The clash of blades echoes through the dimly lit hall as Kian and Victor engage in a deadly dance. Kian, fueled by his determination to protect Primrose and his loathing for the name Straud, moves with a swiftness and precision that only years of training can bestow. Victor, with an eerie smile, taunts him about the fallen legacy that he desperately tries to escape from.
The duo, once friends, are now seeing each other as nemesis.
"Is that the best you can do, Kian Straud?" Victor's menacing laugh is a twisted reminder of the dire history this castle holds "And here I thought you have improved just because you wear the name Vatore on your shoulders."
Clenching his teeth, the blond vampire's movement becomes more hasty, burning with desires to shut down this foe he called friends.
Victor…
Born in the same year, stayed in the same house, and witnessed the sins of Vladislaus Straud, yet, Victor still believes that humans are nothing but prey to vampires. This man, whose smile radiates with joy, was defiled the moment he tasted blood for the first time. This man who aspired to become the strongest vampire in Forgotten Hollow, uses his power to prey on his victims.
The name Victor of House Straud strikes a nerve to those who hear it, a formidable vampire whose strength is beyond compare. Kian thinks of what would happen if Caleb was here and fought this man, would the Vatore blood that flows in his brother's vein be enough to defeat this wicked being?
The irony of Victor's twisted beliefs resonates through the hall, a tragic tale of two friends turned enemies, driven apart by the darkness that consumed one and liberated the other.
Kian blocks a strike from him, only to fumble on his steps as Victor kicks him away. His sword skill leaves little to no mistake, each attack results deaths of others. The blond parries another strike, his body moves swiftly on the field, dodging Victor's blade with grace.
Victor, reveling in his newfound strength and allegiance to the darkness, mocks Kian's attempts to break free from the Straud legacy. His laughter pierces the air, echoing off the castle walls as if mocking the very essence of Kian's struggle.
"You always were the weak link, Kian. No matter how hard you try to escape the Straud name, it's a part of you, just like the darkness that flows through your veins," Victor sneers, deflecting another attack.
Marlin narrows his eyes, flame dancing around them as it tries to catch on the vampire's agile movement. The man smirks at his futile attempts, appearing in front of the fire mage with his incredible speed and with one swift move, Marlin is sent flying. His body crashes into the stone walls as he falls down, coughing out blood.
"Marlin!"
"Do you even have time to think about others?"
Kian startles when that sinister voice is close to his ears. Before he can deflect the attack, Victor drops his blades and punches the blond vampire across the face. The eerie smile still hangs tight on his lips as Victor draws closer, his blades are dragged on the floor, the screeching sound is painful to the ears. The man no longer stays in his human form, his ashy skin along with those vibrant green eyes take over. The scar that lays on his right eye serves as a reminder of the wound he received from Kian back when the Civil War was still happening.
Kian's eyes burn with a mixture of anger and determination. The weight of the Straud name is a burden he's been trying to shed, and the battlefield becomes a canvas for his struggle against the shadows that linger in his past.
"You are and always will be Kian Straud, no matter how much you choose to run away…"
His nails dig into the dirt ground as Victor's words echo in his mind. The haunting reality and the grim sin of the past, as much as he tries to escape from it, Kian can never get away from the grasp of fate, that he is the son of Vladislaus Straud.
However…
The Vatore family welcomes him with open arms, Lilith's love shines a light in his dark and gruesome world, showing him that beneath the sin that he is carrying, he is a good person at the core. House Vatore allows him to grasp onto his humanity, to see the world in which vampires and humans can live harmoniously with no fear.
The falling of House Straud serves as the new beginning for Forgotten Hollow…
"Gullible fool, you have always been like that, Kian. A weakling…"
Those green eyes soften for a brief moment, a weak vampire that always runs to him whenever he needs help…
Marlin scrambles to rise up, staring at the battle unfolding in front of him. Despite having the opportunity to strike down Kian, Victor seems hesitant. Could it be…?
Kian's eyes meet Victor's, a glimmer of conflict flickering in those vibrant green orbs. At that moment, Marlin senses a struggle within Victor, a hint of hesitation as if the vampire is wrestling with some internal turmoil.
"You may think that I'm weak, Victor…" Kian's whisper echoes in the quietude of the hall, reflecting the inner strength of his heart "But you are wrong…"
The man flinches, pulling back a few steps. Those cyan eyes… It can't be…
Seizing the opportunity, Marlin sweeps in fast, throwing the blinding dust at Victor, causing the vampire to roar in pain. The more he tries to rub it off, the itchier it becomes for him. Kian takes advantage of the distraction, delivering a powerful blow that disarms Victor. The blades clatter to the ground, and with a strong kick, he sends Victor away. His body crashes into the pillar and falls down to the ground as he wheezes in pain.
