A/N: Ending notes for explanation. Thanks for everything!
Warnings:Same as always: language,violence, mentions of sexual content.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Chapter 9 – Last entry
The room felt cold, but it wasn't anything new to him. Near Ivan everything always felt cold and dark.
Arthur looked up to the ceiling, shining star like stickers the only comfort in that prison like room. It was in truth a very normal bedroom, at least as normal as a room enchanted with Ivan's magic could be. He felt so cold.
- Are you up yet?
A lively voice asked, pitched high in that unholy morning hour. Dutifully Arthur sit up to get out of bed but was held in place by a hand on his shoulder.
- Ah, did I say you should leave?
It was like everyday he was walking on eggs, a frail equilibrium he achieved after so many unforgettable and painful moments. He shivered, reminded of the last time he pissed the other off.
- No master, I'm sorry.
He kept his head down, he avoided eye contact whenever possible, that was how he survived those last three months. The hand on his shoulder moved to his face, gently making him look at those violet eyes.
- No need to fret pet, I just wanted to spend some time with you today.
Ah… So it was one of those days. Ivan had nightmares and whenever he had one, he would take his deal with Arthur's body. At least today he didn't seem to be in a violent mood.
As gently as possible Ivan guided Arthur down and lay down next to him. Big cold hands caressed his body, touching sensitive spots long ago discovered, eyes roaming his frail silhouette. It was strange – he felt the care and kindness that the other was using to take his body, carefully preparing him for the act soon to come, his body shivering in response, vision going blank with orgasm. Even so everything felt so distant, an extracorporeal experience.
He had been torture again and again, he was broken. The small pieces of himself that were left, were held together at Ivan's will. It was another kind of torture as its own that the Russian would be so gentle in those moments, rewarding his obedience, his loyalty.
His body was trained to open up to the other, to enjoy those light touches. Ivan covered his smaller body with his own, sweat making their skin slide easier. Their kiss was slow, as was the movement of those hips, licks, sucks and bites marking lightly Arthur's lips. The Russian knew what he was doing, reaching exactly as deep and hard as Arthur's body needed. It was torture.
He couldn't escape, the pain, the pleasure… Ivan's magic deep within his soul, branding him deep like his seed did to Arthur's insides. Irregular breaths took a while to calm down, hearts hammering as if they wished to leave the ribcage. He was broken.
They were broken. Arthur knew that Ivan was broken too, had been for such a long time that he didn't know how to not be (broken) anymore. His back was pressed to a strong chest, cuddling was usual whenever the other was afraid. Arthur was afraid too: whatever left Ivan so afraid made him insecure.
-x-x-x-x-
- I think we're ready to hunt those pests down. What do you think pet?
Arthur looked up from the arrangement of weapons and charms that he was fixing. They had been getting ready to invade the castle, they had gathered as much information as the guild had: the ones living in that place had never left the hunter's radar, even with the frail "treaty". After the first two weeks, Ivan moved them to Europe, deeming Arthur tame enough to not need his full attention. His spells had made a deep and hard work on the other, the physical torture and contact was only the cherry of the cake.
Ivan wasn't a fool, even if Arthur didn't say so, he knew that the Brit had unfinished business with those vampires: if they were his focus, the cause of his misery, he wouldn't have to deal with reality. It was a sad and sorry excuse but it was reason enough for the broken hunter that Ivan didn't worry about him turning against the guild, against him.
Whatever the British's family had done, Ivan had to admit that he was smart and had talent. Unlike Ivan's magic, Arthur's was linked to life, a pure force that had such potentiality that made the Russian wish to keep it to himself. He was being selfish but after everything that was done to him, he had the right of being so.
Well, thinking about that would lead to nowhere, he better focus and avoid any mistakes – he didn't want a repeat of the past.
