The following are excerpts from the journal of Sebastian Woodbury…
…It hurts a lot to get punched in the face. That may seem like an obvious statement, but in case you wondered, I’m here to tell you. I was just trying to figure out how to get the Plumbob of Wishes under my jacket, then make my escape, when two of my father’s biggest vampire goons came to stop me.
My father, not known for subtlety, had sent his largest man, who I call Bluto. His name is actually a lot less striking… it’s Fred.
“Hold on now,” I said, ever the diplomat, as I held Fred at arm’s length.
Bluto was not interested in “holding on.” Within seconds, he had me pinned to the floor, his knee crushing my hand, his fist around my neck. I braced myself for what was next. This wasn’t the first time my father had greeted me this way.
“Mph,” I groaned, struggling to free myself.
I only remember the first couple punches clearly, however, my face says there were several more after those.
I gained consciousness before I actually opened my eyes. With a grumble, I opened my eyes and realized I was lying on the stone floor of my father’s chamber.
Right next to his coffin, which was inscribed with ancient symbols known only to our clan.
“He awakens,” my father, Gerrard McCalmont, said, licking blood off his fingers. “You have the most horrible way of always interrupting my dinner.”
Gingerly, I ran my fingers along the bridge of my bloody nose, then bruised lip. “And you have the most abhorrent way of welcoming me into your castle.”
He smirked, not bothering to wipe the blood of his victim off his face.
Sitting up, I only half-listened to his tirade. He never raised his voice above a firm baritone, but I could feel the menace underneath the surface of his words.
“Well, let’s see then. You tell me you’re leaving Midnight Hollow to follow that human girl, Little Beehive, and I do not stand in your way. I very well could have and should have. I’ve been told you don’t use her to feed. Quite frankly, your obsession with her is disturbing.” He took a few steps, the toes of his boots touching my arm where I lay, and glared down at me with his reflective eyes. “Then you sneak back in through secret passages instead of using the door like a normal vampire, and I find you here in my inner sanctum, where I sleep. Do you care to explain yourself?”
“Not really,” I said, finally heaving my sore body into a sitting position.
“That response is insufficient.”
His tongue darted out, licking more blood off his lips, and I could tell he was still hungry. If you must interrupt a vampire, mealtime is the worst time to do it. But then, I suppose that is obvious, too.
He held out his hand, and I took it, then, in one swift pull, heaved me up onto my feet, so we were face to face. Even Constance could not match my father’s strength.
“Well?”
Before I answered, I made sure Bluto and the other were too far from me to attack before I had a warning. They were guarding the entrance to the bed-chamber.
“I need your help, Father. Please.”
I’ve mentioned before I love my father and I hate my father. The love is due to the fact he turned me… but then, so is the hate.
His back bristled, and his chin tilted upward.
“Does this have to do with that Little Beehive of yours?”
I cringed every time he referred to Sophie that way because he made it sound like he was cursing.
“No. This is about Constance Whitaker.”
If he was in a bad mood before, now it was doubly worse just at the mention of her name. His eyes narrowed and, he bared his fangs.
“What do you have to do with her?”
He growled and was getting so agitated, I made sure I stayed light on my feet. Fighting his vampire goons was one thing, battling my maker was impossible. If he attacked me, I would either have to flee or take it.
“Do you remember when I told you I want to be human again?”
“Yes.” His response was curt, and I was afraid he would dismiss me before I could plead my case.
“It is still my wish.”
He rubbed his beard, then licked the blood off his fingers, seeming to forget me for a moment. Finally, he said, “That is impossible.”
I shook my head. “No, Constance knows the secret. In exchange, she wants the Plumbob of Wishes.”
Squinting my eyes, I waited for the blow that was sure to come, as he often struck me when I tried his patience. He refrained, though, and appeared thoughtful.
Then he smirked. “That wench has taken you for a fool, my son. Constance does not know the secret of becoming human. That is a secret guarded for centuries that only a few of the oldest vampires know.”
“Older than her? Older than you?”
That’s when he hit me right across my swollen lip with the back of his hand. Flinching, I held my hand against my face to make out the damage.
“Do you even know what the Plumbob of Wishes is?”