"You…"
His words fall on deaf ears as Kian points the blade at him, forcing the man to yield. In a brief moment, he wants to strike down this monster. Victor has laid his hands on Primrose and kidnapped her, the Lady of House Vatore. Even with one bruise inflicted on her body is already a death sentence from Caleb. But…
"What now…? Too weak to kill me?"
Victor's mocking tone reflects the turmoil within him, sneering at Kian for his inability to kill and at himself for falling victim to this weak vampire. The blond man grips his blade tightly, raising his arm as he is ready to deliver the blow, but a hand stops him. Marlin, painfully nursing his abdomen, stops him. The fire mage shakes his head, discouraging Kian from doing what must be done.
"You could have restored the Straud family to its glory, but you choose to run away…" the relentless assault continues with Victor and his blinded loyalty to the fallen House Straud "Pathetic vampire, you and everyone in that cursed family…"
However, Marlin steps in, casting the fallen vampire a sarcastic remark.
"And you are pathetic too for unable to deliver a blow on him…"
Victor flinches at his words, clenching his teeth angrily. Before he can retort, the fire mage snaps his fingers and a sleeping spell is cast, knocking him unconscious.
"Marlin…?"
"He couldn't kill you." looking at Kian, he continues "He had a chance but he did not do it. If we can use that to our advantage, then maybe…"
Shaking his head, now is not the time to contemplate a new strategy, they need to find Primrose, fast…
******************************************************************************
The intense atmosphere within Vladislaus Straud's castle is palpable as Caleb and Rosalina navigate its labyrinthine corridors, their footsteps echoing through the eerie hallways. The once-majestic castle now stands as a haunting maze, with passageways leading to empty rooms shrouded in an unsettling silence.
Focusing his senses, Caleb taps into his vampiric abilities, picking up every sound that comes to his ears, even the faintest one that is out of reach for normal humans. The bats hang themselves on the ceiling, fluttering their wings and chirping, a mockery of their effort and a distraction from his quest to find Primrose.
"We should split up, Caleb." Rosalina looks at him "We might be able to find her faster."
"No, it is too dangerous here."
Caleb knows how important the matriarch of the Emberlynn family is to Primrose and everyone, his maiden will never forgive him if something bad happens to her mother.
They continue to navigate through the castle, each room shares a duality, either a potential or a deadly trap that is set to slow them down. The young lord narrows his eyes, the imageries of his battle against Vladislaus Straud become clearer and more vibrant as they move further into the depths of this castle. The remnant of the fight manifests itself in the howling wind and chirping sounds of the bats.
The majestic castle stands as his battleground against lord Straud years ago, before the man fled to the secluded manor further away, where he was slayed by Caleb, ending his reign as the most prominent figure in Forgotten Hollow. The abandoned castle where they last saw Vladislaus Straud was the same place where Selene Voss met her demise under the hands of Caleb, both are evil monsters who prey on innocent lives to further their own agenda.
Just like that castle, the young lord never expects himself to be here again…
The gruesome acts that had been committed in this place, the atrocious deeds that had taken hundreds, if not thousands of lives still imprinted on his mind. The dreadful screams of their suffering become louder, a vivid image that haunts him to this day. Shaking off the appalling feelings, he can not allow it to interfere with his mission – saving Primrose.
As they turn around the corner, his ears perk up, a faint voice calling out for his name, a soft gasp, and a tearful apology. The realization that she may be enduring unspeakable horrors fuels Caleb's urgency, his vampiric instincts guiding him unerringly toward the source of those anguished sounds.
They approach a dimly lit chamber and Caleb's senses heighten. The air becomes charged with an ominous energy, a foreboding prelude to the confrontation that awaits. In the silence that follows, he can almost hear the erratic beating of Primrose's heart, a rhythm that drives him forward with a singular purpose.
Touching the doorknob, Caleb nods at Rosalina and prepares to enter. Kicking the door open, they charge in, only to find a horrific scene in front of them.
"No…Primrose…"
Primrose lies sprawled on the cold floor of the dimly lit chamber within Vladislaus Straud's castle. Her body trembles as she clutches onto a pendant adorned with the crest of House Vatore. The faint light emanating from the crest casts a feeble glow, as if attempting to shield her from the surrounding darkness.
Caleb rushes to her, his face is a mixture of fear and anguish, trembling hand touches her cold cheek. Her face, once vibrant and full of life, now bears the marks of brutality. It is pale and bruised, the painful expression lingers on her features, and a small trail of blood is visible on the corner of her lips.
