Chapter 2

Clara's tears fell like perfect pearls.

"Brothers, please don't be too hard on her," she whispered, her voice trembling, which only made her look more pitiful. "I'm sure it was just a silly prank. She didn't mean to hurt me."

Her words were fuel to the fire.

Damien's face darkened instantly.

"A prank?" His voice was ice-cold with disappointment. "You're too kind, Clara. She knew about your condition. This wasn't a prank."

"Exactly!" Ethan's fists clenched, his eyes burning with rage. "We knew she was selfish. We never imagined she was vicious enough to turn on her own family!"

My soul recoiled at his words.

Vicious? Jealous?

Ethan, have you forgotten?

During your world tour, a rival clan ambushed you with silver-laced weapons.

I didn't even think. I threw myself in front of you and took the blow that would have killed you.

You held my bleeding, powerless body and cried, telling me I was the most important person in your life, the sister you would die to protect.

Did you forget that promise, too?

Clara swayed, pressing a hand to her chest as if she was about to faint. A sick, rosy flush colored her pale cheeks.

Julian rushed over and swept her into his arms. "Don't talk. Don't think about it."

"I'm so scared..." Clara clutched his shirt, her eyes wide with terror. "No, I'm okay… I'm fine… I don't want Lilith to think I'm weak."

"Damn her!" Julian's eyes were murderous. "How could she be so cruel!"

I wanted to scream, to rip their lies apart.

That's not what happened that night!

Clara came to me, her eyes wide and innocent. "Sister," she'd begged, "I want to feel real power. I want to understand your world. I don't want to be the weak one you always have to protect."

I was moved by her sincerity.

I carefully slit my wrist, ready to share my precious blood with her—a source of power meant only for blood kin.

The moment I turned to grab a vial, she swapped my blood for the beast blood she had hidden.

I was so proud of her "courage" when she drank it.

Then she screamed and collapsed, convulsing on the floor. Only then did I realize something was terribly wrong.

But it was too late.

My brothers burst in to see Clara writhing in agony and me holding the empty bottle.

"And she still shows no remorse!" Damien stood up, radiating a dangerous energy. "It's been three days without a single apology! She doesn't care that she almost killed Clara!"

"Maybe she doesn't think she did anything wrong," Ethan sneered. "She's been the family princess her whole life. When has she ever been punished like this?"

Julian held the trembling Clara tighter, his anger practically a physical force. "She has to pay for her cruelty!"

Damien took a deep breath, his eyes glinting with resolve.

"Moses, prepare the ritual for the Blood Pact."

Moses looked horrified. "Master Damien, you mean to..."

"Bind her powers," Damien said, his voice flat and cold. "If she doesn't know how to control herself, then magic will teach her some humility."

The Blood Pact!

My soul shuddered violently.

It was an ancient, forbidden curse that would permanently strip a vampire of their power, leaving me as weak as a human.

"Damien…" Clara looked up, a flicker of triumph in her eyes, quickly masked by concern. "Isn't that too much? She carries the family bloodline..."

"The family's bloodline?" Damien scoffed. "Our bloodline does not prey on its own. If she chooses to use her power to bully the weak, then she doesn't deserve to have it!"

"He's right!" Ethan agreed. "Let her see what it feels like to be weak. Then we'll see if she's still so arrogant!"

I watched in despair, my heart feeling like it was being shredded.

Damien, did you know that I secretly sacrificed half of my own life force to secure your empire's place on the Vampire Council?

Ethan, did you know how many times I fought off vampire hunters to protect your identity in the human world?

Julian, do you have any idea the mortal dangers I faced to find the rare materials you needed for your designs?

And now, you were going to destroy my power, all for a lying human girl.

But it didn't matter anymore. I was already dead.

Brothers, you can give all your love to Clara now. There's nothing left for me.

"Moses!" Damien snapped impatiently. "Go! Prepare the ritual!"

Moses scurried to obey but paused at the door.

"Masters, there is one thing I must report… I haven't sensed any response from Miss Lilith in the observatory. Not even a faint energy fluctuation."

Damien waved him off dismissively. "She's throwing a tantrum. Giving us the silent treatment."

"But…" Moses's face was pale with fear. "Even in the deepest sleep, a vampire's life force gives off a faint energy. From her… there is nothing. No sign of life at all."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Ethan frowned. "Maybe she's using a spell to hide her presence?"

"Impossible," Julian said, shaking his head. "The blood curse seals the observatory. She can't use any magic."

A flicker of unease crossed Damien's face, but it was quickly swallowed by his anger.

"Let's go!" He shot to his feet, his eyes murderous. "We'll drag her out of there. I'd like to see her try and hide. She will kneel and apologize to Clara!"