send me “↹” for my muse’s reaction to yours pushing them out of harm’s way… and taking the blow instead
♛━» Their arranged engagement was met with heavy skepticism by both societies, as was to be expected. After all, very few hunters throughout history ever became involved with a vampire– let alone a Pureblood; a relationship like this was taboo no matter what perspective it was examined under. Caleb wasn’t just any Pureblood either, he was the lost son of Juri and Haruka Kuran which would make him true head of the Kuran family. That also meant he was not without enemies… He’d be the target of vampires who wished to take advantage of his lineage and power, and hunters who wished to see him dead simply for being alive.
Elizabeth was the daughter of Kaien Cross, the immortal vampire slaying legend. Even within his own society, he was received with mixed responses for his decision to stop hunting and found Cross Academy. That choice impacted Elizabeth as well– it stripped her away from him, and since becoming a vampire she was being used as a tool for the two groups she was now part of– that was the basis of the entire arrangement. Would a hunter-by-blood-gone-vampire and a Pureblood be able to prove that coexistence was attainable? Some thought not despite the young couple’s harmonious relationship and decided this ‘facade’ could no longer be allowed to continue.
As the hunter took a swing at the lady of the house with an anti-vampire sword, Caleb had thrust himself in between his fiancée and the blade.
“Caleb…!” It was never supposed to be this way. Never. She shot a fierce glare at the one who had slashed her companion and that was that. Like a mad bat out of hell, Elizabeth snapped, fought back, and plunged her arm through her attacker’s chest. She had never utilized her vampiric strength until now and felt ill to have done it… but it was the only solution.
More hunters were around, no doubting that, so they couldn’t very well stay in once place. Making their predicament all the more distressing, Caleb was significantly weakened and had bled a great deal from his injury. Thundering footsteps could be heard in the not-so-far off distance, leaving them with nothing else to do but flee… and there was no chance of Elizabeth leaving Caleb behind. They weren’t exactly friends, and certainly not lovers, but there was a mutual respect for one another. Even so, she… couldn’t understand why Caleb risked his life for her.
Elizabeth shouldered Caleb to her bedchambers on the second floor, seeing as all the exits were now blocked. Aside from the locked cellar, it was the most secure room in the estate.
In the midst of chaos, lavender curtains swirled softly in the air from the gentle breeze coming through the open window. Elizabeth was trembling and her voice was barely audible, but she took hold of Caleb’s hand and did her best not to worry him. “I’m sorry. This is my fault. You’ll be alright though, I promise… I’ll take care of you.” Tears began forming in her eyes. Seeing Caleb like this was awful on its own and knowing it was because of her inability to act tore her apart. “I could have stopped him before, but I froze up. I won’t do that again, I won’t let them hurt you. Stay here and rest while I take care of everything else.”
