Chapter 7

I watched Vincent sleep peacefully. It sounds cliché, but he looks so much like an angel.

After the discussion with my father, we decided to keep his identity discrete. Only I, dad, Val, and Ezra know about his condition.

"So," Ezra began, "You mean to tell me that my best friend's a monster? That all of this vampire shit is a coverup to protect him?"

"He's a valuable asset to my army," I say, "You don't have to worry; I'll protect him."

"From who?" he questioned. "You're a mere vampire; what could you possibly do to protect Vincent?"

"Honey," I smiled, "You've forgotten how powerful I am."

"Apologies, princess," he says in a worry, "But this is Vincent, our friend. How are we gonna protect him if he himself can't know the truth?"

He has a point. It's going to be difficult. Even I don't know how to handle this mess.

"Dear," I say, "A piece of advice; you can't show weakness to anyone; not even to me."

"But you're my friend, aren't you?" he says confidently. I guess he still trusts the bond we shared as human kids.

"I'm a BloodStone now, Ezra, and you're a Vengeur," I explained, "We have our parts to play."

"So we aren't friends?" he asked.

"You're one of my closest friends," I say, "Nothing's ever changing that. I'm saying that as a leader, I have to make the right choices; not the ones that ease my heart. You, Ezra, will become a general one day. I need you to be a strong military. You can't show me your blind spots."

"I understand," he sighed. "Until you take your throne, you've no real power. You serve your father."

"Until then, I can't secure your safety," I admitted. "I'm trying, but Val tried to kill me."

"Your fiancé?" he questioned, "What happened to him anyway? After the Bloodmoon ritual, he became the devil himself."

"I don't know," I say, "I think he's blinded by power. He's obsessed with the idea of being my partner."

"But he's only your partner because BloodStone favors his power," he says, "That means that if someone more powerful rises, he can be put aside. You can marry Vincent instead!"

I punched his nose, making him bleed. What an idiot!

"That hurts, you brat!" he growled.

"How could you even suggest I marry that kid!" I growled back, "He marked my back!"

"What?" he examined me. "Oh, damn. Sorry for your new tattoo."

"I can't marry either of them cause they both put me in a fatal position," I explained, "And if it were up to me, I wouldn't marry at all."

"You were a romantic once," he says, "What happened?"

"I don't know. I guess I just got used to standing alone," I smiled. It's true. Besides, if I were to protect them, I can't be distracted. I have to stand strong alone.

"Okay," he gave up.

Vincent woke up, leaving the both of us in silent panic. We didn't know what to say. How are we gonna explain the situation without completely lying to him?

"How are you feeling?" I asked, touching his forehead. He looked pale and was as cold as ice.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked, examining my body. His touch burned like fire; I don't get why cause a moment ago he felt like ice.

"I'm fine," I assured him, "I asked you how you're feeling."

He caressed my shoulders, searching for the scratches he left. "I'm okay. I'm more worried about you."

"Awe," says Ezra, "How sweet! Have you forgotten about me? I'm here too!"

I glared at him.

Vincent's hand intertwined with mine, my eyes locking with his. "I'm sorry for what happened. I lost control."

"You should rest, okay?" I said, getting off the bed. "I have to go meet with my fiancé."

"The bastard who tried to kill us?" he laughed, "Is it true about what he said?"

"I don't know," I replied, "But we'll find out when the time comes. For now, focus on what's important."

"Ezra," I command, "You're in charge here. Take care of him."

"Yes, Princess Anastassia," he pledged.

With that, I left. There was something about his touch that bothers me. There's a danger to him, and if I can't control it, he'll be put down by Val or my father.

"Are you looking for me?" asked the tall blonde. "Everyone else is exploring the island. It's just the five of us in the castle."

"What you said about his girl, tell me you're lying," I said, pinning him against the wall.

He pushed me off him, a wicked smile tainted over his face. "My love, of course it's true. Unless the source lied to me."

"Source?" I questioned.

"I keep tabs on everyone," he confessed, "Especially our families."

For a moment, I thought there was still some humanity left in him, but I was wrong. He's doing it to have power over everyone just like what he did to Vincent.

"That's the end of that, Valentino," I ordered, "Everything you have; you're handing it over to me. Are we clear?"

A smirk tainted his face. "Okay."

I wish I had the ability to read through him. Even as humans, I struggled to read between the thin lines between us.

"Shall we?" he asked, offering to escort me.

I accepted his hand with a smile. "Be at your best behavior from now on, will you? I am the heir; not you. I'll give you the power you crave in exchange for your transparency and loyalty."

"What's with the sudden change?" he asked, "You better not be messing with me, princess."

"I'm not," I assured him, "Just make sure you're loyal to me."

"Okay," he states, "I trust you."

"No more games, okay?" I say, "We're actually in the island now. The show must begin."

We walked into the castle's parking lot. It had everyone's vehicle of choice, including Val's Bumblebee.

"Are you coming with me?" he opened the door, "A stroll around the country would calm your nerves."

I got in with a groan. He fastened my seatbelt for me, annoying me further.

