Vlad The Impaler (VAMPIRE-ELF)

86. Difference of Opinion

With one disaster averted, debts punished and a new alliance formed, Vlad teleported to his chambers where he could hopefully repair the most important relationship in his life.

He materialized in their bathroom and used the time he was pouring water into the sink to wash his hands to inform Alexander of the new arrangement with the sorcerers and give him instructions.

Vlad sighed as he began washing Michael’s blood off his hands. It had been a while since he had heard someone’s screams as he tortured them, let alone the pathetic wails of a child taken far beyond his threshold of pain.

He felt dirty inside in a way that could not be washed away by water. Michael’s tear filled eyes, white face and choked gargles returned to him, playing before his eyes in agonizing detail.

How could Armando have stood there and watched as his son suffered for his crimes? What kind of man would one have to be to be so cruel to one’s own blood? Vlad liked to believe he would have behaved better in the same situation and been honorable but would he?

“Vlad?”

Vlad trembled. He didn’t want Erinna to see him like this. He was past the point of maintaining his composure and knew whatever he was feeling would be written clear as day on his face. Not to mention the bond would reveal it to her if she probed. But the worst thing was that given a chance, he would do what he had done again.

“Go back to sleep, angel.”

“Are you okay?” The concern in her voice nearly broke him. Especially since he knew she had had to put aside their argument in order to check up on him. He did not feel like he deserved that concern right now.

“I’m fine. I just- give me some time. I’ll come to you.”

He scrubbed viciously at his hands but it seemed the crimson color of Michael’s blood was increasing rather than decreasing.

“You tortured his son.” She stated without seeing his hands.

Vlad sighed, his hands gripping and tightening on the edge of the ceramic wash basin.

“I thought we agreed not to read each other’s mind without consent.” He said irritably.

“We also agreed on no secrets. But that’s something neither of us is doing well on.”

“You began that, not me.” He could not keep his tone anything but caustic when the words left his lips, tainted with resentment and betrayal.

There was silence. “You’re right. I did. I was wrong for not telling you. But I also shouldn’t have to keep things from you, Vlad.”

“Just go, Erinna. Please.” He pleaded, suddenly feeling very tired.

He didn’t want to hear more accusations or have her to see him in his moment of failure like this. Using Michael to get to Armando had been low, even for him. 

His wife did not return to the bedroom and Vlad waited for more recriminations but none came. Instead, she stepped forward. Vlad tensed when he felt her right behind him, knowing soon enough that she would see the blood, the evidence of his transgressions.

But instead of being disgusted when she saw the red water, Erinna emptied the basin, put fresh water and began washing his hands for him.