Predetermined

Chapter 8 - Soldiers Not Children

This story belongs to: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/615457/yeknodelttil 

*****

Stephanie Noble glared at her husband as he drove their black Nissan Qashqai. She couldn't believe that he would be that cold and unfeeling to do that to her daughter, this wasn't the middle ages. Their children had a right to choose their own future; even vampires had more luxury than what he was prepared to give his daughter.

"I can't believe you did it." She whispered for the umpteenth time since working out what he'd agree to. Steph stamped her foot, creating a loud bang that echoed around the interior of the car. "You were supposed to wait until she turned twenty one!"

"I did and it'll happen." Tom threw the phone to his wife. "Tell Harty I'll sign the contract tomorrow when we get her from here."

It's three years too early!" Steph tried to protest to her husband again.

"She'll do what I want, the contract will make sure she sticks to her destiny." Steph felt sick it was as if he was selling her daughter's soul to the devil.

The contract was binding and Erin wouldn't be able to escape it at all. Once the contract was signed he'd fulfilled the two conditions he'd agreed to, getting her back into the Academy was only one of them.

"This isn't fair on her." Steph protested, this wasn't right what he'd agreed to. "You can't throw that into the bargain. She's not ready to..."

Tom cut her off. His daughter was old enough to act like a true slayer. "She's ready to accept her responsibilities."

"Are you going to tell her?"

"When she's as far away from here as possible."

"Are you going to tell her before you sign the contract?" She knew it was pointless to ask but she thought she'd try.

He avoided that question. "Just call Harty and tell him I'll sign it tomorrow."

Steph nodded and dialled the number, her fingers shaking as she tapped the touch screen. It rang three times, three times before being picked up.

"Tom says he'll sign the contract tomorrow." She spoke

"She'll have her license back when the two conditions have been completed."

The man's voice was gruff as he spoke. It was like a simple business transaction.

Steph's answer was shaky, she forced her words out. "She's got no choice."

And Erin never would once it was signed.

*****

Erin stretched before standing, feeling her bones crick back into place. Erin rubbed her neck, her coffin was far more comfortable than the couch – which was something she'd never expected to think.

She let her eyes trail around the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. She panicked at first thinking her parents had kidnapped her and taken her way fro the school while she was asleep. She began to relax as she recognised the blood cabinet in the room, remembering that the Draculas had tidied up the school.

Erin rubbed the sleep from her eyes, she still felt tired but she felt more relaxed. She moved across the room preparing for the smooth bases of her shoes to squeak against the floor as she moved, surprisingly they didn't. She leaned back over the sofa and straightened out the cushions.

Vlad pressed a small kiss to Erin's shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her. Erin jumped; Vlad had never done that before.

"You're back." She smiled at him turning in his arms. Vlad nodded, leaning down he kissed her slowly.