Chapter 30:

You and Jungkook walked back into the living room from the day before. Dracula and Rosemary were both there already on the couch. Rosemary was sitting on the end and Dracula was sprawled across it, horizontally, his head resting in her lap. She was brushing his hair with her long sensual fingers and looked right at you when you and Jungkook entered. Dracula opened his eyes and peered at you two through his lashes.

"Well, look who decided to join us? Sleep in, did you?" He smirked, his gaze flickering to Jungkook's, challenging him. Jungkook said nothing, but you could feel him tense beside you.

"You two had a fun night." Rosemary commented, smirking at you. She winked and you straightened. "It wasn't because of what I said, was it? You weren't trying to.... convince yourself of anything?"

You blushed hard, remembering the events of the day before, how it felt to have her pressed so close, offering something to you that you didn't even know you could want. You had to remember that she was probably using whatever siren powers to make you uncomfortable.

"What is she talking about?" Jungkook asked, looking over at you. you blushed and opened your mouth, unsure of how to explain it to him.

"Never mind all that, so have you come to a decision?" Dracula cut you off before you could say anything. He sat up, planting his feet on the ground. "I know I said you could have a few days, but you look like you've made a decision." He gave you a long look and you took a deep breath, looking over at Jungkook. Jungkook gave you a soft smile and gave your shoulder a supportive squeeze. You turned back and nodded.

"Yes, I have." You swallowed and moistened your lips. "I'll do it, I want you to turn me." Dracula's eyes widened and he beamed.

"Excellent!" Dracula hopped off the couch, rubbing his hands together. "This will make everything worth it. You will be able to take revenge on Lazarus for what he's doing to your mother and I will get revenge for forcing me into hiding. Finally, I'll be able to return the favor and—"

"Wait. What did you just say?" You cut him off abruptly. Dracula paused in his speech, his arms still in midair. He blinked, looking over at you.

"I said you'll be able to take revenge on Lazarus." He deadpanned. You shook your head, feeling your heartrate speed up.

"No, after that. You said I'd be able to take revenge on him for what he's doing to my mother." You repeated, your eyes flashing. You took a step forward, your stomach bubbling in rage and panic as Dracula blinked again, looking away and then back at you. Jungkook put his hand on your shoulder but you almost didn't feel it.

"Did I? I meant, for what he did to your mother." He deadpanned. You took another step forward, shaking Jungkook's hand off your shoulder.

"That is not what you said." You growled, your voice a few octaves lower than normal. "You said what he's doing. Present tense. Is my mother not dead? Did you lie to me when you said she died in a car accident? Does Lazarus have her right now? Is she alive?"

Dracula closed his mouth, his eyes narrowing as a wave of annoyance passed over his features. He glanced at Rosemary, who was giving him a look that said 'seriously?' and you started to panic, rage bubbling up in your stomach.

"My mother is alive, isn't she?" You croaked, a lump in your throat as the reality started to settle in around you. Dracula let out a long dramatic sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Y/N, this isn't—"

"No, tell me the truth!" You shouted, your voice cracking. "Is my mother alive? Does Lazarus have her right now?"

Dracula rolled his eyes. "It really doesn't matter, you still need to be a vampire and—"

"No!" You marched forward and grabbed Dracula's arm before Jungkook could stop you. Dracula raised an eyebrow at your small hand wrapped around his wrist and looked into your blazing gaze.

"I have been lied to and manipulated since the second I got involved with you vampires." You snarled, your voice husky and raspy. You almost didn't recognize it. "I've been handled and attacked and I've almost died a few times. You will tell me the truth!"

Dracula quirked an eyebrow and a tiny smirk fit over his face as he peered into your murderous stare. "You trying to give me orders now, Y/N? Awfully bold of you to do when you're still a weak human." He chuckled and your grip tightened, pure rage growing in the pit of your stomach, threatening to spill out of your eyes. You let out a choked sob and stomped your foot. Childish, but you had never felt so helpless and betrayed.

"You're supposed to be my family!" You shouted, yanking on his arm. "You're supposed to be on my side, and all you've done is lie and try to manipulate me to fit your agenda." Dracula leaned in close, his upper lip curling distastefully. You heard Jungkook take a step forward but you raised your hand, halting his movement.

