Victoria’s eyes drifted to Vail as James addressed him as protector. It seemed an apt title, it was better than just a lover in her opinion, as a lover insinuated a selfish desire, but Vail did care for her and want to keep her safe. Although she would have preferred his official capacity to be fiancé. But he was someone else’s fiancé for now. And she wasn’t sure how much power she had to stop it. She noted how suspiciously James eyes her lover, he obviously smelt her blood on his breath. It was too soon for him to be protective of her without her protest. He’d only just walked into her life. She had done just fine without her big brother all these years. 

She smiled a little as Vail declared exactly who he was to the half breed. “Lover hmm?” James raised an eyebrow. “I can understand a human wanting a vampire lover. But I thought humans were deemed unworthy by a vampire?” He seemed confused at the notion and titled his head slightly. “Or is it because of her special blood that lures you to my sister?” He asked and folded his hands. Obviously gauging the intentions he had with Victoria. 

Victoria grimaced slightly as Vail said he would only stay here until the Wynters threat was dealt with. Then he would be off again back to his clan and it would undoubtedly get increasingly harder to see one another. She sighed lightly as she knew it would not go down well with the arrival of the seemingly protective half-brother. “I think what he means to say is that we are very close and there is nobody else I would trust with my life.” 

James nodded. “Then that is all that matters if you trust him. Good to have you on our side Lord Hygrace. The Moncourier clan will let you take point of Victoria’s safety and assist the Saint’s and Crest’s cause.” He declared knowingly and turned to look behind his shoulder at his father. “Though I will have the rest stay at a distance. My cravings for blood are not as strong as theirs.”

“But if they require sustenance….or are injured during battle…my blood can help restore them quickly.” Victoria suggested and James held up his hand. “The time to draw blood will be when we want the Wynter’s to follow you into the Saint’s traps. I have familiarised myself with the battleplans already.” He had merely glanced the parchment on the table in the distance. His eyes were just as sharp as any full-blooded vampire, his strength and stamina as well. He did not suffer their weaknesses as much as they did. Silver did not burn him as hard, the craving did not hit him as hard. His human willpower was his gain. Jean-Claude was right in that he would take the best of both races. 

“Alright…” Victoria was strong enough to stand on her own two legs now. She rose from her chair and straightened out her jacket. “Then let us prepare the traps.” She nodded at James and Vail both. She then held out her hand to James to shake. “It is good to know I have more family I can rely on.” James shook her hand and agreed in kind. “Whatever happens after today, I promise to do right by you, sister.” James declared with a smile, showing his slightly smaller than average fangs.

Victoria turned to her handsome vampire lover. “You will need gloves when I put my silver armour on. Lest you wish to get further burns.” She revealed something that made James twig that is why he could smell her blood. Vail had already burnt himself on silver and she had offered her healing services to him. Gerald sighed. “Alright show’s over people we’ve got work to do here!” He started to bark orders and Victoria nodded. “Right. Let’s get to it.” She didn’t need to don her armour just yet, she had a couple hours to help shift the armaments into the carriages that would be carted off into London town and set traps in strategic points marked on the map. Lady Crest and her mother both did their part, Diana keeping the Saints fed and watered, Victoria helped to move lighter things. She was soon sweating from the exhaustion. But there was no time to bathe in luxury within fragrant scents. Vail would have to put up with her human flaws. She then went to pack up her belongings and make a back up suitcase to put in the carriage that would be their escape vehicle to take them to Scotland. She sighed as she could only take bare essentials and leave most of her elegant and expensive dresses. She trailed her fingers down what was to be her [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a7/8d/94/a78d94532f4a3ace7b4cbbc8d6b4c408.jpg]wedding dress.[/url] But there was a chance she would never wear it. 

It was time to suit up and she pulled her silver armour leg guards on first, then put the breastplate over her head. Then finally the gauntlets. She had her hair pinned up in a loose bun with a few strands that framed her delicate cheek bones. She was ready and she took a big inhale as this was it. The battle with the Wynters was nigh. She felt her nerves growing along with her fear.