Once Betrayed Never Forgotten

Chapter 103: The Edge of Comfort

“Impossible,” Kieran says gravely. “I cannot take you to Aleksandr, even if I wished to.”

Kieran’s words hang in the air, his grin widening as he watches my expression dasken. My brows furrow, suspicion gnawing at my mind. “Why not?” I demand, my voice tense.

Kieran chuckles, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Oh, ma dear lass,” he says, his Scottish lilt thick with laughter. “Dye really think Aleksandr’s still in LA, waitin fer ye to return from yer little jaunt to the Fiery Realm?”

A pang of uncertainty twists in my chest, my heart sinking. “So you think he’s left?”

Kieran nods, his grin turning into a wry smile. “Aye, Aleksandr never stays in one place fer long. An with ye missin‘, he’d be scourin‘ the earth to find ye. He’s no fool.”

Bloodbane’s brow furrows, his eyes narrowing. “Then where do you suggest we go?” he asks, his voice tinged with irritation.

I nod in agreement, my gaze fixed on Kieran. “Can you take us to the Castle of Endless Night?”

Kieran’s smile falters, his eyes darkening. I’d love to,” he says, his voice grave. “But ye see, ye need an invitation tae enter another vampire realm. The angels of each realm control entry an‘ exit, guardin‘ their domains. Except fer the Earth realm, of course,” he adds, his gaze shilling to the castle walls. “Because Verde’s been missin fer centuries, we’ve lost the ability to keep others out. So earth’s a free for all now.”

The realization dawns on me, a sinking feeling gnawing at my gut. “You’re part of the Verde vampire clan,” I say softly

Kieran nods, his grin returning, though his eyes are shadowed with sadness. “Aye, an‘ we canna do much about it. But I can still send word to Aleksandr, let him know where ye are. Hell come to us, I promise. Before nightfall, even.” He offers a reassuring smile, his bright hazel eyes gleaming. “Until then, ye should make yerselves comfortable. Th‘ castle is at yer disposal, But first, will yeand yer friends join me fer breakfast in the main hall?

Bloodbane scolls,

his eyes narrowing. “I doubt well enjoy your manner of breakfast,” he mutters, his lips curling into a sneer.

Oh, yeah. Keiran’s a vampire, so his breakfast is probably chained to the breakfast table, about to be drained of all his or her blood, then buried in a shallow grave somewhere. Not exactly my cup of tea.

“Thanks, but we’ll pass,” I say, trying to hide my discomfort, but Kieran picks up on it anyway.

Kieran’s laughter echoes through the chamber, his eyes gleaming. “Nay, I don‘ mean a blood meal,” he says, his grin widening “Ma chefs cook up a traditional Scottish breakfast every morning an it’s a delight fer the whole household.”

“But why?” Pyra asks, her brows furrowing. “You’re a vampire, your kind feeds on blood. That is the only sustenance you need. All else is

“Just fer pleasure, lass,” Kieran interrupts, winking. “Don‘ ye ever do things just fer the joy of it? Ye might never need to eat, but that doesn’t mean ye cannar enjoy a good meal. His hazel eyes gleam, his grin widening. “An there’s nothin‘ I like more than pleasure. Join me?”

I hesitate, glancing at my companions, their expressions unreadable. “Alright,” I say finally, my voice tinged with resignation. Ill join you, I guess +10%

Pyra and Bloodbane nod in agreement, although somewhat reluctantly.

Kieran claps his hands together, his grin widening. “Brilliant! Follow me, then.”

Bonus

08:08

We trail after him, our footsteps echoing off the stone floors as we make our way through the twisting corridors of the castle.

We enter a grand dining hall, its long wooden table stretching towards a massive stone fireplace. An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling, its crystal pendants glinting in the warm glow, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the room. Platters of food line the table, laden with eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, and freshly baked bread. The savory scent wafts through the air, mingling with the aroma of burning wood.

Kieran gestures towards the table, his eyes gleaming. “Help yersels,” he says, his grin widening. “There’s plenty to go around.”

