Chapter 38

Liam was shocked when he saw many dead servants belonging to his father and older brother lying around the old English-style house. He ran as fast as lightning to ensure Blake was still in the basement, according to what his father had said when he visited Aaron's house yesterday. Blood covered the ground and floor of the house and even decorated the walls, making the atmosphere even more terrifying. The rancid and rotten smell was so dominant that it made Liam's heart beat fast.

The atmosphere was tranquil when Liam set foot in the living room; things were seen scattered around, and even some of his father's antiques were destroyed. Liam couldn't guess who attacked this house.

Or Cassandra?

His head turned to feel someone's movement. In the next second, Liam's tall body was hit until it bounced against the wall of the house, leaving a relatively large crack. Liam coughed while holding his chest, which felt so painful, then looked up to see a figure clad in black clothes.

The man's eyes widened; he was sure the figure before she had died due to the battle in the forest with Federica. He still remembered that Federica violently ripped out her heart. So why did she get up?

"Zoe?"

The woman glared at Liam and then pulled Liam's red shirt roughly.

"Why? Surprised to see me alive again?" she said sarcastically.

From his smell, Zoe's blood was different from his own. Liam cursed himself, knowing that even if Zoe's heart were burned, the woman wouldn't die. He just realized Zoe was one of the Grim Ripper's loyal followers. He was also one of the people who caused the Fox and Snake clans to go to war decades ago.

Zoe's right hand pierced Liam's chest so quickly, squeezing the man's heart and making him scream so loudly. Zoe laughed so happily hearing the screams that it made her even more eager to finish off Liam.

"Now you know how painful it is when your heart is forced out, right?" quipped Zoe.

"Zoe!" called Blake, who appeared behind Zoe's back.

Liam's eyes widened to find that Blake's hands were covered in blood. From the scent, Liam knew it belonged to Laura and his father. Liam tried to get away, but the grip of Zoe's hand on his chest made it even tighter. Liam didn't want to die at Zoe's hands.

Zoe's hand-stretched slightly over Liam's heart as Blake arrogantly approached him. The smell of blood on Blake's hands made Liam's irises glow even redder. Blake laughed and casually licked her blood-stained fingers one by one. Liam growled, but Zoe's grip tightened, causing pain to the top of his head.

"Let me explain," Blake said calmly. "You should know who you're fighting with, Liam."

"I'm going to kill you, Blake!" Liam cursed.

Blake's laughter filled every corner of the house. Then he cupped Liam's face with his right hand as if he wanted to crush his cousin's face without mercy.

"Remove your hands, Zoe. Let him know how to fight with us," Blake ordered.

Zoe released her grip on Liam's heart at the same time as Blake sucked Liam's blood right into his carotid. Liam screamed, his body burning as Blake's fangs pierced his veins. Liam's energy seemed to be sucked quickly; his body collapsed when Blake was satisfied drinking blood.

After that, Blake kicked Liam's body like it was useless. Liam tried to get up, but suddenly, his skin wrinkled like an older man. He ran to find out the new effects that Blake's power had come out of nowhere. Liam screamed as his wrinkled skin caught the sun. He moved backward to protect himself by taking cover under the table.

Blake approached, smiled sarcastically, and threw the table in any direction. One hand prevented Liam from escaping, strangling his neck until his body floated above the ground. Liam tried to reach Blake, but his strength was so unbalanced he needed blood.

"Blake..." Liam groaned.

Blake ignored him. He dragged Liam's thin body into the basement, where he was held helpless. Blake just threw his cousin's body on the stairs. Liam coughed; his chest hurt so much. He crawled and grabbed the nearby wall as hard as he could.

Blake stepped down and then forcefully pulled Liam's hair, causing a sensation of intense pain. Then Liam hit the iron door where Laura and Liam's father languished. Liam saw that their bodies were tied together with two IV tubes containing vervain. Liam knew that from the aroma, which was so thick that his head was very dizzy.

Zoe, who was behind Blake, opened the door. Liam was kicked until he fell onto the floor of the room. The pool of blood and vervain on the floor mixed; he wasn't even sure whose blood it was.

"So, now you know the consequences of fighting with me, Liam," said Blake.

Liam didn't answer; his eyes were closed, busy watching Laura and her dying father. Allan looked up weakly, immediately rebelling to see Liam in such a bad condition.

"Don't you touch my child, Blake!" Allan exclaimed.

Blake disobeyed orders; he grabbed Liam's hair until Liam's head looked up. Blake sucked Liam's blood again; the man couldn't scream as loudly as before. His energy had been drained, his skin was getting more wrinkled, and his face even looked like an older man who was about to die.

Blake threw Liam's dying body away, glaring at his uncle with a vengeance.

"Liam's blood isn't that bad. I like it," praised Blake. "You know, Allan. I could let you live with your two children. If only you brought me that girl's blood."

"Do not expect!"

Liam moved, trying to get up with the rest of his strength. "Let my father and Laura live, Blake."

Zoe stepped up and kicked Liam's body until it was dragged near Allan's feet. Then his booted foot stepped on Liam's back, making Allan glare at Zoe.

"If Liam wants to live, you tell your son to take the girl's blood, Allan. The blood moon is coming; that's the peak of our power. If not, I'll be happy to cut off his head."

"L-let me do it," Liam stammered.

Zoe removed her legs from above Liam's back. The man got up and sat looking at his two enemies with a weak gaze. It's a tough choice, but Liam can't do anything except save his family first.

"I'll do it, Blake. But let Dad and Laura live; let go of their vervain," Liam pleaded.

Blake thought for a moment. "Bring the blood first. After that, I'll let Allan and Laura go. Isn't that fair?"