The young lord's body shudders at her sight, sorrow plagues his eyes as he grasps her small palm, begging for her eyes to open. And when his gaze falls on the torn shirt that barely hangs on her small frame, his heart stops.
The torn fabric, once a symbol of her innocence and modesty, is now a cruel testament to the violation she has endured. His trembling hand traces the outline of her garment, his body shakes violently at the sight of her battered form. Each rip and tear is a story of her struggle, her bound wrist, the cursed object that prevents her from protecting and preserving herself, becomes the haunting reminder of his inability to protect her.
The anguish on his face deepens the more he takes in the sight of Primrose, anger rising within him as he holds the binding cuffs, tightening his grip as the cursed object gets torn away forcefully. Removing it from her wrist, the cuff is hurled against the wall, smashing into pieces. The evidence of his anger becomes more visible as the reality of the twisted action that has been inflicted on her sinks in…
Primrose, his beloved, his precious flower…
She has been violated…
Rosalina stands behind him, unable to look at her daughter's battered form. Her eyes trail from the broken vase to the blossoms that are scattered on the cold, unforgiving floor, a cruel symbol of what has transpired in this room. However, the closer she observes the flower, the more she realizes the danger beyond the physical torment that her daughter is subjected to.
"Oleander flower…"
Rushing to Primrose's side, the matriarch of the Emberlynn family acts quickly, pulling out some pills from the small satchel.
"Force her to swallow this Caleb, hurry!"
The young lord stares at her for a brief moment before obliging, prying her pale lips open as he forces the pill down her throat. It doesn't take long before those onyx eyes snap open, Primrose violently thrashes in his arms and pushes him aside, her body convulsing as she retches. A mixture of green bile and flower petals spills onto the floor, evidence of the poisonous substance within her system being forcefully expelled.
Primrose continues to throw up, with Rosalina by her side encouraging her to keep going. The raven head slumps onto the floor, exhausted as the pain in her stomach becomes unbearable. Her onyx eyes flutter open, a hazy image in front of her, two figures in the room, one bears a resemblance to her, the other with mesmerizing silver eyes. Someone is cradling her in their arms, this embrace feels awfully familiar, is it…?
"Caleb…?"
"Primrose, I'm here…" grasping on her reaching hand, he presses it against his cheek, reminding her of his presence "I'm here, beloved…"
Tears gather in her eyes, the sensation on her palm brings her back to when she is safe in the hands of her loved ones.
"Caleb…I'm sorry…" with a broken voice, she whispers quietly "They…they got away…"
"It's okay, Primrose. It's okay, you are safe now…" holding her close, he murmurs gentle reassurance, pressing her frail body against his "I'm here, your mother is here. We will bring you home, beloved…"
With a weak nod, tears fall down even more. Her mind runs through the imagery of what happened to her, the torn shirt, that man's eerie laugh, his cold fingers on her skin. But…
"Caleb…please…believe me…" struggling to speak, her onyx eyes search for his silver orbs "I stopped him…my veil still…intact…"
Holding her ever closer, a realization dawns on him. His beloved, despite the torture those monsters inflict on her, she is still…
"I save…myself…for you…" a gasp escapes her lips, but she must push through "Only you, Caleb…"
Caleb's heart tightens with a surge of mixed emotions—relief, anguish, and a deep admiration for the strength that Primrose displayed amid her torment.
Despite the pain that is inflicted on her goes beyond the physical manifestation of cuts and bruises, her inner strength is a beacon of light. That sinister intention that preys on her dignity and virtue, she fights back with every fiber of her being.
Her veil remains intact, she protects herself and preserves the sanctity of their connection.
The revelation hits his eyes with unshed tears, overwhelmed by the depth of Primrose's resilience and love. He nods, understanding the significance of her words. He knows his beloved is strong, that her heart and inner strength are beyond compare. Even with the cuff that locks away her magic, leaving her vulnerable without any form of protection, the raven head stands strong against the darkness that is seeking to violate her.
"I believe you, Primrose. Everything you said, I believe you…"
Relief washes over her as she leans against his chest, finding solace in his embrace. The nightmare that she endures has dissipated and she is in the arms of the man she holds dear to her heart.
"We need to get her out of here, she needs treatment."
Patting her daughter's hair, a prideful smile forms on her lips. Her daughter, strong and resilient, is standing tall on her feet despite the storm that sweeps through her life. The matriarch holds back her own tears, silently vowing to support Primrose on the path to healing.