"What did you expect from me?" Dracula crooned, licking his lips smugly. You gritted your teeth and your eyes fell to his neck where a pendant rested. You'd noticed it before, but it hadn't clicked on what it was. A locket, which you could only assumed belonged to the only woman he ever loved, you distant ancestor.

"What would she think?" You growled, letting the venom slip into your tone. Dracula's smile faded as your grip tightened and you pointed at the locket. "What would she think of what you're doing and how you're treating me?"

Dracula's eyes flashed and suddenly he grabbed your wrist with his other hand and yanked it off, pulling you close to him. You inhaled sharply as he leaned his head down dangerously toward you, his golden eyes flashing scarily. You heard Jungkook grunt behind you and you felt his hand wrap around your other arm, ready to yank you back.

"Do not..." Dracula rumbled. "Talk about her to me. Don't ever say a word about her to me. I will kill you and I'll enjoy doing it." his voice was so soft and yet you could hear the truth in every word. Your heart flipped, but you help your ground, glaring right back. You leaned closer and Dracula instinctively leaned his head back.

"Then you tell me the truth." You snarled in response, unafraid. You weren't afraid when you could feel Jungkook behind you, ready to protect you if you needed it. With him behind you, you could face down the devil himself. "Look at me like you're looking at her. Don't lie to her. Tell me the truth." Your voice was low, commanding and you saw Rosemary raise an eyebrow out of the corner of your eyes. Dracula's teeth flashed as he glared hard. Finally, he scoffed and pulled back, dropping your arm.

"Yes, your mother is alive." He said finally. You exhaled hard, like you'd gotten the wind knocked out of you. You knew the truth already, but hearing it said aloud was overwhelming.

"You lied to me yesterday?" You croaked, unable to say anything else.

"I lied to you." You whipped your head around at Rosemary's sultry voice. She crossed her arms, standing up from the couch. "I lied when I told you that you mother died in that accident. She actually survived, barely. And Lazarus took her away."

You coughed and felt Jungkook pull you back beside him, gripping your shoulders supportively. "Why didn't he see me either?" You croaked, trying not to show how badly you were trembling. Rosemary blinked and then chuckled lightly.

"Oh, right, well I didn't lie about everything." She clarified, waving a dismissive hand. "Your mother almost died, so Lazarus was a bit preoccupied with trying to save her to notice you. So I was able to get to you before he saw." She clapped her hands cheerfully, like that was all it would take to clear things up. You could only stare, mouth parted in utter shock and disbelief. Who were these people who could leave a huge detail like that out without feeling the slightest bit of remorse for it?

"This doesn't change anything." Dracula noted, bringing your attention back to him. You gritted your teeth and tried to step forward, but Jungkook kept your black flat against his chest.

"Doesn't it?" You snapped, allowing Jungkook to hold you protectively. "Then why didn't you tell me about her yesterday when you were explaining your whole diabolical plan?" You almost spat. Dracula sighed and planted his hands on his hips, looking very annoyed.

"Well, I figured that if your mother wasn't dead then, then she must be now. It's been, what... 20 years? I can't imagine that Lazarus managed to keep her alive for this long." He deadpanned unapologetically.

"I can." Jungkook said suddenly, stepping up beside you. You looked at him in surprise. He looked at you and then back at Dracula. "It makes sense that she is still alive now. It's the only thing that makes sense actually."

Dracula raised a skeptical eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Really? Do elaborate."

"Well this whole time I've been thinking... if Lazarus wanted Y/N's blood, then why hadn't he taken it? he's had her for a significant amount of time, why wouldn't he use her for her blood sooner?" Jungkook turned to you, his gaze softening sympathetically. "The only explanation I can think of to answer that question is that he's experimenting with your mother right now. He knows that you're the last chance he has, so he wants to try to get his experiment right before he tries to use you."

You blinked up at him, feeling an overwhelming emotion that threatened to bring you to tears. Had he always been this charming? Had he always been so compassionate? So perceptive? So freaking perfect?

"So you think she's still alive?" You whispered, tears burning the back of your eyes. Jungkook smiled and touched your cheek, nodding.

