First of all Omen freak you are amazing! When I posted this story I was really worried people wouldn't like it because it may be too different, I'm very glad to see that's not the case! Also I'm doing my best to make sure this character does not turn into a Mary Sue, if there is ever something that makes her seem like one please let me know! I hope you enjoy this chapter and the ones to follow!
The first thing the father-daughter pair did when they woke up the next afternoon was visit the McAshton's home. And by 'visit' her father meant barge right in. The doorman followed them through the halls trying to get them to leave but nothing he said stopped the hunter. There were voices coming from a room at the end of the hall so that's where her father went. McAshton appeared to be in the middle of a very important meeting. The group of men fell silent at their arrival.
"Playing games?" her father asked, "While corruption festers beneath your feet? Typical." He scoffed.
"What do you mean bursting in here? " One man – she assumed must be Lord McAshton – demanded.
"As much as I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings you need to know. You have an infestation of vampires." The other men in the room chuckled but it took Lord McAshton a moment to join in. That hesitation was enough proof – he believed the legend.
"Do you know who you're talking to?" Lord McAshton asked trying to sound threatening.
"I might ask you the same thing." Her father replied calmly.
"Obviously a madman. I'll show him the door myself."
"Sera, go wait by the truck." Her father ordered as they made their way back down the hall. She looked at him in shock, "But –"
"Now."
She huffed before making her way to the door. Once she was gone Rookery turned to Lord McAshton.
"Now what's all this talk about vampires?" the old man asked agitated.
"You don't seem terribly surprised, M'Lord."
The old man chuckled nervously, "Well, one has heard rumors, legends; nonsense of course."
"Well wouldn't you like it sorted out once and for all by a trained professional? Now I will admit my fee is substantial – "
"Fee? I have to pay you a fee? For what?"
"For putting an end to your worries and face facts M'Lord, you do have worries."
"Has there been any biting in town?" McAshton asked with worry. Rookery only tilted his head and ushered the man outside. Sera opened the back of the truck when she saw them approach. McAshton let out a high pitched 'eep' when he saw the dead animals.
"To our knowledge there haven't been any human victims –yet. But as you can see M'Lord this is certainly the work of more than one vampire."
"More than one very hungry vampire." Sera chimed in.
McAshton began to nervously toy with the ends of his mustache.
"In my office. We'll discuss your fee."
Sera locked up the truck as her father and Lord McAshton made their way back into the mansion. As they walked two young boys ran around the yard with toy guns, an older boy stepped out onto the patio.
"Nigel! Flint! Mother's been looking for you!" Lord McAshton looked at the boys with pride.
"Good on you, Theodore! Keeping after your brothers." He applauded such good behavior.
"Thank you, grandfather." Theo called back before following Nigel and Flint inside. Rookery's eyes on the older boy, an idea forming.
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"I have a proposal for you, M'Lord. And it won't cost you another shilling."
"We've already discussed payment and I've accepted your terms –"
"You have a grandson. I have a daughter. Like any parent I want to make sure she's taken care of. A rich husband would certainly leave her well off."
"An arranged marriage?"
Rookery shrugged, "I heard your noble family likes to hold on to traditions M'Lord."
"If these demons have returned, I want my family safe above all else."
"And?"
"Train my grandson, teach him how to fight and how to kill these monsters and you'll have that arranged marriage."
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"I take it he's going to pay?" Sera asked as her father returned to the Vampkill truck with a smug smile on his face.
"Oh, he'll pay." They began packing up the truck, "You're staying here."
"What?"
"You're going to be betrothed to Lord McAshton's grandson, Theo. Until you two are old enough to marry you'll be staying here. To 'learn the lifestyle of a proper McAshton woman' as the old cotter put it."
"You sold me?!" she growled in outrage.
"Bartered would be a more accurate term." He looked at her expression, "Oh, don't look at me like that Seraphina. You'll be marrying into one of the wealthiest families in Scotland, you'll never want for anything for the rest of your life."