"Don't worry, Primrose. Justice will be served for you." tightening his grip on her, Calen clenches his teeth "Those who bring harm to you will pay with their lives, I promise you that…"
The grand entrance welcomes the arrival of Inna Cents. Her graceful beauty is morphed into a frustrated expression as she demands to speak to Caleb. Butler Richard and Lilith stand firm, leading her to the living room for a more formal setting.
"Where is Caleb? I need to speak to him!"
"Lady Cents, may I ask the reason for your visit?" the wise advisor asks, his tone holding an ominous meaning.
"Don't tell me that you have not noticed it. Someone breaches Forgotten Hollow, there is a surge of energy entering this realm." her voice rises, conveying exasperation and her sense of duty as Head of House Cents "Caleb must have known about this, doesn't he?"
Lilith casts her butler a glance, her brother has not yet returned and now, they are facing this woman, Seraphina Bloodhaven's ally.
The brunette points out how Primrose is possibly the reason for this breach as she is associated with the Glimmerbrook School of Magic. Unable to maintain her composure, Inna continues to insult the raven head, stating that she has no virtue to be the Lady of the House. Even when Caleb is absent, it is Lilith and butler Richard who have to take care of the issues while Primrose is nowhere to be found.
"If Seraphina is here, she will surely handle this issue with grace…"
Lilith narrows her eyes at the mention of that name, Inna is unaware of how she is a mere pawn in the Bloodhaven princess's game. The blind mindset of the traditionalist has set this woman down on a path that opposes how House Vatore is operated, solely based on morals and values. Inna who believes that Primrose serves as an obstacle to Caleb and his family is completely ignorance of the vile action Seraphina commits behind her back.
Talking so highly about herself and the Bloodhaven princess yet they look at people as nothing more than a stepping stone to achieve a better meaning for their family…
What a disgrace…
"Lady Cents, I understand your concerns. Lord Caleb is doing everything in his power to keep Forgotten Hollow safe." butler Richard fixes his glasses "You, as his ally, must understand the duty weights on his shoulder, no?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
The brunette raises a brow defensively. His words are not just an answer to her question, it is a warning of her aggressive tone towards the Lady of House Vatore, Primrose.
"Inna, if I may ask, have you ever considered asking Caleb about what is currently happening in Forgotten Hollow?" Lilith, with an assertive tone, points out the elephant in the room "Even after the case of Selene Voss, all you are doing is pushing him into a political marriage. As an ally to House Vatore, it seems like you have neglected the duty to aid our family through thicks and thins."
"Lilith Vatore!"
However, under the watchful eyes of Richard, Inna Cents remains seated. Lilith may be the wife of Kian Vatore, the disowned son of Vladislaus Straud, but she is a prominent member of House Vatore nonetheless. The second in command besides lord Caleb.
"Just because my husband is not a preferable man you want to impose onto me, doesn't mean that you can insult him or anyone else. The same goes for Primrose and her place in my brother's heart." setting the teacup down with a loud clank, she continues "I am Lilith Vatore, sister of Caleb Vatore. You will do well to bear that in mind."
But Inna Cents refuses to back down. In her eyes, Primrose Emberlynn is an obstacle that stands between Caleb and Seraphina, a hinderance that must be eliminated at all costs.
"So you choose to side with Primrose Emberlynn instead of one of your kind? I knew it…" she too, asserting her power "It seems like that traitor has been able to persuade you to forfeit your duty as a member of House Vatore."
Her voice is filled with venom, a snake that bites back at anyone who dares to criticize her. That traitor, as she refers to Kian, set a foul taste in Lilith's mind. The woman who has been with their family through thicks and thins is standing strongly against Lilith and Caleb in their choice of partner. Fueling with a pride of being a vampire, Inna Cents has crossed the line of what she can and cannot do as an ally to House Vatore.
Despite Inna Cents' accusations, Lilith remains composed, her expression unwavering. The accusation of Kian being a traitor strikes a chord, but she refuses to let it derail the conversation.
"Inna, your narrow perspective blinds you to the true strength of our family," Lilith responds with a measured tone. "We stand united, and Primrose is an integral part of that unity. Your allegiance should be to the welfare of House Vatore as a whole, not dictated by personal biases or misguided notions of duty."
Inna, however, remains obstinate. The noblewoman who hides under the façade of beauty and grace is now peeling off her mask, revealing the selfish individual whose vine hangs tightly onto Caleb's life, refusing to give up her influence.
"Narrow perspective? I won't stand idly by while Caleb jeopardizes the future of our House by calling that wretched human his bride. You may have fallen under her influence, but I won't let House Cents suffer the consequences."
