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~Year 2091-Winter-

After thinking about it for awhile, I decide that the only way I can get Rose out of this is not only offering up another one of my personal slaves as replacement...but playing into Arthur's obsession with Dante.

Kev, you'll be forfeiting Missy.

Wait...what?!

Walking down the staircase, I reach the bottom landing and glance toward the living area. Noticing a light remains on and Arthur is sitting by himself, his eyes very distant while he holds the rim of a glass in his fingertips. There's something very off...especially the way he glances at me very slowly before hardly changing his facial features and his expression remains vacant. Odd enough as it is, I shake the feeling and make my way out and cross the snowy grounds toward the slave housing unit.

Cormac, what are you doing?

It's quiet when I enter it, passing a few slaves that have stayed up late as they cast their gaze elsewhere. Walking to the end of the hallway and up the female side of the housing unit. My eyes scan the room of sleeping girls, only to hone in right on Missy, walking toward the side of her bed before siting on the edge of it.

Missy stirs at my actions, her eyelids opening slowly until she finally sees me. She gasps and I place a finger to my lips, motioning her to sit up. My lips are close to her ear when I whisper, "I have a job for you..."

Missy nods her head when I pull away. Standing to my feet, she pulls away the covers, walking with me as we move back through the main living area. When we near the door, I turn around and Missy stares up at me, my gaze quickly flickering out toward the three girls sitting on the couch and chairs. Raising my voice slightly, I order them, "Get to bed, the Starlight Dance is tomorrow and there'll be much preparation in the morning required."

All going well...Missy will serve in Rose's place.

Cormac...

I don't want to hear it. You'd rather stand up for your little whore and see my bond destroyed with my actual beloved?

He's quiet on his response, knowing what the right choice is here.

They are quick to disperse, Missy remaining quiet until they have left the room. She tilts her head to the side and asks, "What type of job do you have for me, Master?"

"I wanted to go above and beyond showing my generosity to the council this year...though I think I chose the wrong slave for the job sadly," I release a sigh and appeared annoyed.

Missy's eyes widen and she asks, "Who did you pick, Master?"

"Rose..." more annoyance fills my voice as I shake my head, "...I shouldn't have been so confident in someone who believes they can ever come close to the way you somehow seduce me in bed," god these lies are some of the hardest to tell...but if I don't, we're all screwed.

A sly smirk makes its way onto her face when she nods, "Master, of course...whatever you need me to do, I'll be happy to serve."

Of course...I knew I came to the right person.

"You'll no longer be sleeping in the slave housing unit," I motion around us before concluding, "you'll be serving all of the council members from this point on..." Arthur won't say no, not with the stance I'm taking in regards to Rose.

"You want me to..." her voice trails off as everything begins to sink in. Her eyes hold mine and with the look I have set on my face, she then nods her head and finishes, "I'll do it, Master."

With a small smile making its way onto my face I reply, "Thank you, Slave...you're doing me a huge service with this request."

Request...not order.

Turning on my heels, we make our way across the terrain back to the castle, Missy quickly darting in front of me to open the door. Allowing me access inside, the second we move to the bottom of the staircase, Arthur is still seated where he was when I left. Nodding up the stairs and then whispering to Missy I say, "If Arthur's room is locked, stand outside and wait for him...otherwise, present yourself for his arrival."

"Yes, Master," she replies quietly, making her way up the stairs before I turn and head into the living room.

Arthur releases a sigh while taking a sip from his glass before setting it down, his eyes more watchful as I come to sit across from him. He arches a brow and says, "I never would have believed you offering up your prized personal slave as the council's personal whore...though you are definitely making this winter solstice entertaining and memorable," he chuckles at his own statement, something darker lingering in his eyes.

He's searching me...

...what does he know?

Not allowing for him to trap me and pry information I shake my head and state, "Change of plans, Rose won't be serving the council."

"Oh?" He arches a brow with a questioning look before saying, "Dante had his turn with her...and he's the lowest ranking on this council."

Chuckling to myself I say, "Exactly my point..." his features change when I nod, "...you want me to deceive Dante, let me use Rose to help lower his guard and provide him with a false sense of security."

Arthur thinks about it for a moment, a few minutes go by before he responds, "I'm still disappointed however, I see your reasoning and I'll allow it."

"Oh Arthur, I wouldn't want to leave you disappointed...especially while it's your winter solstice to host," a chuckle leaves my lips when I say, "I've offered up another one of my personal slaves in Rose's stand as to not offend you in the slightest..." my voice trails off when I see the interest peak within Arthur's features, "...in fact, she's waiting for you now."

Arthur sets his glass down on the table from the armrest it had been linger on. A smirk makes its way onto his face before he states, "Well then, I was wrong about you."

"Why is that?" I question as he stands to his feet, moving toward the entryway.

"You don't hold favoritism...now do you?" He questions, a glint reflecting in his eyes as my heart remains beating evenly.

