Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Chapter 9

Vladimir’s POV

I was spacing out. I can’t clearly think when I’ve reached the council but I’ve tried my best not to think of it for a while to focus on what’s happening.

My Dad and Mom were already standing at the front gate waiting for us. We were joined by Stan and his brother as well as their parents who already went inside to lock the system. Vanna was also inside with the other owl.

We left some guards outside the area to patrol while we locked the gate. Dad made a barrier out of fire to lock us from the outside and I saw him a while ago putting some fire on the ground. I freeze the inside of the area.

"Brother," Via reached for the box. When I opened it, it was blood from a human. “Mom bought some from the blood bank. We need it, you need it. ”

I nodded and drank a bag of blood from a human. I felt the effect of it on my veins as it crawled to my body.

“We already knew the traitor,” Dad said through gritted teeth. "Ashlon Fall."

"Ace's Dad?" I was shocked. "It can't be."

“Ace said it himself. He was on the frontline to kill his father and save his sister and Stan’s sister. ”

"Stan's sister, Stephanie?" She was immediately the first to enter my mind.

Stephanie has the power to absorb all the current and use it as her power to destroy. That’s right, I wouldn’t be surprised if they got him as their leverage because they need someone to destroy the sensor that Stan built. “But, Ace’s sister, Asha, why do they need to get her? He is her daughter. ”

“Asha was the one who called Ace from home and told about her father, so Stan rebooted the system and was able to remove Ashlon’s fingerprint. They planned to attack the council but Ace was too fast to inform us.”

“Stan was really great too,” Mom commented. “He rebooted the system so fast and changed it to a new one that even we don’t know. It’s somehow good that only Stan knows the blueprint of the whole place, especially the center of the council to protect us from other traitors.”

“I can’t believe it. Why is he doing this?”

“He wants the blood of the noble to rule over the vampires and the humans. He wants to conquer the world,” Dad explained.

We simultaneously looked up when we saw its light.

It was a long way from here, but it signals that it already started.

“Vlad,” Mom looked at me. "They also want her."

"What?" There was anger when I heard it, even without hearing her name. "They are actually looking for her."

That’s why Ace warned me, he knew. “Along with the other two. He was with two men with the same ocean fragrance.”

"Who are they?" I asked. I never got the chance to ask it.

“You don’t need to worry. She can handle herself. She can hide herself and her smell.” Smiling, Mom said. "Haven't she told you yet?"

"She's an angel," Dad smiled a bit before saying, "A fallen angel."

"An angel, but there is no such thing as an angel." Van said in disbelief. "How did you know about it?"

We suddenly stopped. It was a few miles but we heard their footsteps. I closed my eyes and listened around. I heard some kids crying, there were also shouts from half-bloods, swords screeching. We stand ready for the attack. It took half an hour for them to come running toward the council palace.

Before they could even get close, the fire from the ground exploded one by one taking half of the lowkies marching towards us. Dad started making fireballs. Van on the other hand, placed his hand on the ground turning the lowkies who step on it into dust.

I was standing beside Mom, guarding the front door of the council. I heard Via and Vanna’s footsteps with the other owl, running toward the center. Stan was behind the closed door, waiting for us, for them.

They keep on running towards the gate. It took Dad and Van half an hour to kill all the lowkies. We stood there waiting, and then we saw the half-bloods marching towards. We received a message from Ace saying that she already saved her sister. And half of the army of the half-bloods were already dead. Though, they are still on the field attacking three of their hide-outs which means Ashlon is also marching toward us.

We were not mistaken. He stood straight, chained on his side is Stephanie - no I stared intently at the woman standing next to him. It’s not Stephanie.

Ashlon smiled at us with his red scorching eyes. "Sorry, didn't mean to meet like this but I just need the blood, if you will cooperate it will be done in due time."

It was a far distance from us. They are standing a few steps from the front gate while we are standing on the front door. I recalled counting it before, there were more like 200 steps to where we were standing.

When I looked around, I felt like they were surrounding us not only in the front but also in the back and around the side. Ashlon knows the blueprint of the palace and even the sensor to trigger the hidden weapons, but right now he may be able to know the blueprint to the center, he is still not sure if they can go inside without dying. I believe in Stan. I know he did well.

I channeled enough of my power to make that ice barrier that covers us. Half-bloods around us started their work. I heard the swords clashing trying to break the ice. They can break it, but it will take time to do it. I was never Fear for nothing.

“You can still change your mind, it’s not too late,” Dad offered. His voice was weak and sad, and I could sense the hurt on it as he was betrayed by whom he thought a friend. "C'mon Ashlon, you're not like this."

"You don't know me Vince," he shook his head. “I already made up my mind a long time ago. Sorry Fear, but I need and want to make my house higher than yours. I’m tired standing next to you. I want to stand higher than you! ”

I do not know. I was never aware that he holds a grudge like that on us. We didn't do anything to him, we are actually good friends or maybe we just felt that way and he was never sincere.

Son, I remember how he used to answer my father regarding how we live our lives. We drink from animal blood while they drink human blood. Though they say they bought it from the blood bank but seeing it now maybe not. Maybe they’ve been feeding and killing humans since then.

"This is the easiest way to do it," he added.

“If you want to do it, why not just kill us. You don't have to involve others.”

