Chapter 11

At that moment, Lucas's gaze joined Adrian's, both locking eyes with Jack Avery in a look filled with deep yearning, the kind that only grows from being apart for too long.

Jack felt like he was teetering on the brink, overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation at hand. This was neither his battle to fight nor his love to pursue, and yet, he found himself caught in the middle of a soul-deep quandary.

What could he possibly say? How was he to make a choice? It seemed the right time for Cyrus Hall to step in and sort out the chaos that had unfolded in his absence.

But Cyrus was nowhere to be found. In his place, Mr. Glinton, Cyrus's courageous cousin, stepped up, placing himself between Jack and the impending threat.

The vampire, Alexis, with eyes glowing a menacing, predatory red, commanded, "Step aside."

Adrian held his ground, undeterred. "You shall not harm him, vampire!"

It was then that Gail stepped out from the shadows, his face so pale it betrayed his vampiric transformation.

Upon seeing him, a flash of recognition crossed Alexis's eyes. "You're still among the living."

The truth was undeniable; Alexis had transformed Gail into one of his kind.

Gail, however, showed no fear before the vampire who had sired him. Instead, he boldly asserted, "The young master belongs to me."

His words exploded through the tension like a depth charge, sending shockwaves through the already tumultuous atmosphere.

Lucas's face hardened. "Gail, did you really think you could replace me just by donning my clothes?"

The older butler's taunt (though he was not truly a butler) seemed to strike a nerve with Gail.

Fists clenched, Gail shot back, "I am who I am, and the young master can see that clearly."

Lucas let out a disdainful laugh. "Such boldness was nowhere to be found when I was here."

Gail defended, "I didn't wish to complicate matters for the young master!"

The air crackled with their growing animosity, and Alexis couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire, "Two insignificant servants vying for my Cyrus."

Lucas turned, his voice cutting like ice, "You, fiend, are far less worthy of approaching my young master."

Struck by the double insult of being deemed both an unworthy servant and a monstrous creature, Gail refused to back down. With resolve, he drew his sword and charged at the vampire looming before him.

Alexis effortlessly caught Gail's sword between two fingers, mocking him with a sneer, "Trying to show your teeth to me, kid?"

Gail's fury ignited, his eyes blazing a fiery red, signaling his readiness for battle. Lucas, the seasoned butler, recognized this moment as a pivotal opportunity. Exhausted from their extensive five-day skirmish, both he and Alexis were worn thin. Gail's sudden engagement offered Lucas the chance to finally rid them of this persistent vampire menace.

Sensing Lucas's intent with his acute vampire senses, Alexis quickly evaded and launched a swift counterstrike towards Lucas.

"Gail, hold him back!" Lucas shouted amid the unfolding chaos.

Gail, who had once been a docile servant, now emboldened by newfound power and the intimate time spent with his beloved young master, refused to heed the command. His jealousy of Lucas, who had served the young master so closely for years, fueled a deep-seated rage.

"I take orders from no one!" Gail retorted, turning his aggression towards Lucas instead of Alexis.

Lucas quickly backed away, taunting Gail, "Ah, I'd almost forgotten. You've become one of those abominations as well!"

The scene devolved into a violent scuffle.

Jack Avery watched in silent astonishment, pondering whether the secret to navigating complex alliances was simply to remain quiet and watch the discord unfold.

Dismissive of such notions, Jack, who had never ventured into romantic entanglements, found the whole scenario absurdly intricate.

While Alexis and Lucas had the strength to easily overpower Gail under normal circumstances, their fatigue from previous battles and the current standoff made the outcome unpredictable.

Jack observed the melee with conflicted feelings, secretly wishing it would extend for another thirty hours to allow him to fulfill his mission.

In a sudden twist, Adrian, lacking any fighting prowess, took hold of Jack's hand, pleading, "We need to get out of here!"

The moment their hands clasped, the ongoing battle halted abruptly, and three pairs of eyes icily shifted their focus towards them.

Jack couldn't help but think sarcastically about his cousin's knack for finding trouble.

"Don't touch him," Alexis demanded, his anger peaking as he swiftly aimed and fired an arrow their way.

Adrian, merely a human, had no chance to dodge. Yet, his grip on Jack's hand only tightened, a testament to his determination to protect Jack.

Jack felt helpless, bracing himself for what seemed like an inevitable loss. To his surprise, Gail intervened, sword in hand, deflecting the arrow and saving Adrian.

"What are you doing!" Alexis exclaimed, bewildered by Gail's actions.

"He's a sacrifice; he can't be killed," Gail explained, his attention fixed on Adrian's firm grip on Jack's hand.

Jack seized the opportunity to put as much distance between himself and his cousin Adrian, whose eagerness seemed to border on zealotry. Adrian's gaze was heavy with grief, his lips parting as though he wished to speak, but Jack remained silent, wary that any words might inadvertently escalate the already tense atmosphere.

"An sacrifice?" Alexis's confusion was palpable as he furrowed his brows, clearly unfamiliar with the term. Jack considered whether this gap in Alexis's knowledge could be exploited to glean some insights.

Gail couldn't resist a scornful smirk. "You're oblivious to that as well?" he taunted.

At Gail's provocation, Alexis swiftly turned his gaze toward Jack, seeking clarification.

Jack found himself speechless, his internal commentary laced with sarcasm. 'As though I have any idea,' he thought.

Lucas didn't miss the chance to take a dig at Gail, remarking, "You're merely a failed sacrifice."

This remark ignited Gail's wrath.

Jack felt overwhelmed by the unfolding events, too apprehensive to seek clarification. Voicing any thoughts seemed to flirt dangerously with catastrophe.

The urgency outside interrupted any further inquiry from Alexis. The once-secure entrance was now aglow with the harsh light of torches, as if preluding the castle's impending doom.

Discussion time was over.

The commotion outside intensified, with the sounds of hooves, angry shouts, and calls to action signaling an imminent confrontation.

A group of riders, adorned in church regalia and led by an aged man holding an ancient book, demanded the surrender of "the devil Cyrus Hall."

Adrian approached the bishop to intercede, "Cyrus has renounced his ways. He poses no threat to the innocent. Please, spare him."

When one of the knights aggressively advanced towards Adrian, Gail and Lucas instinctively leaped to his defense without a signal from Jack.

The elderly leader solemnly declared from his tome, "Cyrus Hall's obstinacy seals his fate. He shall be shown no mercy."

His declaration rallied the masses outside, their torches raised high, indicating a formidable gathering.

Jack recognized this as the final standoff. Surviving the night was imperative to his mission.

In this critical juncture, Alexis, Lucas, and Gail set aside their past animosities, uniting in a pledge of protection: "Don't worry, you're safe with us."

Jack was caught in a maelstrom of emotions.

The ensuing hours tested Jack's resolve as never before.

The trio's valiant stand against an entire army, their remarkable abilities and Lucas's expert swordsmanship, turned the castle grounds into a battlefield of epic proportions.

The castle's transformation into a scene of infernal chaos left Jack reeling.

Adrian's defeated tone broke through the tumult, "Have we passed the point of no return?"

Struggling with his own turmoil, Jack was speechless.

Adrian, filled with regret, made a solemn vow, "It's my fault. If only I had acted sooner... But this is all I can offer now."

He placed Jack's hand over his heart, a gesture of profound sacrifice.

Jack's eyes widened, stunned by the gesture.

As Adrian declared his love and dedication, the blood-drenched ground began to converge into a darkly magical circle, positioning Jack at its epicenter, hand thrust through Adrian's heart.

That moment unleashed a power beyond words, casting the sky in a radiant crimson glow.