Shaking my head and relaxing back against the couch I reply, "Of course not."

"Then I'll take Rose instead," Arthur is quick and my muscles tense, not able to hide the subtle change in my demeanor. He notices this...though the hard look on his face softens as he jokes and laughs, "I'm kidding...I like your idea much better, especially if it'll end the way we want it to."

The way you want it to.

I close my eyelids while hearing Arthur's footsteps ascend the stairs, leaning my head back against the couch while releasing a very small sigh. Rose is safe...for now.

--♗--

The day passes by, entering into the next phase of night as the Starlight Dance draws near. Dante catches me leaving my room, adjusting my tux before setting my sights on the hallway leading to the top landing of the stairs. I'd already heard Arthur and Taft leave their rooms, and it's becoming very obvious the alter in Aohdan's demeanor as well.

Rochelle is being kept with him at all times. Not only that...I've hardly noticed Laisha spending time around him...in fact, it appears she's dodging her appearance around the council.

"Cormac, did yo-" Dante is quick to ask me and I turn my gaze on him, and cut him right off.

"Yes...Rose is safe for now, that's why Arthur requested one of your personal slave bracelets...however," I pause a moment, watching his movements carefully as I try to piece everything together while asking him, "I need to know...especially if it's important...who is Laisha?"

Dante gives me a long look before shaking his head and nodding toward the staircase, "She's none of your concern."

We can't do this...not now, we all need to be on the same page.

Narrowing my eyes on him I snarl, "If she's dangerous or could tip the scales of our plan in any way at all...I need to know...I can't play around a blind spot."

Dante becomes very defensive and states, "You hid information from me Cormac. When I asked you if you knew who took part in my brother's death, you said no...so I'm blatantly going to tell you in regards to Laisha...no."

"Why are you doing this?" I'm angry now...he's holding a grudge at the wrong time. Everything keeps clicking into place, watching and learning his tells as he's been the hardest for me to understand and pinpoint. I ask him, "Are you afraid I might act on any information you tell me? That it might affect our plan?"

He remains the same...that is, until my eyes widen slowly, "Laisha isn't avoiding the council...she's avoiding you. Whatever information I gave you in regards to Richard-"

My back hits the hallway wall, a groan leaving my lips when Dante has one of his hands wrapped around the front of my throat. His eyes glare angrily at me as he snarls, "There are many reasons I came back...but the first and foremost one was to exact revenge for my brother. You won't stop me or get in my way..."

His voice is dangerous and when I try to say, "I need to kno-"

His hand compresses harder around my throat and I gasp for air, Dante's temper flaring when he states, "You don't need to know anything....I will handle her," he pauses for a moment before asking darkly, "do we understand one another?"

There's nothing else I'm going to be able to do at this point...so I nod my head and he releases the death grip on my neck. Coughing for a moment as I breathe in and out carefully, Dante backs away from me before asking, "Shall we join the others?"

I don't respond, walking right past him as the anger inside my chest begins to rise. He shouldn't be keeping secrets, especially if this could potentially spell disaster for Rose. We both make our way into the ballroom after descending the stairs, heading toward our spots on the platform...my gaze quickly flickering over what I've allowed Missy to be subjected to. It's not fair to her, but I had to make a choice and I'll choose my beloved every time.

I catch a rather interesting sight...Aohdan has Rochelle with him on the platform...keeping her very close while Laisha remains a recluse.

It's not all that long before Rose enters through those doors with one of Arthur's slaves, the other girl dispersing to the refreshment table however, Rose's attention is caught by the attention that Missy draws from vampires and slaves alike. One of the vampires chuckles, "Keeping a fake cock in her at all times...bet she's horny as hell."

Many remarks follow and I see the pity and disgust on Rose's features. She may resent Missy for everything she's done...but both her and I know no one deserves this...

Rose's eyes avert from Missy, turning away as she walks toward the floor length windows, the glass patio doors standing next to her while she stares out into the night sky. When she glances over her shoulder, I'm not the first to capture her attention, Dante eyeing her briefly before he stares out across the room. When she glances at me, I perform a similar action though my muscles tense, not wanting to show any more attention than she needs.

Who did that to Missy?

Rose's thoughts slip through mine and I release a small sigh. A few moments later...he walks through those ballroom doors. Not only at Warren's sudden arrival...do I see Laisha finally make her presence known.

I'll give you one guess.

Arthur?

Like I said...you've never seen anyone like him before little rose...and that easily could have been you in her place...if that had happened...I don't even...

I catch Dante out of the corner of my eye, honing in and waiting for his tell. We both watch as Laisha nears Warren, whispering something into his ear. A moment later, the second she takes Warren's hand into her own as they come together on the dance floor...I see it. Dante's nostrils flare for a moment, though my attention is drawn immediately to Arthur who also is walking on the dance floor...nearing Rose.

He outstretches his hand once they make eye contact while he demands, "Dance with me Slave."

