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Watch full-length drama films featuring powerful business leaders, hidden identities, family secrets, impossible love stories, revenge, and inspiring personal journeys. Every movie delivers engaging storytelling and memorable characters.
Enjoy high-quality drama entertainment with English subtitles and discover new trending stories uploaded on a regular basis.
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AmusantTranscription
01:12He lifted me and carried me upstairs into a moonlit bedroom, tearing my dress open. His fangs sank into my
01:19neck. Then, a burning rose mark bloomed on my skin as the blood bond locked into place.
01:26We fucked for hours against the wall and on the bed.
01:32I came screaming while he marked me with teeth, hands, and cock.
01:39At dawn, I woke in an unfamiliar bedroom. My dress lay on the floor, and the rose mark still burned
01:46near my colivitane.
01:49What the hell? What did I do last night? My phone rang before I could think.
01:54Amelia, come to the hospital now! Your mother is dying!
02:00I dressed in panic and ran out of the castle.
02:07Behind me, Gabriel opened his eyes.
02:10Amelia Hart, I marked you. You can't escape me.
02:18Five years later, I woke to the sound of five boys fighting over breakfast. The curtains were shut tight. Five
02:27tiny pairs of sunglasses sat crookly on five little faces. The bottle of dark red hemlobin supplement was almost empty.
02:35Theo grabbed the last cup and grinned too wide.
02:39Theo, fangs away. Breakfast first. Theo covered his mouth.
02:44But mommy, I'm still hungry.
02:47Adrian's shadow stretched across the floor and pulled the curtain tighter before the sun could touch Julian's face.
02:54Julian rubbed his eyes.
02:57The light hurts again.
02:59I took a deep breath and reached for the list on the fridge.
03:03Photosensitivity, anemia, abnormal teeth, active imagination.
03:06We handle one symptom at a time.
03:09Elias sniffed the air, serious as a little doctor.
03:12Mommy, there's red stuff in the apartment upstairs too. I can smell it.
03:19That is not a sentence we say outside this house.
03:22My laptop chinged before the boys could argue.
03:25Ravensfirth Castle needed a live-in clinical therapist.
03:28The patient was Gabriel Ravensfirth, a wealthy recluse who insisted he was a vampire, refused sunlight, and rejected every psychiatrist
03:37before me.
03:38The salary could pay my mother's medical debt and keep my sons fed for years.
03:45A man who believes he is a vampire?
03:48Good. I treat delusions for a living.
03:51At Ravensfirth Castle, Gabriel sat before several pale family projections.
03:55This family needs heirs. Choose a bride.
03:59As soon as the words were spoken, Sebastian walked in.
04:03My lord, the therapist candidate has arrived.
04:10I walked in with my file.
04:13Mr. Ravensfirth, I'm Dr. Amelia Hart.
04:16Gabriel's gaze fell to the faint rose mark near my colosone.
04:21Found you, little doctor.
04:27The interview happened at a dining table long enough for a royal wedding.
04:34Food covered the white cloth.
04:36But Gabriel touched none of it.
04:39He only lifted a crystal glass filled with dark red liquid.
04:45I kept my smile professional.
04:48Your file mentions blood craving, sunlight avoidance, no mirror use, and a fixed belief that you are a vampire.
04:55Which symptom troubles you most?
04:57Gabriel looked at my mouth instead of my notebook.
05:02You.
05:03My pen paused.
05:05That is not a clinical answer.
05:09It is the only honest one.
05:13I forced myself to continue.
05:16Do you experience loss of control around blood, touch, intimate proximity, or fantasy reinforcements?
05:22He leaned closer across the table.
05:25Your pulse.
05:27Your scent.
05:28The way your body tense whenever I come close.
05:32Heat climbed into my face.
05:36Mr. Ravensfirth.
05:39Suggestive language may strengthen your delusion.
05:41Gabriel smiled.
05:42Then stay and treat me.
05:45He gave three conditions.
05:47I lived in the castle, answered when he called, and never abandoned the case without permission.
05:52The last word sounded less like a contract than a warning.
05:56I thought of five hungry boys and an overdue hospital bill.
06:01Fine.
06:02I agree.
06:04Sebastian me to a guest room larger than my entire apartment.
06:08Outside, the balcony door moved.
06:11Five small faces stacked one above another in the gap.
06:15Mommy, can we come in now?
06:18My blood frozen.
06:20Gabriel had already stopped walking.
06:24He turned his head toward the balcony.
06:29The moment Gabriel turned, Adrian grabbed his brothers and ducked beneath the balcony rail.
06:35I rushed forward and shut the glass door with whole body.
06:41Drafty old castles.
06:43No wonder your symptoms get worse here.
06:45Gabriel stared past my shoulder.
06:47Someone was outside your room.
06:49A bird, maybe.
06:52A very rich, gothic bird.
06:57He did not smile.
06:59Sebastian.
07:00Search the grounds.
07:03Sebastian bowed.
07:04Yes, my lord.
07:06Only after Gabriel left, did I pull the balcony door open.
07:13Five boys tumbled inside in a messy pile.
07:16Theo's small black wings were half out, caught in his pajama shirt.
07:20Adrian quickly shoved a cloak around him.
07:23Nobody climbs old castles.
07:25Nobody shows fangs.
07:26Nobody tells my patient he smells familiar.
07:29Elias looked up at me with worried eyes.
07:32But mommy, he does.
07:34He is my patient.
07:36Patients are not family.
07:38A knock came before I could say more.
07:40Sebastian entered with maids carrying black gowns, velvet cloaks, jeweled shoes, and a rose-shaped necklace set with a deep
07:47red stone.
07:48I stared.
07:51Your work attire, ma'am.
07:53Prepared according to his lordship standard.
08:00What is all this?
08:02One maid bowed.
08:07His therapist has a clothing standard?
08:22I laughed too loudly.
08:25Therapy props.
08:27Very useful for roleplay treatment.
08:31Sebastian's smile stayed polite, but his eyes sharpened.
08:43The maids dressed me in black velvet and pinned my hair with a blood-red rose comb.
08:50The mark is real.
08:52No wonder his lordship waited five years.
08:57I did not hear their thoughts.
09:00I only saw the necklace, the gloves, the cloak, and the row of guards outside my door.
09:13This is unnecessary.
09:15I am just a therapist.
09:17His lordship dislikes poor arrangements.
09:20Then he showed me the dining room set for one, the private carriage, the guarded corridor, and the closet full
09:26of gowns.
09:30Do all rich family therapists get treated like this?
09:34Far above the garden, Gabriel stood on the second floor balcony with a glass of red liquid in his hand.
09:42Sebastian reported softly.
09:50Dr. Hart is settled.
09:54Good.
09:57You said you would make her pay for running.
10:02Gabriel looked toward my window.
10:05Keeping her beside me is the payment.
10:12Outside.
10:13Five small figures climbed from shadow to shadow.
10:17Aaliyah sniffed the air.
10:23This way.
10:26No.
10:30Noah whispered.
10:34Are you sure?
10:37Theo peeked over the stone rail first.
10:40His red eyes widened.
10:42A tiny fang showed between his lips.
10:45All five boys stared into the room.
10:48Daddy?
10:49Gabriel heard the word.
10:51He turned sharply.
10:52For one breath, moonlight revealed five little faces, five pairs of red eyes, tiny fangs, and a black wing trembling
11:00behind Theo's shoulder.
11:02Before Gabriel could reach the balcony, Adrian hissed.
11:06Adrian hissed.
11:07Hide!
11:09Five little bodies slipped behind the thick curtain and froze.
11:16Gabriel moved toward them.
11:18I rushed in so fast, I nearly tripped over my own gown.
11:22Mr. Ravenshaft!
11:25I need to ask about your blood craving.
11:28Gabriel did not look away from the curtain.
11:32Now?
11:32Yes.
11:34Clinical urgency.
11:36Very serious.
11:38Behind him, Theo's wing rustled.
11:41Gabriel reached for the curtain.
11:47I grabbed his wrist.
11:50The reaction was instant.
11:53His skin went cold under my palm.
11:55Then his eyes burned red.
11:58Careful.
12:00I pulled him toward the therapy room before he could turn back.
12:07Inside, I placed a black-framed mirror in front of him.
12:11Please describe what you see.
12:14The mirror reflected the candles, the chair, the bookshelves, and me.
12:24Not Gabriel.
12:25My voice almost failed.
12:28Custom-reflective glass.
12:30Expensive, but not impossible.
12:34Gabriel smiled.
12:36You are the most stubborn human I have ever met.
12:39I stepped back, but he caught my wrist again.
12:43This time his fangs slid out.
12:46Just touching you is enough to wake my hunger.
12:52Then we practice impulse control.
12:55Focus on breathing.
12:57Gabriel leaned close.
