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~Year 2090-Winter-

Rose.

I take a few steps away from Laisha...

...only to be called a second later from Arthur who is now standing at the ballroom doors.

"Cormac," he halts my movements with my name, my gaze turning back on him.

Laisha arches a brow before she walks past Arthur, taking to the ballroom floor in Aohdan's place as coven leader. When I pause for too long, Arthur asks me, "Where's Aohdan? Taft mentioned he's no longer to remain present."

"I'll find him," it's my opportunity to be allowed to slip away without having to sneak around him. It's obvious that Taft hadn't mentioned the extent of what Aohdan is going to do...but why keep that a secret from Arthur?

Oh, that's right...

...because the punishment doesn't fit the code she's broken.

Arthur nods and replies, "Make it quick," he turns back away from me and finishes, "we are stronger together."

I waste no time, taking off from Aohdan's estate and praying that somehow, I might be able to get to the hospital before he follows through with her punishment. I don't think I've ever driven that fast before, but I've hardly killed the engine when I immediately step out the vehicle, slamming the door behind me.

My eyes search the hospital sign and the second I take a step forward, I feel like a deep base drop ricochets through my being. My heart stops in my chest, seeing the vivid purple hues brightly enlighten from the opposite side of the windowpane.

It's his fault...

...of course it's his fault.

As soon as the color rapidly fades, I enter into the hospital and head directly to the front desk. My muscles freeze for but a moment, an eerie shiver traveling down my spine as I glance around me, nothing out of the normal shifting and distorting reality like I've come to know.

Your friend plays dangerous games.

"Council Member," a woman behind the counter nods in my direction, reminding me that I'm here to save Rose...though I already feel as though it's too late. If Tresor had a hand in this, then there's nothing I can do to change the outcome.

You did this to Rose.

"Aohdan," I'm right in front of the woman now, her gaze glancing off down the hallway leading to the emergency rooms.

You'll thank me for what I did to your beloved.

How could I ever possibly thank him...

...then my eyes land on Aohdan, standing directly outside a door. They narrow on him, his gaze transfixed briefly on the floor before he feels my presence. A split second later, he lifts his gaze, his own eyes narrowing right back at me.

"What did you do?" I glower at him, moving to close the space between us.

Aohdan darts his eyes to the window before his gaze finds me once again, "I've humored my beloved to punish Rose in a manner she sought fit..." his voice trails off before he releases a sigh, hesitating for a moment and I catch his tell very quickly as states, "...she's underwent a hysterectomy."

No.

You're lying.

"Are you quite sure about that?" I tilt my head to the side, watching the continued liar stick to his claim.

"Of course," he shrugs his shoulders before a buzz sounds from the other side of the door. Aohdan hardly pays me a second glance before he turns around and moves through the doors. I'm quick to catch it before it swings shut, following him in to see...

...Rose...her breathing is even, her heart rate steady as she's under heavy sedation. The clothes she wears are not the dress that once accentuated her every curve. Instead, the clothing that replaces the dress are black yoga pants and a matching t-shirt, her feet bare while her wrists and ankles are restrained.

I know you fought...but you're not strong enough...

...not yet.

Finally, I let all the anger wash over me. Just as Aohdan turns to glare at me, questioning what I'm doing, I can feel her heart rate accelerate, knowing she's more than likely going to wake soon, and the nightmare here can end.

"What you did was beyond anything you should have ever done!" I snap at him, Aohdan's glare holding a renewed sense of anger, "She broke no code to deserve this type of punishment...this was spitefully done," my voice holds an edge of danger to it, knowing I'm a blatant hypocrite...though I was defending and protecting my beloved whether she knows it or not...

"She's not your slave!" Aohdan growls back, having to remind me many, many times now and I simple don't care, "You may outrank me Cormac, but she is mine to do with as I please. She is mine to punish and you'll do well to hold your tongue and stop insulting me or I'll bring this issue to Arthur. If you can't remain silent and keep your nose out of my business then I'll have no choice-"

It's time to play my next move...

