022: ALASTOR'S VESSEL

022: ALASTOR'S VESSEL
Cassian rarely gets invited to whatever gathering the household members have, and honestly, he doesn’t care because, as much as they don’t want him there, he doesn’t want to be in the midst of gossiping women and words that directly stab at him, but this time, it’s different. Cassian is surprised when Ollie appears in his room to invite him to the family's shitty gatherings in the large private sitting area inside the mansion.

Cassian doesn’t expect much when he arrives in the room; his gaze instantly lands on the duchess sitting elegantly with her daughter and her two bratty daughters, but there is someone else in the room, a stranger.

She has a sweet smile on her face, dressed in an ankle-length blue dress and a facecard that even the gods will be jealous of. Cassian admits that she’s pretty.

“Ah, Cassian, you are finally here; we have been waiting for you,” the duchess starts as she invites Cassian to get closer with the motion of her hand, and Cassian does, but keeps his distance.

“I want you to meet Elyndra, Alastor’s vessel.”

Vessel. The single word makes Cassian’s feet go cold. He has read about vessels: they are a special breed of vampires who carry a vampire's child when the vampire’s mate lacks the capacity to reproduce. A vessel is obtained for the vampire so he can get heirs.

Cassian had read about vessels, but he didn't think he would meet one or that one would be gotten for Alastor. His jaw clenches at the thought before he even realizes, and his eyes morph into a dark shade of blue, while something dark and ugly stirs in his chest, but he refuses to acknowledge it.

The vampire known as Elyndra gets up from her seat and approaches him with that same sweet smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you finally,” she says softly, dipping her head in a respectful bow. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“And I you,” Cassian replies stiffly, because anything else might come out wrong.

Clarissa smiles too widely as she gets up from her seat and approaches. “Isn’t she lovely? She has been trained her whole life just to become Uncle’s breeder; that means he watched her grow up, and they are extremely close.”

Elyndra giggles softly, covering her mouth with her hand like a proper lady, something Cassian will never be because he is a man. “I won’t say we are close, Clarissa. I have just been preparing for the day Lord Alastor finally summons me.”

So Alastor called her himself. Cassian swallows the bitterness in his throat. He has no right to be jealous. He should feel nothing at all. He forces a smile on his face.

Slowly, Elyndra’s gaze drifts, almost innocently, to Cassian’s neck, looking for something, but then her eyes flicker with something Cassian can’t name before she looks away and says.

“I hope we can coexist peacefully. I don’t wish to intrude.”

The duchess chuckles softly. “Oh, my dear, you aren’t intruding. You are fulfilling your purpose. He is a male; he can’t give the Lord an heir, that’s your duty, and we all must serve and perform our duties, don’t you think so, Cassian?”

Cassian’s nails dig into his palms. He doesn't like the way his heart feels like it’s being pinched with too many needles at the same time, while every second he spends in their presence feels like he’s about to claw at his own skin. “Of course, mother.” he forces the words out of his throat, hoping they bite as they sound in his head.

“Elyndra has been chosen carefully. She is obedient, well-bred, and understands her role, something you could learn from,” the Duchess continues, her voice just as taunting as ever.

Again, Cassian gives a fake smile. “Then I will leave you to whatever it is you were doing before I arrived,” he gives a tiny bow before he turns to leave, but her voice stops him right in his tracks.

“I do believe you still recall our agreement, Cassian, because time is running out and you'd better work fast because the minute Elyndra bears Alastor a child, she will become his new mate, while you will simply be a discarded vampire. I don’t think you will survive such disgrace, so heed my advice.”

Cassian doesn't need to look at her to know she has a devious look in her eyes, and Cassian doesn’t stand there to listen any further as he pushes his way out of the room. He should have known nothing good would come of their so-called meeting.

They think he cares that Alastor gets a breeder? Ha. He can have a million more; Cassian doesn’t care. His problems are bigger than some vessel can handle.

~~

When Elyndra pushes the door to Alastor’s office after being invited, she finds the man behind his desk. A small smirk creeps to her face as she slowly approaches him, going to start at the front of his desk.

Alastor looks at her with a lazy gaze. “I don’t recall summoning you, Elyndra?” he says with a tilt of his head.

“Mother did,” Elyndra answers with a smile. “She said you need me here, and I have always been ready to be at your service, my Lord,” she says with a bow, eyes twinkling.

“I will have the guards send you back,” Alastor says dismissively and instantly. The smile on her face drops, and the spark in her eyes dims.

“Forgive me, my lord, but your mate is a male, and he can not give you a child. Your other mates have all died. You need an heir to continue the pureblood line.”

Alastor pins her with a stare. "How I wish to continue my bloodline is none of your concern, and you will not question me. Prepare to return home.”

She stares silently for a moment before she nods. “I understand, my lord. I have heard you have taken quite a liking to Cassian, so I was curious about his identity, so I did some research before I got here.”

Alastor tilts his head. “And what did you find?”

In an instant, the spark in her eyes returns, and she breaks into a smile. “I found out his identity as a common vampire is fake, and his surname is forged. The Vales do not have a son but daughters. He has been deceiving you and everyone, and for this, he deserves to be beheaded.”

Slowly, a small smile stretches on Alastor’s lips, and he leans his body forward, curiosity in his eyes. “Do tell, what evidence do you have to back up this claim that my mate, whom I picked, has a fake identity?”

Elyndra opens her mouth, then immediately closes it when she realizes she has no evidence. “At the moment, I have none and have spoken based on my findings, but if you let me stay, I’ll do everything I can to make sure he reveals his true identity and whatever it is he’s hiding.”

Alastor nods, impressed. “Very well, I will let you stay and let you discover his secret.”

Elyndra stops herself from bouncing on her feet as her eyes shine brightly. “Thank you, Lord Alastor; I promise not to fail.”

Alastor nods and leans back in his seat, a devious, cunning smile playing on his lips.

Seems like the little human has a little trouble coming his way, and Alastor will be there to watch.