12:59Doctor, I do not breathe.
13:03His fingers tightened around my wrist.
13:06You still have no idea how dangerous you are to me.
13:12That night, Gabriel's hunger worsened.
13:14He stood waist-deep in the cold spring behind the castle.
13:17His shirt clung to his body.
13:19His eyes unfocused.
13:20His fangs bared against the pain.
13:22Lily Ashburr walked down the stone steps in a silver gown,
13:26already smiling like a future queen.
13:28Gabriel, you do not have to suffer alone.
13:31She lifted her wrist.
13:32A thin cut opened across pale skin,
13:35and dark blood ran down to her fingers.
13:37Drink from me.
13:38My blood is noble.
13:40Hers is nothing.
13:43Gabriel did not even glance at her wound.
13:47Your blood disgustes me.
13:49Lily's smile cracked.
13:52You would starve before touching me,
13:55but you let that human sleep inside your castle?
13:59Gabriel's gaze turned lethal.
14:02Do not compare yourself to Amelia.
14:04Black mist burst from the water
14:06and threw Lily backward onto the stone path.
14:09She hit the ground hard,
14:10humiliated and furious.
14:12I heard the noise and rushed in with my medical bag.
14:16Mr. Ravensbad?
14:19Gabriel's head snapped toward me.
14:21The scent of my pulse seemed to hit him like fire.
14:25I stopped at the edge of the pool.
14:27You look feverish.
14:28Is this another episode?
14:30Gabriel's voice was horny.
14:34Don't come closer.
14:37Avoidance won't help treatment.
14:43I took one step.
14:45The next second,
14:46the water rose like a hand and pulled me in.
14:50Cold swallowed me.
14:52Gabriel caught me from behind.
14:54One arm locked around my waist,
14:56his mouth hovering over my neck.
14:58I warned you, little doctor.
15:04Gabriel held me in the cold spring,
15:06his chest pressed against my back.
15:09Mr. Ravensfail, release me.
15:11This is a serious boundary violation.
15:17Gabriel laughed roughly against my neck.
15:21You are soaked,
15:23trembling,
15:24and still trying to write a clinical note?
15:26Yes.
15:27Because you are my patient.
15:33I am the lord of this castle.
15:38His fang grazed my skin.
15:40My body remembered the touch before my mind did.
15:45I forced myself to look away.
15:48The dark water stilled in front of us.
15:51For one impossible second,
15:52the surface showed my face,
15:54my wet hair,
15:55my frightened eyes.
15:57Gabriel was not there.
15:58I froze.
16:03That is a trick of the water.
16:08Gabriel's arm tightened.
16:11Still explaining me away?
16:13I turned my head,
16:15ready to look directly at him.
16:18A cry echoed through the castle.
16:22In my room,
16:23all five boys woke at once.
16:25Adrian's shadow climbed the wall.
16:27Noah's eyes flashed red.
16:29Julian curled up,
16:31clutching his chest.
16:32Aaliyah pressed both hands over his ears.
16:34I can hear him.
16:36He's hurting.
16:43Theo's pajama shirt at the shoulders
16:45as his tiny black wings jerked open.
16:49Mommy!
16:53Gabriel heard them too.
16:56His head lifted from my neck.
17:00I pushed away from him
17:02and climbed out of the pool.
17:07Gabriel watched me run.
17:11I rushed back to my room
17:13and locked the door.
17:18inside,
17:19the boys huddled together
17:20on the carpet.
17:23Julian's face was pale.
17:25Noah's fangs had not retracted.
17:28Theo's little black wings
17:29trembled behind him.
17:31Adrian stood in front of everyone.
17:33His shadow stretched like a shield.
17:35Babies, look at me.
17:36Breathe with Mommy.
17:38Adrian looked up,
17:39far too serious for five years old.
17:41Mommy,
17:42stop saying this is normal.
17:43It isn't.
17:45My throat tightened.
17:47For five years,
17:48I had protected them
17:48with medical names,
17:50rare anemia,
17:51sun protalige,
17:52childhood fantasy,
17:53but this castle
17:54had stripped every safe word
17:55from my hands.
17:57Elias crawled into my lap.
17:59The man downstairs
18:01sounds like us.
18:02His heart is quiet,
18:03but I can still hear him.
18:06Elias!
18:06A knock hit the door.
18:09All five children froze.
18:12Gabriel's voice came from outside.
18:14Open the door, doctor.
18:16I pushed the boys toward the bed.
18:18Under the blanket.
18:19Now.
18:20Fangs in,
18:21wings flat,
18:22no one speaks.
18:24Theo whispered.
18:26My back hurts.
18:29Do not scratch it.
18:31Nobody moves
18:32until Mommy says so.
18:35The knock came again.
18:37Harder.
18:39Amelia.
18:40I opened the door
18:41just enough to block him.
18:43It's late,
18:44Mr. Ravensvale.
18:45We can continue treatment tomorrow.
18:47Gabriel looked past me
18:49towards the trembling blanket.
18:51Were you talking to someone?
18:54I was recording notes.
18:58A tiny sneeze
18:59came from the bed.
19:02Your notes sneeze?
19:03Before I could answer,
19:05Theo's muffled voice
19:06came from under the blanket.
19:09Mommy,
19:09can I breathe now?
19:13Gabriel's face
19:14went still.
19:16Gabriel stepped into the room
19:18before I could stop him.
19:20Mr. Ravenshurst,
19:22this is my private space.
19:26My castle.
19:28My boundaries.
19:31He ignored me
19:32and stopped beside the bed.
19:34The blanket shook.
19:38Gabriel reached down
19:39and lifted it.
19:41Five small faces
19:43stared up at him.
19:44Adrian tried to look brave.
19:46Noah smiled nervously.
19:48Elias stared at Gabriel
19:49as if he already knew the answer.
19:51Julian hid behind Adrian.
19:53Theo's tiny black wings
19:55were still half open.
19:56All five had crimson eyes.
19:59All five had fangs.
20:01Around each small wrist,
20:02a faint blood red rose mark
20:04glimmered under the moonlight.
20:05For once,
20:06I had no explanation ready.
20:08My mind reached for every diagnosis
20:10I had used for five years,
20:12and every single one collapsed.
20:14Normal teeth did not explain fangs.
20:16Photosensivity did not explain red eyes.
20:18No childhood fantasy
20:19could make wings tremble
20:20in the moonlight.
20:21I stepped between Gabriel
20:23and the boys.
20:24They are not monsters.
20:25Whatever you think you are,
20:26whatever this family believes,
20:27you will not hurt my sons.
20:29Gabriel did not look angry.
20:30He looked stunned.
20:32Slowly,
20:32he knelt in front of them.
20:36Adrian's shadow rose
20:37from the floor like a shield.
20:40Gabriel stared at the living shadow,
20:42then at Theo's wings,
20:44then at the rose marks.
20:46His voice went low.
20:49Five years old.
20:51My heart dropped.
20:53Red eyes,
20:54fangs,
20:55blood rose marks.
20:57Amelia,
20:59you gave birth to my sons.
21:01Five of them.
21:04The room went silent
21:06after Gabriel said the words.
21:07My sons.
21:09My knees almost gave out.
21:11No!
21:12That is impossible!
21:14Gabriel rose slowly.
21:16Five years ago,
21:18you came to this castle.
21:20A broken memory
21:21flashed through my mind.
21:22Red eyes,
21:23cold sheets,
21:24teeth at my neck,
21:25a rose burning on my skin.
21:26I backed away.
21:28Gabriel's expression dockened.
21:31You still don't remember enough.
21:33Let me remind you.
21:35Before he could continue,
21:36Sebastian knocked sharply.
21:38My lord,
21:39Lady Eleanor has summoned
21:40the full family council.
21:41It is urgent.
21:42Now?
21:43Now?
21:46Gabriel's jaw tightened.
21:50She has already the elders.
21:52Lily Ashbur is present.
21:56I hugged the boys closer.
22:00Go handle your family.
22:02My children and I are leaving.
22:04Gabriel looked at the five boys
22:05hiding behind me.
22:06No.
22:07You are staying under my protection.
22:10Protection from what?
22:12From everyone
22:13who will want to take them from you.
22:17He left before I could answer.
22:19In the family hall,
22:21Eleanor sat at the head of the table.
22:23Gabriel,
22:23we are done waiting.
22:24You will choose a consort
22:25and produce heirs.
22:27Lily lowered her eyes
22:28with practiced modality.
22:31I will serve the family
22:33if his lordship agrees.
22:34Gabriel did not look at her.
22:39No need.
22:41The hall went quiet.
22:44Explain.
22:47I already have five sons.
22:51The Ravensbroth family
22:53did not whisper.
22:55They swarmed.
