It didn't take long to get settled into their new home. The Count and Draco returned from meeting with the council the night before and had called Vlad and Ingrid to the throne room to discuss what happened.

They had set up in a large hall that was clearly built for entertaining and to satisfy the Counts ego. There wasn't just one throne though. There were two. One in the middle for the Count, and the other to the Counts right, which was where Draco now sat. This bothered Vlad. Mostly because Draco seemed to be gaining more and more of his fathers trust which he didn't believe he deserved at all.

Vlad and Ingrid stood before them side by side.

"We have a problem," the Count began. "The council no longer trusts us and has threatened to cut ties with us."

Ingrid chuckled, "Since when do you care what the council thinks?"

"Since every slayer is pointing their stakes at us, and no vampire thinks we are worth defending anymore."

Ingrid stopped smiling.

"Shango Ramanga has agreed to come here to help us regain the trust of the council," the Count said. "He probably is the only friend we have left."

"But what if he's not?" Vlad asked. "He's on the council now. Who knows what they are telling him or even offered him?"

"Well maybe we could find out," Draco looked at Ingrid. "You are on the council. When was the last time you were at a meeting?"

"I don't go anymore," Ingrid said. "They're boring and they never treated me with any respect. Why bother?"

"Because you could provide us knowledge we couldn't otherwise access," Draco said.

"They never told me anything to begin with," Ingrid argued. "They especially wouldn't discuss my own clan around me."

"It wouldn't hurt for you to try," the Count said.

Ingrid rolled her eyes, but nodded in agreement.

"Also," the Count said. "When Shango arrives I want you to talk to him. Whatever charm you used on his father could possibly work for him. Make sure we get the full truth from him."

Ingrid frowned, "I'm dating Piers."

"You do as your told," Draco argued. "Your lucky your father allows you to have a relationship with the breather."

Vlad stepped in, "You can't talk to her like that."

Draco's eyes glowed red, "What?"

Vlad wouldn't admit Draco's stare intimidated him. He ignored that feeling of fear, "Ingrid has proven her loyalty unlike you. I'm so sick of having to put up with you."

Draco stood up, "When will you learn respect?"

"For you? Never."

Draco pointed at Vlad. Not even a second later Vlad's whole body hurt. A ball of electricity surrounded him. He was trapped in a green sphere. That didn't matter though. Even if it wasn't there Vlad couldn't move he was in so much pain. He couldn't even scream as he fell to one knee.

"Draco, that's enough!" The Count demanded.

Draco lowered his hand and the sphere disappeared. Vlad resisted the urge to pass out, but his body had gone numb. He stayed on one knee waiting for the feeling to his legs to return. That was the first time Draco had ever shown his power.

"This is how you should be," Draco said. "Fearful and obedient. You have power, but you have done nothing to earn them. Maybe I made a mistake trusting you with it."

Draco sat back down on his throne. Ingrid stood there staring at her brother. She had no idea what she should do. Part of her thought that it served him right for challenging one of the oldest and most powerful vampires in history, but she did feel sorry for him.

Vlad slowly got off the ground. He looked Draco in the eye and didn't break contact.

Draco smiled, "You have so much hate in your eyes. It's the first time I've really seen any passion. Maybe there is hope for you."

Vlad sped out of the room and disappeared.

"Follow him Ingrid," the Count said. "Make sure he doesn't do anything he would regret."

Ingrid turned on her tracking device and sped away.

The Count looked at Draco, "I shouldn't have allowed you to do that."

Draco nodded, "I'm sorry. I should have at least asked your permission. He is your son."

Draco stood up to stand in front of the Count, "But with all due respect, you cannot allow him to walk over you. You fear your own son. Because of that he never learned his place. He may be the chosen one, but that title means nothing if he thinks he is above everyone because of it."

The Count frowned, "You're right. He is my son. I gave you permission to train and advise him, but you will never harm him again."

Draco looked surprised, "You allow him to talk back and even walk over you."

Thunder rumbled as the Counts eyes glowed red, "I should dust you now for what you had done. You do not get to decide who deserves to be punished."

Draco stepped back and bowed his head, "I understand. I am sorry that I over stepped. You are head of this clan. I will honor that. Will you still allow me to teach him?"

The Count stood up, "Just don't hurt him again." He disappeared leaving Draco alone in the throne room.


Ingrid caught up to Vlad in the woods and stood in his way.

"Move," he said.

Ingrid ignored him, "Are you ok?"

"You don't care. Stop pretending you pity me."

Ingrid put her hand on her hips, "Excuse me?"

"You're only doing this for your own gain. All you ever care about is yourself."

"You are out of your mind. Just come home," Ingrid tried to put her hand on his shoulder, but Vlad pulled away.

"You know what?" Ingrid continued. "I did pity you. Since you were born I pitted you. Even up until five minutes ago, but you just proved that you are nothing but a spoiled child! You never appreciated anything!"

Vlad's eyes glowed red, "Get out of my way!"

"I'm not scared of you Vlad," Ingrid argued.

Vlad answered by throwing a fireball forcing her to fall on the ground.

Ingrid immediately got up ready to defend herself, but notice Vlad was now holding his neck and trembling.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"I feel weak, and extremely thirsty," Vlad said slowly. "I've never felt this thirsty before."

"I guess whatever Draco did to you drained you quite a bit," She said. "Come on, we can…"

"I don't want your help!" Vlad snapped.

Ingrid looked annoyed, "Fine! I won't help. Handle Draco and everything on your own."

Ingrid sped off, but not 2 seconds later reappeared and sighed, "You want to go hunting?"

Vlad looked up at her. He wanted to say something snarky about her trying to babysit him, but decided that he was tired of arguing with her, "Sure."

"Let's go then."