Chapter III - The Beltomhyde Estate

"The prince has come a long way, hasn't he?" Varis noted taking a small sip of wine laced with blood. 1998 Petrus Pomerol, a smell distinctly potent to vampires–not just for the sweet tang, but for the ripeness of the grapes over the years. I didn't particularly care for that specific brand of wine, but the others raved about it. 

"Indeed, he has," I mused, analyzing the young man lounging on the golden throne. Tired after a long journey, I suppose. The moment he bustled into the estate looking like death, the entire coven went into an uproar. When Balthazar demanded to know what had happened to him and where he'd gone this whole time, the prince did not say a word, simply stoned his gaze and strolled right past everyone. He hasn't tasted a lick of blood since his return. 

"What do you presume ensued the change in the prince? From once bright and cheerful to dark and brooding?" 

"Maturity," I smirked. It was about time too, the Elders grew restless with his irresponsible lifestyle. I won't always be around to clean up after his messes, it was finally time for him to settle things on his own. The Empire grew stronger by the day, it needed a strong leader with a smooth take over. Marius won't hold out for much longer, the sickness consumes him. 

"Lord Griffin, the prince demands your presence," a young guard informed me from his position on one knee. Varis shot a knowing smile my way. I wanted to groan and roll my eyes, but that would be disrespectful to our prince. Any form of disrespect does not go unpunished even with my title. Putting on my infamous poker face, I nodded my head and strode over to the stoic young vampire prince. 

Once close enough, the man merely tilted his head an inch in my direction–his way of acknowledging my presence. 

"And to what do I owe the pleasure, Sylus?" My closeness to the royal family permitted me to speak with such informality. I've been around since this boy was a newborn all the way until his twenty first birthday when he was turned. 

"Offer me a pale neck to drink upon," he commanded in a voice that matched his expressionless face. His hair poured down his shoulders like a crimson fall of the reddest wine, most alluring to those of our nature. 

"A bitter taste in craving, young one?" I asked with a quirked brow. 

"Have I always tolerated your insignificant questions?" Sylus snipped yet still managing to remain tepid. 

"Yes, in fact, you have," I grinned, thoroughly enjoying this new and improved Sylus Baine. He showed more vampiric potential with each and every action he made. Surely Marius was pleased with this turn out, though I must admit, I was ever so curious as to what exactly happened on his journey to wherever it was he went. "Guards! Send for Laieela immediately!" 

Sylus didn't smile, didn't do anything, just stare off into the darkness of the room. He may be young, but I sense a wiseness from him that multiplies his hundred years by a million. What is going on in his head, I wonder?

"Have you never been told that staring is rude? Is there something about my face that allures you?" A hearty laugh bubbled past my lips that I could not hold back.

"You have never been so right in your entire life," I whispered brushing my lips against his ear. I expected him to shiver as he had in the past, but the young vampire did not seem fazed at all by my advances. My, my, he really has changed. I like it.

"Laieela, my Lord." 

I glanced over at the bowing guard then dismissed him with a wave of my fingers. Laieela was an orphan child we had taken in a few years ago. An elf, from what we knew of. Her skin was porcelain white and hair the color of golden wheat flowing down her back in gentle waves. She knew what she was summoned for, not hesitating to approach the prince, baring her neck where anyone could see the previous punctures.

"I'll leave you to your meal," I told him, easing away and fading into the shadows. Varis waited for me with a sly smile.

"I take it you approve of the prince's changes?" he asked. 

"Very much so."

"Then maybe Marius will as well. It will finally soothe his soul and ease the pain of his death once he relinquishes his duty."

"As cold as the prince has become, I do not believe he is quite ready to rule this coven. The detachment is appealing but jeopardizes his decisions and whether or not they are intelligent ones to make. Vampires are cunning, do not forget that fact," I told him simply.

"Do not lecture me on the ways of a Vampire, you half breed!" Varis snarled. I merely waved my fingers at him while returning to my chamber, not letting him see the hard glint of malice in my eye. My origin will always be a wall between the two of us. He was not so accepting to the fact that I have been let into this coven and made Marius' Stânga even though my blood was not pure–that I was tainted by my Siren half. Jealousy brings out the worst in people. That fact saddens me; I will always be resented by my greatest ally.

