Hellfire

Chapter Nineteen

Under Arnold's firm instruction, I drunk a massive glass of water and sat in the kitchen as I spat out clods of ash that had accumulated from my nightmare and the Beaumonts attack. It was a lot, and it didn't help my fire was still simmering in the background whenever I thought of Lucius and his refusal to help me and just how far I'd pushed him. How much I'd corrupted him. I knew what was feeling was guilt and self-hatred, but I couldn't stop the rage in the pit of my belly.

I couldn't stop scratching my palm either.

Mo was hovering near me as she helped Arnold prepare breakfast for the youngsters currently being kicked out of bed by Sam, while Ella sat rigidly beside me. It was difficult ignoring Ella's questioning stare from her perch opposite. Her gaze blazed into the side of my face, almost willing me to hear her questions shouting in her mind.

'I'm fine.' I breathed out with exasperation. 'I just need sleep.'

'Your back was shredded.'

'Yes.'

'By the Beaumonts.'

'Yes.'

'And they were trying to get you to admit you were a witch.'

'Yes.'

'And you're fine?'

'Yes. I hurt, but they didn't find out. Our boys are safe.'

Ella stiffened, worry snaking over her features coldly. 'What do you mean?'

'The Beaumonts need men.' Arnold interrupted as he slid a plate of scrambled egg and toast in front of me. 'From what I've been hearing, all they're producing are women and at a low rate. They need Vortigerns to give them an injection of male heirs and higher reproduction.' He said and set to work quickly in serving a very sugary tea for me, no doubt hoping it'll help shake my lethargy. 'They intended to blackmail Lucius, Ella. He will bend if they can prove Susan is a Bright witch in his care and agree to himself and Alistair becoming their grooms, possibly even Oliver, who is near blue-blood, and most likely Henry when he's grown.'

The blood-fled from Ella's face. 'They'd do that?'

'They're pure-blooded vampires and traditionalists; self-centred creatures who think only about their own survival. If they can get a rival House who supports the Eventide Queen they detest into their grasp, all the better.' Arnold said with a sigh as he sat by me. 'They'll be back at some point Susan.'

I shrugged and sipped at my tea. Next time Lucius would either give me the freedom to burn them to cinders or he'd handle them himself. He'd warned them twice. He may be patient, but he had his limits.

Ella was becoming rigid with hostility. 'Would Lucius really give himself and Alistair up just to protect you, Susan? His own nephew? Because I know Alistair wouldn't go along with it. He'd refuse to be forced to marry someone he didn't want.' She announced hotly, appalled and clearly detesting the idea by how she blazed with upset. Despite being distant with Alistair, she cared about him intensely still. It made me all the more curious about why she was pushing him away again.

'Lord Vortigern vowed to protect Susan. He gave her his home to keep her from the Covens and whatever it is they do with Brights to stifle their fires. He sees it as his job to protect her.' Arnold said softly. 'But protecting Alistair is also his job. If Lucius can bargain, he will make sure Alistair is left. I wouldn't be surprised if he agrees to integrate fully into the Beaumont House and leaves the Vortigerns in Alistair's care.' He pat her shoulder gently. 'It's just himself Lucius is never willing to protect.'

I had to agree with that sentiment. It was why Lucius' refusal to help me was so left field to me, I realised. He often did everything within his power to keep me safe, and yet he was being selfish for once. I breathed for a moment and shook my head from the sparks of anger to ignite. I needed to let go of my guilt. I couldn't take my blood back now. I needed to be calm.