22:57By sunrise,
22:58several pale,
22:59elegant relatives
22:59had gathered outside my room
23:01like vampires
23:02at a museum exhibit.
23:04Nathaniel adjusted his glasses.
23:06Five boys?
23:07All at once?
23:08Gabriel,
23:08that is statistically aggressive.
23:10Jasper leaned around him.
23:12Do they bite?
23:13I brought toys
23:14and gloves.
23:17Felix stared at Adrian.
23:19That one looks exactly like Gabriel
23:22when he was small and furious.
23:24Milo waved at Theo.
23:26Can he fly yet?
23:27I slammed the door halfway shut.
23:32No one is examining my children.
23:35Behind me,
23:36Noah peeked out and smiled.
23:38Do you have snacks?
23:40Every vampire turned soft
23:42for half a second.
23:43Then Lily arrived.
23:45She looked at the boys,
23:46then at me,
23:47and her face went white with rage.
23:50This must be a mistake.
23:54Eleanor's gaze was sharp.
23:57Dr. Hart,
23:59what exactly is your relationship
24:01with my son?
24:02I lifted my chin.
24:04Professional.
24:05I was hired as his therapist.
24:07Nothing more.
24:08At the end of the corridor,
24:10Gabriel stopped walking.
24:11his eyes darkened.
24:13His eyes darkened.
24:14And the children?
24:17They are mine.
24:19I raised them alone.
24:21Lily's lips curved.
24:23How convenient.
24:24A human therapist enters the castle
24:26and suddenly produces five heirs.
24:28Gabriel stepped out of the shadow.
24:30Choose your next words carefully.
24:34No relationship?
24:37Gabriel was called away before noon.
24:39Sebastian stayed outside my door.
24:40But the castle had too many corridors
24:42and too many old loyalties.
24:44In the family chapel,
24:45Lily knelt before Eleanor
24:46with tears shining in her eyes.
24:48My lady,
24:49I do not question his lordship.
24:50I only fear for the family.
24:52Speak plainly.
24:53Those children appeared without record,
24:55without witnesses,
24:56without proof.
24:56If the elders accept them too quickly,
24:58every noble house
24:59will challenge ravens with.
25:01Eleanor's expression tightened.
25:03Let me bring them to the garden shrine
25:05for a preliminary check.
25:06Quietly,
25:07before the formal chalice ritual.
25:09Eleanor hesitated.
25:10Lily lowered her voice.
25:12If they are truly Gabriel's sons,
25:14nothing will harm them.
25:15If they are not,
25:15you will have saved the family from scandal.
25:17By dusk,
25:18the corridor outside my room changed.
25:20The usual guards disappeared.
25:21New ones arrived
25:22with wooden restraints
25:24and cold faces.
25:27I pulled the boys behind me.
25:30Where is Sebastian?
25:32Lily stepped forward
25:33in a white cloak.
25:35Busy.
25:36Lady Eleanor has ordered
25:38the children brought to the garden.
25:41Adrian's shadow moved at my feet.
25:43No one takes my sons anywhere
25:45without Gabriel present.
25:47Lily smiled.
25:49Gabriel is not here.
25:51Theo gripped my skirt.
25:53Mommy,
25:54I don't like her.
25:59Lily's eyes dropped his tiny fangs.
26:01The guards closed in.
26:03Bring them.
26:04If Dr. Hart resists,
26:07restrain her too.
26:09The guards forced us
26:10toward the rose garden.
26:12I held Theo in one arm
26:13and Julian's hand in the other.
26:15This is illegal detention.
26:17I will report
26:18every one of you.
26:19Lily laughed softly.
26:21To whom?
26:22Human police?
26:22Tell them vampires
26:23were rude to you?
26:24A guard opened
26:25a silver case.
26:26Inside lay strips
26:27of raw red meat
26:28soaked in blood.
26:29The boys went still.
26:31Noah's eyes
26:32turned red.
26:33Julian's fingers
26:34dug into my palm.
26:36Elias whispered.
26:38Mommy,
26:39don't let us smell it.
26:40Put that away!
26:41They are children!
26:43Lily stepped closer.
26:45Children do not bear
26:46fangs at blood.
26:47She nodded.
26:49The guards lifted
26:50wooden restraints
26:51carved with old prayer marks.
26:53One snapped toward Theo.
26:55He cried out
26:57as his little wings
26:57burst free.
26:58I threw myself
26:59between him and the chain.
27:02Pain burned
27:03across my arm.
27:04Do not touch him!
27:06For a second,
27:07all I could hear
27:07was my own breathing.
27:09Then the truth
27:10stood in front of me
27:11with red eyes
27:11and trembling wings.
27:12The fangs were real.
27:14The wings were real.
27:17Gabriel had no reflection
27:18because there had been
27:19nothing to reflect.
27:21He was never
27:22the sick one.
27:24I was the one
27:25who refused to see.
27:27Lily watched my face
27:28and smiled.
27:29Finally,
27:30the human doctor
27:31understands.
27:33Adrian moved
27:34in front of his brothers.
27:36Stay away from mommy!
27:38Lily's smile vanished.
27:41find them
27:42before they get worse.
27:44The garden turned red
27:45under the rising moon.
27:47The guards
27:48surrounded us.
27:50Lily's voice
27:51sharpened.
27:52Do it!
27:53The first restraint
27:54flew toward Adrian.
27:57His shadow
27:58snapped up
27:58and swallowed it.
27:59The second guard
28:00lunged at Noah.
28:02Noah looked at him
28:04with frightened red eyes.
28:06Don't hurt mommy!
28:08Guard suddenly froze,
28:09tears filling his eyes
28:10as if he had remembered
28:11something terrible.
28:12Elias screamed
28:13and covered his ears.
28:15Too many hearts.
28:16Too loud!
28:19Julian,
28:20shaking,
28:21pressed his little hand
28:22against the burn
28:22on my arm.
28:24The pain
28:24eased enough
28:25for me
28:25to pull him close.
28:27Theo vanished
28:28from beside me
28:28and appeared
28:29behind my leg
28:29sobbing.
28:31Theo?
28:31Lily stared at them,
28:33horrified not by danger
28:34but by what they might become.
28:35Five children with gifts.
28:37If the family
28:38accepts them
28:39I am finished.
28:40She grabbed
28:40a wooden stake
28:41from a guard.
28:43Then I will end this
28:45before Gabriel returns.
28:47She raised it
28:48toward Adrian.
28:50I threw myself
28:52over my son.
28:55Touch him
28:56and I swear
28:57I will kill you!
28:59A freezing wind
28:59cut through the garden.
29:01Every candle
29:02in the castle went out.
29:04Far away,
29:04Gabriel stopped
29:05in the middle
29:06of the council hall.
29:07His glass shattered
29:08in his hand.
29:13Amelia.
29:14Black mist
29:14exploded behind Lily.
29:16Gabriel appeared
29:17between her
29:18and my children
29:18eyes burning red,
29:20fangs bared.
29:21His voice was quiet
29:22enough to terrify
29:23the whole garden.
29:24move one more inch.
29:28No one moved
29:29after Gabriel appeared.
29:32Lily's hand
29:33trembled around
29:33the stake.
29:34Gabriel,
29:35I was protecting
29:36your family.
29:37Gabriel looked
29:38at the wooden restraints,
29:40the blood bait,
29:41and the burn
29:42across my arm.
29:43Lily's face
29:44went pale.
29:47They have not
29:48been verified.
29:49They could be...
29:51Gabriel crossed
29:52the distance
29:52before she finished.
29:54He caught her wrist
29:56and crushed
29:56the stake to splinters.
29:59The guards
30:00to win me.
30:01My lord,
30:02Lady Eleanor
30:03authorized...
30:04Gabriel's eyes
30:04flashed.
30:05Lady Eleanor
30:06did not authorize
30:07you to hurt them.
30:08He turned to Lily.
30:09If you lay a hand
30:10on my woman
30:11or my sons again,
30:13Ashburn will have
30:13no daughter left
30:14to present at court.
30:16Lily shook
30:16with humiliation.
30:18Your woman?
30:19She is human.
30:21Gabriel stepped
30:21close...
30:22And still worth
30:23more than every
30:24title you own.
30:25I should have
30:25felt relieved.
30:27Instead,
30:27my mind stuck
30:28on one phrase.
30:30My sons.
30:32Gabriel came
30:33to me slowly,
30:34as if approaching
30:35a wounded animal.
30:37Amelia,
30:38let me see
30:39your arm.
30:41My children
30:42first.
30:43His expression
30:44softened.
30:46He knelt
30:47before the boys.
30:48Theo peeked
30:49out from behind me.
30:51Are you going
30:52to take us
30:52away from mommy?
30:54Gabriel's jaw
30:54tightened.
30:57Never.
31:00Behind him,
31:01Lily watched
31:02the boys
31:02cling to my skirt.
