Chapter 17
388words
An hour later, Dr. Grey and I sat in a darkened corner of the hotel restaurant, faces partially concealed by masks. Through the glass partition of a private dining room, we could see Sebastian and Sophia in heated conversation.
"You're really going through with this..." Sophia's voice carried through the thin partition. "Sebastian, I care for you, but this is wrong."
"You don't understand," Sebastian's voice turned icy. "You can't comprehend what a triumph it would be to turn a Blake heir into a Blood Servant."
"She's innocent!" Sophia protested. "Yes, Vampires and Hunters have warred for centuries, but she has no Hunting Power! She's a civilian who happens to have the Blake name. We don't harm civilians—that's the Covenant!"
"Civilian?" Sebastian sneered. "Her name is Blake—from that cursed Hunter bloodline. Not my fault she has no power. Her family's blood is her sin. She knows we exist—why shouldn't we strike?"
Their argument escalated, and the world seemed to swim before my eyes. Dr. Grey pressed a tissue into my hand—only then did I realize tears were streaming down my face.
"I'm done with this," Sophia declared. "You're on your own."
"Sophia, if you still want to be my wife..." Sebastian's voice dropped to a menacing growl.
We fled the restaurant. After saying goodbye to Dr. Grey, I went straight to my family estate and told my father everything. Though skeptical, he reported Sebastian to the Supernatural Council.
Using the timing of the "celebration ceremony" I'd agreed to, the Council sent an agent with shapeshifting abilities to pose as me and witness Sebastian's ritual. Since I'm a civilian despite my Hunter lineage, his actions violated the Covenant. They arrested him on the spot.
During the arrest, Sebastian fixed his wild eyes on me. "You can't escape, Ivy. You were born to be my Blood Servant."
"Why?" I asked, my voice breaking. "Wasn't what we had real?"
He laughed maniacally. "Isn't it delicious? Turning a Hunter's daughter into a slave? Watching your shock, your fear, your suffering as you become my Blood Servant... It's more intoxicating than the richest blood!"
"Monster..." I whispered, stumbling backward as darkness closed in. The last thing I felt was Dr. Grey catching me as I collapsed.
