5 years on from the ending of Season 5. Vlad is feeling the most powerful he's ever been, he's seen the world with Talitha and now he's working full time as Grand High Vampire. It's been two months since he settled down from his travels working as the GHV and tired at staying at hotels, he has decided to return - temporarily - to Garside Grange, Ingrid's house.
Will Vlad and Talitha stay compatible or will Vlads job or behaviour set them on a different course.
'Garside Grange' read the sign, barely legible, as they wandered into the grounds and walked up to the eerily familiar building.
"5 whole years" mentioned Talitha.
"I can't quite believe it" responded Vlad.
"I know your sister said she is happy to have us but I swear if that ..."
"Stop it Tal, she's my sister" Vlad responded with an unusually dark tone considering who he was addressing. Tal was surprised but stayed calm in her response.
"I know Vlad, but she can't be trusted"
"I know" Vlad sulkily replied, feeling guilty that he snapped.
Vlad knew that he could never trust Ingrid, but he wanted to trust her and he did love her. She had also changed so much since meeting Pierce and they were even engaged now, that was something the old, scheming Ingrid that flirted with Ramanga would never do.
The two reached the archway where the main entrance to the school building was located. Memories flooded back to Vlad of the choice he had to make on his birthday - step into the sunlight or stay inside. Memories of Erin flooded back but he pushed them aside as quickly as they appeared. He also remembered meeting Sally and George, quickly contemplating what they'd be up to now but knowing that he could never find out and would never enter himself into their life again - they were safe.
Vlad took a deep sigh. "So many memories"
"We don't have to stay here if you don't want to. I was more than happy staying in hotels" Talitha comforted him.
"This is the right place Tal, I can't train effectively in a hotel - even if it is a suite - and I can't fully focus surrounded by all those breathers"
"Vlad, we talked about this. You just need to refocus when you're distracted by them"
"I CAN'T ... sorry ... when I use my raw power I just ... I can't focus them out when I'm developing new powers"
Vlad's outburst took Talitha by suprise, Vlad was angry, then sorry and panicked. She knew the council had been encouraging Vlad to develop his powers further and she realised how much stronger he had been getting in the last 2 months alone but she didn't quite notice that Vlad was getting ... more bloodthirsty? She really hoped this wasn't the case but she needed to be sure.
"You're saying that your hunger is almost uncontrollable?" she shakily asked.
"I'm not sure but I want to see if drinking ..." Vlad was cut off.
Ingrid had opened the entrance doors with a smirk on her face, knowing she had interrupted something intense and curious what it was about.
"What is all that noise about, all you had to do was knock, you didn't have to scream Vlad"
"Hello Ingrid"
"Hello Brother" she replied pulling him into a hug "You really that upset to see me?"
Talitha must have visibly shown her disgust at Vlad being interrupted because Ingrid was staring at her while hugging Vlad.
"Sorry Ingrid, thank you for welcoming us back"
"Of course, Pierce has been dying to see you both again and I would like you to see how much we have improved this place"
"Hey babe, you mentioned my name" Pierce whooshed into the corridor, standing behind Ingrid and planting a kiss on her cheek.
Vlad had no idea that Ingrid had turned him, he was positive she would eventually but didn't expect it so soon after what happened with Will all those years ago. Another reason for him to not fully trust her, considering he still saw her frequently at council meetings.
"Hey guys, I didn't realise you had arrived yet" Pierce responded with a smile, stepping forward and grabbing Ingrid's hand.
"Oh yeah, I turned Pierce 2 years ago," Ingrid replied triumphantly as she noticed the shocked look on both Vlad and Talitha's faces.
"Congratulations?" Talitha responded, unsure what to say while Vlad seemed to analyse Pierce. Ingrid also picked up on Vlad's gaze but choose to overlook it as she began to walk into the entrance room and welcome them in.
Vlad and Talitha stepped inside, following Ingrid's lead. While the structure of the entrance room was the same as before, it was completely different. All the furniture was mahogany and homely, with arm chairs and coffee tables that you wouldn't see in a school. Considering the building hadn't been used as a school for 6 years it made sense that they had made the whole building their home. The walls were coated with dark greys with red accents that knowing Ingrid, likely continued throughout the school building. The windows were all covered with some sort of cloudy paint that allowed a small amount of light to enter the room that was clearly UV filtered but it kept the room gloomy.
It was impressive to say the least, Vlad expected change but this was beyond he thought his sister would make the effort to do. She had truly, with Pierce of course, made this place a home that barely resembled the family home it was when Vlad left.
Vlad however was not going to let his sister know how impressed he was, he couldn't give her the satisfaction.