31:04Her gaze
31:05dropped to the
31:05rose marks
31:06on their wrists.
31:09Eleanor arrived
31:10with Sebastian
31:10and half the
31:11council behind her.
31:12Her gaze swept
31:13over the broken
31:14restraints,
31:15my burnt arm,
31:16and five
31:17terrified boys.
31:19Lily,
31:20explain.
31:21Lily immediately
31:21knelt.
31:22My lady,
31:23I only followed
31:24your concern.
31:25The children
31:26became violent.
31:27Dr. Hart resisted.
31:28She used blood
31:29to provoke them.
31:31A human's
31:32accusation
31:33means nothing.
31:34Gabriel's voice
31:35cut through the
31:36garden.
31:37It means everything
31:39when the human
31:40is mine.
31:42The council
31:43froze.
31:44Eleanor
31:44looked at him.
31:48Gabriel.
31:51Gabriel stood
31:52in front of me
31:52and the boys.
31:53No one touches
31:54Amelia.
31:55No one touches
31:57the children.
31:57Until the formal
31:58verification,
31:59they remain
32:00under my
32:01protection.
32:02Lily bit her
32:03lip hard enough
32:04to draw blood.
32:06My eyes
32:07had fixed
32:07on Gabriel's face.
32:09Red eyes,
32:10fangs,
32:10the way
32:11he said
32:11my name.
32:12A memory
32:13tore open.
32:14Moonlight
32:14on a bedroom
32:15floor.
32:15A man's
32:16mouth at my
32:16neck,
32:17the same
32:17voice growling
32:18that I had
32:18started it.
32:19I looked
32:19at the
32:19rose mark
32:20near my
32:20colivone,
32:21then at the
32:22faint marks
32:22on the
32:23boy's wrists.
32:26You!
32:27Gabriel
32:28turned to me.
32:29You were
32:30the man
32:30from that
32:30night.
32:33His silence
32:34was answer
32:35enough.
32:37Theo tugged
32:38at my
32:38dress.
32:40Mommy?
32:41I looked
32:42at Gabriel,
32:43then at my
32:44sons.
32:45You are
32:47their father.
32:49Theo blinked
32:49at him.
32:51Are you
32:51really our
32:52daddy?
32:53Gabriel
32:53knelled,
32:54his voice
32:55low and
32:55firm.
32:56Yes,
32:57I am.
32:59The boys
33:00stared at
33:00Gabriel.
33:01Then
33:02Themo ran
33:03first.
33:04Daddy!
33:05Noah
33:06followed,
33:07then Julian,
33:07then Elias.
33:09Adrian tried
33:09to stay
33:10serious for
33:11three whole
33:11seconds before
33:12he hugged
33:13Gabriel's arm
33:13too.
33:14Gabriel froze.
33:16Five small
33:16bodies clung
33:17to him.
33:17His hands
33:18hovered
33:19awkwardly,
33:19then slowly
33:20settled around
33:21them.
33:21I have you
33:22now.
33:23Noah looked
33:24up.
33:25Can you
33:26turn into
33:27a bat?
33:29Yes.
33:30Theo gasped.
33:32Then why
33:33are you a
33:33vampire?
33:35For the
33:35first time,
33:36Gabriel looked
33:37helpless.
33:38I almost
33:39laughed.
33:40Adrian pointed
33:41at the mirror
33:41by the wardrobe.
33:42Mommy said
33:43mirrors always
33:44show the
33:44truth.
33:45Why don't
33:46they show
33:46you?
33:47Gabriel glanced
33:48at me.
33:49Your mother
33:49explains many
33:50things very
33:50creatively.
33:51Your father
33:52enjoys making
33:53my job
33:53difficult.
33:54The word
33:54father left
33:55my mouth
33:55before I
33:56could stop
33:56it.
33:57The boys
33:58lit up.
34:00Elias leaned
34:00against Gabriel's
34:01chest.
34:02His heart
34:02is quiet,
34:03but he
34:04isn't empty.
34:06Gabriel's face
34:07softened.
34:08He looked at
34:09me over
34:09their heads.
34:11Let me
34:11protect them.
34:13You can
34:13be their
34:14father,
34:14you can
34:15know them,
34:15but you
34:16do not
34:16get to
34:17take them
34:17from me.
34:18His answer
34:19came immediately.
34:20Never.
34:22Sebastian
34:22knocked and
34:23entered with
34:23five small
34:24black cloaks.
34:25For the
34:26young masters,
34:26temporary
34:27sun protection.
34:28Theo spun
34:29in his cloak
34:29until he
34:30fell onto
34:30the carpet.
34:31for one
34:32fragile
34:32minute,
34:33my sons
34:33laughed inside
34:34a castle
34:34that had
34:35almost hurt
34:35them.
34:36Then
34:36Sebastian's
34:37expression
34:37turned grave
34:38at the
34:38door.
34:39My lord,
34:40the elders
34:40have added
34:41one condition
34:42to tomorrow's
34:42verification.
34:44Gabriel's
34:45face darkened.
34:46What
34:47condition?
34:48Sebastian
34:49lowered his
34:49voice.
34:50If the
34:51chapless
34:51rejects them,
34:53the children
34:53will be
34:53removed from
34:54their mother
34:55before dawn.
34:58The next
34:59evening,
34:59Gabriel arrived
35:01with five
35:01crystal cups
35:02of warm
35:03red supplement.
35:04I stared
35:05at the
35:06tray.
35:08You know
35:08how to
35:08feed
35:09children?
35:11Sebastian
35:11wrote
35:12instructions.
35:15Adrian
35:16examined
35:16his cup
35:17first.
35:18What
35:19if it
35:19tastes
35:19weird?
35:21Gabriel
35:21took a
35:22sip from
35:22his own
35:22glass
35:23without
35:23blinking.
35:25Then
35:25blame
35:26Sebastian.
35:29Noah
35:29giggled
35:30and drank.
35:31One
35:31by one,
35:32the boys
35:33relaxed.
35:34Julian
35:34leaned
35:34against
35:35Gabriel's
35:35side.
35:36Theo
35:37climbed
35:37into his
35:37lap as
35:38if he
35:38had
35:38always
35:39belonged
35:39there.
35:40The
35:41sight hurt
35:41more than
35:42I expected.
35:43For five
35:43years,
35:44I had been
35:44mother,
35:44father,
35:45doctor,
35:45provider,
35:46and shield.
35:47Now
35:47this dangerous
35:48man held
35:49my smallest
35:49son like
35:50he had been
35:50waiting all
35:51his life
35:51to learn
35:51how.
35:52Gabriel
35:53noticed
35:53my silence.
35:55You
35:56are afraid
35:56of the
35:56verification.
35:57I am
35:58afraid
35:58of your
35:58family
35:59using
35:59one
35:59ritual
36:00to decide
36:00my
36:01children's
36:01future.
36:02Whatever
36:02that cup
36:03shows,
36:03they are
36:04yours,
36:04and I
36:05will not
36:05let anyone
36:05take them.
36:06Promises
36:07are easy
36:07inside
36:08warm rooms.
36:09Then
36:09watch
36:10what I
36:10do
36:10in front
36:11of the
36:11council.
36:12Sebastian
36:12appeared
36:13at the
36:13door.
36:17The
36:17ancestral
36:18hall
36:18is
36:18ready.
36:20The
36:20boys
36:21gathered
36:21close
36:21to
36:21me.
36:22Elinor
36:23waited
36:23outside
36:23the
36:23hall,
36:24expression
36:25unreadable.
36:26For
36:27their
36:27sake,
36:27I
36:28hope
36:28you
36:28are
36:28right.
36:29The
36:29huge
36:30black
36:30doors
36:31opened.
36:32Inside,
36:33the
36:33ancestral
36:34chalice
36:35stood
36:35in the
36:35center,
36:36filled
36:36with
36:37dark
36:37red
36:37liquid.
36:40Gabriel
36:41took
36:41Theo's
36:42hand.
36:42Stay
36:43close.
36:45We
36:46stepped
36:46into
36:46the
36:47hall.
36:50The
36:51elder
36:51lifted
36:51the
36:51ceremonial
36:52blade
36:52before
36:53any
36:53child
36:53stepped
36:54forward.
36:54One
36:55drop
36:55from
36:55each
36:56child.
36:56If
36:57the
36:57chappas
36:57turns
36:58red,
36:59they
36:59are
37:00Ravensworth.
37:01His
37:02eyes
37:02moved
37:03to
37:03my
37:03sons.
37:04If
37:04it
37:04turns
37:05black,
37:05they
37:06leave
37:06this
37:06castle
37:07before
37:07sunrise.
37:09The
37:10ancestral
37:10hall was
37:11colder
37:11than the
37:12rest of
37:12the
37:12castle.