-x-x-x-x-
The sky was dark, even the sun was hiding, afraid of what was to come. Around ten days ago Tsvetan left the castle and no news were heard of him, leaving the castle with only two occupants. Most times Alfred was left to his own, having free access to all the rooms and even some portions of the garden, the only demand made being to meet Alin everyday when they had too feed.
Or better, when Alfred had to eat. Fresh human blood bags and living animals were left for him to dry. Alin's human followers would take the carcass to do whatever they did with them, probably not wishing to waste food as vampire spit even as addicting as it could be, wasn't poison for them to waste such a good hunt. Alin would watch him feed with a blank face, at least blank to Alfred, Tsvetan disagreed with him. The Romanian only ever did something when the young vampire begged to be feed his blood as he got too near of losing control, desiring human like blood.
Alfred was sure that the bastard was a sadist. He hated it - the way that he was at the other's mercy, had to beg for his survival, for that addicting blood… The way that wishing that cursed blood made him not lust to dry a living being whenever those humans came by. It was maddening and no hero should be powerlessness like he was, but alas, was he really a hero? Could he be called one when the only thing he brought was death?
No, he couldn't think like that, he had to be strong for there still was good for him to do, he was sure… There had to be a meaning for this… probation for the other option being one he didn't want to think about (was there still inside him a soul to be damned to hell?). There was no use to keep thinking that so he focused on the taste upon his lips, the sweet blood that ran to his throat as he unashamedly sucked that long pale and cold neck.
He felt the other tremble a little under him, unable to hold back and weakly thrusting his hips up, caressing Alfred's crotch as he was in his lap. Even if Alfred wasn't as strong as the other, the ancient's blood made his abilities more intense, his spit affecting Alin in a way that it didn't before. Alfred himself felt that his clothes were a little too restricting, his fogged mind supplying that need of release. When a hand found its way to open his zipper, the American's moan was so lewd that awarded him a chuckled groan from the other. The young vampire kept sucking, wet and messy and that hand sinfully touched him, making Alfred lose control. He felt so hot, that blood always made him feel so alive, so right…
He moved with the other's rhythm, making the desire boil in his veins like all the lava inside the Earth, looking for a way out. Alin grabbed his ass with what should be a punishing strength, he let go of the throat, threw his head back and moaned. The Romanian grunted, bringing the other's body when closer to his, putting Alfred's head back to the still falling rivulets in his neck. Alfred locked and nibbled that perfect column, marking the pale tissue a deep purplish red.
Too much, it was too much, he couldn't hold back anymore. He freed his mouth only to have it attached to the other's mouth, the irony taste traveling from one mouth to the other as their tongues slid in a sensual dance, making them swallow each other's groans.
- Enough kid, or I'll want to drink from you.
Alin's voice was rough as he nuzzled Alfred's neck, making him shiver and groan, searching his pleasure trusting his hips once more. Scorching desire making his mind go blank in need to cum. Alin ran his cold hands up his back and down to his ass once more, making him desperately whine for more.
- I think it's past time for us to go to bed.
Even with his smaller frame, Alin effortlessly carried Alfred down to his room. It would be delicious when Tsvetan got back to the smell the American's spunk on his linen. Ah, he was so looking forward that!
-x-x-x-x-
Tsvetan was livid and Alin was enjoying it so much that not even the pain in the ass that he brought along with him could annoy the Romanian. Their ballroom as the chosen chamber for the evening's entertainment. He tuned down his Bulgarian companion so he could focus on the show before him.
The yelling context that was happening some steps away from them was a spectacle on its own way. Alin should feel sorry for his fledgling and his spawn, but Gilbert was an ass and the boy have been having a hard time, he should take a break.
- So, where was he?
He asked his dark haired companion without turning, feeling his sore mood.
- And now you speak with me, eh?
Green eyes looked like pools of acid. Tsvetan was pissed off and would have his say before any other word would be trade between him as his Sire. Even if the strawberry blond was stronger, he wouldn't cower in fear, he could hold on his own against him and would do so faced with such injustice, damn it.