A snarl erupts from my lips when I throw out, "Expose her for what she is? A vagrant? Yes, I'm sure Arthur will be so pleased with what you have taken into your home. You'll be the one under judgement, not I."

I can feel Rose's heart skip a beat the second I blatantly admit that I know everything...

"How do yo-"

"Her blood you idiot!" Playing off the lie that I'd tasted it to confirm whether or not she'd let Dante's scout into Aohdan's estate comes in handy, "I saw her memories...you had the chance to end her life but you didn't, now you'll be the one paying for your actions."

Rose begins to stir and regain complete consciousness. Her eyes slowly begin to open, both Aohdan and I glancing away from one another just to lay our eyes on her as we stand at the foot of the bed.

Time to shame Aohdan for not upholding his spot on the council and as I throw him under the bus, my gaze continues to hold Rose's, "How are we supposed to expect others to follow the code that we put into effect when you go and do shit like this. They maybe nothing more than a tool Aohdan...but there are rules put in place for a reason...they have their rights if they follow the code and you violated hers!"

He doesn't say anything in return and I feel the uneasiness from Rose.

Time to prove she can trust me.

"If you hurt her without just cause any further," my gaze reluctantly leaves hers, locking with Aohdan's, "You'll see exactly how fast one is removed from the council. We uphold the code and that means we do not deviate from it ever even though we have the power to. That's how this world goes on, balanced by our own word. And," instead of staying put, Aohdan merely scoffs at me, walking directly away from me and nearing the right side of the bed she lays on, "if you are even thinking of selecting her to rid yourself of your own mistake, think again. I'll expose you quicker that you can bat your eyelashes."

Aohdan suddenly grasps the guard rail, his grip tightening with each passing second, letting the reality of my words and his situation sink in. Rose just stares with complete shock, but I notice the slight pain that crosses her features.

Aohdan parts his lips to speak and notes, "Fine," shooting Rose a nasty glare before his gaze lands on me, "but you are not to touch her ever again. Your assistance is no longer required in breaking her as if she breaks another code, I'll have something far more worse in store...though I doubt she'll be acting out after this."

Please...

...I'll make sure I know she's safe from now on.

"If she breaks a code...otherwise I will come after you," my threat is real, an ax hanging over the three of us as if it's ready to fall on the next one that speaks.

I can see out of the corner of my eye, tears forming at the brim of Rose's, a small sniffle escaping her the second she releases a shaky breath. She's trying to be strong...when she's been violated beyond anything I could have imagined he would have done to her...

Not another word is spoken, Aohdan's hands unbuckling the straps attached to the cuffs on the bed. Once he's freed her wrists, he then takes to her ankles, releasing her from her bonds before she begins to slowly sit up.

When she remains as is, Aohdan's tone takes on a harshness, "Move slave," the words cutting her flesh while she begins to ease herself down off the hospital bed. The second she attempts to take a step, she loses her balance, whatever anesthetic they'd administered to her isn't completely worn off.

I reach out for her, allowing her to fall into my arms while a sudden rush of warmth can be felt in the center of my chest.

Aohdan wastes no time in reminding me, "I told you not to touch her."

I'm going to do more than touch her...

I notice the way Rose balls her hands into fists while holding my shirt, not wanting to let go. On the next skip of her heartbeat, Aohdan's hand wraps around her arm and yanks her harshly away from my touch, practically dragging her out of the room.

...I'm going to mark her.

The simple thought of committing this act without her knowledge erupts a close quarter conflict within myself.

It's for her own protection...

I'm following them out the sliding glass doors of the emergency room entrance into the hospital, Aohdan moving Rose quickly toward the passenger side of his car. He releases his hold on her for a second to open the door and she slides into the seat without a word. When the door slams shut, her eyes lift up and over the dashboard just as I'm about to walk toward my car.