“I know Constance was a witch before she was turned and she wants the magical device to increase her power.”
“She is an imbecile,” he scoffed. “It is not the witch that wields the power of the Plumbob of Wishes.”
A chill crept down my back like little tendrils. “Then what is it?”
He looked smug now as he turned to face the magical object I desired.
“I can harness its power, and can choose others to exert its potential, too.”
Over the next hour, Father and I devised a plan for (come to find out), he wanted the same thing I did; to get rid of Constance. The only problem was, he had made a pact with Constance’s maker long ago, they would never war on each other’s clans. This meant I could not use the Plumbob of Wishes to harm Constance, neither could my father nor anyone in Midnight Hollow.
Who could we use to hurt Constance?
Only one person came to mind. Someone I now controlled.
Father pulled me into his arms, embracing me with great might. As much as I found him to be repugnant, I couldn’t help but have a full heart at being his son.
Just as he was letting go of me, he whispered with a hiss, “Don’t forget to do her in once it is finished. Then you shall have what you have longed for. You will be human once more.”
…The house was quiet and dark when I came home, but I could already sense Tilly was lurking about. Hopefully, she’d gotten along all right while I was away. Normally, a parent would stick around to make sure their offspring knew the rules, but I’d been otherwise occupied.
Sophie was in Sunlit Tides, her mother Jade, the caregiver woman, and Amy had gone to stay in the family home in the country in St. Clare. It had taken a lot of maneuvering, but I’d arranged it all this way in case this moment came about.
To my dismay, Tilly had made a terrible mess, using the maid for her first meal. I would have to deal with that later.
“Where have you been?” Tilly asked. “What happened to your face?”
I cringed at the look of complete devotion on her face. Don’t get me wrong, I had expected as much, and I looked at my father the same way, no matter how violently he treated me.
“I’m fine. Listen, we have a lot of work to do.”
“Whatever you need, Father.”
Wincing again, I took her hand. “I need you to trust me completely and do as I say no matter what.”
“Of course. Will it be fun?”
“I believe you will find it amusing, but it is also dangerous.”
“Whatever you need, I’m your vampire.”
With that, I pulled a vile of green, glowing liquid out of my pocket and showed it to her. It glimmered in the yellow light of the living room lamps.
“This is a potion concocted by my father meant for you. It will transform you into a being that can use what is called the Plumbob of Wishes.”
“Why me?”
“You have not been initiated into our clan yet, so some rules do not apply to you.” I stepped closer to her, whispering in her ear, my breath hot on her neck, “Remember Constance Whitaker?”
“I hate her!”
“Yes, I know, and so does my father. He wants her eliminated, and you are the key to getting the job done. Once you drink this concoction, you will transform into something beautiful, something powerful.”
“And I’ll destroy Constance? And take her place?”
I nodded, tenderly kissing her cheek. “Yes, however, you will still be compelled to do as I bid, so don’t get any foolish ideas.”
She batted her eyelashes at me as if going rogue was the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard.
“I mean it.”
“Of course, Father. I know my place.”
With that, I slipped the potion into her hand, gesturing for her to drink.
“It may be painful.”
She shrugged, then gulped down the awful-looking liquid, dropping the vial onto the floor. After a moment, she clutched her chest and gasped, then she opened her mouth and let out the most blood-curdling scream to ever pierce my ears.
Stumbling backward, she never let go of her chest.
All at once, she stood straight up, then opened her eyes.
The whites were pure red, and the irises glowed more brightly than any normal vampire’s eyes I’d seen.
The corners of her mouth curved upward, and she smiled demurely at me.
“I’m ready now, Father.”
Seeing as how next Saturday is Christmas Day, I’m not sure if I’ll have time to put out a chapter or not. If not, I will see you the following weekend. 🙂
Happy Holidays to you!
Thank you, Readers and Friends, for reading, liking, commenting, and lurking. I appreciate you!
Credits:
Poses: Death Pose Pack, Self-Defense Course, Attack Pose Pack, Vampire Pose! *ò*
Setting: Vladivanian Castle
World: The Stoneshields
This must be what Gigi saw when she warned Tilly against blackmailing. Because this is what it brought her to.