- You fucked him in our bed! OUR BED! Damn it Alin, why- I-I can't even start to understand… wait, really, to be honest I do: you are an asshole!
Alin didn't seem fazed by that, even enjoying the jealousy. There was something pleasurably dark rising inside him, making him shiver with the knowledge that the Bulgarian could hold his own if they came to fists and it would end in a bloody bath, tearing each other's insides, driving deep withing their bodies. He would make it a point the next time they bedded, this sorrowful excuse of feeling that they had… It was terribly unavoidable, he should break the other and maybe that way he would learn to not act against his Sire – to not break his toys (he hadn't forgotten that he had almost killed Alfred).
Calmly, enjoying the other's outbreak, he answered with a voice that was but a whispered threat.
- Tsvetan, you know that, actually, that's my bed, I just allow you to share it with me sometimes because even if it's you, some company is better than boredom. Now you probably should answer my question, it wouldn't do for us to fight now, would it?
To be honest, it wasn't like Alin didn't like the other. Hell, if the Bulgarian was to try to vanish, he would hunt him down, break his limbs and keep breaking them, pulling the fangs, so that he would be completely dependent of him. What they had was… a sorry excuse of feelings: they wanted to break each other and they also didn't seem to be able to stay away from one another.
Tsvetan was furious and hurt but held strong. He made everything in his power to not show that, he had an image to keep, but he knew that the Ancient would notice. It was awful, the chemistry they had: unavoidable and destructive. It made him feel like the dark gap that was once called his heart hurt and burned, it was dreadful and so hard to hide, he wanted to love and also to kill...Well, whatever, better be over with it. He sighed, defeated, his feelings taking the better of him, making him vulnerable and leaving only his duty to his coven as an answer.
- Hungary. There used to be a werewolves' pack near the border with Austria that broke off and left behind a lone wolf. As you know, they aren't creatures that survive well without a pack, so he bound himself with a Hungarian witch.
Tsvetan was picking the dirt under his nails as he recalled the story, faking indifference. If that was the most rebellion like act he could summon, Alin would be disappointed.
- You could say that they mated, how that really worked? Hell knows. The thing is, somehow they meet our royal Teutonic pain in the ass and said pain in the ass glued on them as the plague. No need telling that was a precarious settlement. Somehow it kind of worked for a while, I think the witch took pity on him and also needed some fresh materials for her potions, agreeing to take him under their wing. When I meet them and told who we were, she was fast to give his silver bound coffin to me as long as I agreed for them to from time to time come here: be it to find a refuge or to ask about alchemical supplies.
Alin Tsked, Tsvetan was making deals without his approval but the Romanian couldn't complain: it was a wise decision. Having a witch and werewolf as allies always proved to be good since the humans were inventive and the guild always was a somewhat treat (even if they didn't dare touch his domain).
He was so lost in thoughts that didn't notice the movement until a hand touched strawberry blond hair, caressing it.
- Why?
The voice so small that it was but a whisper. Tsvetan's hand ran through the hair to his cheek, pulling those ruby like eyes to his. He was hurt, betrayed. An even paler hand touched the one resting on the cheek, it was smaller but held an undeniable strength. Slim fingers caressed the Bulgarian's pulse point, making him relax, a trembling sigh leaving those pink enjoyable lips.
- Shh, you know how it is: bad boys have to be punished and I took care of it. Don't look at me like that, you know how it works. It's okay, I'll embrace you once more, as I do every night since you were turned. Did I even once made you leave?
It wasn't that it was a lie. Not really. But it was complicated between them, so Tsvetan closed his eyes and accepted the small comfort that he was given. Their moment was broken as Alfred flew past them, hitting the wall.
- What the actual fuck Gilbert? Stop being scum, I told you to give the kid a rest!
