Page 81 of Blood Bound

“Is there anyone I should be particularly scared – uh, wary of?” I ask, and he shoots me a look. None of them can be trusted, I know but there must be one of them who I need to be extra careful of. There always is.

“Yes; Kazimir and Eirisse. They’re twins and equally as vicious as the other. Eirisse has drained her Fated while Kazimir keeps his locked up, so other lives mean absolutely jack shit to either of them. Don’t let your guard down; don’t trust them, even if they seem kind.”

I let out a choked laugh. “Is this supposed to make me feel better?”

Gabriel sighs. “No, little lamb; it’s supposed to prepare you,” he says, then cocks his head towards the front of the car. “We’re here.”

I look up at the enormous castle coming into view and I can’t help but gasp at the beauty of it. It’s old and reminds me of the keep my family uses back in Romania, the castle I know now belonged to Gabriel’s family.

Six lean, round towers are low, but set firm and strong for a great defensive line and are connected by fairly low, vast walls made of brown stone. Black glass windows are scattered generously across the walls in a seemingly random pattern, along with the same-sized holes for what I assume was used by archers and artillery.

A huge gate with giant metal doors, and an ornate bridge guards the only passage into the castle built upon a snowy mountain top, but it’s not the only way in, which Gabriel has informed me.

Marble statues of long-dead Purebloods are lined up outside of the castle gates, serving as reminders, or warnings, of the past. This castle has clearly stood the test of time. The rocks of the walls are aged and vines and plants growing inside the cracks, but I can tell the owners take great care of it.

“Wow,” I murmur, glancing over at Gabriel, who seems unimpressed with my awe as he drives the SUV towards the castle gates and they swing open. “This is where the council lives?”

Gabriel nods. “All four Pureblood families who have taken it upon themselves to govern all vampires,” he growls, looking even sourer than when we landed.

He’s voiced his dislike for the council before, but now I can see that it’s actually hatred. I wonder what happened when his family decided to rebel against the Purebloods. Would he tell me one day?

I remain quiet and pull my coat even tighter against my body while trying to ignore the feeling of unease threatening to make me vomit. Why did they want us to come all the way here to face them? What is so important that they had to see us face to face?

Gabriel reaches over and takes my hand in his, squeezing it while giving me a smile.

“Things will be fine, little lamb. I won’t allow them to lay a finger on you,” he says, then draws my hand to his lips and kisses the back.

I breathe out a worried sigh and attempt to return his smile, but I am sure it looks like I am in pain. “I’m fine with whatever happens to me now; at least I have you with me.”

He smiles when I say this, then kisses my hand again. “I love you. Let us go face these cunts so we can move on with our lives,” he says, then unlocks the SUV and gets out. I exhale and follow his lead.

Pureblood vampires seem to have a thing for luxury. With Gabriel, it’s his two-wheeled toys, but with these vampires it’s opulence. Obsidian and ivory color scheme, gold chandeliers placed carefully, giving the place a warm glow. Paintings, antique furniture, black drapes - a proper medieval fucking thing.

A dark-skinned man greets us in the entryway and gestures for us to follow him into the throne room. Wow, these vamps think highly of themselves to even still have a fucking throne room; I’m sure I’ll hate them when I see their arrogant faces.

We step inside a massive room and once again I gasp at the beauty of it. Six slim columns with glowing gems light up most of the hall and bathe it in an orange glow. The countless crystals on the bowed ceiling dance in the flickering light while marble busts look down upon the porcelain floor of this elegant hall.

A crimson rug runs down from the throne for a few meters before ending on a raised podium, while winged banners with golden corners dangle gently from behind the elegant seven seats on the podium.

Between each banner are more of those orange gems, none glowing, in turn, illuminating the pale, noble-looking faces of the so-called legendary creatures below them.

Drapes frame black and red stained glass windows depicting gods and goddesses colored the same crimson as the banners. They adorned the curtains with decorated tips and fancy tassels.

Man, I hate them already - especially with the way they’re glowering at me.

“Gabriel Preutescu, welcome once again,” a slim woman with a light, whispery voice announces.

Her hair is so blonde it looks like a halo and she speaks while looking right at Gabriel. She’s beautiful; dressed in a black suit with pumps, and has crimson eyes with black - a clear sign that she’s a killer of innocents. This must be Eirisse Vasile.

“Thank you for having me. May I please know why I’ve been requested when I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me?” Gabriel says, jumping right in without missing a beat.

A dark-haired man with a crooked nose and mustache sits forward and turns his gaze on me.

“We have been informed of who your Fated is, and we have some… concerns,” he says with a thick accent - I’m guessing he’s Ezra Aviet.

“She’s a Décès - the heiress to Death’s Temple and the reason we’re on the brink of extinction!” A red-haired woman with an Italian accent cries out; she’s dressed in a tight-fitting black dress and heels, with diamonds and rubies adorning her neck and ears. Demitria Principe.

“Exactly! She cannot be allowed to live, much less be part of our world!” A blonde wearing the same kind of dress as Demetria, but in royal blue, says in a deafening shrill voice. Nisha Devereaux, I assume, by her accent.

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