"It makes the most sense to me." He said softly, caressing your cheekbone with his thumb. You leaned again, feeling the overwhelming urge to start crying.

"Oh my god, who cares?" You turned back to Dracula, who looked bored and more than a little annoyed. He threw his arms up in exasperation and a stone settled in your chest as you glared through hot moisture. "Honestly, it makes no difference. You wanted me to turn you, so let's get on with it. You can save your precious mother after." He beckoned for you to come closer, but you didn't budge.

"You knew she was alive." You murmured, watching as Dracula's eyes narrowed. "You didn't tell me because you thought I wouldn't take your offer, why? Why would it be so important that I become a vampire despite her—" You gasped, cutting yourself off when it suddenly clicked. Your eyes widened and Dracula lifted his chin, seeing the understanding in your eyes. "He's going to kill her, isn't he? If he finds out that his last hope for being human is gone, if you turn me then... He'll kill her before I have a chance to save her. Is that why you didn't tell me?"

Dracula glared, dropping his arms limply at his sides. "You are annoyingly perceptive." He muttered, rolling his eyes. You choked back an angry sob.

"She's your family too, how could you do this to her?" you demanded, your voice hoarse and thick with emotion. "You left her with him for 20 damn years and you never thought about saving her?"

"Don't be so melodramatic." Dracula rolled his eyes again and let out a long indignant sigh. "I had to think of myself. If a rescue attempt were to go south, then all of my plans would go up in smoke." He shrugged casually.

You wanted to scream. Wanted to punch him, wanted to scratch out his eyes. You almost did too, if it wasn't for Jungkook's hand on the back of your neck, rooting you to the ground, steadying you, reminding you what was really important.

"All you do is think of yourself! That's my mother!" You shouted, clenching your fists so hard, your nails split the skin on your palms.

"I have had countless offspring and descendants. If I gave a shit about all of them, I'd never get anything done." Dracula deadpanned, planting his hands on his hips, his golden eyes flashing dangerously. "I don't mean to be insensitive, but I don't care about your mother. If she's not dead now, then she's as good as dead because she'll have been experimented on for two decades. She's a lost cause." He sighed deeply and spread his arms, beckoning for you to come forward.

"Now, are we going to do this or not? Please come close, you'll have to ingest my blood directly from my wrist. One second," he lifted his wrist to his mouth and his fangs protruded out, sinking into the flesh of his inner wrist. You wrinkled your nose as he extended his wrist toward you, now with an open wound so you could just lick the blood dripping from it. You stared at his wrist, your mind reeling. You looked into Dracula's eager gaze, leaning closer to you. there was something about all of this that didn't sit right with you and you suddenly found that you didn't want to be a vampire. Not if it was going to cost you the chance to meet your mother.

"No, I'm not doing this." You took a step back, bumping into Jungkook. He caught your shoulders and just the feeling of his touch was enough to give you back the strength you'd lost. "I'm not playing your game. I'm done letting you manipulate me."

Dracula's eyes flashed and his smile vanished, replaced with a scary grimace. "I promise you, this is in your best interest." He growled, tilting his head. A chill rolled down your spine. Did you look like that when you were angry?

"Maybe it is, but it's not if I want to see my mother again." You murmured, shaking your head. Dracula's fangs flickered and his eyes flashed.

"For God's sake, enough of this! Come here!" He commanded. He took a menacing step forward, but Jungkook, quick as lightning, stepped in front of you, protecting you from Dracula's molten eyes.

"Back the hell off. You don't touch her unless she allows it." Jungkook snarled, his hands fisting at his side. You saw his eyes turn red from the side and Dracula lifted his chin, eyeing Jungkook up and down.

"I'm not turning into a vampire." You ground out, watching as Dracula's eyes filled with unadulterated rage as they focused on you. "If there's even a chance that I can save her, I have to take it."

"It's a suicide mission." Dracula snapped. "You'll never be able to do it. Lazarus will capture you and experiment on you too." He eyed you up and down too and his lip curled. You pressed your lips together.

