The Ash Clan [Dancing with Vampires Sequel]

Chapter Eight: Over

Chapter 8—Over

“What am I doing here? I demand to know what I’m doing here!” Master Circo raged. He was chained to a wall.

“We’re going to end the sacrifices once and for all,” Master Slayer explained.

“And how do you expect to do that?”

“We sacrifice the cause of the sacrifices in the first place. You and Scarlet were the reason this whole thing started, and you two will end it.”

“Well, I’m the only somewhat living one. Scarlet is dead, and you can’t sacrifice a dead person.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, my brother.”

“What are you going on about?”

“We’d like you to meet a friend of ours,” I said.

“I’m not interested in meeting anyone that’s on your side, you filthy halfing. You did this! You’re the reason that I’m being held captive!”

“Actually, we were all in on it,” Pierce stated.

“You all betrayed me. Now, who is this so-called friend of yours? Is he the mastermind then?”

“She might be quite familiar to you,” Gia replied.

Scarlet walked into the room and Master Circo looked at her wide-eyed.

“I—it’s you.”

“Yes, it’s me.”

“Aurora,” he said.

“I go by Scarlet now,” she replied. “Aurora has been considered dead for years, but Scarlet is a new and improved vampire.”

“You gave up your life to become an eternal one? Why didn’t you ever come find me?”

“Look at you. You’ve turned into a monster. You’re not Master Kiernan, the vampire I fell in love with. Now, you’re Master Circo, the blood-thirsty dictator who cares nothing for humans.”

“I’m sorry, my dear Aurora. I had to do what I had to do. We wouldn’t have been able to survive if—”

“What’s done is done, but we can end all of it tonight,” Scarlet replied. “You and I will be sacrificed.”

“No, I refuse. Why should I give up my life for the humans?”

“Because you used to actually care for them and their safety,” she replied.

“That was centuries ago. I’ve changed.”

“So you have, but that won’t stop the ceremony tonight. You’re going to be sacrificed whether you like it or not. You have no choice.”

“There is always a choice, my dear. You can come with me. You can help me get out of these chains, and you can be my vampire queen. We can rule together.”

“Your offer seems tempting, but I learned a long time ago to never be tempted by a vampire.”

“Aurora—”

“It’s Scarlet.”

“S—Scarlet, please, hear me out. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

“Really? Then why did you take Hazel as a prisoner? Why did you lock up her daughter and her best friend and her true love?”

“Because they are all wrong. Vampires and humans don’t belong together, and there is no room in this world for halflings,” Master Circo answered.