Victoria knew her plea went ignored. Vail was showing his stubborn pride or perhaps his possessiveness over the human whose blood he had gained an addiction to. She just hoped he knew what he was doing. She was weighing him down. She fought the cold as much as she could, clinging onto what warmth Vail’s body offered her. She admired his tenacity not to give her up. He thought she was worth risking his life for. She wondered why he was so taken with the Lady if not just for her blood. After all, he said it before - she was nothing but trouble.  

She noticed the gun shots had died down as did the shouts from the Saints. Had Vail lost them? She wasn’t fully aware of her surroundings, feeling dizzied from being whisked around the streets in the cold night air. She hoped the Saints gave up in their chase. Were they really that afraid of what Spencer would do? He made a mistake in underestimating her own tenacity and determination to escape. He also underestimated the bond Vail and Victoria now formed. They had shared a night of passion together, they had joined as one. That was a powerful bonding ritual between humans and vampires alike. 

She was slightly aware of their general location as she spotted various landmarks along the way. She noticed he took a turn in the direction of his on estate. Could he be insane enough to hide her there? It wouldn’t escape his family’s notice. They wouldn’t be best pleased either. As far as she understood it, they kept to themselves and thus stayed alive for that long because of it. Her presence would surely upset this balance. It would also put them into direct firing line of the Wynter Clan’s wrath, all because of Lady Crest’s blood they wanted for themselves. And any subsequent children she bore, would also have her strong-tasting blood for them to enjoy for generations. 

She practically gasped as he took her inside the manor. She had never seen the interior of such a mysterious legend. The décor inside was so luxurious, far more than the Crest manor was. Crest manor was filled with ivory and gold, in contrast to the vast array of colours. It was obvious they spent a lot of money and a lot of time collecting luxury art, furniture and rugs. She was truly impressed by the wealth but that isn’t why she fell for Vail Hygrace. He could be a penniless vampire for all she cared, all that mattered was he cared enough about her to stop her awful fate by Lord Spencer.

The Saints sopped just short of the gate outside. Gerald cursed. “Dammit! He took her inside the Hygrace Clan. If we step foot in there, we risk an all-out war.” He paced up and down. Ray shook his head. “Spencer will find out sooner or later, Gerald. Please, I beg you! If we don’t side with the Hygraces, the Wynters will wipe us all out. Spencer won’t forgive us letting them get Lady Crest. As far as they are concerned, she’s their property.”