8. Chapter 8 (1/1)

i'm ending the suspense... kind of. enjoy!

disclaimer: not mine.

ramanga dropped the stake; it plummeted towards the count, landing on its side on his chest before clattering away."that's not possible. he said-" but the spokesperson for the council had already rounded on the fangless vampire, furious."you've lied to us, ramanga. you've made fools of us! i should slay you for what you've-""allow me." a bolt of light and ramanga was gone. the eyes of every vampire in the courtyard flew to the figure of the speaker at the top of the steps.

"anyone else want to threaten my family, while we're here?" vlad smiled pleasantly, but his eyes were cold. the councillors began shaking their heads, bowing, scraping... shuffling backwards. indeed, ramanga's clan had already taken off. "no? good. get out.""vladimir - your grandness - we had no idea you were-" this was the height of grovelling; vlad wasn't officially grand high vampire yet."now you know. leave." the gathered vampires didn't wait to be dismissed a third time, taking off into the sky. vlad stood defiantly and watched them go until the last of them was out of sight.

"vladdy, thank bloo-""vlad? we thought you were-""the half-fang said-""i saw you-"

the voices all blended into one for a second as vlad stumbled backwards, head spinning. it had taken everything he had to demonstrate that small show of power, and now he felt light-headed and oddly disconnected. he'd never been so relieved to fall back against a solid body, to feel gentle hands take a firm grip of his elbows and support him.

"bertrand," he managed, barely a murmur, but the hand at one of his elbows shifted, one strong arm wrapping around him to pull him tighter against his valet's chest. the whisper in his ear was almost inaudible.

"i'm still here. you're not alone." the world swam, but he knew he was safe.