I had an instant bad feeling when I caught Luke's gaze on Rosie. Nick also froze in place with a wary expression."What why?" I asked him. Luke turned his gaze to me, his expression suddenly turning doubtful. Alice walked past him into the center of the dining room which adjoined our kitchen. She sat down on one of the sofas and crossed her legs."Are you using Dostov's idea?" Alice's question was directed at Nick. All our eyes were now fixed on Alice. She looked at the expressions on our faces one by one before her eyes finally landed on Elliot who was still sitting in his high chair. Elliot, who realized he was being watched, stuck out his tongue and then blew his mouth so hard that his saliva flew around him.Alice replied to Elliot by raising one eyebrow upwards."If you mean Dostov's idea of ​​baiting Rosie then no, we didn't go through with that plan," Nick replied. I could tell he was trying to stay calm, but his expression was darkening rapidly, the expression on his face now

Nick took Rosie who was not crying from Alice's lap"What did you communicate to her?" asked Nick suspiciously. His protective nature towards Rosie sometimes goes too far."I told her to be quiet" Alice answered curtly. Nick's eyes looked at her a bit angry but he didn't say anything else.They looked at each other for a few moments before Alice continued. "I agree with Eleanor's previous idea, for now it's better for you to join Dostov's clan, at least until Carleon realizes he has also been toyed with by Vlad."Her eyes followed Rosie who was now back in Nick's arms."Yesterday you asked me to accept Dostov as Elliot and Rosie's guardian, today you told me to join the damn clan, then what next Alice? Are you going to ask me to marry Rosie to Dostov?" he asked.We could feel the tension between Nick and Alice, even Luke looked at them with a wary expression. Their debate is likely not going to end if left like this continues. Nick may not realize it yet, but we really need Alice's su

It took a full half minute for my two eyes to explore the entire room from one end to the next. The entire wall of this room was covered with thick, blood-red velvet, the same as in the hallway earlier. But now that I realized its function, the upholstery was not just for decoration but for sound insulation in this room. If someone shouted then the sound of that scream would never be heard from outside this room.I remember Vlad once had a floor in his palace which was designed with the same function as this place. He used the rooms as a place for his lunch. Vlad's minions would usually bring selected humans into the room for the leader to enjoy, their screams could not be heard from outside the room.Why did Dosto use the same method to design this place... I don't want to know why. The ceiling of this room is filled with golden white carvings that match the color on the lobby floor. Several sets of moss green velvet sofas are placed around an antique fireplace. Thick Kapret also cov

(POV - Eleanor Shaw)Word of us joining the Dostov clan spread very quickly a few days later, even though we ourselves had not yet been formally accepted into the clan.Several of Nick and Greg's colleagues and friends contacted them to inquire about the news. Even two of their friends from San Francisco planned to visit after hearing the news about us joining. Nick says it seems Dostov deliberately spread the news so that everyone, especially Vlad, would know too.Of course I felt a little relieved because we finally had the clan's support and protection, but judging by the responses of the other Volders who immediately contacted them to inquire about the truth of the news, it seemed they were really surprised.I knew their relationship with Dostov was terrible, but it was only this time that I realized how bad it was. Before that I thought they were both a little over the top in hating Dostov, because in my eyes Dostov looked.. not evil.Today is Greg and Lana's moving schedule. At

No one answered his previous greeting. Dostov looked at us one by one with a smile, then the smile on his face faded when he landed on the last line."What is He doing here?" he asked someone."So what?" Luke said, a little confused."You are my Leech- Ah never mind," he muttered to himself in a resigned tone and then he stood up from the gold carved chair that now looked like his throne. Dostov ran a hand through his hair and glanced at the stroller with a disinterested glance.His four clan members stood behind and in front of us without saying much. Dostov himself stopped a few paces in front of us and looked slightly confused. "What should I say next..." he muttered in a very low voice but we could still hear him clearly."Starting tonight you have been made honorary members of this clan. I should have mentioned your names one by one, but because there are too many of you, let's do it all at once." Her casual remark contrasted with her solemn tone.I looked at him while parting my