She could understand the reason his parents were so cautious. He was their only child. She wondered how vampires had children – was it the same way as humans? And why in all their long years, only have one child to carry their bloodline? Humans often had several children so at least one of them survived from various disease. She thought they’d have at least another in case Vail was murdered. 

Victoria was just grateful that this vampire stood by her, despite her being a liability to him and his safety. He was her protector now. She listened to him explain that his father knew a man who could help. That was at least something but the faster she was healed, the faster she would be turfed out on her arse by Peter. If she ever were to get married, she hoped to have a father in law that liked her, respected her, loved her like a daughter. But she would never get that from Peter Hygrace. She was even more surprised to learn he sent a letter to her mother to explain her eventual return. Covering his tracks more like. 

Lady Crest almost guffawed at that. All the Hygrace clan leader cared was about surviving this mess his son had brought into the family and making sure The Order or the Wynters come for Victoria. She smiled as he turned to his side and brought an arm over her waist. He seemed to become protective of her. Whatever his thoughts, she assumed they were of her returning to Lord Spencer and her manor because his neck question, although muffled against her thick hair, was what her plans were once she left the Hygrace manor. Or sent away rather.

“I will fight.” She was sure about that. They may have broken her body, but they hadn’t broken her spirit. “I will pack a bag and get far away as possible. Mother has a sister that lives in Scotland. They haven’t spoken in years but…I know my aunt will take me in.” She sighed, it meant going far away from Vail but if it kept her safe, she had no choice. “Perhaps Ray can help me escape. I feel like I can trust him.” She revealed to Vail, hoping he wouldn’t feel too jealous of the Saint. Although he had nothing to worry about, Ray was married with a wife called Elle, they had a daughter called Summer. He told her all about his family while she was bedridden. His family sounded lovely, she said she couldn’t wait to meet them.

Knowing the Wynters, they would follow her wherever she went. She needed to keep on the move or get so sick they wouldn’t touch her blood. If sepsis didn’t repulse them, she wasn’t sure what illness would. Something that drained her iron reserves. Or an injury so severe, that would make her need a blood transfusion of someone else’s blood…

She held his hand even tighter. "I..don't want to leave you.." She shed a tear of sadness at the thought of having to leave him behind. Would he follow her? Would he risk his father's wrath even more?