My Vampire Brother Faked Dying—Mine Was Real Chapter 04
It was a Firstblood pendant.
When Alaric and I were born, our parents took two drops of our newborn blood to the Founder’s Sanctuary. The High Priest of the Coven forged the pendant himself, and legend said the first vampire had blessed it.
Our names were carved into the metal alongside the Veyron bloodline seal. It was the last thing our parents ever gave us.
Even when I had nothing left, I couldn’t bring myself to sell it.
But the pendant in Alaric’s hand was identical to mine.
The blood seal that should’ve carried my name now read Evelina.
Every vampire in the room watched as he clasped it around Evelina’s neck.
“My little princess. Your wish just came true.”
I didn’t know how I got out of there.
My phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. Evelina’s messages landed like punches.
[I recognized you at the Crimson Club, by the way.]
[Did you get a good look?]
[The pendant’s mine. And so is Alaric.]
[You’re a stray dog, Selene. Nobody wants you.]
[If my life looked like yours, I’d just end it already, honestly.]
When I didn’t answer, she sent one more.
[Selene, I had Alaric arrange a birthday present for you. Enjoy.]
…
I walked the streets all night like something already dead.
Dawn was breaking by the time I made it back to the apartment, barely aware of where my feet were taking me.
That was when I understood what Evelina’s birthday present meant.
The front door hung wide open. Inside, the apartment had been torn apart.
Three debt collectors had Alaric pinned to the floor, and he looked like a cornered animal.
He must have rushed straight here from the estate to beat me home and set the stage.
The ribs they’d cracked the last time throbbed like they remembered.
“Well, well. There she is. So — where’s this month’s payment?”
The blood drained from my face.
“I paid that off. I already paid it. How can I still owe anything?”
He spat on the floor.
“If I say you owe, then you owe.”
“Don’t want to pay? Fine. Let’s see how many more rounds your brother’s bones can handle.”
He tapped the silver baton against Alaric’s spine.
“Selene, I’ve dragged you down long enough. Just leave me. Go.”
“I’m nothing. I’m worthless. Let them kill me. I don’t want to be your burden anymore.”
The same words. The exact same lines, recycled a hundred times over five years.
I was so tired I could barely stand. I looked at the collectors, then down at Alaric on the floor — filthy and broken on the outside, but his eyes were steady. Too steady.
It all made sense now.
The only ridiculous thing was how long it had taken me to see it.
They’d come dozens of times. They’d never once left a real mark on him.
And me?
I’d taken the broken ribs, the broken legs, the scars I’d lost count of — all to protect a man who didn’t need protecting.
“What do you really want?”
“That attitude of yours has always pissed me off. So here’s the deal. My boys line up, you crawl past every one of them on your knees and beg like the stray bitch you are. Do that, and we’ll call today’s payment settled. We’ll take the show as compensation.”
Alaric’s voice cracked through the room.
“Don’t! Selene, you can’t!”
I smiled. I couldn’t feel my face.
This was the last time.
“If that’s what it takes, then fine. We’re done after this.”
I was talking to the collectors. Alaric knew that. But something about the way I said it made his stomach drop.
Words jammed in his throat.
But then he reminded himself — this was the last punishment. The final one he’d promised Evelina.
After this, he’d never let anyone hurt me again.
He told himself the same lie he always did — that we were immortal, and there would be time to fix everything.
So he looked away. He pulled out his phone, took a picture of me on my knees, and sent it to Evelina.
They left. I stayed on the floor for a long time before my legs would hold me again.
Alaric dragged himself across the floor toward me, eyes bloodshot. He opened his mouth to slip back into the act.
But he looked into my eyes, and whatever he was about to say died on his tongue.
The next day, the coven healer came to take Alaric to Oakhaven for treatment.
He kept looking back at me from the doorway, like he couldn’t force himself to leave.
“Selene, wait for me. When I come back, I’ll fix everything. You’ll be the Veyron princess again. No one’s ever going to hurt you after this. I promise.”
How much longer was I supposed to wait for a promise like that, Alaric?
I watched them go. The moment the door closed, my hand flew to my mouth, and blood poured through my fingers.
The doctor had warned me — once the Blood Rot reached every part of you, the end came quickly.
The strange part was that when my legs gave out, I wasn’t afraid.
All I could see was Alaric, the way he’d been when we were little.
He used to braid my hair and sneak me sweets. He sat up all night when I burned with a fever, too scared to close his eyes.
“When I grow up, I’m gonna build you the biggest castle in the world. And you’re gonna be the happiest princess alive.”
I choked down the tears. My hands were slick with blood, shaking so hard I could barely unlock my phone. I typed one last message.
[Alaric, I’m done waiting. I’m giving you and Evelina what you wanted. Please bury me next to Mom and Dad.]
I hit send and let my eyes close.
The phone hit the floor. It kept vibrating.
The world was going dark. Somewhere far away, a door splintered open.
Someone was screaming my name, the sound raw and desperate.
“Selene Veyron!”
If it wasn’t Alaric, then who?