"Cool" he stated, with a cool and bland tone that made his remark sound sarcastic and full of boredom.
Ingrid knew her improvements were more than cool but didn't want to show her upset to her brother, she was beyond his petty response and his stuck up chosen one manner. She decided that instead of touring them around the school and showing off the changes, she would lead them directly to her new and improved blood cellar, just for fun to see their reactions.
"You think this is cool, just you wait. Follow me" Ingrid said with a smirk.
Vlad and Talitha exchanged knowing glances - if Ingrid was smirking, then she was up to something.
However, Ingrid didn't lead them to the cellar or the throne room as Vlad expected from her evil smirk, instead she led them down the school corridor - the walls painted identically to the entrance hall - to one of the classrooms.
Before they reached the room in question, Vlad knew which door it was, he could smell it. The most magnificent smell that he had ever smelt! He knew it was blood but it had never been so appealing to him before and that was saying something. He was sure that his eyes might have flicked black for a split second as he recomposed himself.
They reached the door.
"Welcome to the newly improved, blood cellar" exclaimed Ingrid as she opened the door and stepped inside.
Pierce followed in almost robotically, pulled by his nose. Talitha gave a worrying glance over to Vlad.
Vlad froze, as the door had been opened, a strong waft hit his face. This was everything his body desired and craved for, it was beyond how his Dad's cellar had ever made him feel. He unfroze and stepped inside, curious to see what was different, why he was so drawn.
The room had many similarities to his Dad's cellar but on a far larger scale. The classroom had been completely transformed and all four walls were lined with bottles, all neatly stacked and arranged in blood type categories. In the middle there were a cluster of comfy chairs, surrounding a table with held a vase hosting a bloom of deadly nightshade flowers.
Perhaps it was the flowers that increased the aroma and intensity of the room or was it the sheer number of bottles that filled the one space. Vlad was unsure but he was intoxicated by it all.
Before Vlad could even say a word or even check if Talitha had followed him into the room and seen his expression, Ingrid had opened a bottle, poured it out into four glasses and handed Vlad a filled glass. He took the glass from Ingrid without a second glance and she smirked. Picking up the final glass - it seemed she had already given one to Pierce and placed hers down - she walked over to Talitha who was in the doorway to hand it to her.
"Ingrid, you know we don't drink this" she sourly remarked.
"Are you sure? Vlad happily took a glass that I filled right to the very top" Ingrid joyfully remarked, enjoying the angry expression growing on Talithas face.
Talitha was so surprised by the room and how many bottles there were in front of her that she hadn't even checked in with Vlad. Immediately, at Ingrid's comment, she looked over at Vlad. She was right, he had a glass but he hadn't taken a sip yet. There was hope she thought but she was disgusted that he had even accepted it. 5 years they had been travelling and not once had she doubted Vlad or had any reason to. They had both been blood free the entire time and they had no problems.
"Vlad?" She questioned, she knew Vlad would understand her question even if it was just his name.
Vlad looked down at the glass in front of him, he hadn't really processed what had happened, he was so caught up in the moment, admiring the odour of the room that he barely noticed Ingrid handing him the glass that he now confidently held.
"Vlad, give it back" said Talitha.
"Ingrid, you know I don't drink this" Vlad stated, not looking in Ingrid's eyes because he knew if he did, he wouldn't have been able to say it. Did he want to give the glass back? He wasn't so sure but he was not going to drink it here and now.
"Then why are you still holding it brother?" Ingrid smirked.
Vlad placed the glass down on the table.
Ingrid was upset that Vlad didn't take a sip but she was pleasantly surprised at her brother. His quick responses that he gave in the past when offered blood were not there. Unless he was tired, it seemed that Vlad could be interested in drinking blood again. Ingrid felt a stab of joy in her dark heart, her little brother perhaps could become more interesting and he was going to live with them, giving her plenty more opportunities to persuade him.
"I thought you may have finally changed your minds about this nonsensical attitude you both have, but no matter, the more for Pierce and I to enjoy".
Pierce smiled at Ingrid. He finished his glass already and appeared to want more.
"Let's leave these two to explore shall we." Ingrid smiled, facing Will.
"Vlad, you and Talitha can stay in Dad's old room. There's lots of space in there and it's all been redecorated as our guest coffin room. I'm sure you can remember how to get there. Enjoy!"
Ingrid winked and whooshed off with Pierce, leaving Vlad and Talitha awkwardly alone in the blood cellar.
I have enjoyed all the wonderful FanFiction this community has published here so much that I had to give it a go myself. I'm really excited to be writing this and I'm planning to made it dark and potentially sexy. I love powerful Vlad, so expect that! :)