As himself proved, it wasn't unheard of a Sire and his fledgling to argue and more often than not it ended up as a bad fight. Unfortunately the kid had grown on him those last few months so Alin was upon Gilbert in a blink, holding his arm back to avoid a fight between the Prussian and the American.
- That idiot! He fucking posted that shit! How can you be so calm after he told the whole world about us? About ME? Fuck! I have enemies you now?
He tried to get free and that awarded him an "I'm not amused" look from Alin. The answer was cold and cut like an icy knife.
- Yes I know, I carried a heavy punishment for his transgressions against us, against me, one that most would've died from. The kid's strong, I'll give him that but it wasn't only his fault, was it? Now that he's disciplined I've put him in my coven, under my wing such as you should have done when he was turned, isn't that right Gilbert? I kind of remember about a rule saying that new vampires had to meet the coven's master.
The hand holding the arm tightened its hold to the breaking point, Gilbert hissed but held strong. Alfred was up already, being held in place by a pissed off Tsvetan. Gilbert sighed.
- I'm fucked, aren't I?
Alin smiled, a predatory smile:
- Yes.
-x-x-x-x-
They didn't bring an army. It'd be of no use to start a war, but Arthur was skeptical about their success rate. It had been hard to get close to the castle without being seen, to be honest, their arrival was probably awaited and they haven't been turned into lunch because of some dark pleasure that the residents of the place would have dealing with them. He mused that probably they were waiting to tearing their limbs apart, to drink from their insides, maybe even to keep them alive for some days, slowly bleeding them dry.
Usually his mood wasn't so dark, but what light was there left in the world? The only thing worth surviving for was revenge against those that pulled his hand so he'd have to trail this path. Yes, he could survive for that, even if his body was impure, he was unworthy of holding such holy magic powers that was a blessing from his ancestors. Green emerald eyes burned as toxic as poison, he promised himself: he would hunt those leeches down. Lost in thoughts he shivered as a cold hand touched his shoulder, the voice sounding almost fond like.
- Don't worry, da? They know we're here as we know they are there… And we're prepared for them.
The forest was dark and the sun hiding behind those clouds made it even darker. It was perfect for an ambush and they knew that. To be honest even Ivan felt like those clues, those paths that weren't "guarded" were a trap to send them to the right place. Before he could say anything more, a shadow moved fast, breaking their defensive formation, arranging them further into the hidden round like spell written on the earth.
- I wouldn't count on that hunter.
They couldn't move, Arthur could feel those eyes roaming his body, holding him in place. They had a counter-measure for that but the question was if they were fast enough to attack after breaking the spell. Ivan was in a similar state, only that his eyes burned as hell's fire, tearing out a reaction from the vampire.
- I'm hurt. You don't need to twist your panties over such a friendly encounter hunters. I do wonder of when was I ungraceful in my meetings with the guild for you to be here? Not that I mind, it's always such a joy to greet your pitiful beheaded corpses!
Ivan was the first to be able to move, the ferocity in his face making Arthur's mouth hang open: he had broken it with only his magic, his will to do so, he didn't use any of the charms and that they brought. The dark sorcerer really had raw power inside of himself, it was as wild as his amethyst eyes looked and all that fury was now pointed out to the vampire behind them. The shadows around them danced and a chilly cheerful voice replied the vampire's question.
- I don't believe anyone inside the guild would portray you as "ungraceful" but as the truth: a leech murderer know as the "impaler".
As the shadows closed in from all the sides, leaving no route out for the vampire to escape, Alin vanished, reappearing behind Ivan. The Romanian was fast, healed even faster and had the strongest charm magic you could find so, before the hunter could react, the Russian's knees hit the ground and a cold breath caressed the back of his neck, making those short hairs stand.
That wasn't good, Arthur knew, Ivan was frozen in place, his eyes pits of despair, bound to something even darker as his magic as the other whispered in his ear, eyes glowing. The cold breath, that hand roaming his body, taking away all his weapons, he didn't resist – he was stuck inside a nightmare from long ago, disconnected from reality as the ancient vampire took all his defenses, laid him bare to the taking.
