**Ch 78: Seize Victoria

I believe most of us felt great relief that the Somerset Coven peacefully negotiated these terms to form a bridge marriage with us. Now, only the terms of the deal have to be formally agreed upon and honored in our armistice with these mandated conditions.

After pondering in his thoughts, Dylan declared, as Kai sat back down beside me, "Every other week, including weekends, Isabel is to split her time equally between Grant and Troy. This way, they each get an entire week with her."

"Done." Chester agreed. "However, I want to add for Isabel's reassurance, between these divided weeks, her offspring with either husband shall go wherever she goes, and they aren't to be harmed or mistreated by any of us."

Siblings in the vampire species shared close bonds. Not sharing one of the same parents didn't sever this bond, so Chester wanted to emphasize this restriction, especially since Isabel would be caring for her young. Maternal instincts would naturally have her bringing her offspring wherever she went. Unlike the males, vampiresses only parted from their offspring for short hours. A week away from either of her husbands' offspring would tear a hole in her heart.

Without hesitation, Dylan affirmed, "I can agree to that. Is there anything else?"

"Only one more thing." Chester asserted, "Grant and Isabel are forbidden to mark each other with the sacred mark."

Grant gritted his teeth in disagreement, but his father dismissed his feelings by agreeing with a calm nod of his head. By that term, Grant and Isabel will never share the full connection as destined mates.

Overall, I felt for Isabel. These terms were brutal, and I wasn't sure how she would fare with them. Upon their consensus, she allowed Troy to remarry or have however many mistresses he wished, but I'm not sure if Vlad's rules would permit him to have mistresses.

Once the meeting ended, we all wandered outside to leave. For now, Isabel was granted permission to be with Grant for three weeks to get married. After her return from their honeymoon, she has to equally divide her time between both her husbands.

"Troy!"

Furious about the idea of sharing his wife, Troy stormed across the tombstones before darting into the darkness of the sky as his advisors chased after him.

"Give him space," Zoey calmly squeezed Chester's hand.

"You're right," he concurred, kissing her lips.

Among everyone, Zoey's mindset had been serene about the whole situation. Never once has she shown any signs of her distress. She's been a devoted wife in keeping Chester's anger in-check from strangling their son, and she's been a loving mother to Troy. Throughout these days, her positive energy has created a calming influence on everyone's stress.

As Kai and I slid into the limousine with his parents, everyone else vanished on sight, likely reconvening back at the mansion.

~~~

"You needed to see me?" I announced my presence by poking my head into Mr. Collin's office.

As usual, he was working at his desk. Today was the morning of February 4th. After breakfast, I went to his office while Kai disappeared somewhere in the woods with his friends, Alpha Devon, and Alpha Sean, who had stopped by to see him. I didn't have time to get acquainted with them because they insisted on the urgency to speak with my husband about important matters. So, while he was busy, I decided to see why Mr. Collin wanted to speak with me.

"I did," Mr. Collin peered from his papers, charming a fatherly smile at me. "Come have a seat."

After sitting comfortably across from him at his desk, I asked, "Is this about my attendance at the college?"

Mr. Collin chuckled warmly, "I spoke with Aunt Nasberry about your grades and how you've been feeling," he replied.

Regret flushed my skin cold from my recent academic failures, but I understood this conversation needed to be addressed.

"I don't mean to waste the finances you've invested in my education. Mentally, I can't keep up with everything." I explained as the pain of my words crushed me.

There was once a time when I was ambitious, but now the challenges of life have drained the eagerness of my spirit.

"There is no need to stress. I spoke with your professors about the matter. Starting tomorrow, you'll be enrolled in online courses. On days you feel like attending in person, you may do so as well." Mr. Collin happily informed me, and I felt overwhelmed with gratitude.

"Thank you so much!" I smiled, expressing my gratitude. "What did you say to pull that off?"

Mr. Collin chuckled, "That's the extra benefit of owning the University. However, I explained there have been complications with your pregnancy that require you to rest. If anyone questions your absence, that is what you tell them."

"Easy enough," I giggled. "First, I was on a long vacation, and now I'm on an early maternity leave."

Mr. Collin burst out laughing at my sense of humor. These fabricated excuses were piling up, but at least they were easy to remember, I thought.

"Indeed, child. Lying is wrong, but in this case, it spares lives." Mr. Collin remarked, and I acknowledged the grim reality behind it.

Before another word could be spoken between us, we heard a tumultuous commotion erupting outside the office.

"You are not welcome here!" Mrs. Collin's voice boomed behind the door.

Mr. Collin stood from his office chair as the door violently busted open with a gusty current, and a group of tall vampires working for the Vampire Covenant forcefully stormed inside. "Don't let them take her!" Mrs. Collin's desperate outcry resonated as one of the vampires dragged her to the side as she entered.

"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" Mr. Collin exclaimed as his face contorted with anger whenever two vampires seized my wrists and ruthlessly hauled me from the chair.

"Victoria is to be seized into custody for possible execution," suddenly Headmaster Danny's voice emitted broadly as he confidently stepped inside the office with his advisors and guardians.

"This is absurd!" Mr. Collin circled his desk, gently freeing my wrists and pulling me protectively to him.

"You cannot interfere with Vampire Covenant business!" Danny retorted. "Or you'll be detained with your son!"

"What about her votes?" Mr. Collin hissed, shielding me alongside his frame. "And what have you done to Kai?"

"The votes are failing! We have no choice but to take her into custody for further debates about her execution," Danny announced, ignoring his question about Kai, which had me extremely worried for him. "Now, somebody seize her for me."

As a group of vampires approached me, Rose, Mia, and a handful of other vampiresses in Kai's clan appeared, shielding my body with a protective barrier in front of me.

"You will not take our clan queen!" Rose hissed defiantly at them.

"It's either stand aside or be harshly removed," Danny warned, standing further back. "I'd rather not harm females, but you know the consequences if you persist."