The manor was unusually still that night. The moon hung low and golden over the dark forests beyond, casting a somber glow across the cold stone walls of Virgil's estate. Torches flickered low in their sconces. Most of the manor had gone to sleep, but Virgil stood alone in his study, cloaked in a silence that rarely visited him.
Akita was nearby, seated on a cushion beside the hearth, polishing the iron guards for his boots. She hadn't spoken unless addressed, but the stiffness in her shoulders told him she was aware of the looming trip to the council. A land of high vampires, old bloodlines, judgmental lords… and danger. Especially for a human like her.
Virgil sat at his desk, going over the sealed parchment in front of him. A summons from Serf. Official and marked with the wax crest of Gorris. He didn't fear councils—he detested them. But he would not refuse his half-brother. Not now, not when whispers were stirring in Lilith and more powerful forces had begun shifting beneath the soil. Without looking at her, Virgil said lowly, "You'll ride with me to Gorris in the morning."
Akita's hands paused briefly before she resumed cleaning. "Yes, Master," she said quietly, voice unreadable.
The fire crackled.
"You don't want to go," he said, now watching her.
Her eyes lifted, and for a moment, the flames danced in them, strong and alive. "I'm not foolish enough to want to walk into a den of vampires."
"Mm," he hummed. "But you'll go anyway."
"I have no choice."
Virgil stood. His boots echoed against the polished stone floor as he walked toward her. He crouched near her side—not towering over her this time, not threatening. Just close. Too close.
"You think they'll harm you?" he asked.
Akita didn't answer right away. "I think if given the chance, some would enjoy trying."
Virgil studied her. "Then stay near me," he said, a softness underneath the command. "If you're mine, no one touches you."
She glanced at him, surprised by the statement. "Is that ownership or protection?"
He smirked faintly, gaze dragging down to the collar at her throat. "Both."
For a long moment, nothing was said. The fire popped again. She felt the weight of the room change—his mood was shifting, but not into cruelty. He seemed… tired. Maybe even wary. His usual guarded posture lowered ever so slightly.
"You hate it here," he murmured.
Akita frowned. "I hate being trapped."
Virgil leaned in, his voice like velvet and shadows. "Then why haven't you stopped fighting me?"
"Because," she whispered, "a warrior doesn't die just because she's caged."
His red eyes studied her with something unreadable—respect, perhaps, or that maddening curiosity that never quite left him. Then he reached up, brushing a thumb slowly against her cheekbone. It wasn't lustful. Just… contact. Strange and intimate.
"You'll wear something different tomorrow," he said after a breath. "You represent me now."
"I'm your slave," she said sharply.
"And you're mine," he replied with quiet finality. "That's all they need to know well at least for now."
He stood and walked to the door, pausing before exiting. "Be ready by sunrise, Kitten."
Left alone by the fire, Akita exhaled slowly. She touched the cheek he'd grazed, fingers curling.
The Next Day – Arrival at the Council. The council chambers in Gorris Kingdom were as cold as their reputation. Stone pillars lined the main hall, each bearing centuries-old banners of the ruling vampire bloodlines. Lords and ladies of dark grace moved like shadows through the marble halls, their eyes glowing with curiosity—or hunger—as Virgil entered with Akita a step behind him.
Her cloak was black and simple, but her collar glinted beneath it as it jingled as they walked. She kept her head down, but her back remained straight. Proud. Defiant.
Virgil walked as though he owned the place.
As they passed through the long corridor, she could feel the gazes pin her in place. Whispers followed her—disgusted, curious, amused.
"A human? With him?"
"I thought he hated their kind."
"Perhaps he's grown sentimental."
Virgil stopped suddenly. His hand reached back and curled around Akita's wrist—not harshly, just enough to draw her close beside him. He tilted his head back toward the noble vampires watching from above.
"Say something to her," he said coolly, "and I'll rip your tongue out myself."
The silence that followed was immediate.
Akita's eyes widened, stunned by the declaration. Not protection… possession. But a dangerous one.
As they continued toward the grand council chamber, Virgil leaned down just enough to murmur in her ear.