37:13Portraits
37:14of
37:14old
37:14Ravensworth
37:15lords
37:15watched
37:15from
37:16the
37:16walls.
37:16At
37:17the
37:17center,
37:18the
37:18chapless
37:18waited
37:19on a
37:19black
37:19stone
37:19altar.
37:20A
37:21white-haired
37:21elder
37:22lifted
37:22a
37:22ceremonial
37:23nade.
37:24One
37:24drop
37:24from
37:25each
37:25child.
37:26One
37:26drop
37:26from
37:27Lord
37:27Gabriel.
37:28The
37:28cappas
37:29will
37:29judge
37:29Ravensworth
37:30blood.
37:31I
37:32pulled
37:32the
37:32boys
37:32closer.
37:34Adrian
37:34stepped
37:35forward
37:35first.
37:36He
37:36did
37:36not
37:37cry
37:37when
37:37the
37:37blade
37:37touched
37:38his
37:38finger.
37:39Noah
37:39trembled
37:40but
37:40smiled
37:40at
37:41me.
37:41Elias
37:42watched
37:42the
37:42cup
37:43with
37:43wide
37:43eyes.
37:44Julian
37:44held
37:44Theo's
37:45hand.
37:46Theo
37:46sniffled
37:47once,
37:47then
37:47bravely
37:48offered
37:48his
37:48finger.
37:52Five
37:53tiny
37:53drops
37:54fell
37:54into
37:54the
37:54chalice.
37:56Gabriel
37:57cut
37:57his
37:58palm
37:58and
37:58added
37:58his
37:59blood.
38:00For
38:01one
38:01breath
38:01the
38:01liquid
38:02glowed
38:02deep
38:02red.
38:04Gasps
38:05filled
38:05the
38:05hall.
38:08Eleanor
38:09leaned
38:09forward,
38:10hope
38:10flashing
38:11across
38:11her
38:11face.
38:13Then
38:14black
38:14smoke
38:15curled
38:15from
38:15the
38:15bottom
38:16of
38:16the
38:16cup.
38:17The
38:17red
38:18light
38:18flickered.
38:20The
38:21liquid
38:21turned
38:21dark,
38:22thick,
38:22and
38:23wrong.
38:25The
38:26elder
38:26stepped
38:27back.
38:28Impossible.
38:31Lily
38:32lowered
38:32her eyes
38:33to hide
38:33her
38:34smile.
38:36What
38:37does
38:37that
38:37mean?
38:38No
38:38one
38:38answered.
38:40Gabriel
38:41stared at
38:41the
38:41chalice,
38:42his face
38:42colder
38:43than
38:43stone.
38:46Eleanor
38:47stood
38:47slowly.
38:49Read the
38:50result.
38:53The
38:54elder
38:54swallowed.
38:56The
38:56chapless
38:57rejects
38:58the
38:58claim.
38:58These
38:59children
38:59are not
39:00recorded
39:00as
39:02ravens
39:02by
39:02blood.
39:03My
39:04arms
39:04closed
39:05around
39:05the
39:05boys.
39:08Theo
39:09started
39:09to
39:09cry.
39:12Gabriel
39:13did not
39:13move away
39:14from us.
39:15He
39:16moved
39:16in
39:16front
39:16of
39:17us.
39:17Eleanor's
39:18voice
39:18shook
39:19with
39:19shock.
39:22They
39:23are not
39:23ravens
39:24for
39:24blood.
39:25Lily
39:25finally
39:26smiled.
39:31The
39:32hall
39:32erupted.
39:36Voices
39:37crashed
39:37from
39:38every
39:38side.
39:41If
39:41they
39:41are not
39:42ravens
39:42brewed
39:42blood,
39:43they
39:43cannot
39:43stay in
39:44the
39:44ancestral
39:44hall.
39:45Lily
39:45stepped
39:46forward
39:46at
39:46once.
39:47My
39:47lady,
39:48the
39:48law
39:48is
39:48clear.
39:49Unknown
39:49vampire
39:50children
39:50inside
39:51the
39:51castle
39:51must
39:51be
39:52removed
39:52before
39:52they
39:53threaten
39:53the
39:53family.
39:54You
39:54saw
39:54their
39:55shadows,
39:55eyes,
39:56teeth.
39:59Noah
39:59hid
40:00behind
40:00my
40:00coat.
40:01Mommy,
40:02are
40:03they
40:03sending
40:03us
40:03away?
40:04I
40:04knelt
40:05and
40:05held
40:05his
40:05face.
40:07No,
40:09nobody
40:10is taking
40:10you
40:10anywhere.
40:12Then I
40:13stood.
40:14run
40:14it
40:15again.
40:18The
40:19elder
40:19frowned.
40:22The
40:22ancestral
40:23chapless
40:24does not
40:24make
40:24mistakes.
40:25I
40:26am
40:26a
40:26doctor.
40:27When a
40:28test result
40:28contradicts
40:29every visible
40:30sign,
40:31we repeat
40:31the test
40:32and check
40:32contamination.
40:33Several
40:34vampires
40:34looked
40:34offended.
40:37I did
40:38not care.
40:41five years
40:42ago,
40:43I was
40:43with one
40:43man in
40:44this
40:44castle,
40:45Gabriel
40:45Ravenstord.
40:46These
40:46are my
40:47sons.
40:48If
40:48your
40:48cup
40:48says
40:49otherwise,
40:49then
40:50your
40:50cup
40:50is
40:50wrong.
40:52Lily's
40:53face
40:53twisted.
40:55Listen
40:56to her!
40:57A
40:57human
40:57insults
40:58your
40:58ancestors
40:59now!
41:00Enough.
41:01He
41:01stood
41:02before me
41:02and the
41:02boys.
41:04No one
41:05removes
41:05them.
41:06No one
41:07restrains
41:07them.
41:08No one
41:08calls them
41:09dangerous
41:09again.
41:13Gabriel,
41:14the ritual...
41:15We can
41:15wait.
41:16My
41:16sons
41:17cannot.
41:23Lily's
41:23smile
41:24vanished.
41:27Gabriel
41:28looked at
41:29the elders.
41:30Touch
41:31them and
41:32you answer
41:32to me
41:33first.
41:37An
41:37elder
41:38lifted a
41:38parchment
41:39sealed in
41:39black wax.
41:40Until
41:41verified,
41:42the
41:42children
41:43must be
41:43placed in
41:44family
41:44custody.
41:45Separate
41:46rooms.
41:46No
41:47contact with
41:48the mother
41:48during
41:48examination.
41:49My
41:50blood
41:50went
41:51cold.
41:53Absolutely
41:53not!
41:54If they
41:55are innocent,
41:56examination
41:57will clear
41:57them.
41:58If they
41:58are not,
41:59isolation
42:00protects
42:00everyone.
42:02Adrian
42:02stepped in
42:03front of
42:03his
42:03brothers.
42:06We are
42:07not leaving
42:08mommy.
42:11A guard
42:12moved toward
42:13him.
42:13Gabriel's
42:14hand closed
42:14around the
42:15guard's
42:15shoulder.
42:17The man
42:18dropped to
42:18his knees
42:19with a
42:19strangled
42:19sound.
42:24I said
42:25no one
42:25touches
42:26them.
42:26Eleanor's
42:27face
42:27tightened.
42:28Gabriel,
42:29you are
42:30challenging
42:31family
42:31lore.
42:32I am
42:33enforcing
42:34common
42:34sense.
42:35Nathaniel
42:36leaned over
42:36the
42:36chapless
42:37studying
42:38the
42:38black
42:38smoke.
42:40The
42:40reaction
42:41is
42:41unusual.
42:42The
42:42first
42:43glow
42:43appeared
42:43before
42:43the
42:44darkening.
42:45A
42:45failed
42:45result
42:46is
42:46still
42:46failed.
42:51You
42:52seem
42:52very
42:52eager
42:53for
42:53five
42:53children
42:54to
42:54lose.
42:56Lily's
42:57eyes
42:57chilled.
42:58I
42:59faced
42:59Eleanor.
43:00You
43:01want
43:01to
43:01know
43:01the
43:01truth?
43:02Then
43:03let me
43:04stay
43:04with
43:04my
43:04sons
43:05and
43:05let
43:05your
43:06experts
43:06test
43:06the
43:07cup.
43:07Not
43:08my
43:08children.
43:09Theo
43:10began
43:10to
43:10tremble.
43:11Mommy,
43:12I don't
43:13want
43:13the
43:13dark
43:13rooms.
43:15Something
43:16inside
43:16me
43:16hardened.
43:17Look
43:18at me,
43:18Theo.
43:18No
43:19dark
43:19rooms.
43:20No
43:20strangers.
43:21I
43:22promise.
