Chapter 3

My father told me Julian's father paid a massive price to get this marriage approved.

If he found out his precious son ruined the deal, it would be a great show.

Thinking of that, I felt a lot better. I didn't care about these idiots anymore.

I spun on my heel to leave. But Victoria wouldn't let it go.

Backed by Julian's blind protection, she grabbed my arm and barked.

"Don't even think about running, thief! You stole my cloak and pushed me. We're not done!"

I turned around. My eyes were calm.

"What do you want?"

She thought I was scared. She took the chance to swipe at my face.

"I'm going to ruin your face, bitch! Let's see what man will ever look at you again!"

I easily caught her wrist. Then I punched her hard in the chest.

She stumbled back. She was stunned. She ground her teeth and screamed.

"You bitch, how dare you—"

I kept my grip on her wrist and shoved her again. "Happy now?" I asked coldly.

Victoria stumbled back with tears in her eyes. She hid behind Julian.

"Lord Julian, you have to help me!"

Julian wrapped his arms around her possessively. His voice was icy. He gave me a warning.

"Anyone who touches what's mine doesn't live to see tomorrow."

He waved at his blood guards to take me.

I moved first. I teleported and kicked one down. Sadly, I was outnumbered.

They overpowered me quickly. They pinned me to the floor, forcing me to kneel at his boots.

He smiled at Victoria.

"Do whatever you want, Victoria. I've got your back, no matter what."

That gave her all the confidence in the world.

She walked up to me and slapped me twice, hard.

A burning sting spread across my cheeks.

"Weren't you acting tough just now, bitch?" she snarled. "Where did all that fire go?"

As if that wasn't enough, she snatched my cooler box. She smashed my sun-resistance potion on the floor. It took me a year to make that.

I clutched my aching stomach and glared at them both.

"Mark my words. I will never let either of you get away with this!"

Victoria's laugh grew crueler.

"This is Lord Julian's territory. You're just a stray. What can you do to me? Let me show you what happens when you cross me."

She pulled a silver dagger from her boot. She waved it in front of me. The blade caught the light.

Then, she grabbed my hair and yanked my head back. She viciously stabbed the dagger into my pale arm.

The silver poison burned my skin instantly. It sizzled.

"Didn't you love that cloak?" she spat. "Let's see if you still have the face to wear it once I carve you up!"

The crowd gasped.

For a vampire, this was the ultimate humiliation. A permanent scar that barely healed.

Victoria gripped the dagger tighter. Drops of smoking black blood hit the floor.

Panic rose in my chest. I knew I had to beg.

"I was wrong. Take the cloak. I shouldn't have fought you for it. Please, don't do this!"

Swallowing my pride was the best choice. Keeping my face safe was the priority.

But she ignored my pleas.

She waved the dagger, screaming like a maniac.

"Now you want to beg? Too late! I'm going to carve the word 'Whore' into your face!"

Humiliation and fear made me scream.

Julian stood by with his arms crossed, watching coldly.

I gritted my teeth and warned him.

"You have no idea who I am, Julian! You're going to regret letting her do this!"

He just shrugged.

"Who could you be? You're just a tool your family used to buy a blood pact."

A sadistic thrill flashed in Victoria's eyes.

"Then I have every reason to ruin you. Let's see if you still dream of being a Lord's wife!"

"No—"

Just then, my phone rang.

I scrambled for it, but Victoria snatched it and answered.

My father's voice came through.

"Hey, Elara. Picked a cloak yet?"

I screamed for help.

"Father, help me! I'm under attack! She's trying to ruin my face!"

His voice tightened instantly.

"What... Who is touching you?"

Victoria spoke into the phone, totally fearless and smug.

"Your daughter is a savage. You're welcome. I'm just teaching her a lesson for you."

My father's voice boiled with absolute fury.

"I don't care who you think you are. Let my daughter go right now! If you make me come down there, I'll make you all pay!"

"Come and try it," she mocked. "Who knows, maybe I'll give you a free scar too!"

She laughed wildly. Then she smashed the phone on the floor.

She kept using the blunt edge of the dagger to torture me.

Every breath hurt. I curled up, trying to ease the pain.

For the first time in my life, time felt like a century.

Ten minutes later, nearly a hundred Night Guards appeared. They locked down the whole street.

My father melted from the shadows and materialized in the center of the room.

His crushing Ancient aura made everyone tremble.

"Now, where is the idiot who touched my daughter?"