"I'll take that chance. I'll bargain my own life if I have to. If he thinks he still has something to gain from me, then there's a chance that he might spare her." You whispered, shaking your head at him. "But if I become a vampire and he realizes he has nothing left to gain or lose, he'll kill her. I don't want that. I want a chance to meet my mother."

Dracula let out an annoyed grunt and crossed his arms, giving you an incredulous look, like he really couldn't understand your point of view. "Why do you care so much? You've lived your entire life without a mother, why do you want one now?"

"That's exactly why, because I've never had one. I spent my whole adolescent life hopping from foster home to foster home, each one worse than the last." You said, trying to convey your reason as much as you could. "I dreamed for so long to have parents, to have someone love me like a parent would. She's my mother, I came from her, I want to meet her, I want to know her. Don't you remember what it was like to have a mother?"

Dracula cackled evilly and you cringed, curling your hand around Jungkook's forearm unconsciously. You did not like the look in Dracula's eye.

"My mother was a wicked woman who convinced me I was the devil incarnate. I killed her, the first chance I got." Your eyes widened as you stared at him in horror. He was worse, so much worse than you first thought. Dracula glared at you, then glared at Jungkook, who hadn't moved from his spot in front of you. He let out a long dramatic sigh and drew his wrist back, wrapping a bandana around it and securing it with his teeth.

"Fine, then. You want to go after your mother? Have at it. But you're on your own." He yawned and turned away. Rosemary walked up to him and he threw his arm around her shoulders. Jungkook looked at you and the two of you shared a surprised look.

"Just like that?" You asked, breathlessly. Dracula gave Rosemary a long wet kiss on the lips and then turned back to you, shrugging uncaringly.

"Sure. Do whatever you want. As long as you keep the fact that I'm not dead a secret. To be honest, I don't expect you'll come back, but if it's something you want then who am I to stop you. Maybe if I'm lucky, Lazarus will choke on your blood." He laughed to himself and then guided Rosemary out of the room. He paused just before exiting, turning back to you with a sly stare.

"Just a fair warning, if you leave here now, then you can expect no help from me. Even if you somehow manage to survive and save your precious mother, I won't help you. With this, you've alienated me and I assure you, this is a decision you will regret."

You pressed your lips together, standing your ground, despite the horrifying threat. "Then it'll be mine to bear." You deadpanned, squaring your shoulders.

Dracula scoffed and smirked, turning on his heel. He and Rosemary sauntered out without looking back.

As soon as you were left alone, you immediately stepped away from Jungkook, a stone settling in your chest. You looked up at him, eyes wide as you realized that even though you two had just shared great intimacy, this might be the string that makes the relationship fall apart. You didn't want to let him go, but you knew that this decision affected him too.

"Jungkook, I'm going after my mother." You stared, taking a deep breath. "I know I said that I would turn and I don't want to hurt you like Clara did but I—"

"Y/N, you don't need to explain." Jungkook cut you off, touching your shoulder gently. "If there was a chance I could see and talk to my mother again, I would take it. No matter the cost. I understand, don't feel badly about this."

You pressed your lips together, feeling tears well up in your eyes. He was so understanding, so kind... And yet you knew that this would crush him if you couldn't be with him. And you wanted to be with him, more than anything. It was just... you wanted to save your mother more.

"You heard Dracula... if I do this, he won't help me anymore. Even if I succeed, he won't turn me." You croaked, pulling back. Jungkook sighed deeply and he looked away. You saw a look of pain cross his features.

"I know..." He whispered. You swallowed and fisted your hands at your sides.

"Jungkook, you don't have to come with me. This is going to be a suicide mission and I don't want you to be caught in the crossfire. I know I'm just a human but... I can figure this out." You said firmly. You gave him a forced smile. "I'm smart, I can outthink him. Maybe I can convince him that what he wants is impossible or something. Or I can trade my life for hers... I don't know, but I don't want you to feel like you have to come with me. I don't want you to be hurt."

Jungkook let out an amused laugh and focused his attention back on you, his eyes hardening.

"I'm going with you." He said firmly. "There's no way in hell I'm letting you face Lazarus and Jimin on your own. No fucking way, I don't care what you have to say about, I'm going with you." He moved forward and settled both hands on your shoulders, forcing you to look him in the eye so you knew how serious he was. Your lips trembled.