43:23Gabriel
43:24stepped
43:24beside
43:25me.
43:25And
43:26I
43:26promise
43:27with
43:27her.
43:28As
43:28Gabriel
43:29spoke,
43:29the
43:30black
43:30liquid
43:30inside
43:31the
43:31chapless
43:31bubbled
43:32once.
43:33Elias
43:34stopped
43:34crying
43:34and
43:35stared
43:35at
43:35it.
43:36Mommy,
43:38why
43:38does
43:38the
43:39cup
43:39smell
43:39like
43:39the
43:40bad
43:40lady?
43:42The
43:42elders
43:43continued
43:43arguing
43:44as if
43:44my
43:44sons
43:44were
43:45evidence
43:45on
43:45a
43:45table.
43:47One
43:47guard
43:48reached
43:48for
43:48Julian.
43:49Julian
43:50flinched
43:50so hard
43:51he
43:51stumbled.
43:53I
43:54caught
43:54him,
43:55then
43:55grabbed
43:56the
43:56ceremonial
43:56blade
43:57from
43:57the
43:57altar.
43:59Gabriel's
44:00eyes
44:00sharpened.
44:01Amelia,
44:05do
44:06not
44:06stop
44:07me.
44:07I
44:07drew
44:08the
44:08blade
44:08across
44:08my
44:09bond.
44:10Blood
44:10welled
44:10up,
44:11bright
44:11and
44:12human.
44:13The
44:13rose
44:14mark
44:14near
44:14my
44:14collarbone
44:15burned
44:15at
44:15once.
44:16Under
44:17the
44:17candle
44:17light,
44:18five
44:18little
44:18marks
44:19on
44:19five
44:19small
44:20wrists
44:20looked
44:20brighter
44:21than
44:21before.
44:22Not
44:22a
44:22new
44:22law,
44:23not
44:23a
44:24family
44:24ritual,
44:25just
44:25the
44:25bond
44:26left
44:26on
44:26my
44:26body
44:26five
44:27years
44:27ago
44:27and
44:27carried
44:28by my
44:28children
44:28since
44:29birth.
44:29The
44:30hall
44:30fell
44:30silent.
44:34Noah
44:34sobbed.
44:37Mommy,
44:38your
44:38hand.
44:39I'm
44:39okay.
44:43I
44:43pressed
44:44my
44:44bleeding
44:44wom
44:44to the
44:45black
44:45stone
44:45before
44:46the
44:46chapless.
44:46You
44:47can
44:47doubt
44:47Gabriel,
44:47you
44:48can
44:48doubt
44:48me,
44:48but
44:49you
44:49cannot
44:49say
44:49these
44:50children
44:50appeared
44:50from
44:50nowhere.
44:52They
44:52are
44:52mine.
44:53I
44:54carried
44:54them,
44:55I
44:55raised
44:55them,
44:55I
44:56fed
44:56them
44:56when
44:56I
44:56had
44:56nothing.
44:57Any
44:58person
44:58who
44:58tries
44:58to
44:59separate
44:59them
44:59from
44:59me
44:59will
45:00have
45:00to
45:00drag
45:00me
45:00away
45:01first.
45:01Eleanor
45:02looked at
45:03the
45:03five
45:03boys,
45:04then at
45:05the
45:05matching
45:05rose
45:05marks.
45:06Her
45:07expression
45:08changed.
45:09Hold
45:09the
45:10guards.
45:12Lily
45:12stepped
45:12forward.
45:15My
45:16lady!
45:18Eleanor
45:19cut her
45:19off.
45:21I
45:22said,
45:23hold.
45:25Gabriel
45:25took my
45:26injured
45:26hand
45:27gently.
45:31leave.
45:31You
45:31should
45:32not
45:32have
45:32had
45:32to
45:32bleed
45:33for
45:33them.
45:33I
45:34have
45:34been
45:34bleeding
45:34for
45:35them
45:35for
45:35five
45:35years.
45:36Then,
45:37behind
45:38the
45:38altar,
45:39the
45:39blackened
45:39chapless
45:40cracked
45:40softly.
45:45Nathaniel
45:45looked
45:45up.
45:47Wait.
45:49That
45:49should
45:50not
45:50happen.
45:52Gabriel
45:53wrapped
45:53my hand
45:54in a
45:54clean
45:54cloth
45:55while the
45:55hall
45:55watched
45:56in easy
45:56silence.
45:58Theo
45:59sniffled
45:59beside
45:59the
46:00altar.
46:02Daddy?
46:07Gabriel
46:08immediately
46:08looked
46:09down.
46:11What
46:12is it?
46:13Theo
46:13pointed
46:14at the
46:14chalice.
46:17Why
46:17is the
46:18cup
46:18dirty
46:18at the
46:19bottom?
46:20Every
46:21gaze
46:21turned.
46:23At
46:24first,
46:24I
46:25saw
46:25only
46:25black
46:25liquid.
46:26then
46:27the
46:27candle
46:27light
46:27shifted,
46:28revealing
46:29a
46:29purple-black
46:29stain
46:30clinging
46:30beneath
46:31the
46:31rim.
46:35Nathaniel
46:35leaned
46:36closer.
46:37That
46:38was not
46:38present
46:38when the
46:39chapless
46:39was brought
46:39in.
46:40Lily's
46:40fingers
46:41tightened
46:41around
46:42her
46:42sleeve.
46:46Children
46:47say
46:47strange
46:47things
46:48when
46:48frightened.
46:50Felix
46:50stepped
46:51to the
46:51altar.
46:53Theo
46:53is
46:53right.
46:54There
46:54is
46:55residue.
46:56Eleanor's
46:57face
46:57became
46:57cold.
46:59The
46:59chapless
46:59was sealed
47:00in the
47:00reliquary
47:01until
47:01tonight.
47:02Sebastian
47:03bowed.
47:05It was
47:05retrieved
47:06under
47:06Lady
47:06Eleanor's
47:07order.
47:08Eleanor
47:09looked at
47:09him.
47:10By
47:11whom?
47:12Lady
47:13Lily
47:13Ashburn.
47:14The
47:14hall
47:14shifted.
47:17Lily
47:17went
47:17still,
47:18then
47:19forced a
47:19hurt expression.
47:21My
47:21lady,
47:21I
47:21followed
47:22your
47:22instructions.
47:23I
47:23never
47:23open
47:23the
47:23seal.
47:24Nathaniel
47:25picked
47:25up a
47:25thin
47:25glass
47:26rod
47:26and
47:26dipped
47:26it
47:26into
47:27the
47:27cup.
47:28The
47:29rod
47:29smoked
47:29black.
47:30This
47:31is
47:31not
47:31a
47:31failed
47:32reaction.
47:32It
47:33is
47:33interference.
47:34The
47:34word
47:35struck
47:35the
47:35room
47:36like
47:36a
47:36slap.
47:39Someone
47:40tampered
47:40with
47:40it.
47:43Nathaniel
47:44ordered
47:44the
47:44chapless
47:45emptied
47:45into
47:45a
47:45clear
47:46basin.
47:46The
47:47black
47:47liquid
47:47spread
47:48across
47:48the
47:48glass.
47:48At
47:49the
47:49center,
47:50five
47:50tiny
47:51drops
47:51of
47:51red
47:51remained
47:52bright,
47:52refusing
47:53to
47:53dissolve.
47:54The
47:54children's
47:55blood
47:55was not
47:56rejected.
47:57It
47:58was
47:58buried
47:58under
47:59poison.
48:01A
48:01murmur
48:02rushed
48:02through
48:02the
48:02hall.
48:04Eleanor
48:04gripped
48:05the
48:05arm
48:05of
48:05her
48:05chair.
48:09Can
48:09you
48:09identify
48:10it?
48:11Nathaniel
48:11added a
48:12pale
48:12testing
48:12powder.
48:13The
48:14black
48:14liquid
48:14hissed
48:15and
48:15turned
48:15purple.
48:16Jasper's
48:17face
48:17changed.
48:20This
48:20is
48:21deliberate
48:21poison.
48:24Lily's
48:25eyes
48:25widened.
48:28That
48:29proves
48:29nothing!
48:30Anyone
48:31could have
48:31brought
48:31it in!
48:35Falilic
48:36stepped
48:36forward
48:36holding a
48:37small
48:37broken
48:37vial
48:38wrapped
48:38in a
48:38cloth.
48:39Found
48:40behind
48:40the
48:40reliquary
48:41curtain.
48:41Same
48:42residue.
48:43The
48:43seal
48:43on the
48:43stopper
48:44belongs
48:44to
48:44Ashburn.
48:45The
48:45guard
48:46log
48:46shows
48:46Lady
48:46Lily
48:47entered
48:47alone
48:47before
48:48the
48:48ritual.
48:48No
48:49one
48:49else
48:49entered
48:50after
48:50her.