Rose's eyes lock with my own, only imagining what pain she must be in, the hurt and uncontrollable feelings...what she must think of herself now. I can't even begin to understand...

I'm so, so sorry...

The guilt washes over me like a wave, my barrier breaking for just one moment and I know she must see that I truly am sorry for what's happened. The next thing I know, I'm sliding into my car, watching Aohdan carefully as he pulls away and leads the way back to his estate. I would have never thought he had it in him to do what he's just done.

The garage door opens and he quickly parks his car where I'm not far behind him at all. Following both of them into the hallway, it's not a few seconds later that Taft's voice is cheerful, a smile set upon his lips as he states, "Well, you two finally show up at the last minute to end the night."

Aohdan ignores Taft, pushing Rose forward while ordering, "You're not to leave your room until I say you can," as he does this, Taft easily steps out of the way so Rose can leave as quickly as possible.

My gaze lifts to meet with Taft's, a spark in the depths of his eyes as he informs Aohdan, "Arthur would like to speak with you in your study."

"About what?" I can see the agitation in his features at having to explain his actions and proving he was in the right to punish Rose as he did. If anything, Arthur would only be slightly disappointed that it was at the cost of us four standing as one unit for the Starlight Dance.

Though...

...I'm mistake when Taft notes, "Your choice for the solstice."

I know he won't dare, his eyes shifting to mine briefly. My gaze however, it lingers and follows Rose as she turns a corner, heading in the direction of Aohdan's personal slave quarters.

"Ah, I see," his voice drastically changes now that he's aware he's not about to be put on blast. Taft and Aohdan head in the direction of the ballroom while I opt out to slip away, knowing I'm not the one who has to make two choice this year as we are only four strong instead of five. Instead, I track Rose down, coming to see her traveling down a side hallway.

My voice calls out to her and she halts her movements the second she hears, "Little rose."

It's slow and cautious, the way she turns on her heels. Her gaze scans up from my chest, our eyes meeting before those deep cobalt eyes of her search mine.

"Do you trust me?" I can tell she's surprised I'm asking this question. After what she's been through tonight, one only knows how much the extent of her trust will be from this moment forward...but I have to do this.

"No Sir," her voice is quiet.

My heart skips a beat and I ask, "Have I given you a reason not to trust me?"

She pauses for a moment, collecting herself as I know she's put on a very brave and strong front...but she doesn't have to. I understand and I only wish I could comfort her properly...but then, then I'd destroy everything...

"Yes Sir," she watches me, being honest and open with her tone.

"What is that reason?" I'm quite curious...

"You're a vampire, that's all the reason I need...Sir," her eyes lower away from mine, casting downward to the marble floor.

I analyze her, the stillness between us causing her to become very nervous. I know she feels the way my eyes trail over her, wondering what it is I am going to ask of her.

I can't ask.

I will take...

Please forgive me.

"Come with me," when I release this order from my lips, she doesn't have time to comprehend my actions. I turn away from her, heading down the hallway in the direction of my room and the second we come to a halt in front of the door, I feel her heart skip a sudden beat.

She knows.

This is the room she'd been in with Sidney cleaning.

This is the room where everything started, where I found her.

I open the door and step to the side for her as I say quietly, "Step inside Rose."

The hesitation makes me wonder if she's going to run away...

...is Aohdan the better of the two to run to?

Rose attempts to calm her uneven heartbeat, stepping inside the room before I follow her immediately after. Shutting the door behind me, I can tell from the way Aohdan had traumatized her with the whipping, she won't trust anyone at her back...turning to stare up directly into my eyes.

"I want you to know..." my voice trails off, bringing myself so close to telling her what she means to me, what she is to me...but I can't. Something inside me screams to keep her in the dark, though I don't understand the logical thought process behind it, not for a second. It shows when the frustration on my features becomes known because it reflects in her eyes.

