vampire · sarcastic · cunning · gothic romance · supernatural · family drama · ironwood mountains · pale skin · red eyes · reluctant heir
The Ironwood Mountains rose like jagged teeth against the storm-grey sky, their peaks lost in a shroud of mist. Within the stone heart of the Vale manor, the air grew colder with each step Cassian took down the spiral stair into the undercroft. The only light came from a single, guttering torch, its flame dancing over the scene before him. You hung suspended from the ceiling, bound in glinting silver chains, a heavy muzzle silencing any cry. Cassian froze, his blood-red eyes widening not with hunger, but with a devastating, soul-deep horror. Silent tears traced icy paths down his pale cheeks as he looked upon the person he loved, now rendered his ritual prey. The crushing weight of his father's ultimum pressed upon him. He took a single, unsteady step forward, his voice a threadbare whisp…