Thrones of Astoria - HEAVY EDITING-

Chapter 9

The whole room was filled with silence. People were either shaking with fear or plotting against Ashton. Sabrina and Talia were practically the border between Ashton and Astoria. Both blondes knew that their brother would drag them and Astoria back to the castle. The sibling stare-off was buying time for something to happen.

Alexander used his enhanced speed to steal Astoria out of the tension-filled room. He took her into the large kitchen. She was confused about what he was doing. He quickly kissed her. She was so focused on the kiss that she wasn't paying attention to what he was doing. He slipped a vile of his blood into her jacket pocket.

"Why did you do that?" Astoria asked him as he leaned his forehead against hers.

"In case something bad happens," He answered with sad eyes. "I love you."

Ashton dismissed Valentina and Lola back to New York City, The girls weren't happy to leave. They were forced to keep a dark secret. One that they could never spill to another soul. The tall, powerful man decided it was best to gain information about the girls from Sabrina. Talia took the chance to sneak into the kitchen.

"Astoria, we have to go back home." She said to the couple in front of her.

The young redhead told Alexander goodbye for now. As she was hugging him, he nodded over to Talia to let her know that their plan had been put into place. The vampire had whispered into Astoria's ear to remember 24 hours. She looked at him in a confused way, but she figured it had some type of meaning. Talia had touched the younger girl's shoulders, letting her know that it was time to go.

Both girls exited the room. The Blackwoods were used to the drama of the Stars but did respect them. Dracus Blackwood told his family to stay back while the Stars and Astoria used magic to go home. As soon as the Stars got to their castle, Astoria was ready to hide in her room. She kept thinking back to what Ashton said, "She's only alive because of me. Until she is dead, she is my property." She questioned why she never thought of killing herself.

"Don't even think about it," Taliaa told her.

Astoria's eyes went wide, "How did, how did you know what I was thinking?"

"5 years and you haven't caught on? Why do you think I'm always a step ahead?" Talia smirked. "Silly girl."

"You can read minds." Astoria realized.

"I can explain the reason for what's in your pocket, but not right now." She told the young girl.

Astoria looked at her as if she was crazy. She began to search the jacket pockets and felt the vial of blood, but never pulled it out. Now entering the room, Ashton stormed over to the girl and pulled roughly on her arm. She kept fighting against him but never stopped. She shoved her palms into his chest but remained unbothered. He used his magic to teleport them into the castle's personal Catacombs.

"Let me go!" The redhead cried out.

"You are to stay down here until I believe it's safe for you to leave!" Ashton yelled at her.

"You're putting me in timeout?" She fought against his strength.

He grabbed her wrist tightly, "We have Lucifer searching for you and you think it's best to sleep with vampires."

"At least he treats me better than you ever will." She said which made him stop in his tracks.

"I could kill you." He threatened in a low voice.

"Oh, please do it. Do it you fucking coward. Just end it already!" Astoria mocked. "But you won't, remember what you said, I'm your property."

His green eyes went black, and he wrapped his large hands around her throat. The man shoved her against the stone wall. She gasped as her back made contact. She closed her eyes as he tightened his grip. Ashton's height difference from hers allowed him to stare down at her.

"You claim to hate Damien, but you are no different than him." Astoria managed to say, causing him to let go. "You're as much as a monster as he is."

"The difference between him and I is he would actually kill you." Ashton leaned down to her as she fell to the dirty, hard ground. "He would strangle you and smile as the light in your eyes faded away."

"Good," Tears formed in her eyes. "Bring him here to finish the job."

At that very moment after 5 years, Ashton realized that Astoria would rather be dead than live with him.

"Maybe I should just send you to my brother's castle for a week." He laughed to himself. "That could be a better punishment. I shouldn't though, it would just be handing you to Lucifer. Only God knows that those two are working together."

"Go ahead, leave me down here with the dead and see what I do." Astoria knew that Ashton often used the bones of the dead for some spells.

She was stronger than he knew.

"You must have a thing for being around the dead since you love fucking vampires so much. I should just kill Alexander Void again and fix all this mess." Ashton laughed which started an echo off the walls.

"I'll just find him again," Astoria smirked up at him.

"It could be best for me to chain you up down here. You wouldn't cause any trouble." Ashton and she turned their heads when they heard a wooden door slam.

"Leave her alone, Ashton." A female voice said.

"Allyson, what are you doing here?" He asked.

She stepped into the dim light, "Am I not allowed to visit my power crazed cousin?"

Allyson Star was the second oldest sibling from the other side of the Star family. She was never fond of everyone's obsession over Astoria, but she did hate it when Ashton was abusive. There had been so many victims in their past, Allyson did try to heal them if harmed. She helped the younger girl off the ground and dusted off any dirt.

"How would you feel if I locked you away, Ashton?" She asked him. "I'm sure many would enjoy it."

"Stay out of this." He barked at her.

"No need to get defensive, I'm just asking a question." The black-haired girl asked.

"I'm not being defensive." He denied.

"Oh, now we have denial. Astoria, honey, you are leaving. Go to your room or stay with Sabrina. " Allyson smiled at the redhead.

Without a second thought, she took the chance and bolted out of the catacombs. She ran upstairs and rushed into Sabrina's room. Talia took quick notice of the tears threatening to fall from Astoria's green eyes. She also spotted the faint form of a handprint on her neck. She instantly knew what happened. Sabrina sat her friend down on the bed and wrapped her arms around her friend. Talia slipped her hand into the leather jacket Astoria wore.

"What are you doing here?" Astoria asked her.

She showed Sabrina and Astoria the vial of blood, "I think it's time we had that talk."

"What is that?" The girl glanced at it.

"Oh, this?" Talia moved it between her fingers. "It's exactly what you think it is."