I slide into a chair, my gaze sweeping over the array of food. Bloodbane and Pyra take their seats beside me, their eyes scanning the table warily

“Enjoy.” Kieran says, his grin widening. “It’s a taste of home, aye?”

1 force a smile, my hand twitching towards a slice of bread, my stomach churning. Thank you,” I say, my voice

e tight. I ribble at the bread, the warm,

Chapter 103 The Edge of Comfort

yeasty flavor filling my mouth, but the knot in my stomach tightens.

Bloodbane’s eyes flicker towards Kieran, his expression darkening. “Why are you helping us?” he asks, his voice low and suspicious.

Kieran’s grin widens, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. “Ah told ye, Blood Wraith,” he says, his voice smooth. “Pleasure. Th‘ thrill o‘ seein‘ whit yell do next. An‘ besides, Arianna an I huy a history, dinnae we?”

“I guess,” I mumble, looking down at my food again to avoid his gaze.

Drawn by the smell of breakfast, several people wander into the grand dining room, taking up sests. I glance up from my plate, taking in the assortment

–

of newcomers — a mix of bohemians and eclectic characters. They seem to beeter on the edge of looking either very rich or very poor, their disheveled appearances contrasting with some of their fine clothing.

Are they h

Are they human, or vampire, or something else? Hard to tell.

One man, his hair a wild mess of curls, wears an expensive–looking silk robe, its deep midnight blue fabric flowing around him as he sits down. Beside him, a woman in her thirties, her makeup smudged and eyes bleary, adjusts her torn, oversized sweater, her bangles clinking against the table as she reaches for a slice of bread. A variety of ages and accents fill the room, their voices blending into a chaotic symphony.

My gaze shifts to a thin, older woman with dark glasses, her face lined with years of wear. She picks through the fruit salad, carefully extracting only the black grapes, her plate filling with a heap of the dark fruit.

“Lovely weather, isn’t it?” a British accented voice says, my ears catching the words amidst the chatter. The woman in the smudged makeup nods, her brow furrowing,

“Perfect for a hangover,” the mutters, her voice hoarse, toying with her hair.

A man at the far end of the table chortles, his eyes bloodshot. ‘Bloody brilliant party last night, though, he slurs, his words thick with an Irish it. “So brilliant I fell off me horse into the pond.‘

Laughter ripples through the room, the eccentric strangers

mused glances.

They eventually turn their attention towards me, Bloodbane, and Pyra, their eyes gleaming with curiosity. The older woman with the dark glasses sidlo closer to Bloodhane, her thin lips curling into a smirk.

“Well, hello there,” she parts, her voice raspy. “Aren’t you a handsome one?”

Bloodbane’s eyes narrow, a flicker of unease crossing his face.

“May 17” she asks, leaning in, her bony fingers reaching towards his pointed ears before he can answer. She traces the delicate curves, her lips pursing “What fine points you have,” she whispers, her tongue darting out to wet her lips. “I bet they’re not the only things sharp about you,” she adds, her voice laden with innuendo.

Bloodbane pulls back, his face tightening, but before he can respond, Kieran’s voice cuts through the air.

“Friends,” he says, his smile widening as he rises to his feet, his arms outstretched. “Allow me to introduce ma guests. Arianna Eaves, Bloodbane +10% something or other, an‘ the lovely Pyra, all three of them fresh from an adventure in the fiery realm. Please don‘ bother them too much, they’ve hudonus great ordeal.”

A murmur of interest ripples through the room, the new arrivals turning their curious gazes back on us, before rapidly losing interest.

08:04

The eclectic group resumes their charter, their voices rising and falling in a chaotic blend of accents. I glance at Bloodbane, his face still tight, his gaze flickering towards the older woman, who seems to watch him with a predatory gleam in her eyes.

Pyra shifts uncomfortably beside me, her golden eyes darting around the room, her posture tense. “Arianna,” she whispers, her voice strained. “Are we

safe here!

I nod, my gaze shifting to Kieran, his laughter echoing through the room. “I think so,” I say, my voice low. “At least for now.”

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