Betrayal of Our Blood

filthy cell. Lavinia's bloodlust had grown stronger along with her hatred, nearly driving her mad. Every evening, one of the guards would arrive

to her, eyes cold as he reached a hand towards her. Dominic's grip tightened around Lavinia's wrists, his fingers like steel shackles that left no room for escape. The cold of the stone wall agai

. "You belong to me now, Lavinia." His obsidian g

d teeth. She refused to let him see how much pain she was

her skin, warm and heavy, tainted with the scent of red wine and dark secrets.

uld be futile – Dominic held all the cards now, and she was nothing more than a weak and broken vampire, trapped by the hunters

steady despite the turmoil raging

wrists and taking a step back. His eyes neve

er? She was a centuries-old vampire, a creature of darkness and power, not some helple

e couldn't afford any mistakes, any slip-ups that might alert him to her true intentions. Lavinia knew it would be a dangerous and

g away from her completely. "I exp

, however, a fire burned – a fire fueled by her desire for revenge and her determination to regai

him think he had won this battle, let him believe he truly held power over her. Soon enou

and in case you're thinking of escaping...you will remain here and the

ving Lavinia to se

She didn't really care about either improvement, but still she could appreciate the gesture. She had waited until the serum felt like it was weakening slightly, biding her time to feel some semblance of power returning before attempting to

moment. A surge of energy pulsed through her veins and, with a dull snap, the bar broke fre

edator stalking its prey. The guards were her first obstacle, but Lavinia knew sh

ed as he stepped around the corner

est. With a jolt of adrenaline, she sprinted past them and do

her guard shoute

a corner just as Dominic appeared befo

oing?" He snarled, grabbing

ruggling against his iron grip

ing his hold on her arm. "You're a fool if you

veins lending her strength. With a surge of power, Lavinia b

wall. His face was mere inches from hers, his bre

ald eyes narrowing into slits.

bruptly. "Very well, then. Keep trying, Lavini

s he stalked away, Lavinia's mind raced with fear and anger while the serum strengthened its hold her again. She sank to the floor, two pant

n the floor haunted her thoughts. She paced the cold stone floor, her fingers absently trac

under her breath, clenchi

dows, causing her to jump. Dominic emerged, leaning again

rled, her eyes fla

lf away from the door and sauntered towards her. "I have

do with you!" Her voice trembl

o say." Dominic stopped before her, his dark gaze boring into hers. "I can

acing with suspicion. What could he possibly gai

asked warily, her v

y, and I'll help you take revenge on the hunters who brought

e as a pawn in your twisted games?"

halantly. "But remember this: I have ways

at, but she maintained her defiant ex

t expect that from you. But refusing means yo

with fear and indecision. Was it worth the risk? To align herself

bitter taste of defeat, as the realiz

ugh gritted teeth. "I'l

the monster within. "But remember, my dear Lavinia, this is an alli

e for now, but only until she found a way to outwit him. No matter the cost, she vowed to reclaim her freedom

n they guided her up the stairs where she first saw Dominic. On the second floor, they turned right and walked straight t

it wrapped to the left, using the hall she entered through to create an interior dividing wall. Walking around the wall, she found herself at a bedroom wit

k at her was a shadow of her former self – her once vibrant eyes now dull and hollow, her once radiant skin now pal

the the living area. Lavinia spotted a window and approached, hoping that it would overlook an empty stretch of the yard surrounding the mansion. Pulling open the curtain, she si

the room. He glanced around then looked at her, smi

you an actual room without making

," she shrugged, f

pose so. Do you lik

able," Lavi

ng him instead. She reminded herself to be mindful not to arouse suspicion. Her alliance with him wa

hair with a practiced elegance, settling into the cushion her chin leaning into

nt before Lavinia broke the silence,

To secure m

, you're pow

r to be a little more open with him as well, "true, I have quite a lot of power. B

ze, of course, that most of the criminal network is littering wit

ing his elbows on his knees, fingers laced togethe

. "I thought you wanted subm

r have a more... intimate agreement between u

m, perhaps she'd have power over him instead. The thought definitely held a certain appeal...especially considering he was at least attra

shed himself to his feet, his expression unreadable. "But remember,

she retorted, the corner of her mo

mean eternal servitude or worse. But the fire within her burned brighter than

darkness, her voice laced with determination

ving in to being a pawn in his power games. She turned her attention to how to get free of the room as she

?" One of the gua

k to Dominic. T

voice spoke up, "I'll get him

ant to go to him. He asked me for help... going to him will be a sign of

rds stood there, watching her warily, before motioning her to come out. She followed the younger of the t

ly for the extra speed she should have had. The men were uncomfortably close as she darted down the steps focusing solely on the door that would lead to

bruising as he pulled her away from the door. His strength alone told her thi

o her right. Neither moved for a moment, then Lavinia pulled her eyes towards the stairs where the shot came from. Dominic stood at the top, leanin

led, his voice low and threateni

at least try?," she asked, stru

. The man stopped her just before the stairs as Dominic stepped off the last step, and with a nod from Dominic, t

but she refused to let it show. His eyes were strangely calm, and as he stood there seemed

e revealed a hint of disappointment. "Perhaps

ness. Forcing herself to relax, she meet his eyes, "perhaps

move about the house, but if you dare even think about escaping again then don't think for a second

uching his, "I believe we have come to

ly at her, "I do hope you rem

she replied, "Rest assured, Domin

grip and pulled her against his chest roughly, "becau

s soon as Dominic released her, she rubbed her sore wrist eyes darkening in irritation. She knew she neede

found pseudo freedom to her advantage. If she could find a way to turn the tables on Dom

no longer trying to be rid of him. Every movement, every word exchanged, would hav

n Lavinia for a moment, "

not trusting her voic

nia knew that it was only a matter of time before their

nic sat, once again, in the lounge. Her gaze darted from one corner to

ominic asked, breaking the silence that

question, but she kept her fa

ould prefer we have a closer association then simply

with thoughts of escape, of regaining her full powers, of finally being free from his control. She kn

playing at the corners of his mouth

stration creeping into her

nters are growing more powerful by the day,. I fear there is also someone mor

wearing thin. "Give me my powers back, and I

one soft but firm. "We must move

lenching her fists. She could feel the power within her, dull and we

He stood and gently grabbed her shoulder, stopping her from pacing more.

she thought bitterly. But she forced a smile onto her face, her eyes bright with fe