She's taken aback the second I push away from the spot I linger on, walking toward her with determination. She inhales the air sharply into her lungs, backing away from me until she has absolutely nowhere else to go, trapping herself with her back against the bedroom wall. Her face turns away from mine, out of fear or anger, I can't quite pinpoint her emotions as they are running rampant.

The sweet intoxicating scent of roses and her blood intermingle as I stand close to her, my breath fanning her face while I lift my arm and brush my hand against her cheek. She flinches just slightly beneath of my touch, taking everything within her not to jump away from me, in her eyes breaking a code...

"I know you're angry and you have every right to be," my voice is low, her body shuddering at my words. My fingers trail down her cheek, resting beneath of her chin before I lift it. Tilting her head further to the side, I expose the full length of her neck to me, the pulsation of life beneath her flesh drawing me closer.

Her breathing is uneven and soon begins to increase when I brush my nose against her neck, inhaling deeply as she exhales sharply. It's only when my lips touch her delicate skin does she cry out, her arms lifting from her sides and slamming down hard against my forearms.

I'm sorry.

I gather both of her wrists into one of my hands, pinning them against the wall directly above her head so she can't do anything stupid while I claim her. The fear rushes through her veins, smelling it roll off her...I have to trap her further, feeling the curves of her body against my own.

"Please don't..." she begs me, the fear in her voice making me second guess my choice for a split second...but then I remember that I need to know if she's ever in danger, "please don't hurt me Sir...I'm sorry."

It breaks my heart at how broken her voice sounds, the sincerity in her words to just allow her to walk away tears at me. She must think I'm a monster, but at least I'll be able to protect her...

My lips return to the soft skin of her neck, traveling down the side until I halt suddenly. I can feel her vein pulsing beneath of her flesh, my voice a whisper when I tell her, "I won't hurt you. This won't hurt, I promise."

Rose angrily hisses out, "You're a liar, Sir."

I know she's remember when I bit her in the bathroom...

...however, I know she's not the least bit prepared for what I'm about to do to her.

"Trust me," my words send her heart racing like a horse. My free hand gently cradles the opposite side of her neck, making sure to immobilize her so she doesn't squirm and tear away from me. She won't need it for long, but I know she's traumatize by the initial pain of my previous bite.

Rose's muscles tense beneath of my hold, the tips of my fangs touching her skin briefly before I allow for them to puncture her soft flesh. She holds her breath the second this happens, waiting for the horrible pain she knows...though, I'm relieved when she suddenly breathes out the stilled air in her lungs. A gentle and loud moan comes from her parted lips and I smell her arousal, her body relaxing against my touch as her arms suddenly give out and go slack against my hold.

I press harder against her, releasing her wrists where her arms fall down to her sides. Another moan quickly surfaces, my hand sliding down the side of her body, feeling the curve of her hip before I let my hand rest on her waist. It's a moment I wish I could let last forever, and to take her into my bed this second...

...unfortunately, I can't.

My fangs slowly retracting from her flesh, lifting back and away as my blood stained irises meet with her hooded cobalt ones. They search mine, the confusion and unimaginable pull she must be experiencing leaves me with a tinge of guilt that it's forced upon her instead of willingly allowing me to claim her...

...all I can say as her eyes search mine for some type of explanation is, "I'm sorry little rose."

Those beautiful eyes hold so many questions I wish I could give her the answer to...in time, she'll have them all, save for...

...one.

Slowly, I pull away from her, watching as she grasps at the wall so she doesn't fall. Rose continues to question me with those eyes and I have to cut her short and become jaded on the surface before I slip up.

"Leave," I can tell it hurts her, knowing she doesn't understand these harbored and innate feelings now surfacing...the confusion, it's real. She doesn't say another word, the embarrassment and conflicted emotions giving her away as she leaves the room with whatever dignity she has left...what she things I've taken from her.

I close the door behind her, leaning my back against it. My head tilts back, bringing my thumb up to my lips and soon drawing it away. I see her blood, taste in lingering on my lips as a reminder of what I've done.

--♗--

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