Thrones of Astoria - HEAVY EDITING-

Chapter 10

"I'd say it's time for another family meeting." Dracus Blackwood told everyone. "Clearly, none of you know how to behave properly."

"Because this is such a real family." The youngest, Asphodel said quietly.

Maia sat down, "Shut it, you should be grateful to be alive. You could've been left for dead."

"Some days I wish death took me. But I must ask, are we actually alive?" Asphodel asked. "If you think about it, we had to die to become vampires."

"She has a point." Barbara agreed.

Dracus shook his head in disbelief, sighing, "That is not the reason for this meeting. We are not discussing the matter of life and death."

"What is the actual reason?" Liliana asked.

"Stars, they are becoming a real fucking pain in the ass," Alexander answered, which brought all attention onto him. "So, we will discuss it."

"What's new?" Giselle wondered, twirling her hair as she leaned against the couch.

Barbara rolled her eyes, "Not to mention that brat, Astoria. I don't see the big deal about her."

"She's a big deal to me," Alexander said. "She hasn't done anything to you, Barbie."

"Oh, how shocking." Barbara laughed. "Ever since she saved you, you have felt in debt to her. Your debt is over and finished."

"You can't say much when you have a thing for a married werewolf." Maia hissed at Barbara. "You should know better than everyone here."

She hissed at the blonde, "Bite your tongue."

"Silence, my children, please. You may have noticed or did not, but our Alexander slipped Astoria some of his blood so she could end the contract between her and Ashton." Dracus alerted the family.

Everyone was shocked and began yelling at one another.

"Are you insane?" Giselle hissed at Alexander. "Do we really need another one of us?"

"Over my years, there have been countless girls that Ashton has stolen from their previous lives. Only two have ever been able to escape him, and even then, those girls have forever had a price to pay. Ashton made the mistake of mentioning that as long as Astoria's alive, she belongs to him. There's a loophole around that." Dracus informed his family. "She can use that as an advantage, we can use it as an advantage. Vampires once ruled this island, then the half-demons took it over. With Astoria by our side, we could rule once again. Is that understood?"

"Yes, father." Giselle nodded.

"So, if she's a vampire, she isn't alive." Asphodel realized, leaning forward with a smile, "She wouldn't belong to him. She would be free."

Alexander nodded, "Exactly, that's why she could choose to die."

"She could be just like me. I got my freedom from Ashton." Giselle spoke up surprising her sisters. "I think Astoria deserves her freedom as well. She should do whatever it takes. I'm willing to help her if she'll let me."

1767......

Pure chaos erupted that night. The wedding didn't go as planned. Damien Star caused trouble for his older cousin. The two cousins were the most powerful creatures alive, other than their fathers and grandfather. They always tried to outdo one another with their magic. In this case, Ashton found out with his magic that he could help create life.

A desperate, poor farming family had gone to him for help. They begged for him to use his magic to help them. At the time, he didn't play silly card games like he would in the future. At that time period, he wanted a soul for a soul. If he gave a life, he wanted that life back in the future. He would come collect his prize and keep them.