I can see the sadness in Dad’s eyes. He treated him as a good friend.

"Just so you know, the king of half-bloods that Ace is fighting now is his brother," he dropped.

Dad seems to know it, and of course I’m not aware. I rarely pay attention to details, never got the interest, not until now.

"Don't say it like you're so easy to kill," he stared at Dad. Dad’s eyes started gleaming. “I can take down your family, your house. But I can never take you down. You know that. I cannot kill you. ”

“Figured out, you don’t have an oak tree to do it,” Dad said smiling.

"I have." He pulled from his side a dagger made from oak tree. “I’m still thinking about who I will use it for. It wasn’t worth it if I used it on you. ”

The oak dagger can only be used once. If you pinch it to the heart, it will disappear along with the vampire.

“Nah, don’t deny it. You cannot be killed Fear, not by an oak tree or by any other weapon. ”

We all looked at Dad, except for Mom. Mom knew, always.

“Seems you already know,” Dad smirked as he stood proud.

What, I whispered. Why, how.

"I'd like to inform your daughter and son that their father cannot be killed because the blood that flows through your father's veins is the same as the noble vampire lying on the coffin with the vial of blood," Ashlon stated that made us all freeze for a second.

“I tried to wound you before to see and have a taste of your blood, but I realized you sealed it through your fire. I was always amazed by the magic you put on it. Can you identify the witch who helped you? It must be the Gemini Covenant.”

I know nothing about it. I must have not been born yet. Why would he seal his blood?

Ashlon answered it. “The noble is not your ancestor, but your brother. It’s nice to meet you Count Stroker. I hope to meet your brother, Count Stram, ”he bowed a little but it was to mock my father.

It can’t be. I don’t know that. Dad is Count Stroker, the brother of Count Stram, the one lying on the coffin. Then, Dad is already a thousand years old and it means we are half-noble. It was only Mom who came from the Fear, the purebloods. Dad was a noble all along and he hid it. Of course he will, because of his blood. It means he is one of the most powerful nobles.

“You lie in a coffin before with your brother because just like him you can’t help your power and you don’t want to turn into a monster and kill humans. How noble you are! ” Ashlon spit saliva on the ground.

Damn! I want to punch him now!

“Fear is the one who wakes you up and you join them, giving them power, giving them your blood. You also know that time will come that we will know so you sealed your power, ” he continued while we were waiting for Dad’s reaction.

Dad remained standing. I couldn’t see his reaction, but I could already smell the grief and the desire of him to kill Ashlon Fall.

“The ancient war is for you. For us to see you use your power and have a taste of it.”

“The ancient war,” I murmured. Van was already on his way to the front gate. I followed him, with my ears still listening to them. Half-bloods are already breaking the first layer of the barrier.

“But you sealed your power and the only one who could bring it back, that Gemini Witch, died in the ancient war so there is no way for us to get you. So, I planned this, everything… and finally when it’s all done I can have the same power as you, no I will be more powerful than you! ” he laughed crazily.

Power makes you crazy.

“Just let me get the blood, and I will stop. I won’t wake you brother. I promise.”

I counted fifty steps towards the gate but in a glimpse Ashlon was standing against us.

"You can't break the barrier." I said, cold.

“I can’t. Stephanie will. Would you let your little sister die, Stan? ”

We heard Stan laugh from behind the doors. I can imagine her face through those doors. "My sister can handle herself, right?" It was a whisper enough for us to hear. "Don't stand too proud because you got the wrong leverage against us."

I looked at him intently but nothing changed in his face. It's still nauseating. All I wanted to do was kill him.

“That’s not Stephanie. Stephanie is standing beside me.”

We looked away at the same time when the front door opened. Stan stood beside her sister Stephanie and they were surrounded by electricity.

"Oh, so you're not Stephanie?" He looked at Stan's brother. "You are Stephaly, ah I got the wrong one," he laughed and shook his head.

“Well, I don’t know. They do look alike after all. Don’t worry, I wasn’t after the one who could destroy the sensor. ” He looked at me with pity. "I was after the one who could destroy the ice barrier."

“Am I standing proud then, Stan or are you the one standing too proud? Your sister will die. That chain is connected to her heart, if she won’t obey me she will die.”

The smile still lingered on Stan's lips. I looked at his brother. He loves her sister very much. I noticed the edge in her sister Stephaly's eyes.

“Go on,” Stan whispered. "Break the barrier ..."

It was enough for her to hear his brother say, “Big brother won’t get mad. I promise. ” Stan smiled which made me smile too.

I didn't expect this but I'm sure we can beat him. We will do everything to beat this man. There’s always a plan b.

"I'm sorry." She walked to the front gate. "I trust you." Stephaly mouthed to us.

She faced her palm on the barrier. The half-bloods started breaking it. She stood there, looking straight into my eyes. I smiled at her. Of all Stan's siblings she is the quiet one, and doesn’t like socializing. They are twins with different personalities. Stephaly is somehow fragile and weak but I know she can break my barrier using her water. I taught her how to when she was a kid.

“Show me what you’ve learned from me,” I smiled. “It’s okay. I won’t get mad.”

Stephaly smiled back. I saw her hold back her tears.

She pressed her palm, slowly releasing water from it, enough water to turn my barrier into snowflakes.