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

Chapter XX.

Hunger.

A few days went by and Lily's transformation was taking longer than expected.
Although Nicolae had hidden her memories, the little girl's subconscious was still lingering in the void left in her mind.

A complicated turn.

There were moments Lily acted like a feral animal, others that she would just keep crying, others where it looked like nothing ever happened.

It was tiring and frustrating for all of them. That was why Nicolae didn't want Claire to be back. He was only trying to protect her and keep her far from Viktor's mess.

Claire wasn't very thrilled to have to extend her "vacation".

Nicolae decided to rent a hotel room for her, so he could go see her any time he wanted and not having to hide from Vanessa.

Claire appreciated the change,  Vanessa could become too hyper at times, or too serious. Or worst, too drunk.

Claire didn't like to see her friend that way. She had tried to help her but Vanessa had many issues she had to sort out, on her own.

Nicolae had also paid the hotel for extra security on Claire's floor. He was getting only more careful as he sensed Viktor closer every day more.

That was his game. Extenuating.
Tire them all out before he even set foot in the house.

But not this time. Nicolae would not let him win again.

*

Claire sat her phone on the bed, laying back with a sigh. That was the third night in a row that Nicolae apologized for not being able to go to the hotel.

"I wish he would just let me go back to the Mansion."

She said to the other person in her room. Her friend River was visiting her in fact.

River looked at Claire as she kept changing channel on the tv.

"He would let you if he thought it was safe. I think he is having a hard time with that little girl, but he doesn't want to make you worry." River explained calmly.

Claire sighed again. "Maybe I could help, no? "

River smiled and got up as she heard the room service knocking at the door. She had one of hdr hands in her growing belly.

"Sure. So you end up as the meal of a 9 years old." She shook her head and went to open the door. Their food was finally ready.

"Thank you, Gina." She said after reading the woman's name.

The lady pushed the cart inside the room with a kind smile on her lips, wishing them a good dinner.

River tipped her before she left, then closed the door.

"It's okay if you are not hungry, Claire. I will sacrifice myself." She chuckled and uncovered the food they had ordered. There was a large pizza, two burgers and french fries.

"Hey. Hey. I am hungry too, you know. All this doing nothing makes me tired. I need energies."
Claire said as she moved closer.

They both started laughing once they looked at each other.

They sat on the floor and filled two plates, then started eating once River had found a cute movie to watch.

*

"You are not hungry, Lily. You only think you are." Drogo told Lily when she kept asking for food.

She would get to one of them, tug at their clothes and ask for food.
For hours.

Drogo always lost his patience pretty quickly and asked Nic to intervene.

"But I am really really hungry. My tummy is growling!"

She complained,  pulling at Drogo's jacket.

"You know what? You win." He was tired of her and decided to have her try human food for herself. He perfectly knew her stomach couldn't handle it, but at that point, he wanted to teach her a lesson.

"Here we go." He opened up the fridge, got a donut out of a box and gave it to the girl. "Have it and see how your stomach likes it." He moved away from her and watched her.

Lily was happy. She used to love donuts. She inhaled the sweet scent of it and then brought it to her mouth.

"Mmmhhh!"

She bit into it and chewed. Then swallowed.

As she was about to take another bite, she stopped in her tracks.

Something didn't feel right.

She looked at Drogo who sat across the counter with a smirk.

Lily slowed down and tried to understand why she felt sick. She only had one bite.

As Nicolae entered the kitchen and asked what were they doing , Lily turned toward him just in time and puked l all over his shoes.

Drogo had to hold his mouth to not laugh. Nicolae didn't move a muscle and waited. Then saw the donut. Then looked at his brother with a lethal gaze.

"Really Drogo?" He asked.

Drogo smiled. "She kept asking for food. Now she knows she can't eat that anymore. " He shrugged."

Nicolae shook his head.

"I don't feel good." Lily complained.

Nicolae took her in his arms.

"Let's go, I will explain to you why you are sick." And with a quick incantation he cleaned his shoes.

*

A couple of hours later,  Nicolae had put the girls to sleep. He was just exiting Lorie's room when he heard Peter in his mind.

He's here.

Nicolae didn't even have the chance to walk down the hallway that Viktor materialized in front of him.

His arms open. His lips curved into a smile.

"My oldest son." He greeted Nic moving in, hugging him.

Nicolae kept from stiffening.

"Father. Finally, you are home." He tried to smile when Viktor stepped back.

"Yes, I am here. How is everyone? Lorie? Lily? I hope you didn't mind if I sent her over without me.  The poor thing needed us."

Nicolae kept it cool. Nodding, he smiled more. "Absolutely. It was a pleasure to welcome her home. Lorie is ecstatic. They adore each other. "

"Wonderful. How about you round up the boys? We shall have a drink and talk. I have so much to catch up on."

Viktor made his coat float away in his room with a spell.

"Of course. We will be right there. Many things have happened, Father. Really." Nicolae nodded.

"I am thrilled." Viktor laughed cruelly and then reached his quarters with high speed.

As Nicolae stared at the spot where the older vampire was previously standing, he clenched his fists.

Viktor had questions.

Nicolae could read clearly the many questions he wanted to ask them. Viktor kept his game going. That was how he liked it.

Let Nicolae gather his brothers, injecting fear into them. That was how Viktor had complete control over them.

Little did he know, the Bartholys weren't scared anymore.

They were ready. Ready to play along, let him feel powerful and feared, until the perfect moment.
With a quick mental note,  he told Drogo and Peter to come to their Father's quarter for a little reunion.

The show was about to begin.