The Crimson Rose || Nicolae Bartholy X OC || [COMPLETE]

Chapter XVI.

Wind of changes.

Things were going great at the Manor. Life had never been so peaceful for the Bartholys, in and out of the house.

The wolves problem had dissipated, and without the Baron around, every clan was living in harmony with each other.

Nicolae was so in love with Claire, he would follow her like a shadow everywhere she went.

They even went to the pub together and he was so triggered when Loan tried to mess with Claire, that Nicolae made him do things that pretty much ruined his popularity, like, dancing in his underwear and trashing the place.

Nicolae had given his heart to Claire, completely.

As she was spending time with Lorie, Nic was talking to Drogo and revealed to him his intentions.

"You want to marry her?" Drogo asked with an amused smirk. "I knew it."

Nicolae glared at him. "Yes Drogo. It's not that weird of a thing you know."

"I know it's not, brother. I say about time!" Drogo smiled and patted Nicolae's back causing his brother to smile as well.

"Keep your mouth shut. Everything has to be perfect." Nicolae warned him and Drogo shot him two thumbs up.

*

"I have to say, uhm...what was your name again?" The voice asked.

"P-Paul." The human replied.

"I have to say, Paul, I like your vehicle quite a bit." It said.

"T-thank you, S-sir, at your s-service." Paul kept driving, breathing heavy, looking in the rear mirror in panic, because he couldn't see him in the reflection.
Viktor chuckled as he noticed the man's eyes darting from the road to the mirror.

"Daddy why are we giving this old man a ride?" A little girl sat just next to Viktor, that was why Paul's nerves were a wreck.

Getting a ride was part of his agenda. He could have teleported home any minute, but decided to play cat and mice. Traveling like this, would make the children feel is incoming presence even more slowly.

Viktor loved games.

"It's o-okay sweetie. We are just helping this kind man." Paul knew better how to speak about the old man, once he found out Viktor was a murderer.

He had seen him in the parking lot of the gas station, killing the pump attendant in cold blood.

His mistake had been not walking away. He tried to help the young man, he got closer thinking he could take the old guy.

Was he wrong.

Viktor found his way inside Paul's mind easily. He told him he needed a ride and that he had chosen him for the task.

Paul had tried to refuse, but quickly realized you just don't say no to the old man. He couldn't. His words wouldn't leave his mouth, especially when the vampire had threaten him to kill him.

Paul needed to think about his daughter. He smiled at her in the rear mirror.

Viktor looked at her. "She is adorable. I myself have a daughter around your age."

"You do?" The little one asked.

"Yes, dear. Her name is Lorie. I am going home to visit her."

The girl broke a smile. "You should bring her a present! My daddy always brings me presents after long trips."

Paul was getting more nervous, he was afraid his daughter would upset that dangerous man.

Viktor surprised him with a loud laugh. "I think you are right. I should buy her something. What is your name dear? " He asked.

"Lily!"

Viktor smiled and pat her head.

"How about you help me pick something in the first store your dad can find?"

Lily nodded and clapped.

Paul turned around to look at Viktor for a second, he wanted to say something, he didn't want his daughter near him.

Viktor smiled peacefully. "You don't mind, Paul, right? " he was testing him.

"Of course not." He tried to smile. He needed to protect Lily.

And he turned onto the next street, looking for a toy store for the vampire.

*

It was Peter to sense him first.

The youngest of the Bartholy brothers was staring out in the distance, overlooking the woods, when a sudden chill made him shiver. He gripped the window's handle and opened it, looking outside, inquisitive.

Nothing.

He pushed his head out, looking over the trees. Then, he felt it again.

Peter growled and saw Viktor's eyes over the woods.

Their Father was getting closer.

*

"He is out there and he is coming home." Peter announced to his brothers.

Drogo smirked. "How can you be sure it was him?" He asked.

"I saw him. I saw his face over the woods. It was on purpose, I was meant to see it." Peter turned to Nicolae.

"Nic. It was really him." He repeated.

Nicolae nodded, crossing his arms on his chest, anxious.

He was anxious.

He didn't want Claire to be transformed by Viktor and taken away. He would die, before that.

He remembered what happened to Drogo's previous girlfriend way too well.

Viktor didn't like his son having a relationship and he completely destroyed it.

"We will be careful." Nicolae announced. "We are going to deal with him."

The oldest brother looked into Drogo's eyes.
"I promise. " He said before walking out of the room.

He knew it would happen.
He knew Viktor would sense Cornelius' death.
They were linked after all.

Nicolae headed upstairs, clenching his fists.
He needed to be ready this time.

"Is everything okay?" Claire melodic voice asked just a second after she wrapped her arms around him.

Nicolae looked at her face resting on his chest and forced himself to smile.

"Yes, my love. Everything is alright." He kissed her forehead and held her.

"We think our father is on his way home." He explained.

Claire nodded. Nicolae had told her about Viktor the same night the Baron died. He feared their father could be back because of the bastard's death.

"That doesn't sound alright..." She whispered, thinking of the things Nicolae told her in the past.

Nicolae smiled. "There is nothing to worry about, Claire. We will sort things out with him." He touched her forehead with his, then kissed her gently.

Claire closed her eyes and relaxed in his kiss.

Once she pulled back, she smiled a bit. "I think I would like to take a bath." She said.

Nicolae nodded. "Of course, you can do whatever you desire." He let her go.

Claire quirked a brow. "Are you coming?" She asked and started undoing her blouse.

Nicolae looked at her surprised, she was really coming out of her shell! As he realized she wanted him to go with her, Nicolae felt a hard throb in his pants.

"You will drive me crazy, Claire." He smirked.

Claire smiled and took his hand, leading him back in her room.