"Please, you don't care about me you care about getting your pay. By sticking me with these people you guarantee that you will never want for anything the rest of your life." She accused with anger.
"Either way the deal is done. The old man has staff waiting to help you with your things."
She rolled her eyes, "I think I can manage one backpack and a bow on my own." She scoffed.
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In any other circumstance Sera would be thrilled with her new accommodations. Her room was huge with a queen size canopy bed, a walk in closet, a bathroom, a full vanity and its own balcony. It was a huge improvement to the truck she had to share with her father before. Lord McAshton had also told her the staff would also be available to her as well. She had her own maid, Trudy who helped instruct her on how to behave 'like a McAshton lady' along with answering any questions she had. The family also had their own personal chef, driver, and several other maids and butlers.
The biggest negative was her betrothed. Theodore McAshton was the definition of pompous ass. They had met the following morning at breakfast. Trudy had insisted on Sera wearing a sundress and after twenty minutes of hearing all the reasons why it was the better option Sera caved in and put on the dress just to keep Trudy quiet. Once she was dressed Trudy showed her to the veranda where the family was already eating.
Lord McAshton was the first out of his seat and approached her with a smile and a handshake. He pulled out her chair for her – beside Theo – before returning to his own spot and introducing her to the family. His daughter in law, Theo's mother, welcomed her with a smile and engaged her in polite conversation. It was hard talking to her without thinking about her own mother but Sera did her best. She was also very aware of Theo's gaze on her, he looked like he'd just won a shiny new toy and was thinking up ways to break it.
Breakfast didn't last long, thank god, because Nigel and Flint had to get to school and Lord McAshton and his son had meetings about the new golf course they were constructing. Theo's schooling consisted of private tutors, it allowed his schedule to be more open for when his father required his attendance at meetings. It was very important to them that Theo learned how to run the family business so the McAshton name would thrive. Sera was also scheduled for private tutoring, she hadn't been to a real school since her mother had died and the McAshton's were determined she receive a full education. Of course that would include her lessons on dining etiquette, proper behavior and manners.
As she made her way to her room to change – because apparently the sundress was only good for breakfast and Trudy had another dress suitable for lounging around the house in – she encountered Theo. He was leaning against the rail over looking the main ballroom and unfortunately Sera didn't know another way to her room so she had no choice but to pass him. He turned his body so his back was against the rail, his eyes slowly ran up and down her figure –pig.
"So, Seraphina." He said her name slowly like he was savoring the taste on his tongue.
"I prefer Sera." She said stiffly trying to get by him. But he straightened up and leaned across her path, his hand against one of the large marble pillars. Sera was tempted to twist his arm painfully but decided it wasn't the best idea. To survive here she'd have to be quick with her mind, not her reflexes.
"Well, Sera, don't you think we should get to know each other? We are going to be married after all."
"This isn't the 1700's and the whole arranged marriage concept is ridiculous."
"I agree, but we have no way out. Grandfather is determined to see this through and McAshton's always get their way."
"Yes, I'm sure you're very used to getting your own way." She said flatly.
He smirked at her, "Hmm, you have a sharp tongue. Maybe we can put it to better use?"
"Go ahead and try Theo but I've taken down men twice your size, so for the sake of your health I'd advise you to keep thoughts like that to yourself."
"You're wild too. I had a stallion like that once, it was fun breaking him in; I'm sure it'll be even more fun to break you in."
"I'm fifteen Theo, your seventeen, it'll be years before they even begin to plan our wedding so I wouldn't hold your breath." She finally got around him and continued down the hall.
He chuckled, "Aww, you think I'm going to wait that long? That's cute, really, naivety looks cute on you."
She stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face him, "What did you call me?"
"Naive. See you might be all tough in your world. The hunter world, where you spend all night sneaking around killing monsters. But in this world, my world, you have no idea how this game is played, you can't beat me, Seraphina."
"We'll see about that."