"You're mine. Don't forget it, Kitten. And neither will they."
The council chamber was vast, echoing with centuries of power and pride. At the head of the marble table sat Serf, half-brother to Virgil and the current ruler of Grogis. His dark crown shimmered with obsidian, and his presence was as still and sharp as a blade.
Around him sat nobles from across the vampire dominions—Lords of Ashvale, Lady Everine from the Glasslands, and even the elusive Duke of Thornewatch. Each of them turned when Virgil entered.
And when they saw Akita trailing behind him, silence swept the room like a thick fog.
A human whom who was tribal and dangerous at that.
Virgil said nothing as he took his place at the table, pulling the empty chair beside him out with one fluid motion. He didn't look at Akita, but the gesture was clear for her to Sit.
With her heart drumming, Akita did. She felt every stare crawl across her skin like poison ivy. Still, she met none of them with fear. Not anymore.
"She wears your crest, it's ingraved in the collar" the Duke of Thornewatch observed, his voice languid. "That's a bold statement, even for you, Virgil."
"She belongs to me," Virgil replied without blinking. "And if anyone here wishes to test that—well, I welcome the entertainment."
Some chuckled. Others didn't.
Serf's eyes flicked between his brother and the girl. "She's not just your property, is she?" he said with mild amusement. "Your emotions are showing, Virgil. Unusual for someone who prides himself on having none."
Akita lowered her gaze. Virgil didn't respond at first. But his fingers twitched on the table—so subtle she was likely the only one who noticed.
"I'm not sentimental," he said. "I'm strategic. She's useful."
"To what end?" asked Lady Everine, voice laced with honeyed venom. "She looks soft."
Akita spoke before she could stop herself. "Looks can deceive, my lady."
The silence was absolute.
Virgil's head turned slowly toward her, and for a moment, she feared she had overstepped. But he didn't punish her. He merely smirked. Proud, perhaps. Quietly pleased.
Serf chuckled. "Feisty. I like her."
Virgil's eyes narrowed. "You would do well not to."
The council moved on to business after that—talk of rogue hybrids, missing lords, shifting alliances, and ancient prophecies whispered beneath Gorris soil. Akita said nothing more, but she listened. Closely. Learning. Observing.And Virgil… he let her.
Later That Night – The Manor
They returned to their guest manor just before midnight. The fire had already been lit in the hearth. A modest table was set for two, untouched.
Akita stood near the window, watching the moon bathe the marble courtyard in silver.
"You spoke out," Virgil said behind her.
She turned slowly, uncertain. "I shouldn't have?"
He took a step closer. "They needed to see it. You're not a pet. You're mine—but you have teeth. I wanted them to see both."
"I don't want to be yours," she said quietly.
"I don't care," he replied just as quietly.
Her breath caught. She looked down, struggling to make sense of him—of this. He wasn't kind. He wasn't gentle. But he hadn't broken her, either.
"I don't understand you," she admitted.
"You're not meant to," he said, walking past her toward the table. But then he paused, fingers brushing over a goblet. "You still think of escaping, don't you?"
She didn't answer.
Virgil turned to face her. The firelight caught his features, making his red eyes glow like embers in the dark.
"You won't get far. And if someone else catches you…" He moved toward her slowly, stopping just in front of her. "They won't be as generous as I've been."
Akita held her ground. "Is this your idea of kindness?"
"No," he whispered, eyes trailing over her face. "This is obsession."
The silence stretched. His hand lifted, fingers ghosting along her jaw, barely touching.
"I don't want to want you," he admitted, more to himself than her. "But every time you try to run… every time you fight me…" He drew in a slow breath. "It only makes me want to make you stay."
Her heart was hammering. But she didn't step away.
Virgil's fingers brushed behind her ear, tucking a strand of hair back. It was a strangely gentle act. Too brief. Too dangerous.
"You belong to me, Akita. And tomorrow, when we stand before the high council again, I want them to see it."
"Then let them," she said, voice low. "But I'll never stop wanting my freedom."
A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. Not amused. Not mocking. But darkly… affectionate.
"Good," he murmured. "I'd hate for this to be too easy."