48:52The
48:53hall
48:53turned
48:54towards
48:54Lily.
48:57Eleanor's
48:58voice
48:58trembled
48:59with
48:59anger.
49:00Lily
49:01Ashburrell.
49:02Lily
49:03stumbled
49:03back.
49:06No!
49:07This
49:08is a
49:08trap!
49:09She
49:09is
49:09human!
49:10She
49:10brought
49:11those
49:11children
49:11here
49:11to steal
49:12everything!
49:14My
49:14son
49:14stole
49:15nothing.
49:17Gabriel
49:18stepped
49:18toward
49:19Lily.
49:20Gabriel's
49:21eyes
49:21burned
49:21red.
49:23I
49:24want
49:24to
49:24see
49:24how
49:24far
49:24you
49:25get.
49:27Lily
49:27turned
49:28and
49:28bolted
49:28for
49:29the
49:29door.
49:30Before
49:31she
49:31reached
49:31it,
49:32Gabriel's
49:32shadow
49:33crossed
49:33the
49:33floor.
49:34The
49:35doors
49:35slammed
49:36shut.
49:40Lily
49:40crashed
49:41into
49:41them
49:41and
49:42fell,
49:42the
49:42broken
49:43vasel
49:43rolling
49:43from
49:44her
49:44sleeve.
49:46The
49:46broken
49:47vial
49:47spun
49:47to
49:48Eleanor's
49:48feet
49:48and
49:49stopped
49:49there.
49:50Eleanor
49:51picked
49:51it up
49:51with
49:51shaking
49:52fingers.
49:56I
49:56trusted
49:57you.
49:58I
49:58nearly
49:59cast
49:59out
49:59my
49:59own
49:59grandsons
50:00because
50:00of
50:00you.
50:01Lily
50:01crawled
50:02toward
50:02her.
50:03My
50:03lady,
50:04please!
50:04I
50:05only
50:05did
50:05it
50:05because
50:05I
50:05love
50:06Gabriel.
50:06I
50:07was
50:07scared
50:07that
50:07human
50:08woman
50:08would
50:08ruin
50:08everything!
50:09Gabriel's
50:10voice
50:10was
50:10flat.
50:15Do
50:15not
50:16say
50:16love
50:16when
50:17you
50:17mean
50:17possession.
50:20Lily
50:21turned
50:21to him,
50:22sobbing.
50:24I
50:24trained
50:25for
50:25this
50:25place.
50:26I
50:26waited
50:26for
50:27you.
50:27She
50:28appeared
50:28with
50:28five
50:29children
50:29and
50:29took
50:29the
50:30crown
50:30that
50:30should
50:30have
50:30been
50:30mine.
50:31I
50:32held
50:32the
50:32boys
50:32closer.
50:34My
50:34sons
50:34did
50:35not
50:35steal
50:35your
50:35crown.
50:36You
50:37were
50:37never
50:37worthy
50:37of
50:38it.
50:39Noah
50:40peeked
50:40out
50:40from
50:41behind
50:41me.
50:44Mommy,
50:45is she
50:46the
50:46bad
50:47lady?
50:49Yes,
50:50baby.
50:51Eleanor
50:52stood.
50:55Lily
50:56Ashbourne,
50:56by order of
50:57Ravensgrowth,
50:58your claim as
50:59Gabriel's consort
51:00candidate is
51:01ended.
51:02Your access to
51:03this castle is
51:04revoked.
51:06Sebastian
51:07stepped forward
51:08and removed
51:08the
51:08Ashburn
51:09brooch
51:09from Lily's
51:10cloak.
51:12The
51:12room
51:13watched
51:13her
51:13lose
51:14everything.
51:16Lily's
51:17face
51:17twisted.
51:19You
51:19will
51:19regret
51:20this.
51:23Gabriel
51:24looked at
51:24the
51:24gods.
51:25Take
51:25her to
51:25the
51:25eastern
51:26exile
51:26carriage.
51:27No
51:27visitors,
51:27no
51:28messages.
51:28As
51:29they
51:29dragged
51:29Lily
51:29away,
51:30a
51:30black
51:31line
51:31crawled
51:31briefly
51:32over
51:32her
51:32wrist.
51:34At the
51:35altar,
51:35Nathaniel
51:36cleaned
51:36the
51:36chapless
51:37and
51:37repeated
51:38the
51:38test.
51:39This
51:40time,
51:41the
51:41liquid
51:41glowed
51:42red.
51:43Eleanor
51:44turned to
51:45the
51:45boys,
51:45voice
51:46low.
51:47Welcome
51:48home.
51:51That
51:52night,
51:53Gabriel
51:53doubled
51:53the
51:54guards
51:54around
51:54the
51:55children's
51:55room.
51:57The
51:58boys
51:58were
51:58supposed
51:58to
51:59sleep.
52:00They
52:01did
52:01not.
52:02Adrian
52:03stood
52:03in the
52:03hallway
52:03with
52:04the
52:04seriousness
52:04of
52:05a
52:05tiny
52:05general.
52:06Operation
52:07Mommy
52:07and
52:08Daddy
52:08talk
52:08begins
52:09now.
52:10Noah
52:11carried
52:11a tray
52:11of
52:12cookies.
52:13Julian
52:14held
52:14a
52:14blanket.
52:16Aaliyah
52:16listened
52:16for
52:16footsteps.
52:18Theo
52:19grinned
52:19with both
52:20fangs
52:20showing.
52:21I
52:22get to
52:22lock
52:23the
52:23door.
52:24They
52:24lured
52:24me
52:24into
52:25my
52:25bedroom
52:25first.
52:26Mommy,
52:27I
52:27had
52:27a
52:27nightmare.
52:28Can
52:29you
52:29check
52:29under
52:29the
52:30bed?
52:32Then
52:33Gabriel
52:33entered
52:34behind
52:34me.
52:37Elias
52:37said
52:38you
52:38needed
52:38me.
52:40The
52:41door
52:41slammed
52:41shut.
52:43A
52:44key
52:44turned
52:44outside.
52:50I
52:51stared
52:51at the
52:51door.
52:53Theo
52:53Ravensfield
52:54Hart,
52:54open
52:54this
52:55door.
52:57Five
52:58sets of
52:58small feet
52:59ran away.
53:00Gabriel
53:01looked
53:01amused.
53:05They
53:05are
53:05efficient.
53:08They
53:08are
53:09five.
53:12They
53:13are
53:13ours.
53:14The
53:14word
53:15filled
53:15the
53:15room.
53:16I
53:16turned
53:16away,
53:17suddenly
53:18unsure
53:18where
53:18to
53:19put
53:19my
53:19hands.
53:22Do
53:22not
53:23use
53:23the
53:23children
53:23to
53:23corner
53:24me.
53:24Gabriel's
53:25expression
53:25softened.
53:26I
53:26don't
53:27need
53:27them
53:27for
53:27that.
53:28I
53:28have
53:28waited
53:29five
53:29years
53:29to
53:30stand
53:30in
53:30the
53:30same
53:30room
53:31with
53:31you
53:31again.
53:31Outside
53:32the
53:32castle,
53:33far
53:33beyond
53:33the
53:33guarded
53:34road,
53:34Lily
53:34sat
53:35in a
53:35dark
53:35carriage
53:36with
53:36shackles
53:36around
53:36her
53:37wrists.
53:37The
53:38black
53:38line
53:38on
53:38her
53:39skin
53:39pulsed
53:39once.
53:41A
53:41whisper
53:42rose
53:42from
53:42the
53:43shadows.
53:46Lily
53:47opened
53:47her
53:47eyes
53:48and
53:49smiled.
53:51By
53:52the
53:52next
53:52afternoon,
53:53the
53:53rose
53:54garden
53:54had
53:54been
53:54covered
53:54with
53:55dark
53:55silk
53:55canopies
53:56so
53:56the
53:56boys
53:56could
53:56play
53:57outside.
53:58Theo
53:58chased
53:58Noah
53:59between
53:59the
53:59flowerbeds.
54:00Julian
54:00made
54:01sure
54:01everyone
54:01wore
54:02gloves.
54:02Adrian
54:03pretended
54:03not
54:04to
54:04enjoy
54:04himself
54:04and
54:05failed.
54:06Gabriel
54:06stood
54:06beside
54:07me.
54:10They
54:10look
54:11happy.
54:11They
54:12are
54:12children.
54:13Happiness
54:13comes
54:13easier
54:14to
54:14them
54:14than
54:14trust
54:14comes
54:15to
54:15me.
54:15Gabriel
54:16accepted
54:17the
54:17blow
54:17without
54:17flinching.
54:19Then
54:19I
54:19will
54:20earn
54:20yours
54:20slowly.
54:22I
54:23looked
54:23at
54:23him.