Arthur had to do something, he tried to calm his erratic breathing. They won't die there, they couldn't die there, he had to at least kill that leech, had to get that American bastard, his suffering had to have a meaning! Arthur begged for the life, as small as it felt, as unworthy as he felt, to help. He was too weak for a summoning but mother nature answered, she never forgot her child. It wasn't enough to fight the vampire, but it broke the concentration in those red eyes, getting him as a surprise, allowing Arthur to break free and reach Ivan. If they were to survive, they had to do stick to the plan and do it together, he had to make the other snap out of that nightmare and fast.
- I… see… Interesting, that's a very interesting magic that you got there young one. Too bad it's futile against me.
Alin was about to strike them down, he wouldn't kill them right now, one had to enjoy drinking them dry slowly. He would stick their dried up heads in a spike and send them as a message to the guild: no enemies were spared, no prey was left unharmed and no hunter should trespass his territory.
It was hard, the line between reality and fantasy was tin for Ivan, he wasn't snapping out of it, having a hard time getting up. As soon as he started to move, Arthur put all his focus to try a summoning spell – they desperately needed any kind of help that they could get. Magic shone bright under his command, his voice frail and trembling but sure of what had to be done.
Unfortunately, Alin was a legend for a reason and, he was fast. He was upon Arthur in a heartbeat, the hunter's pulse point singing for him to deflower such virgin neck. It'd be some experience, to feel that magic flow inside of him from the blood itself, he was looking forward to it. Cold lips caressed the skin, searching for the best point, that one that had just the right angle to make the blood effortlessly flow to his mouth.
Arthur's breath hitched, after everything that he went through he was going to die. A meaningless death, without achieving anything. Before the vampire could stick his fangs on Arthur's neck, a thunderous voice sounded and took the human away. Alin didn't seem happy but was amused by the act.
- You shouldn't interfere boy, I don't take people spoiling my dinner lightly, you…
Alin closed his mouth, Alfred was easy enough to deal with but as soon as he saw, understanding washed over him: Gilbert was gaping as he looked that the taller hunter trying to find his bearings. So that's how things were, maybe that would turn into a proper punishment plan for his bastard fledgling…
He was feeling old anyway, maybe it was time to formalize a "truce" with the guild. His two most recent headaches would be the pillars to that. Gilbert didn't have a choice, he was going to make sure of that, but the boy...
Alfred, who had freed Arthur from his embrace was drunkenly sniffing and nuzzling the hunter's neck, drawn to him. Something clicked into place inside the Romanian's mind.
- … Interesting.
Alin whispered. So the kid was bewitched by the, now that he looked at him, big eyebrowned hunter. Actually it kind of made sense: usually vampires, undead as they were, avoided life magic – they were easily hurt by it even if they seeked it out, draining the life energy within the blood. A sorrowful existence always looking for that which they would never touch again. Of course that fucking brat had to be enamored by it. It looked like Alfred never really embraced his "condition", spreading out that he had to follow a "hero's life" bullshit and so he was draw to that smell, to that magic… to life.
His fucking coven members were idiots.
Looking at the brighter side, he was going to have two new pets to play with as the guild wouldn't pass a "peace" chance only to try to get two of its members free. He was looking forward to what was to come with Gilbert: it was pretty clear what happened, he had heard the story and would gladly use it against the Teutonic pain in the ass.
-x-x-x-x-
- I… WHAT? No way!
Bored red eyes were being shot by equal ruby ones. Gilbert was discredited of the order he has been given.
- I think I was pretty clear – you are to meet your punishment by the hands of the one you wronged the most. Certainly Alfred was an option to carry such a discipline, you stole his life, his light and his death, the kid is forever bound to this curse. Unfortunately he's too naive or too stupid to do so, but... Ivan, did I get your name right?
