“I’m not interested in a lecture,” Izaak retorted. “This isn’t our residence, so I have every right to bring humans here,” he declared firmly.
Magnus sensed a disturbance in Izaak’s demeanor, noting his apparent irritation. “I assume it’s the anniversary of your first wife’s passing, isn’t it? Is that why you’re acting out of character today?” he remarked, cautioning Izaak against such behavior, especially in Alora’s presence.
“Alora won’t ask me not to drink blood. She knows we need fresh blood out of humans,” Izaak asserted and stood up. Wiping the traces of blood from his lips, he casually inquired, “How does Alora’s blood taste? Care to share your experience about it, Little Brother?”
Magnus frowned at the question. “Why do you want to know?” he asked with a dubious tone.
“Tobias told me you were drinking from her one day. You were unable to stop,” Izaak said with a smirk. “I imagine it must be sweet like honey,” he mused, licking his lips suggestively.
Magnus’s warning was stern this time. “Don’t even entertain the thought of laying a hand on Alora. She’s my wife,” he emphasized firmly.
Acknowledging Magnus’s stance, Izaak relented, murmuring, “I understand. I was merely curious.” Shifting the focus, he asked, “So, what’s on your mind?”
“I will join the Vampire Council,” Magnus disclosed, “along with Alora,” expressing her desire to collaborate with him in their endeavors.
Izaak, as the regulator of the Vampire Council, asserted his authority. “It’s not feasible. Alora must be turned into a Vampire before she can join the council,” he declared, setting a prerequisite for her participation.
“She will not turn into a vampire,” Magnus said. “We have decided to start the work after two weeks. She is quite stressed after what happened in these past few days,” he asserted.
Izaak would always get defeated in front of the demands of his brother. “If you take Alora to the Vampire Council, she may have to wear the blindfold again. Moreover, she may get hurt by the remarks of the vampires at her. Let her not enter the council.”
Magnus shook his head to hear his brother. “Who will try to go against me? I don’t care about the nobility. You said you would help me,” he reminded Izaak.
“I cannot make an exception for Alora, Magnus. You know this well. She isn’t well perceived by the vampires, so it’s better to keep her out of that place. Also, Scarlet is in the council too. She may create trouble for Alora and then, tensions may arise. I don’t want chaos,” Izaak counted him as the reason why Alora should not become a part of the Vampire Council.
Magnus didn’t say anything to his brother and walked away.
“Did he get angry with me?” Izaak murmured.
As Magnus came out of the cottage, he saw Alora watering the flowers in the garden. He approached her and asked her if she was done.
“One more flower bed left,” Alora said. She began walking toward it while Magnus followed her silently. “The fragrance of the flowers is enchanting,” she remarked, smiling.
“Is it?” Magnus responded.
“Yes, can’t you smell it?” Alora’s eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
Magnus confessed, “Your blood scent overpowers all the other pleasant fragrances.”
Alora looked at him with a bewildered gaze. “Is it irresistible?” she asked while watering the flowers.
Magnus simply hummed in response.
Alora couldn’t help but ponder how challenging it must be for Magnus to maintain his composure in her presence.
“Where’s Brother Izaak? Is he not joining us for the festival today? And I can’t see Griffin anywhere either,” Alora inquired.
“Mm, Brother Izaak is in his room, and Griffin has disappeared somewhere, I’m not sure where,” Magnus responded as he took the watering can from her. “The gardeners will handle it,” he added, placing it on the ground.
“Oh, who’s that woman walking behind Louis? Why is she holding her neck?” Alora’s gaze fell upon the same woman whom Izaak had fed from earlier.
“Izaak drank the blood from her. She is a blood slave,” Magnus replied.
“A blood slave?” Alora felt weird to learn that. “She looks weak. Why does Brother Izaak have to drink the blood from…” Her words trailed off as she was suddenly upset. Was Stella talking about this unbalance?
“You don’t need to feel low. I told Izaak not to do this ever. It’s his first wife’s death anniversary that’s why he is acting a little strange today,” Magnus explained to her.
Alora was surprised to learn that. She thought Izaak didn’t develop any hard feelings toward any of his three or four wives. She even forgot how many wives Izaak had.
“Why did Brother Izaak kill his wives?” Alora asked curiously.
“I’ve never inquired, nor have I sought to find out,” Magnus replied honestly.
“I would like to see Brother Izaak,” Alora stated.
“He’s not feeling well. It’s best not to approach him,” Magnus instructed her.
“He needs us,” Alora insisted. “Leaving your brother alone during such a significant event isn’t right,” she asserted.
“Alora, he might raise his voice at you. You know what could happen then,” Magnus cautioned, highlighting the potential consequences of her involvement.
“You both might end up in a confrontation,” Alora replied.
Magnus gently took her hand and pulled her closer. “Let Brother Izaak be alone for now. You can visit him later in the evening,” he suggested to Alora.
As they reached the river deck, Alora’s excitement peaked. “Are we going to ride a boat?” she exclaimed, letting go of Magnus’s hand and stepping into the boat. However, her excitement quickly turned to panic as she stumbled, causing the boat to overturn.
Before Magnus could react, Alora fell into the river. “Alora!” Magnus immediately leaped into the water without hesitation, swiftly bringing her back to the surface. Gasping for air, Alora struggled to catch her breath.
Alora clung to Magnus tightly, her fear momentarily overwhelming her as she grappled with the depth of the water.
“Relax, you’re safe,” Magnus reassured her, maintaining his firm grip around her waist, offering her support.
“We should get out soon. It’s cold here,” Alora whispered, shivering as she glanced around.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.