With the doors tightly shut and windows secured I released my glamour, letting my true form overtake me. Watching the glow return and the rosy red color blush my skin, It felt so...free, not having to hide my face, my beauty day and night. Scared to be revealed in case I bewitched all the vampires in the coven. 

Only in my room with soundless walls can my voice be heard. My Siren song reverberates to nothing but my own eardrums. 

"I'm afraid of the touch from another
To let them see me for who I am
Though I long to held by a lover
But I don't think that they'd understand

Everything I fear is this moment
Where the pain comes from holding your hand
Am I cursed in this world to be broken?
From the start I was born to be damned

As I fall for the kiss of a demon
Trapped inside my heart forever to hide
And I don't want to lose my whole reason
Fight all the tears through the years that I've cried

Break me free from the gaze of the whole world
I yearn to escape from this dreamland 
Feed the pain from loneliness that I unfurled
I don't want them to see who I am

As I fall for the kiss of a demon
Trapped inside my heart forever to hide
And I don't want to lose my whole reason
Fight all the tears through the years that I've cried

As I fall for the kiss of a demon
Trapped inside my heart forever to hide
And I don't want to lose my whole reason
Fight all the tears through the years that I've cried

As I fall for the kiss of a demon
Trapped inside my heart forever to hide
And I don't want to lose my whole reason
Fight all the tears through the years that I've cried

Break me free from the gaze of the whole world
I yearn to escape from this dreamland 
Feed the pain from loneliness that I unfurled
I don't want them to see who I am"


Again I sit here with no one to listen to my song. No mate to hold me while I cried. I've never felt so alone in my existence, but it was to be expected. I was an abomination. Do I mourn over the fact? No, because a fact is what it is. How could I possibly argue that?

"Lord Griffin!" Dulled thuds on the door followed the call. With haste, my glamour reappeared and I was a Siren no more. 

"You may enter!" I called back, lounging on a chaise before my balcony. The grand white door creaked open to reveal Varis' personal servant, Kithan, a slender little twink that has seen more of Varis' bed than the outdoors. 

"An apology I presume?"

He nodded his head.

"Why he insists on using you, I won't know. An apology is never sincere unless it is given Varis himself. Come child." 

The golden skinned brunette made his way over to me, making sure to keep his hazel eyes downcast. Offering his neck as he has done many times before. Varis and I get into these fights very often, and in the end he sends Kithan as an apology.

Pulling him by the waist, the young Shapeshifter fell into my lap. He leaned his head down on the back of the chaise and I twisted above him, letting him feel all my weight. My lips were gentle as they kissed his soft skin, licking the many welts from past bites. A soft but audible moan escaped his lips which brought a grin to my own.

Poor boy was so hooked; he couldn't survive without a vampire in his life. I almost felt bad for him...almost. But a delectable meal he was and I refuse to let such sweetness go to waste. 

Pinning his arms above him and wrists locked between my fingers, I took that opportunity to sink my delicate fangs into his neck. The most delicious flavor gushed into my mouth, with a heavy aftertaste of cinnamon.

"Oh!" Kithan moaned arching his back, pushing his chest into mine. I could feel the euphoric acid of his arousal in his blood and the prominent erection in his trousers. A vampire bite was the most potent aphrodisiac in existence. The vampire kiss had the same effect tenfold. I'd known some to even die from such pleasure, that's why it is only to be shared with a mate. 

Too bad I would never have that.

"Lord Griffin I-Ugh!" 

What's irritating about this boy is that he never learns to shut up during an orgasm. But Varis would never forgive me if I tortured him instead of pleasuring him. 

Squirming under my grip, I knew he longed to touch himself, but I restrained him from doing so. Gulp after gulp of that sweet succulent blood filled my body until I was too full to drink much more. I moved back and grabbed a towel for his release. He came not long after, spurting in the cloth I handed him, literally deflating afterwards. 

"I'll send Eron to come get you," I told him about to leave. 

"Wait no! I'll go now!" He rushed, wiping himself up and sprinting out the door, only to come back seconds later to bow in respect, then disappearing again.  I smiled at the door when he left. His little crush on my personal servant has been known by all for quite a while. It was adorable how hard he tried to hide it. 

Maybe I could play match maker? 

Hah! What a silly thought that was! If I can't have love myself, why would I promote it for another? Selfish, it may seem, but the life of a Siren is a difficult one. It tends to put a gloomy sheen over my perspectives. 

