Vlad watched the festivities, using that word lightly, from the wall he was currently perched against. His father had insisted that Vlad wear his best clothes.
This evening had turned into a competition, the prize wasn't just him, it was to become the second most powerful family in existence. Vlad knew that was the goal. If it was up to him – and it would be – he'd strip that family of all powers straight after the coronation. He couldn't trust any family not to stab him in the back.
Every young woman in the room seemed to be trying to catch his eye, he knew it wasn't out of interest for him but rather from the interest in his power and future position. Never before had he received so many smiles and handshakes from the other vampires in the room.
Vlad had been forced to dance with every daughter of the clan leaders, including Elphina. Elphina had deliberately stamped on his foot more than once during the routine. He'd smiled through it all none the less.
His father had insisted that he dance with her so her father, Rumlar, wouldn't be insulted. She definitely wasn't going on his shortlist.
The music from the sting band began to irk him and he considered setting fire to a few of the instruments, unfortunately his mood was sour and would unfortunately end in a major migraine. Although compared to this 'Ball' it would be preferable.
The only bright side was that he didn't have to make a choice tonight, although he did have to prepare a shortlist of three potential brides, one of whom would be announced when the Council visited him in two days time.
Over the evening he'd been casting glances towards Erin who had smiled encouragingly, even though it never reached her eyes.
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"Will you stop looking so miserable Vladdy?" He shook Vlad and his son tried to plaster a smile on his face but failed miserably.
Renfield walked around the room talking pictures of various female vampires, until the Count grabbed his ear and forced him down.
"And what do you think you are doing?"
"Taking pictures of the ladies Master, so Master Vlad can put faces to their names." The Count tugged the old, black and very large instant camera out of his hands.
"You idiot!" He clicked his fingers and the camera burst into flames. "That camera has mirrors!" He pulled the printed photos out of Renfield's pocket, as expected they were very artistic pictures of the brick walls. "Go borrow Ingrid's digital camera."
"Yes Master."
"Have you decided yet?"
"No." Vlad sighed, looking around the room once more. "Any ideas?" This time he as tempted to go with what his father considered a good bride.
His father didn't comment and for the first time he realised his father was completely at a loss to help him out.
Now it was Vlad's turn to scoff. "You can't find anyone suitable?"
"There's just so much choice." He weakly defended. "Maybe if you spoke to them then you could decide." With a not so gentle push Vlad was shoved in the direction of a giggling group of girls.
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Erin watched with barely contained jealousy as Vlad spoke to a group of beautiful vampire girls. Her heart ached knowing that while she'd be released of the burden of watching the man she loved with someone else, Vlad would remain unhappy for the rest of his life with someone who was only attracted to his power.
Vlad's gaze flitted over to her and she nodded, trying to encourage him on. She wished she'd never agreed to be there at the ball. Erin couldn't take much more.
"Why are you playing waitress to your boyfriend's ball?" Ryan hissed over her shoulder, Erin jumped. She hit him hard on the shoulder; it probably hurt her more than it did him.
"Because Vlad asked me to." She didn't need to explain herself to him but she did anyway. "Vlad wanted me to be here and I need to do something to keep busy."
"Isn't babysitting the werewolf enough?"
"It's past Wolfie's bedtime."
"Good to know he's a vampire through and through, leading a girl on knowing he has to get married…" Erin turned and slapped Ryan across the face. Luckily no one's attention had been drawn to them.
"Don't you dare judge him on something you don't know anything about."
Ryan stared at her for a few moments before beginning, "I thought…" Ryan had though Vlad always known about this, that he was deliberately leading his sister on.
Erin's voice was bitter as she watched Vlad smile falsely at the girls he was speaking to. "You thought wrong."
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Vlad felt someone gently take his arm and guide him away from the girls. One of the group – Rubia – had seemed quite different to the other girls. She was more confident and spoke her mind. Something Vlad admired, she didn't seem attracted by his power but genuinely interested in him. A plus was the fact she only drank soya blood like him, granted she had an allergy to human blood. If he hadn't fallen for Erin he might have…still she was the best out of the bunch so far.
All the other vampire women were bratty and spoiled. Too many were concerned with spilling blood on their dress or breaking a nail. They were all false.
Turning back to who had his arm, he didn't like being handled in that way so he yanked it free.
"If I might have a word?" It was Henrik.
"You should have asked before dragging me away." He snapped showing his authority over the vampire.
"You're correct Chosen One." Vlad winced at the title, he hated it.
"My daughter – Ulsa – she is a fine young girl. She would bear many heirs for you." Vlad knew where this was going, he steeled himself for it. "She's very beautiful…"
"If you are trying to influence me Henrik…"
"I wouldn't dare." The innocence just wasn't there to support that statement. "But I'm afraid that if you didn't pick her she would be devastated. We may even have to withdraw our support for you." Thunder clapped in the background. The room was filled with complete silence.
Everyone stopped and turned towards Vlad and Henrik, "Are you threatening me?" The candles around Vlad flickered and grew taller. He channelled his emotions concentrating on watching Erin across the room. Henrik stepped back, not realising how stubborn the younger vampire was.
"Of course not! I just…"
Henrik's words were cut off as another vampire took over, "If you accept his proposal, we will deny you as our leader."
"I'm not accepting his proposal." Vlad told them sternly, his rage clear and evident. "I am not being bribed and blackmailed into accepting a bride." He roared, turning around the room. "Is this going to be my options? No matter who I choose I will have clans turning against me?" No one dared to speak. "Who is going to be the first to declare war?"
No one in the room spoke, but the tension was there. He could see a few chieftains wanting to speak, so he would give them a chance. Vlad would wait all night if her had to.
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Ingrid smiled as she closed the book with a bang. The answer to all of Vlad's problems lay in that book. Erin was right, as angry as she was towards Vlad, he didn't deserve what he was being put through.
She'd lasted two hours at the hunt ball before marching out of the room. Originally she'd taken pleasure in her brother's pain, but seeing him so defeated was something that had tugged at her. In Vlad's shoes she wasn't sure what she'd have done if her father were marrying her off when she was still with Will.
Ingrid opened the door to the hall before finding who she was looking for. Erin lanced around the room, trying to see who would take up the challenge. Across the room she saw the door as ajar.
Their eyes met, Erin looked surprised she hadn't seen Ingrid leave.
Ingrid gestured to Erin to follow her. Erin glanced around the room; no one had noticed Ingrid's gesture.
Erin stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her softly. She turned towards the older woman who had a cheeky smile on her face.
"I know a way to help Vlad."
TBC
A/N: Not long to go now!
What do you think?
Thanks for reading.