Yes, exactly! This is a good point you make. 🙂
[…] The last chapter was 9.16 if you would like a […]
Such a beautifully written story. I adore how Sebastien hungers for his “father’s” approval. The vulnerability is so human. His love for Sophie also reflects Seb’s vulnerability. It’s so easy to relate to him, and he’s a highly likable character.
Tilly is stunning.
Great story!! 💕
Thank you so much, Ninja. I’m sorry I didn’t answer this sooner, but life has been tough these past couple months. 🙂
I’m so glad you think the story is beautifully written, that is so encouraging. I’m glad you like Seb; you seem to really “get” him.
<3 No worries, I totally understand
❤
Ugh, Seb’s father is a piece of work… the way vampires are tied to each other despite abuse is really quite disturbing, and sad, on Seb’s part. I hope he can soon be free from his father and happily reunite with Sophie. I can see how Gerrard would also like to get rid of Constance, but I’m worried about if Tilly will be any better (that last shot is terrifying!), and the feeling that Seb seems to be caught in a dangerous game of potential betrayal from all parties, I really don’t trust anyone here. So does the line about “doing her in” mean that in order to become human, Seb must kill the human he turned into a vampire (sort of ‘reversing’ the process)? I’m not sure whether Gerrard is telling the truth or if Seb even has the strength to do that… excited to see how this all plays out!
Thank you, Lila. ❤️ You’re so right about Seb’s father, although I really like writing him. haha Isn’t that just evil? I agree that the abuse Seb has to endure because of the vampire rules is really disturbing.
You are also so right not to trust any of this lot. They’re all schemers and double-crossers. Seb is in a bad situation right now.
I’m glad you think that last shot of Tilly is terrifying. That’s exactly how I wanted it to come off.
That’s a good question about the last line. Seb does have something else up his sleeve that one of the characters is unaware of. Hopefully for him, it’s good enough to get him what he wants out of all of this mess, too.
I’m so excited you’re excited! 😀
I’ve got to wait two weeks for the next episode?! But… but… the suspense!! Xx
I’m soooooo sorry! 🙂 😀
Now I remember you telling me before about Q-Tip, I loved that!! But “Beatrice Minerva and Elwood P”, those are certainly very novel and very high society, too. They must have been the prince & princess of the fishie world 😂
Oh, they definitely were. Even the cat thought they were special. LOL 😂 😱
Ohhhhh boy
Ooooooohhhhhhh, yes. ❤❤
Oh my. I’m not sure who can be trusted in this mess. Tilly, definitely not. Constance, not. His father, iffy at best. Hopefully his ‘father’ cares enough about Seb to help him to get rid of Constance, however I think it’s more of a convenience that Seb can help him get rid of her. A definite power play on his part. I think once Constance is dead, to become human and the only way is through the plumbob of wishes to possibly kill Tilly. But can he? Hopefully she’s still to weak to go rogue, however he did give her the ability to use the plumbob of wishes which likely makes her more powerful. Yikes. I feel like he’s all alone in this.
I don’t think any of these darn vampires can be trusted. hahaha I think you’re right that it’s more of a convenience that Seb can rid his father of Constance. Will he keep his word if Seb is able to pull it off? Heaven only knows. And is Tilly able to go rogue now she has these special powers? Yikes. What a mess.
Seb is definitely on his own, as you said.
OOOh, that was mean to leave us hanging like that! lol
I’m so sorry, Jo. And there is no chapter this week, so that’s doubly mean of me. ❤❤
Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas to you, too! I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season, Jo! ❤️
Oh boy! Talk about family issues. And what exactly did Tilly turn into? A succubus? I know she just became a vampire but crazier things have happened since the beginning. coughMangocough
Family issues is right! lol That’s a good question about Tilly. I don’t know that I’ve actually thought of a name for what Tilly turned into. There you go bringing up Mango! LOLOLOL My story has never been the same. LOLOL ❤
OHHH human within his reach <3 NOT so sure how and that his vamps pops is good with it???
Good point! Gerrard shouldn’t be trusted to keep his word. You never know if this lot is telling the truth or not. LOL
Fred was the name of my first goldfish 😂
Beaten up by a hired goon of his father, then smacked in the face by his father 😲 Nasty piece of work. Gerrard McCalmont is a cool name though.
