Predetermined

Chapter 9 - Truth

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

*****

Vlad suddenly stiffened, his head snapping towards the door. He hadn't noticed it before, but he had been away most of the night. Erin pulled back, her eyes wet. She knew there was something wrong.

Ingrid looked at him the same concern and panic on her face. She knew it too.

"You should have told me." He hissed at his father. The Count looked at Bertrand in confusion.

The Count was confused. "Told you what?"

If the Count didn't know then it really was time to start panicking.

Vlad grabbed Erin's hand and pulled her from the room, Ingrid followed him close behind. As soon as they were through the door Vlad closed it as fast as he could.

"Vlad what..."

Vlad crossed his arms over his chest, his face full of thunder. He only just managed to restrain the side effect of thunder and lightening in the background. "You were supposed to be staying away from her." Vlad addressed the person in front of them, Ingrid nodded in full agreement. "I don't know when you got here but you need to go."

"I arrived in the night." He answered, before looking down at Erin. "They're my parents too."

"You can't stay." Vlad told him angrily, "Erin's in enough danger..."

Ryan was very casual about it, "She chose to betray the Guild." If he was still a slayer like he was supposed to be he'd have reacted the same way to her as they did.

Vlad grew angrier at Ryan's flippant comment, this time a rumble of thunder followed. "And two of the charges were for saving you if you remember."

"She didn't save me, I still became one of you."

"If they see you they'll slay you and take Erin." Ingrid told him firmly, she didn't want a battle. Besides she couldn't fight them in what she was wearing.

"I'm not afraid of them." Ryan looked down at his sister, a faint smile on his lips. "They can't stop me anymore."

"Think about your sister!" Vlad shook his head, his hands clenching in fury as he looked at him.

"They won't hurt her." Ryan grinned, "She's their destiny now." Erin shuddered at the way her brother spoke; she'd forgotten he'd been as keen about their destiny as slayers as their parents. Although towards the end he'd begun to see things her way.

Erin moved closer trying to touch him but Ryan jumped back out of her way. "Ryan please, they can't see you..."

Ryan shoved her to one side with slightly more force than he intended. She stumbled into Vlad, Vlad caught her easily as Ryan opened the door and walked inside.

*****

"What part of 'go' didn't you understand?" Vlad snarled at Ryan following him through the door.

"What is *he* doing here?" Thomas snapped angrily seeing his former son standing amongst the young Count siblings.

Ryan looked at his father, an ironic grin covering his lips, "Hey Dad." His eyes softened briefly, "Mum."

Steph nodded acknowledging him even if she couldn't speak. She had missed Ryan, she'd wanted to see him for so long.

"Ryan GO." Vlad ordered him firmly, gesturing with his arm towards the window.

"You're not my master yet Dracula." Ryan hissed at Vlad, Vlad's eyes narrowed blackening at Erin's brother's comment. Ryan stepped back away from Vlad. His attitude would need to change before his crowning; Ryan wouldn't get away with it afterwards.