Choices
I have now planned - not written - the whole of this story. It's about 55 chapters long, as well as my acknowledgements. So sit back in the knowledge that you have 46 chapters to read after this. Hope you enjoy it.
We are moving back to Ingrid just after Vlad sprinted off...
I don't own YD.
Chapter 9: Refusal
Ingrid felt like the weight of the world had been pressed on her shoulders when she couldn't see her brother anymore; normally she would be angry at him for running away like a coward, but in this case she completely understood, and felt that maybe she should run away as well.
Unfortunately she didn't have that option, she realised seeing the sun brightly shining, she wouldn't last a minute in this sunlight. No vampire would last long, not even the Grand High Vampire himself, this felt almost relieving to Ingrid, though she would never admit it to anyone she was glad of the sunlight, the longer it was like this the less likely the Grand High Vampire would be able to find Vlad.
Seeing her father admit her loved her, and then turn to a pile of ash had changed her; only five minutes ago she wouldn't have felt any concern for her little brother at all, but now... she really felt she saw the importance of family, and if she had to face the Grand High Vampire to protect what was left of her family... then so be it.
The Grand High Vampire looked furious, he knew well he couldn't follow Vlad, and Mori's armour wasn't protecting him as well as it should from the sunlight, resulting in the servant retreating to the castle to prevent being dusted.
This was not how he expected things to happen; he thought the boy would readily fall into the trap. Obviously, he had underestimated him; it seemed that Vlad already knew about his plot somehow, but the question was how, he and Mori had been careful not to be overheard, yet somehow Vlad had found out. It just didn't make sense...
Ingrid could see the frustration on the Grand High Vampire's face and hid her smug expression taking Will's hand carefully in her own.
"Brace yourself," she murmured to her boyfriend. "He's not going to be in a good mood."
"Why did your brother run away like that?" he responded seeming annoyed at her brother.
"Because..." Ingrid faked a deep breath. "He doesn't want the Grand High Vampire to get his way. Especially after what he has done to Dad, V;lad doesn't like to be manipulated; he will do anything to avoid it..."
"He's thirteen, how can he possibly get around on his own?" Will hissed. "He," Will nodded in the direction of the GHV. "Will find him!"
Ingrid shook her head. "Both you and he underestimate my brother." Will gave her a confused expression. "Vlad has never wanted to be a vampire, in the end I think he has always planned to run away from it, like I tried to. I was unprepared. But, Vlad... he isn't daft, he's a good planner he always has been. I would bet that he has since his thirteenth he has always had a way out so he can get away quickly at a seconds notice."
"Why would he do that?"
"He's had close calls where he thought he was going to transform early," Ingrid admitted. "After the last one... I'd bet he learnt a lesson from it... and has a plan in case it happens again. In Vlad's case, his solution for things he cannot solve tends to be he avoids them."
Ingrid was surprised at how well she seemed to know her brother. She always considered herself distant from her brother, but maybe she had really been deep down had an eye on him.
Eventually the vampires were able to get back inside the castle safely, after a serious amount of persuasion of Renfield who looked deathly ill, his skin white under its yellow tinge.
Ingrid ignored Renfield, deciding that leaving him be would be the best idea for him. Comforting him would likely make him worse, given he wasn't used to being comforted in the first place. Ingrid had to admit, inside she was just as devastated as anyone would be, but she had other priorities, like making sure she and Will stayed alive and most importantly ensuring that Vlad was never found by the Grand High Vampire.
Though she had no doubt what she said to Will was true and Vlad had a way out, she knew well how Vlad himself could underestimate people as well and that would cause him to get caught if he wasn't careful. Vlad had done his part, now Ingrid had to do hers, for her father.
The Grand High Vampire was looking at Ingrid, torn between the desire to slay her, and desire to stay in the Dracula's favour, not that he was anymore he knew that for certain.
"Tell me where has your brother gone, and I may spare you," he said through his teeth.
Ingrid shrugged amused. "How am I meant to know? I didn't even know about your little scheme..." Ingrid hissed the word in disgust. "Never mind my baby brother's plan to get out of it."
"He didn't tell you," the GHV gave a dark disbelieving laugh. "I find that hard to believe."
"I have never got along with any of my family," Ingrid pointed out. "Surely you noticed. Vlad would never trust me with knowing his plans, obviously he thinks I'd betray him, and I have to say... he's probably right."
The Grand High Vampire gave a frustrated fake sigh, and Mori scowled at Ingrid.
"How do we know, you aren't lying, little girl?" Mori snapped.
Ingrid rolled her eyes melodramatically. "Because... I haven't had chance to speak to Vlad properly since before I got with Will, and that was months ago."
"She's telling the truth," Will added. "Ingrid spends most of her time with me, not with her brother. Vlad does other things instead..."
Will didn't say that Vlad spent most of his time with his father or Robin; he had the feeling that Robin knew more about this than Ingrid did, Ingrid didn't want the Grand High Vampire finding Vlad, and is Ingrid didn't want it to happen then he didn't either.
"I suggest," Ingrid told the pair of vampire at the other side of the table. "You should leave at sunset and look for my brother through the skies," Ingrid was being truthful here, but still hoped they would find nothing. "If you want to find my brother, you'll have to cover a large distance; Vlad may not be a vampire, but he knows how to get around fast. To catch him up, you will have to do the same."
We will be staying with Ingrid for the next chapter.
Thanks for reading and please review!
C
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