Eron knocked on the door before slipping inside our chamber. He bowed his head at me. "Master Marius requests your immediate presence."

"Thank you Eron, walk me to the meeting hall?" 

He sunk deeper into his bow before raising and offering his arm like I was a maiden in need of assistance. I scoffed but took his arm anyway and we made our way to Master Marius.

It seems I was not the only one summoned. Every Lord and Lady in the coven was gathered with Prince Sylus lazing about beside his father. I walked inside the hall inspecting my surroundings until I reached my seat on the other side of the great Master. Eron pulled out my chair and pushed me in once I was seated. Master Marius nodded at me which I returned.

"I was not aware that we had a meeting today. Is there something I should have knowledge of before this gathering commences?" I whispered to Marius. 

His deep red eyes slid over to me and the words left his lips with absolute finality. "There is a threat amongst us."

"A threat? Someone wishes to cause you harm?" I asked incredulously. Who would be foolish enough to even imagine such a task? Blasphemy!

"Not I," Marius sighed, switching his gaze over to Sylus who rested a chin on his palm not paying us any mind. As if he sensed our gaze, he glanced at us.

"Is something amiss, father?" he asked in a bored tone. 

"Nothing yet, my son," Marius replied. 

I shook my head. What have times come to? 

"I ask your attention," Marius' voice rang out and all talking ceased instantaneously. "It has come to my attention that there has been a menace detected among us. Most likely here in this room right now. I have a message for them. Once we find you, your existence will simply vanish, take heed."

"Master, who would be foolish enough to attack you?" Lady Lirabette asked looking sincerely appalled, but one could never trust a face of honesty. We vampires have been around for too long not to master facial expressions. It became second nature. I would know, I had dominated in that skill some time ago.

"Tis Prince Sylus who receives the threats," Marius stated which not only caused an uproar in the room but finally peaked the interest of his son, who gazed at his father with absolute disbelief.

"Quiet now!" I shouted and they shut up but to look at me with different masks. Some fake, the others honest. 

"Guaranteed it was the half breed. No pureblood would ever be a traitor," a voice sneered amongst the vampires, immediately catching my attention.

"You will do well to watch your tongue," I snapped to all the faces that glared with disgust. A problem I have faced for far too long.

"Bolowell, you are sentenced to execution in one hour's time," Marius informed simply to the rude Lord who had spoken out against me.

"But Master-" he protested standing up in the far side of the grand white room.

"You dare argue? My word is law, it seems you have forgotten."

Lord Bolowell was escorted away by the guards, glaring at me with liquid hatred the whole while. I kept my expression blank with polite contempt, well as polite as I could manage. Inside my anger boiled, but if I were to crack the façade, the fury would surely bubble over. Then no one would thwart me from destroying that bastard.

"Lord Griffin, would you like to do the honors, or should I have Terris deal with the matter?" Marius asked.

"Let Terris have his fun," I sighed as if not to be bothered with it. Marius has known me for far too long, not to see right through me. He stared for moments much too close to drawing suspicion, but looked away and continued the meeting. 

"As we were saying, someone has posed a threat to my son which therefore enforces the Vampire Probation. No one is to leave the Estate for any reason until we find the conspirator and any of their associates. On that note, this meeting is adjourned." 

The vampires all filed out of the room and as I made my move to leave the Hall, Marius stopped me with a gentle hand to my forearm. 

"I need you to take Sylus and leave here. Find a Beltomhyde Estate far from here to house him until I deem it safe. I want you to protect my son. I'll send you with three trusted warriors."

I nodded my head. Sylus glanced at me with steel in his gaze before looking away in boredom. "When should we leave?"

"Tonight. Everything is already packed. I sent your servant to handle your belongings as well as his. He is to come with you as well. Sylus will not take his servants because we can not trust them."

"The warriors, which ones are they?"

"Gavin, Sloan, and Varik." I noticed the slight downturn of his lips. Emotion was tearing through his mask. Not a good sign at all.

"How bad is it, my friend?" I asked softly, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder. With sad eyes, my old friend glanced up at me.

"Bad, very bad."

I nodded my head once. 

"Leave at once Griffin. Keep my son safe."

I promise I will do just that, even if it costs me my life.