So now the new plan is to hurt Constance via Tilly. Once she’s off the game board, daddy dearest will turn Seb? Mmmm I don’t trust him…
hahaha I love that Fred was the name of your goldfish. 😂😂 Wait till you hear the name of mine… my parents named my two goldfish Beatrice Minerva and Elwood P. Oh, and I had a white cat named Q-Tip. Oh, and the beagle Ellsworth. LOL
Gerrard is such a nasty piece of work, as you mentioned. I kinda like him, though. lol
You are right about the plan. I think you are right not to trust what Gerrard says. Seb may have a thing more up his sleeve. Hopefully, it all turns out for him.
Happy holidays to you too, Kymber. What’s for dinner ? 😉 I was surprised that after Sebastian was beaten up properly for disturbing the peace at dinner time, his father gave in so easily and promised him to be human again. I’ve my difficulties to trust that man. He didn’t clean his mouth. How trustworthy is a person with such manners ? Tilly makes a wonderful vampire, but as Sebastian himself, she may have her own plans in mind and looking out for a solution to get, what she wants for herself. But the three of them have one thing in common, they wish to destroy Constance. I’m so looking forward, how it will work out.
Happy Holidays! The family wanted a ham. I don’t eat such things but there you go. LOL
You have a good point about Gerrard giving up so easily in this situation. There is a reason he wants Constance removed to badly. More on that soon. He is definitely not trustworthy, and Seb has his misgivings over the situation. You are right that Seb would be wise not to trust Tilly either. I really love her as a vampire. 😀 She definitely has her own plans; she wouldn’t be Tilly without her own agenda. haha I can’t wait till you see what happens next!
Tilly makes me nervous. I hope Sebastion has a backup plan, lol. Happy holidays, Kymber!
I can see why Tilly makes you nervous. She’s such a piece of work and, as usual, she’s willing to do whatever is conniving just because it’s fun.
Happy Holidays, Jacquie! xoxoxo
Lol, I’ve known a few people like that 😂 Merry Christmas 🎄
LOL Merry Christmas. I hope your holidays are full of joy! ❤️
Our grandson is here for the holiday- my heart is full <3
Wishing you a very happy New Years, Kymber!
That’s wonderful about your grandson! I’m so happy for you. ❤
It’s so exciting! And Tilly looks gorgeous as a vampire. I’m scared something’s not going to go according to the plan, though. It might backfire. I wonder what that meant when his father said to kill someone – Tilly? Constance? – and then he could be human again. Hm… He might know the secret after all. Is it that the vampire has to find a way to kill the person they’ve turned, as normally they can’t do that, and that will turn them back into a human? Because I don’t think Constance is tied to Seb, and they were going to hurt her anyway. But oh boy, if he has to kill Tilly, that is going to be very difficult as she has the power to control the Plumbob of Wishes and he can’t really hurt her himself either now. Or, did it mean if he killed Constance, his father would help him become human after all? I feel like I’m missing something here, lol. Well, I’m sure it’s going to backfire either way.
I’m so glad you’re finding this storyline exciting. 😀 I love Tilly as a vampire. Seb has a lot up his sleeve but it will only work if everyone else does what they’re supposed to. lol For Tilly, there might be a fate worse than death. haha I can’t wait for you to see. I’m sorry you felt like you were missing something. If Seb gets Constance out the way, his father says he will return Seb to his human state. We will see. And we will find out why Constance’s removal is so important to Seb’s father.
Ooh, I can’t wait. Don’t worry about me being clueless, it’s absolutely not your fault, I’m just really clueless in general and don’t get a lot of things even in obvious TV shows’ plotlines. I’m just silly like that haha.
I think if you asked Seb, he might say Tilly already had fate worse than death, as I think that’s how he feels about vampirism, as he seems to absolutely hate it.
Hm… I wonder what the secret to being human is after all! We shall see.
lol Sometimes though it’s good to know if there is something lacking in the story that doesn’t make sense, so I’m glad we had this discussion.
Yes, I agree with what you said about Seb there and the fate of vampirism. He really has had enough of it by now and cannot wait to be human again.
I can’t wait until you see! xoxo