Butler Richard narrows his eyes, taking in Inna's vile words. Despite his disdainful attitude towards Primrose Emberlynn, he doesn't believe that forcing a mate down his lord's throat will give this situation a good outcome. The bond between Caleb and that human girl is stronger than any relationship he has seen his lord go through, and he refuses to witness the darkness that would cast over Caleb should he lose her, not when the young lord has been a faithful servant to the legacy of his family.
When Lilith tries to respond, a hand halts her. The wise advisor steps in, the coldness in his eyes mirrors the irritation that sprouts within him.
"May I take this as your declaration to cut ties with House Vatore?"
Inna Cents flinches at his words, her frustration is now an anguishing irritation toward Lilith and Richard.
"I never say that!" she exclaims loudly "Don't put words in my mouth."
"And you have expressed your distaste for our Lady of the House, along with insulting a member of House Vatore and openly disregarding Lady Lilith's role in the family. May I report this incident back to Lord Caleb and see how he will handle this?"
"Butler Richard!" she clenches her teeth, refusing to yield "You will not use Caleb as a mere shield to protect yourself and your selfishness. He deserves a mate who can stand by his side through thicks and thins, now a worthless human who can not protect herself."
Lilith, unable to hold back her anger, stands tall and defiant. She will not allow this woman to leech on her brother no more.
"He deserves a mate who loves him for his true self and Primrose is that person. He doesn't need a political tool to further anyone's agenda, that goes to you too, Inna Cents." she states firmly "You will not speak foully about my brother's bride. I will let you know that I still have the power to influence the alliance between House Vatore and House Cents. And I am not as kind as my beloved brother."
Inna Cents, caught in the web of her own stubbornness, glares at Lilith. The power dynamics within the room shift, and the clash between the two powerful women becomes palpable. The air hangs heavy with unspoken words, and the room becomes a battleground of conflicting ideals. The tense silence weights heavy in the hair, as it grows louder so is the gap between House Vatore and House Cents.
Behind the closed door of the living room, Edward and everyone listening to the conversation. A dreaded look forms on Lilian's face as she witnesses the political turmoil within the vampire society, a true glimpse of her best friend's relationship with Caleb Vatore. Has it always been like this for Primrose?
Lilith's assertive words continue and Lilian's mind races with concern for Primrose. She has always seen her friend as someone full of life and love, and the idea of her being subjected to such disdain hurts Lilian's heart. The vampire society's expectations and judgments threaten to suffocate the genuine connections that Lilian believes should be the essence of life.
Maybe the intricacy of love is something beyond her grasp. As someone who grew up in an orphanage and experienced fleeting love in the form of multiple adoptions, only to be sent back because she was too much, love is something she finds unobtainable. The absence of a stable foundation and enduring love during her formative years has shaped Lilian's perception of romantic love.
She treasures the genuine friendship with Primrose, finding solace in the connection she has with the raven head, someone who she believes to be her soulmate. But that is just friendship…
Having experienced numerous relationships, Lilian has become accustomed to the transient nature of connections in her life. Despite the warmth and authenticity of her friendship with the water mage, Lilian struggles to envision romantic love as a feasible reality for herself. And seeing Primrose and Caleb's relationship unfold in front of her eyes, one that is subjected to prejudice and questionable expectations, Lilian wonders if it is truly worth it…
Is love truly the medicine to all pain and suffering?
Edward, on the other hand, has a complex expression on his face. As Primrose's father, he has the duty to protect and shield his daughter from harm. Before she gets into a relationship with the young Head of House Vatore, he has warned her about this, the complexities of Forgotten Hollow.
Worthless human…
That was what Inna Cents referred to his daughter as. The nerve of her to call a member of House Emberlynn worthless, the thought of it strikes his chord, but the older blond remains hidden, allowing Lilith and butler Richard to address this matter with their ally.
As Lilith's strong voice echoes through the room, Edward's jaw tightens. The political machinations of the vampire aristocracy may be beyond Primrose's control, but he silently resolves to stand by her side, offering support and guidance in navigating the treacherous waters that surround House Vatore.
He and Rosalina have gone through the same problem when they were young, and the outcome of that was he denouncing his role as the next successor to House Emberlynn, an action that is still regarded negatively by the elders of the family. However, to Edward, that is the best decision he has ever made in his life.
Shielding their children away from the intricacy of the power balance within House Emberlynn and in turn, raising Primrose and Nathaniel to be more in tune with their humanity. While they may not fully understand the convoluted political turmoil of supernaturals, they are able to be their true selves instead of hiding beneath a tiresome façade that threatens to break anytime.
However, before the conversation in the living room is taken to another height, a maid rushes in with an urgent report.
"Lady Lilith! Butler Richard! His lordship has returned!"