54:24You
54:25lied
54:25to
54:25me.
54:26I
54:27waited
54:27because
54:27I
54:27wanted
54:28you
54:28to
54:28remember
54:28without
54:29fear.
54:30Then
54:31everything
54:31became
54:31danger.
54:32That
54:33is not
54:33an
54:33apology.
54:34Gabriel
54:34lowered
54:35his
54:35head.
54:36I
54:37am
54:37sorry
54:37Amelia
54:37for
54:38letting
54:38you run
54:39alone.
54:40For
54:40not
54:41finding
54:41you
54:41sooner.
54:42For
54:42making
54:42you face
54:43my
54:43family
54:43before
54:44you
54:44were
54:44ready.
54:44The
54:45sincerity
54:45in his
54:45voice
54:46hurt
54:46more than
54:47arrogance
54:47would
54:47have.
54:48Noah
54:49shouted
54:50from the
54:50roses.
54:52Mommy!
54:53Daddy!
54:54Theo
54:54is
54:54cheating!
54:55Theo
54:56vanished
54:56from
54:57one
54:57side
54:57of
54:57the
54:57path
54:58and
54:58appeared
54:58on
54:58the
54:58other
54:59laughing.
55:02Theo
55:03no
55:03disappearing
55:04during
55:04tag.
55:05Gabriel's
55:06mouth
55:06curved.
55:09He
55:10gets
55:10that
55:10from
55:10me.
55:13That
55:14is
55:14not
55:14comforting.
55:16Elias
55:16suddenly
55:17stopped
55:17playing.
55:21He
55:21turned
55:22towards
55:22the
55:22far
55:23wall.
55:24mommy
55:24something
55:26is
55:26outside.
55:27I
55:27followed
55:27his
55:27gaze
55:28and
55:28saw
55:28only
55:28roses
55:29moving
55:29in
55:29the
55:29wind.
55:32Gabriel
55:33went
55:33still.
55:33A
55:34thin
55:34black
55:34mist
55:35slipped
55:35beneath
55:35the
55:35garden
55:36gate
55:36then
55:36vanished
55:37between
55:37the
55:37shadows.
55:38A
55:38second
55:39later
55:39Theo's
55:40wooden
55:40bat
55:40rolled
55:40by
55:41itself
55:41out
55:41of
55:41the
55:41toy
55:41basket
55:42and
55:42toward
55:42the
55:42garden
55:43path.
55:43Hey!
55:44I
55:45left
55:45that
55:45inside!
55:47Gabriel's
55:47smile
55:48disappeared.
55:53Gabriel
55:54ordered
55:54the
55:55garden
55:55searched.
55:56The
55:57guards
55:57found
55:58nothing.
56:00That
56:01was all
56:02Lily
56:02needed.
56:03The
56:04boys
56:04begged
56:04to
56:05fetch
56:05Theo's
56:05wooden
56:06bat
56:06from
56:06the
56:06side
56:07path.
56:07It
56:08was
56:08only
56:08twenty
56:08steps
56:09away,
56:10still
56:10within
56:10the
56:10garden
56:11wall.
56:11We
56:12can
56:12do
56:12it
56:12ourselves!
56:13We
56:14are
56:14not
56:14babies!
56:16I
56:17hesitated.
56:20Gabriel
56:21glanced at
56:22the
56:22guards.
56:23Stay
56:24where
56:24we
56:24can
56:24see
56:24you.
56:25They
56:25ran
56:26together,
56:26five
56:27dark
56:27cloaks
56:28fluttering
56:28behind
56:28them.
56:30Theo
56:30reached
56:31the
56:31toy
56:31first.
56:33Then
56:34the
56:34sunlight
56:34under
56:35the
56:35canopy
56:35dimmed.
56:39Black
56:40mist
56:40rose
56:40from
56:41the
56:41rose
56:41shadows
56:41and
56:42wrapped
56:42around
56:42the
56:42path.
56:45Elias
56:46clapped
56:46his hands
56:47over his
56:47ears.
56:48Adrian's
56:48shadow
56:49shot
56:49forward
56:49but
56:50the
56:50mist
56:50swallowed
56:51it.
56:54Noah
56:55tried
56:55to
56:55scream.
56:56Julian
56:56grabbed
56:57Theo's
56:57hand.
57:01A
57:02woman
57:02stepped
57:02from
57:02the
57:03darkness.
57:03Hello
57:03little
57:04thieves.
57:05Lily's
57:06face
57:06was
57:06pale,
57:07her
57:07gown
57:07torn,
57:08black
57:08lines
57:08crawling
57:09up
57:09her
57:09neck.
57:10Adrian
57:11bared
57:11his
57:11fangs.
57:12Lily
57:13smiled,
57:13still
57:14brave.
57:15Gabriel
57:15will
57:15enjoy
57:16watching
57:16that
57:16break.
57:17Theo
57:17vanished
57:18in
57:18panic
57:18but
57:18reappeared
57:19only a
57:19few
57:19feet
57:20away
57:20trapped
57:20by
57:21the
57:21mist.
57:22I
57:23heard
57:23him
57:23and
57:24turned.
57:24The
57:24path
57:25was
57:25empty.
57:26Only
57:27Theo's
57:27wooden
57:28bat
57:28lay on
57:29the
57:29ground.
57:30A
57:30black
57:30rose
57:31petal
57:31floated
57:31down
57:32beside
57:32it.
57:33The
57:34boys.
57:35Where
57:36are
57:36the
57:36boys?
57:38From
57:38the
57:38far
57:39trees,
57:40Lily's
57:40voice
57:40drifted
57:41back.
57:42Come
57:42find
57:42them
57:43before
57:43sunset.
57:46The
57:46pain
57:47hit my
57:47chest
57:47like a
57:48blade.
57:49the
57:50rose
57:50mark
57:50near
57:51my
57:51collar
57:51own
57:51burned
57:52so
57:52hard
57:52I
57:52almost
57:53fell.
57:55Gabriel
57:56caught
57:56me.
57:57Amelia.
58:00This
58:00way.
58:00I did
58:01not know
58:01how I
58:01knew.
58:02I
58:02only knew
58:02my
58:03children
58:03were
58:03afraid
58:04and
58:04every
58:04step
58:04away
58:05from
58:05the
58:05garden
58:05made
58:05the
58:05pain
58:06sharper.
58:07Gabriel
58:07followed
58:08without
58:08question.
58:08We
58:09crossed
58:09the
58:09outer
58:09wall
58:09and
58:10entered
58:10the
58:10black
58:10forest
58:11at
58:11the
58:11edge
58:11of
58:11Ravensburg
58:12land.
58:12The
58:12trees
58:13were
58:13too
58:13quiet.
58:14No
58:14birds.
58:15No
58:15insects.
58:16Only
58:16a
58:16cold
58:16smell
58:16of
58:17rot
58:17and
58:17old
58:17smoke.
58:19Then
58:19we
58:19heard
58:20Theo
58:20crying.
58:21I
58:22broke
58:22into
58:22a
58:22run.
58:23In
58:23a
58:23clearing
58:24ahead,
58:24five
58:24boys
58:25were
58:25trapped
58:25inside
58:25a
58:26tall
58:26iron
58:26cage.
58:27The
58:27cage
58:28had
58:28been
58:28dragged
58:28beneath
58:29a
58:29gap
58:29in
58:29the
58:29trees
58:30where
58:30the
58:30setting
58:30sun
58:30would
58:31soon
58:31fall
58:31directly
58:31on
58:32them.
58:32Adrian
58:32stood
58:33in
58:33front
58:33of
58:33his
58:33brothers,
58:34pale
58:34but
58:35upright.
58:35Noah
58:36held
58:36Julian's
58:37hand.
58:37Elias
58:38shook
58:45the
58:45cage.
58:46The
58:46black
58:47lines
58:47on
58:47her
58:47skin
58:48had
58:48reached
58:48her
58:48jaw.
58:49Stop
58:50there.
58:51One
58:51more
58:51step
58:52and
58:53I
58:53open
58:53the
58:53canopy
58:54now.
58:56Gabriel's
58:57eyes
58:57turned
58:57red.
58:58Lily.
59:00She
59:01laughed.
59:02You
59:02threw
59:03me away
59:03for a
59:03human
59:04and
59:04five
59:04children
59:05so
59:05I
59:05will
59:05take
59:05them
59:05from
59:06you
59:06first.
59:09I
59:09looked
59:09at
59:10my
59:10sons
59:10then
59:11at
59:11the
59:11dying
59:12sunlight.
59:14Gabriel.
59:15Get
59:16them
59:16out.
59:16Lily
59:17smiled
59:17at
59:18me.
59:19You
59:20came
59:20just
59:20in
59:21time
59:21to
59:21watch
59:22them
59:22die.