Chapter 3

I feigned surprise: "Does helping out a little bit really count as crossing boundaries? Doesn't Ethan help you all the time too? Let me think... Last time when you said your blood spring was acting up, Ethan rushed over in the middle of the night. By that logic, wouldn't you two have crossed the line ages ago? And from what I hear, when he was adjusting your blood spring, you two weren't just chatting."

Lilith choked up for a moment: "That's different."

I grinned: "Well, what's between Damien and me isn't the same thing either."

When it was time to leave, I didn't get into Ethan's carriage.

Instead, I turned and boarded another lavish carriage adorned with black feathers.

Last night, it wasn't Damien.

The marks on his wrist weren't bite marks, but rather wounds from some sharp object. They lacked the depth and shape of teeth impressions.

It couldn't have been him.

Staring at the dark woods flashing by outside the window, I felt a bit lost. Was this Ethan's doing? To use as leverage to break off our engagement? Or was it to threaten me?

For these past three centuries, I've been nothing but kind to him.

He's just a vampire from a minor branch, without powerful bloodlines or deep roots.

I've stood by him as we fought for status in the vampire council, sharing my power and territory.

I've paved the way for him using my family's ancient network of connections. Overwhelmed by a torrent of emotions and exhausted from a sleepless night, I found myself drifting off, leaning towards the car window.

My cheek touched something cold on the other side.

A sudden jolt startled me awake, and I found myself staring into a pair of cool, distant amber eyes.

"Victor......"

My heart skipped a beat.

The man was impeccably dressed in a tailored black suit that accentuated his sharp features. His cold, impassive eyes made his already strikingly handsome face appear even more aloof and frigid.

"We'll reach the hunting grounds in half an hour."

His reminder sounded more like a warning.

I instinctively sat up straight. "I'm sorry......"

Among the three, he was the first I ruled out as a suspect.

Because this once-golden boy, a highly esteemed elder among vampires, was now... "disabled."

His custom wheelchair was fixed in one corner of the carriage.

Before the great war with the werewolves a century ago, Victor had been the brightest star among vampires - of noble blood and immeasurable power.

He had been the youngest elder, unifying several warring clans with an iron fist.

His reputation had been at its peak, his brilliance unmatched.

Now, he "struggled" to move, "clutching" his cane tightly when getting out of the carriage, "inching" himself from the seat to the wheelchair. I want to help him, but Victor glanced at me coolly and said it wasn't necessary.

I was surprised he agreed to come to this night feast.

Ethan spoke knowingly: "For a 'fallen' powerful figure like him, it's best to treat him as a normal person. His energy is severely depleted and he hasn't been able to recover. Before, he was the family heir with a bright future. Now his father has started grooming other children. As for him? He can barely fend for himself."

"He probably wanted to get some fresh air, but don't let him get any ideas about suicide - we can't be held responsible for that."

I frowned at the schadenfreude in Ethan's words.

The temporary camp was set up next to the hunting grounds. Everyone gathered around the huge bonfire, the flames illuminating each vampire's pale or otherworldly face.

Lilith and Ethan arrived last. Her lips were red and swollen, with fresh bite marks barely visible at the corners. Her neck bore several prominent hickeys, and red finger marks were visible on her impressive cleavage peeking out from her low-cut gown. Clearly, they had just finished a passionate encounter.

Perhaps it was foreplay between the "lovebirds".

Lilith suddenly looked at me: "Scarlett, didn't you say you were going to introduce me to a powerful partner?" She deliberately winked at Victor, the most handsome and seemingly "harmless" one.

"Where is everyone?"

I laughed.

For this trip, I did have an ulterior motive - to help Lilith find a good match.

But Ethan lost his temper at me for it: "Are you a matchmaker or something? Always trying to set people up! That 'sister' of yours has a strong libido and is nothing but trouble. Don't even think about inflicting her on my allies!"

I tossed a piece of deadwood into the fire. "Everyone's here. Ask them yourself."

The flames leapt high, illuminating everyone's faces, each hiding their own agenda.

I stood to the side, leaving Ethan no choice but to swallow his displeasure.

Lilith noticed and grew even more smug. She took the initiative to ask Victor: "Come on, tell us - what kind of female vampire do you three distinguished gentlemen prefer?"

She tilted her head, her eyes glistening with moisture. As she spoke, she deliberately pushed out her chest, allowing her voluptuous curves to play peek-a-boo in the firelight, appearing both seductive and innocent.

I just never expected that Victor, who always carried himself with an air of superiority and showed little interest in his surroundings, would actually respond to this question.

"What kind do you like?"

This sentence was normal. The only abnormal thing was...

This sentence.

Victor was saying it to me.