"Don't glare at me," he pinched my cheek, "I'm just being a good boyfriend."

"You're not really my boyfriend, you know that right?" I glared again.

He chuckled, driving through the long road ahead. "For now, yeah."

"Tell me, Val," I say, "You acted as though nothing change for a long while, then you switched into this demonic ass; were you just faking it this whole time?"

"What do you mean, love?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the road. "I haven't been faking anything, love."

"You were good to me and rude to everyone else," I explained, "Then you tried to kill me."

"I did it for you; I already explained that, didn't I?" his voice stayed cool-toned yet venomous.

I stayed quiet the whole drive down to the area called, "BloodStone Square." It was a nice place filled with boutiques, shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Val parked by the vacant lot where all sorts of vehicles were sitting. He looked at me with a concerned stare. "You've been silent."

"I'm a good actress; you know that," I say, getting off the car, "I'll be sure to leave 'em stunned."

"I wasn't worried about that at all," he says, putting his arm over my shoulder. "Anyway, shall we?"

"Of course," I say, smiling as though I was madly in love.

"Hey!" called one of the girls by the fountain, "You're new, aren't you?"

A smile slipped up Val's face, instantly taking their breaths away. "Yes, we are. Who might you be?"

"I'm Lilian," the redhead introduced, "This is Corin, and Jackie; twins."

"It's nice to meet you," I greeted only to receive a glare. I can't help but feel amused.

"I wasn't talking to you," she says, flipping her red hair.

"Bye, girls," he says, pulling me away with him.

"Wait," she says, snapping her fingers. Val was frozen to his spot, still able to talk.

"Are you desperate or something," I asked, snapping my fingers to release him from the spell. "He's not someone you can spell and get away with it."

Val turned to face them, his hybrid eyes glowing brightly.

"Bitch," says Lilian.

I sped towards her, choking her with one hand. Her little friends tried to spell me, but they failed.

"What the hell are you?" she questioned.

"I'm the most powerful being in this island," I stated, dropping her to the floor, "and I'm also the future owner, bitch."

"You're Lord BloodStone's daughter?" questioned Corin who was clearly shaken up.

"I am," I say with the most disturbing smile, "And this, my dear, is the Inferno Reaper."

I held his hand, keeping him to my side. "He's hot-tempered, though he prefers not to show it. I must warn you to watch your backs."

"What's up?" interrupted Daisy, "Is there any trouble?"

"Nothing," Corin stutters, "Please let us go in peace."

Daisy gave me the puppy eyes, trying to prevent a possible war. "Love, please?"

"Fine," I say, "But they need to apologize to Val."

"We're sorry," the trio said before running off to God knows where.

"Pathetic," I rolled my eyes. People here are either amusing or infuriating.

"I thought we were supposed to make friends; not enemies," Daisy pinched me lightly.

"They started it," Val defends, "Come on, Daisy. You know I wouldn't get Anastassia in trouble."

"I just need to remind you that we're here to win and make a name for ourselves," she says, "So please be in your best behaviors!"

"Daisy," called Esther, "Hey."

"Hey, babe," I kissed her cheek, "Anything interesting so far?"

"The island is divine!" she squeals, "Have you explored yet?"

I shook my head, "No. I was busy with Val."

"Should we grab a bite to eat then?" asked Esther, "We haven't hung out for a while now."

"Let's leave them be, Esther," Daisy insists, "They have a mission to fulfill."

I nodded, "Thanks for the offer, though." With a wave, they were off to the café across the street.

"Why did you turn them down?" asked Val, "You and Esther are like sisters. You love hanging out with her."

"Just be grateful I choose you," I winked, "Now, take me somewhere where there are no bitches like the ones from earlier."

"Hey, I'm new too," he says, "I don't know anything about this place."

"Follow your guts," I say, holding him tighter. "Say, should we go on a date?"

"Isn't this already a date?" he asked.

Sometimes, I wonder if he enjoys annoying me or if he's actually clueless. I intertwined my hand in his, receiving a reaction of delight.

"What's with the smile?" I asked curiously.

"Nothing," he says, "You're just a really good actress. If we had stayed human, you should've accepted the audition you were offered. You could've been a star."

"Enough about the past," I say, "I can always be an actress in this lifetime."

"Well, mon cheri, shall we watch a movie in the local theatre?" he offers, "Or shall we stroll along the place; explore the secrets of BADA; have a bite to eat; or meet other couples?"

I laughed at him.

"What's so funny?" he asked. "Am I not romantic or convincing enough? What's wrong?"

"Val," I pointed at the store. "Readings and other things with Mistress Boleyn."

"Isn't she Queen Elizabeth the 1st's mother?" asked Val.

I nodded, dragging him across the street. Anne Boleyn is very influential, and I'm one of her biggest fans! I need to meet her.

"Fall', wait," he says, pulling away. "You're a million times stronger than her; why would you want to get in there?"

I dragged him inside, stunned at the sight of the Tudor Queen. She was indeed beautiful and enchanting. She wore an all black outfit consisting of a turtleneck sweater, slacks, and boots.

"BloodStone," she inhaled my scent. "You're the King's daughter."