The answer was a rigid nod, amethyst eyes still kind of fogged with unaskable memories. The hunters sit down beside the house occupants around the table, the air was stale in that room, it was also made heavy by the presences and emotions at play. For a human it was a pretty close deal to lose one's mind but those too held it tight, even if unable to move. Arthur's skin tingled, his heart wanted to leave his body by his mouth, he couldn't guess how Ivan was faring, but he? He was pretty close of loosing it: his so suffered goal right in front of him only to have his last hope broken. He was so lost in thoughts that he missed what the others were talking about.
- ... suffered by his hands, my idiotic fledgling went too far too many times. I find myself tired of disciplining him again and again. I knew shit was going to hit the fan when I let him go but I had enough of his silly pranks. As I just said, the guild would benefit of a truce so as an act of good will I'll leave him in your care to receive his punishment for an undetermined time.
The statement meet silence. Some things were too good to be real and in Ivan's life, it turned out, nothing was good. He knew there was a catch, it couldn't be real: all his life looking for ways to have his revenge only to have it delivered to him in a silver plate by a lucky move. As Alin spoke again, that thought was show to be true.
- Of course, I'll blood bound you to not kill him. Don't look at me like that, I'm not heartless, I take care of my children. He now needs an iron hand to ensure that he grows up a little and it's not like you have much choice, you'll be free to leave as soon as you agree to those terms.
All the six occupants of the room knew the answer to the unasked question: "what if I don't want to do it?" and no one dared to ask it. Not even Gilbert who was seconds away of meeting an unfortunate torment – he only prayed that the Russian's memory wasn't so good as to be able to remember everything that happened.
Tsvetan didn't like the idea of leaving those young idiots in the hands of the humans, but wouldn't interfere, not after being bested by those kids. He had been tasked to hold the idiots down while Alin dealt with the invaders, we know how that fared. Lips as tin lines, Ivan summoned all the strength he could muster to his jelly like limbs and held his hand up to be bleed and seal the "deal". He felt like he was bargaining with the devil but…
… but now, now at least he finally had a chance to get freed from his nightmares. He would enjoy it. Almost at the same time as the deal was sealed, a cold and sinister smirk made itself know on the Russian's face. Alin raised a perfect eyebrow to that.
- I must inform you that you don't have to worry, I'm putting a collar on him so that he'll behave. As you must know, there's limits to our abilities to heal so I'll give you a small list of things that should be taken care of so he won't die. If he dies, your fate will be worse but I do have this inkling that death isn't the thing you wish to infringe to my albino pain in the ass.
Mockingly looking like a human business trade, they shook their hands and similar cold smirks were played between Alin's and Ivan's lips, their wills bound to the bargain. Gilbert was outraged and had left the room sometime ago because Arthur couldn't find him. There was nothing thatthe Prussian could do, he was bound to his Sire and wished to avoid any further pain, at least any unnecessary pain. Gilbert could still feel his ribs attaching themselves back from where Alin had taken them off to suck the blood and marrow from them.
Tsvetan got up to find, bound and take Gilbert to Ivan and both of them to the front door. He was given instructions of how to proceed, leaving Arthur alone with Alin… and Alfred.
The silence stretched, a prickling sensation made Arthur change his focus from the door where Ivan vanished from view to the room's other occupants. Garnet eyes, gems that shone with power, with the joy of the play… with the promise of prey, it felt like they cut deep within his soul. He was caged, no way out, his body wasn't his own, his powers wasn't his to use…
Alin hummed, it was pretty nice to play with the human, he was one of his paws in this game and if his move was as wise as he thought, well…
Blue eyes were trying to figure out who to watch: Arthur was mesmerizing, it was like he was a magnetic force that he couldn't get away. From the moment Alfred saw him, smelled him, he knew that something was special. After seeing those scared, sad green eyes he knew that he should be a hero again, that maybe it wasn't only death that he'd bring to the world if he could save such light. Arthur was fresh and pure in a way that the vampire couldn't understand: it didn't matter what had been done to him, how desecrated he had been, that light would never burn out, that life would never vanish. It made him feel alive.
