Windora; Horrific resolve

"Frederic...."

The booming voice of the elder echoed all over the room. Still recovering, elder Roustain was hidden in a candle-lit room. He was lying on a four-poster bed with huge curtains that offered extra protection from the sunshine.  Well-protected by the darkness cast by the heavy fabric, his purple eyes stared at the vampire before him. Frederic Roustain, the powerful current head of House Roustain, was standing before him. On his immaculate pale face, where no blonde strand of his beautiful mane fell out of place, there was frustration and restlessness. Lux, as always, was the focus of his attention. Like a thorn to his side, she was always difficult to deal with. A vampire with character, A vampire who refused to settle for any suitor sent her way. It bothered Frederic to have such a strong-willed vampire in their court. It bothered him to have one with such an uncanny true form when all the others were similar. It bothered him that she was a powerful vampire, of house Adora, and because of it, she could not be forced to marry. To add insult to injury, Lux was clever and curious. She was studying their history - or so she said- and if he wasn't careful, she would quickly uncover the truth about elder Roustain. 

"Father. As you summoned me, I kneel before you."

"Frederic, finally... Do you have any updates on that Adora girl?"

Frederic's blue eyes lowered, and he stared at the floor. He could not look at his elder until he got permission, and he did not want to add to the irritation of the founding father. Of House Roustain, only the most powerful vampires were aware of the truth about Elder Roustain, which made them a handful. It was partly to protect the truth and to control who had access to it. Aurelius Adora was growing restless, perhaps because he felt the presence of the Elder. After all, Aurelius was a second-generation vampire, turned by Father Adora.  Perhaps he was far more perceptive than the newest generations of vampires, who had no idea of what an Elder truly was. Regardless of the truth, the fact that Lux was snooping around was a threat to their plan. With Aurelius on edge, it was advised not to cause a ruckus and bring suspicion to them. So they had to let her walk freely. They had to let her do as she pleased while keeping a tight watch on her. Had she been a regular vampire, there would have been no issues completing the task. Unfortunately, she was no mere vampire. She was an Adora and a powerful one at that. 

"Unfortunately, Father, she eluded us in Montana and proved to be difficult to watch."

"Difficult?" Father Roustain's voice thundered across the room, paralyzing Frederic with fear- " Has our blood been so tainted that we cannot best this Adora's spawn?"

"Father... Forgive--"

"No forgiveness for the useless roaches in our family tree. We need to know what she knows and anticipate her next move. Do not make me take over, Frederic. I have been disappointed in you, so fix it and earn my respect."

"I won't fail you this time, Father." 

How could he, when his very life was on the line? Frederic was a creature of ambitions. He wanted power, relished in the one he already had, but he definitely wanted more. He dreamed of being alone on top of the world, but he had to bide his time. The Elder was extremely powerful, far beyond Frederic's capacity. If he wanted to overthrow him, he had to be patient and plan ahead. Since the Elder did not want any harm to come to the redhead's way, Frederic thought about forcing her to marry him. If she refused any other suitors, surely, given the relationship between the Adoras and the Roustain, she would at least entertain the idea of him. Did he like her? No. He hated Lux. He desired Lux. He wanted to own her. He needed to own her. Did he love her? He despised her. He loathed her. He considered her to be beneath him, to be tamed, to be controlled, and he reveled in the idea of seeing her beautiful face contorted with the pleasure he would give her or torn by the pain he would inflict on her. Regardless of what that was, he knew that he wanted to break her, and the thought made him lick his bottom lip. It was decided. He will organize a formal meeting with Aurelius and Lux, and he will increase surveillance as well, so she does not escape their sight. .  His underling, Alex, greeted him and followed his master into the deep night.