Chapter 3

I treated myself to rare vintage blood at the most exclusive vampire establishment in our territory.

Premium blood aged for decades, $5,000 per glass. Without a whole family to bankroll, this ancient vampire had wealth to spare!

I stayed out until near dawn before returning to the mansion.

The house was dark and silent. No messages, calls, or texts while I was out - they'd all gone to their day-sleep without caring about my whereabouts.

I made my way through the darkness to the master bedroom. The moment I opened the door, my vampire senses recoiled in fury.

Victoria's cheap human perfume saturated the air. Mixed with something else that made my ancient blood boil.

Damien's scent. Intimate. Close.

My territory. My home. My mate. All contaminated by human presence.

As I approached our silk-draped bed, a shriek pierced the silence.

"Ah!"

Victoria was lying in my spot.

My spot. Where my power anchored. Where I should be strongest.

My blood didn't just boil - my vampire nature roared for violence. Centuries of control shattered instantly.

Before I could think, I'd struck Victoria across the face.

I didn't hold back. My nails left deep scratches that would scar without proper medical treatment.

Victoria burst into tears, blood seeping from the scratches on her cheek.

Damien sat up, immediately shielding her. "Why did you attack Victoria? We were just talking late and accidentally fell asleep here!"

"Really? You 'accidentally' ended up in our private bedroom, in our bed, in each other's arms?"

"We were waiting for you! You stayed out so late, Victoria kept me company talking about old times. We were in here because it was comfortable, and we dozed off - it's completely innocent!"

His voice trembled. After centuries of life, I could read lies like an open book.

"Then why no calls? No texts? Too busy reminiscing with your childhood sweetheart? If you were waiting for me, why not in the sitting room? Why in your Sire's private bedroom?"

Damien's eyes flashed red with anger. "Scarlett, you're being completely unreasonable!"

I could smell their mingled scents on my imported silk sheets, but thankfully my vampire senses told me they hadn't crossed the final line - yet.

I turned to Victoria, still clutching her bleeding cheek. "I'm back now. Unless you're planning to permanently share my Childe's bed?"

Victoria's eyes widened with fear and pain. "Damien, it hurts so much. I think I need to go to the hospital. She's too violent!"

Playing the victim. Classic Victoria manipulation.

Damien nearly panicked. "Let me get the first aid kit and antiseptic. We'll bandage you up properly."

The moment they left my bedroom, I activated the ancient protection wards I'd placed on the room, sealing the door with powerful magic.

$50,000 worth of witch-crafted protections. Money extremely well spent.

I stripped every piece of bedding carrying their mixed scents and used my vampire power to burn them to ash, watching the expensive silk turn to cinders. Then I sealed the room with purifying incense and prepared for day-sleep.

The next evening, Damien confronted me the moment I emerged. "What was that? I spent hours trying to get into our bedroom! Your wards practically shook the entire house with their power!"

"Wasn't that thoughtful of me? Giving you more private time with Victoria to tend her wounds. You should thank me."

"Are you insane? Why would I spend the day with Victoria? You're my Sire!"

"Oh, now you remember I'm your Sire? I thought Victoria's return meant I'd be completely replaced. You certainly seem more concerned with her comfort than mine."

Victoria appeared then, her cheek covered in white bandages. "Please don't fight. This Convocation should be joyful. Don't let me ruin your relationship - I'd feel terrible."

"See how understanding Victoria is? Unlike your petty jealousy!" Damien snarled.

Margaret joined in, emboldened by her vampire strength. "Scarlett, your behavior is getting worse. Denying your mate access to your bedroom! Don't let it happen again - we'll overlook it this once."

Lily smirked beside Victoria. "Sister Scarlett, with your jealousy and temper, my brother might just petition the Council to sever your bloodline bond. Then you'd have no claim on any of us."

The same sister whose life I'd saved and raised with patience for five years.

Victoria watched me with triumph in her eyes, already imagining herself in my place.

Foolish human - she had no idea how vampire bonds worked. But let her dream.

Damien gestured toward the sitting room table. "Hurry up, we need to finalize the tribute gifts. Have you prepared everything for the vampire elders?"

"Scarlett, make sure the gifts are perfect," Margaret added. "We cannot insult any of the ancient lords. Your reputation and connections mean they'll judge our entire family by the quality of your offerings."

I looked at them all - the family I'd saved, supported, and elevated to positions they never could have reached alone.

"Of course. You all go rest. I'll handle everything."

The moment they all retreated to their day-sleep, I acted.

The tribute gifts I'd spent six months preparing - rare blood wines aged for centuries, enchanted jewelry from master craftsmen, ancient grimoires from my personal collection, mystical artifacts that took months to acquire. Total value: over $20 million.

Each gift was carefully selected for specific elders. The 1847 vintage that the Nosferatu clan leader prized. The spell tome the Tremere elder had been seeking for decades. The commissioned portrait for the Toreador lord.

I contacted a discreet disposal service that specialized in handling valuable items.

They arrived within the hour, professionals who knew not to ask questions.

"Take everything. Every gift, every offering, every carefully wrapped tribute."