FUCK!

I glance at Dante and he sees exactly what I do. His eyes are wide the second she replies, "Yes Master," though it comes out evenly, I can tell Rose is only doing this because of his command...

Arthur guides her to the center of the ballroom floor, Warren catching her gaze while Laisha and him move to the outskirts of the floor along with many of the other vampires. My muscles tense when Arthur wraps his arm around her waist, her hand in his other while her arm rests on his shoulder.

I try to break through to her thoughts...though it's like ramming into an unbreakable wall.

Dante can communicate through the hybrid bond...maybe...

...Dante shakes his head when our eyes lock, already knowing the question burning on the tip of my tongue.

He's going to know.

There's no doubt about it that Arthur will know Rose is blood related to him...

...though why would he even dance with her in the first place...unless he suspects something...

The music plays a soft melody, observing the way it entrances her as he guides her through the very complex and elegant dance that belongs to the Valentine line. Even Rose begins to realize something is off, the way she furrows her brows while Arthur and her have garner a large amount of attention.

She meets my gaze briefly, hoping she'll let me into her thoughts...though by each passing second, I believe that she isn't the one keeping me from them. Her heart races in her chest, almost stopping the second Arthur lowers his lips to her ear to whisper something.

He's quick to pull away from her, spinning her outward while her eyes search his before pulling her back in. Rose's back lands against his chest, his lips lowering once again to her ear...continuing toward her neck, his eyes searching her flesh, though he finds nothing. My heart skips a beat, Dante walking around Aohdan to come stand next to me, just as Arthur grazes the tips of his fangs against her skin.

I see Rose's lips moving in a response...though I can't catch any of it. Arthur chuckles, bringing his lips back to her ear before he whispers something back to her. The dance ends a few moments later, Arthur leaving her alone while she's quick to break away from the crowd and step out onto the upper patio balcony.

Arthur's face remains unchanged, though he hardly casts any of us a glance as he stands watching the dancing continue. Once Warren separates from Laisha, I observe Dante stepping down off the platform next to me. He crosses the space and comes to stand next to her. She has a very angry look set on her face, their hushed whispering covered up by the music. It's only when I see that Dante takes an aggressive step toward her do I also join him, moving around to catch their attention.

"Thank god you're here," Laisha rolls her eyes and motions to Dante, "this one can't take no for an answer."

"Excuse me?!" Dante fumes and I see his jaw clench, his anger bubbling to the surface.

Laisha releases a sigh and says, "I need to be somewhere," before staring right at me as if I'm to come to her aid.

She moves away and disperses through the crowd a second later. Dante glares at me and asks, "Why did you do that?"

"What did I do? You won't tell me anything and you look like you're going to kill her..." my voice trails off, but when he part his lips to speak I cut him off, "...whatever you suspect or however you're going to act, don't do it in front of the others right here and now."

"I'll tell you the secon-"

Dante cuts himself short, gazing over my shoulder before he asks, "Rose and Warren?"

Turning around to see exactly what he does, it's not only Warren, but Laisha slipped past the crowd around the outskirts. We both see her order Warren inside and he quickly complies before she closes the glass doors behind her.

Dante moves past me as he states dangerously, "We have to separate them...NOW."

"Dante...wha-"

I'm cut off this time, both of us walking toward the glass doors however, we stop in our tracks when we both see Rose shaking her head. She doesn't want us interfering with whatever is happening, only this time I'm taken aback when the vampire steps out in front of me, blocking both of our paths...

...I keep myself restrained, the control hard as she appears like the day she had before I killed her, the markings on her skin have vanished. Kirsten smiles at both of us, her hand extending as she practically forces us to shake her hand. It's not just me, she appears to others but no one knows the truth behind her presence. A chill travels down my spine, the last time she was present...

...she tried to make it so Rose couldn't have children...so...now...

Dante's eyes narrow on her while he whispers to me, "Rose, sh-"

"Oh...you won't have to worry about that much longer. I nudge Miss Laisha in the right direction...someone to take her anger out on just like before the previous time he stopped me," Kirsten smiles at me and places a finger to her lips when she turns to Dante, "she definitely won't be able to have children now..."

Rose!

Exhaling sharply, I don't feel it...

Her connection severs a split second later where my eyes search wildly past Kirsten. Like the shade she is, Dante is left staring off as she moves away...disappearing through the rest of the bodies dancing on the floor. Furrowing my brows in confusion, I glance out onto the patio balcony area...though there is not a single soul standing there.

I turn to Dante, keeping myself calm as I ask, "Where is Laisha and Rose?"

"I-I didn't see...I do-don't know," Dante appears to be bewildered, something like this rattling him like I've never seen before. As both of us walk back toward the platform, my heart continues to beat fast as I search the ballroom again, trying to see if perhaps she'd slipped back inside and we hadn't noticed...

...that is until Mercury comes running through the ballroom doors.

--♗--

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