"We might not come back." You whispered, blinking back tears. Jungkook shrugged.

"So be it. You can't scare me away, Y/N, I'm in this. I'm with you." He cupped your cheek, rubbing his thumb along your cheekbone, wiping away a tear that slipped out of the corner of your eye.

"But if we do this..." You trailed off, gritting your teeth, the lump in your throat making it hard to speak. Jungkook sighed and leaned forward, kissing you on the lips. You shivered from the intensity and passion of the kiss. When he pulled back, your cheeks were flushed.

"Y/N, I don't care if you're human, a vampire, or a mermaid. I don't care, you can't get rid of me, I'm in this with you for as long as you'll have me." He said with such resolve, it made your knees weak. "I'm with you until the end... I... I love you."

Your eyes widened and your mouth parted. "Y-you do?" You stammered. Jungkook pressed his lips together and nodded.

"Yes, Y/N, I love you. I won't let you go through this alone. Not ever." His voice was husky and gruff and when he leaned again, you threw your arms around his neck, kissing him back.

"Okay..." You whispered, your lips a mere breath's length from each other.

"So what's the plan?" Jungkook murmured, his hands wrapped around your waist. You licked your lips and took a half step back, rubbing your chin.

"Probably just go back to manor and turn ourselves in, right? Maybe we can get Taehyung to help us free her. And Jimin..."

"Jimin won't help." You swallowed and sighed, knowing he was right even if you didn't want to believe it.

"Well... we can at least go over there and then figure out a plan when we see the situation?" You offered. Jungkook thought for a second and then nodded.

"Okay, sounds like a good start, let's go."

You and Jungkook found your way to the door and you hopped onto Jungkook's back at his direction. You squeezed your eyes shut and held your breath as Jungkook flexed his limbs and bounced up and down a few times. Then he took off.

Your stomach jumped into your throat and your grip around him tightened as he flew through the streets, the landscape looking like nothing but a blur as you went by at the incredible speed. You felt the familiar nausea rise in your throat as he sprinted down the streets with his superhuman speed.

Suddenly far too soon, you felt him start to slow down. You blinked your eyes open when he came to stop on an unfamiliar road. You frowned in confusion,.

"Jungkook? Where are we? Why'd you stop?"

"Ah.... Ahh!" Jungkook's shoulder's suddenly hunched and he keeled over. You gasped and dropped down to your feet before he fell over and grabbed him around the waist as he collapsed to his knees.

"Jungkook? What? What's happening? What's wrong?" You crawled around to his front and cupped his cheeks when you saw his face contorted in pain.

His head twitched and then he screamed, his hands flying up to his ears, squeezing his eyes shut. He fell down on the ground, curling up into a fetal position as he screamed, scratching at his ears wildly. He writhed uncontrollably and you shrieked in surprise, grabbing his shoulders and pulling his upper body into your lap. You wrapped your arms tightly around him, not sure what else to do, horror and panic working its way into your chest. What was happening? He screamed again and hit the side of his head, aiming for his ears. You grabbed his wrists to keep him from hurting himself but he struggled and fought against your grip, thrashing and screaming.

"Jungkook! Please, tell me what's happening, what's..." You trailed off, looking up when you saw six different people emerge from the shadows and the wooded area behind you. Your heart jumped into your throat as Jungkook continued to thrash and sob in your lap. Your eyes were focused on the leader of the group who stepped up in front of you. He was blowing into a whistle of some kind, but you couldn't hear any sound come out of it. He stopped blowing and smirked as Jungkook slowly stopped seizing, falling limply in your arms, his head lolling around and his eyes shut. Your eyes widened when you saw blood trickling out of his ears.

"Well, this is certainly a surprise." The leader said, an amused smile on his face. "I wasn't expecting you to fall into my lap like this." He commented, drawing your attention back to him. You could only stare in shock and confusion. His familiar features and handsome face lit up with excitement as he looked over you and Jungkook, who was curled up in your lap.

"C-Caden?" You croaked, squeezing Jungkook tighter. Caden grinned and his winked.

"Hello, Y/N."