accompanied the sharp crack of a whip. My heart pounded as the sound pulled me toward a door I had never noticed before. It was slightly ajar, with a sickly maroon light spilling into the hallway. I pushed it open and stepped inside.The room was a nightmare. Mag knelt in the center, shackled and bleeding. His body was crisscrossed with fresh wounds. Dane and Deirk stood over him, their eyes solid black, their faces crawling with red veins that pulsed with rage. Their need for total vengeance was consuming them. The brutality was terrifying to witness."Did you think you'd escape this, Mag?" Dane snarled in that thick accent, lashing the whip across Mag's back. "That we would just o
(DEIRK POV)The moment I saw Marshall with those knives, everything I thought I had buried came surging back, tearing through the mental walls I had so carefully constructed.I was thrust back into the nightmare, and suddenly, it wasn't Marshall holding the blade...it was Mag.His twisted grin, the way he'd relish in our pain, the unbearable torture that followed. Mag didn't just inflict physical wounds. He cut into our very souls, leaving scars that never truly healed.He always started slow, like he was savoring the moment. The first cut was an intro, a reminder that the nightmare was beginning all over again. He'd look me in the eye, a sickening smile, and then drag the blade across my skin, just deep enough to make me scream but not deep enough to be fatal. The real agony came later, drawn out over hours, sometimes days.The burn of silver seared through my skin, leaving marks that would never fade. The scent of burning flesh, my own flesh, still haunted me. Mag would just laugh,
(DANE POV)Marshall had always claimed to be bisexual, so I decided it was time to let him prove it. It was the only way I'd consider letting him continue attending the male events he enjoyed so much. Tonight was his test, and Mag was about to become his plaything.I turned to Marshall, who was already eyeing Mag with a dark gleam that matched the twisted grin spreading across his face."Have your way with him," I said as I tossed him a set of knives. He caught them mid-air with ease, his excitement noticeable. "Break him from the inside out. Make it count, and don't hold back. You might want to stretch him a bit, loosen up... you know, to get things going in easily."Mag's eyes went wide, his bravado shattering as the reality of his situation hit him. The fear consumed him, and the blackness in his eyes betrayed his panic. He began to unravel, his desperation flooding the room."Dane, please! You don't have to do this!" he stammered out in a rush. "I didn't mean it... I was just tryi
(DANE POV)Mag slid into the leather jacket, his excitement radiating off him like heat from a fire. He looked at me, his eyes gleaming with what he believed was shared anticipation. "I knew you'd like it," I said, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Figured it would help you settle in before you dive into things at the school."He beamed, completely convinced that he had finally won me over. Inside, though, all I felt was cold resolve. I might have been excited...if he hadn't crossed the line, if he hadn't forced Jo into that unbearable situation. But he had, and now, he had to pay.Deirk played his role perfectly, not giving anything away as Mag eagerly shrugged off his sports coat and slid into the jacket like it was a badge of honor. It fit him like a second skin, making him look every bit the predator he fancied himself to be. Deirk and I exchanged a brief knowing glance. The first part of our plan had succeeded. Mag, completely oblivious, was wrapped up in his delusions
(DANE POV) I slammed my phone down, the sharp sound breaking the silence. Two weeks had passed since we found out Jo was pregnant, and now, after what seemed like forever, the message I'd been waiting for finally came through. Mag was coming home.Tonight.Deirk looked up from across the room, his eyes meeting mine. He didn't need to ask what had me on edge, but he did anyway. "What now?""It's happening," I replied, leaning back in my chair. "He's coming tonight.""Tonight," Deirk echoed, a slow smile creeping onto his face. "Perfect. Full moon and all.""Yeah," I agreed, the plan solidifying in my mind. "We're going all out."The hunt had been meticulously crafted, not just as a hunt but as a punishment. Tonight, the academy's halls would become a battlefield. Slaves and wards who had stepped out of line, or those whose masters wanted to teach them a brutal lesson, would be let loose. They could run, they could hide, but escape wasn't an option. The vampires would be released to hu