The moment that realization hit Alfred, Alin smirked. Everything would play out nice it seemed, he only had to do his part and, if he did well (and he would), the guild would never again bore him. Annoying maggots that didn't know their place.
Alfred felt it when his coven's leader "called" for his attention and so he turned. Those red eyes would forever haunt his nightmares… and dreams. He had to swallow the burn kindling inside of him. To Alin it was pretty satisfying to know that he had the kid eating in the palm of his hand, unconsciously bound to his every desire with just but a look. When the elder spoke it was with a firm repressive tone.
- Alfred, now, what should I do with you?
Alfred gulped, he was as moronic as Arthur always thought he would be and the Brit couldn't stand that wanker. His green eyes spit venom against those baby blue ones, the hurt look that he got as Alfred saw it and felt bombed from both sides could kill puppies. Nops, he wouldn't feel regret for a vampire, the vampire that caused all his suffering. If he hadn't tried to get to Alfred before Ivan, he wouldn't… Nononono, not going there. He used even more disdain in the way he looked at the leech and those eyes looked so betrayed that he was starting to feel bad. He scolded himself, there was no way that he would feel regret for hurting a leech's feelings.
But Arthur knew: the American was only another victim of destiny's schemes. He didn't know everything but he felt it, in the marrow of his bones, deep inside, where he buried his feelings once Ivan had broken him. It was dangerous, that vampire was dangerous. He didn't want to feel, feelings only made him hurt once he was betrayed and tortured. They only ever wanted to use him, he was only a tool to be disposed off as soon as one tired… it was like that with his family, it'd be like that with the world.
Even so, those eyes… He… He was loosing a fight against himself, if only he could hear his fairy friends... Those adorable, undead puppy like eyes were…
- A-ham, I know that both you got unfinished business. Alfred this hunter has been behind you since you started your most marvelous idea of telling the world about our secrets.
Alin's voice was harsh and made the American shiver with the memories of the pain he was subjected to under that same tone. He was no hero, no, he only brought death… even for them, the supposed to be dead! Alin, however looked unfazed by the broken expression he portrayed.
- No matter, I find myself in need of a steady contact withing the guild, to make our peace treaty more solid, we've reached a point that something must be done and I've seen enough war…
"… at least for now" was added inside his head, no use telling the world of his plans. He looked directly at Arthur's eyes, making the other's hairs stand, and spoke once more.
- It would be mutually beneficial if a bound was formed. I-
A loud bang interrupted his speech.
- WHAT? No, no way in hell. I won't say that I understand what goes inside you undead heads but I can see what you're doing. I refuse to babysit this tosser!
Arthur found himself slammed to the table, body covered by the other's, hands held above his head and head turned to the side, to see Alfred, as cold lips caressed his neck. Alfred's eyes were the size of saucers, it would be comic if he wasn't fucked. Alin's voice was a whisper as cold and sweet as venom.
- Is that so? That means that I don't have use for someone like you. If you're of no use on your own, maybe your body will be? At least your damned magic will be interesting to feel in my mouth, as I drink your blood.
Arthur's breath was ragged, even with his face held, what kept his eyes fixed were those hypnotic red eyes, at least until another cold breath could be felt in his lips. Caught off guard, Arthur redirected his eyes to what was in front of him, meeting blue ones but for a second before those cold lips sealed on his own.
Memories of those last 3 months in captivity came rushing back, a cold hand touching his cheek making his nightmare even more real. He shivered, he couldn't breath, it hurt, it hurt, it hurt...
He didn't know how long had passed, but when he heard a small weak voice crying, he grabbed it, held it and nurtured it, it was his anchor, it kissed him and he kissed back as strong as he as given, feeling the cold all along his body. He could breath again, panting as he felt the darkness around him, when had he closed his eyes? As soon as he opened them, it was to hopeful blue ones, to the vision of himself in the other's lap, to a gentle worshiping touch. It was fifty shades of wrong and he was going to argue but felt something pulled inside of him. He knew that feeling and it made him feel all over a new kind of cold.
- I've bound both of you.
It was like when he had been cursed-bound to Ivan.
- WHAT?
Both voices said at once, one trembling with fear and the other with astonishment but an unforgiving stare from those red eyes made them shut up.
- I've bound both of you, as you can feel. Alfred, you've been a pain in the ass since day one and you need to remedy the wrongs you've done to us so you really have no other choice, besides…
He sniggered.
- … You've been acting like an idiot in love: this hunter's magic attracts you and while you don't overcome that, you're useless to us. There's a lot of hunters with magics around life-like forces and you need to learn how to act around them, you need to make them bow to your will not the other way around.
Alfred wanted to argue but the room felt colder, Alin wasn't kidding and had had enough of that shit. This was an opportunity that he didn't want to waste.
- Arthur, was it? This treaty will give your name a force withing the guild, I'm sure that it'll make them overrule any prior faults that you've made, even those not made by you but by your blood. That cursed seal should leave your body and I'm sure a "hero" such as Alfred would have nothing against helping you heal: seeing what you've been through, all that torture, your body being bend down and used, your most private…
- Okay, enough! Enough!
It was new levels of embarrassing having to hear about his humiliation like that. He would get that vampire… But did he had any right of doing so? He should ask Ivan… His face must have translated how he felt because the hands around his waste tightened. It was so humiliating to be in that kind of situations, not being able to move, he had to try and rescue at least a bit of his dignity:
- So, what's really the deal? Having a vampire follow me, getting immune to a dangerous sort of magic to your kind, releasing the curse from my body… what do you really want?
Alin smirked.
- What I truly want, my dear, will forever be a mystery that not even my loyal Tsvetan will ever find out. What you should know is this: you don't have a way out. You should take it and leave before I decide that your smell is good enough for a snack.
-x-x-x-x-
Hey guys! What's up?
Hey, first of all, you must all know that I read all those emails and comments and I don't appreciate being called a pisspot! To the dude spamming me: just stop, it's not nice and the God of internet will twist your insides.
Now that it's cleared, I just wanna to let your guys know that this will be the last time that I publish anything here, at least for now. I've deleted some of my older posts under life threats and I hope that someday I'll be able to come back and start reviewing some more games.
Love you guys!
Alfred hit send and stretched. England wasn't what he thought it would be and he whined a lot about the rain. Oh well, at least such sad dark sky made things easier for him to walk around.
It has been some peaceful days since he had left Romania with Arthur and things kind of looked better but sometimes he could hear the voices: voices of those that he killed, drinking all the blood that their bodies so desperately tried to send to their organs; the voices of the elders using and torturing him, mocking his pain.
He sighed, too much for a new beginning, he couldn't erase his sins. Sometimes he really wondered if hell was a real place and if he still had a soul to be send there. Other times he was reminded of Arthur and the knew he couldn't give up, at least not when he could save someone.
Not when he got a real hero's job to do.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
A/N: So sorry for the long wait but at least here's the end! Thanks for reading, follows and reviews.
I'm not sure if I was able to develop the ending the way that I wanted, it feels kind of lame and weak :(
Does Alin seems overpowered? Well, every book and movie and game do picture Dracula as a strong and almost invincible motherfucker so here he goes!
I still want to write a chapter about Arthur and Alfred, another about Gilbert and Ivan and maybe even one about Alin and Tsvetan but this story has been ongoing for far too long. So, when inspiration hits be, I'll write them as one-shot like sequels!
It wasn't in my plans for it to take so long, even if I didn't have everything thought out from beginning but you know how it is: life happens. I hope you've enjoyed this! Until we meet again!
