The Blood Contract-Chapter 10: It is done

It was finally time for the joining and Serena was escorted to the Grand Hall. She had been separated from Lucian after they completed their final assessments, without any form of explanation.

The grand hall of the Council's compound was a haunting blend of archaic tradition and sterile formality. Silver chandeliers cast a harsh, cold light across the room, their glow reflecting off the polished marble floors. At the center stood a raised platform, where an intricately carved altar loomed, etched with runes that pulsed faintly, as though alive.

The hall had filled with Council members and select witnesses, their faces obscured by shadows and masks, others by the large black hoods on their heads. Their judgmental gazes bore into her like daggers.

Serena was led to the base of the platform, where she was made to stand beside Lucian, who was already in the hall. Her arms folded tightly across her chest, the weight of her predicament pressing down on her like an iron shackle.

She glanced at the ceremonial robes they had draped her in—blood-red silk that felt suffocating against her skin.

"You look ready to bolt," Lucian's voice drawled from beside her.

With raised brows, she turned to look at him, but he was already facing forward. His own ceremonial robe was a stark black that seemed to drink in the light.

"You're finally talking to me," Serena shot back, looking away from his side profile and fixing her eyes on the altar.

Lucian's lip curled in a faint smirk, but it didn't reach his eyes. "It's my wedding. The least I can do is talk to my wife."

"I am nobody's wife. I'm being forced to do this so it doesn't count," Serena shot back.

"They're ready for you," one of the Council's aides announced just then, his tone as lifeless as the hall's decor.

Serena felt the air around her grow heavier as they ascended the platform, side by side.

The altar loomed before them now, and standing behind it was one of the council's leaders, flanked by two robed attendants holding silver chalices. His piercing gaze scanned them both, lingering on Serena with an unsettling intensity.

"Let us begin," he intoned, his voice echoing throughout the chamber. "Tonight, you two shall be joined together in a blood contract, as man and wife, before this highly esteemed alter, and all the witnesses present here. This contract binds not just you two, but your entire bloodline to the Council of Vitae. And severe consequences shall be incured should any part of this contract be broken."

Serena's heart raced. Her father had signed this contract, that was why she was in this mess today. She couldn't believe she was about to do the same thing. She was about to tie her unborn children to this mess of a cult.

"Bring the chalices," the man instructed, his gaze on the attendants.

Serena's pulse quickened as the attendants stepped forward, each presenting a chalice. The liquid inside glimmered darkly, thick and red, its metallic scent unmistakable. It contained blood.

"This is insane," Serena muttered, her voice barely audible.

Lucian didn't respond, his focus locked on the chalice offered to him. Without hesitation, he took it, raising it to his lips. He wanted to do this as quickly as possible and get it over with.

"Drink," the Council Leader commanded.

Serena hesitated, her fingers trembling as she accepted her own chalice. She stared into the liquid, her stomach churning.

Gritting her teeth, Serena raised the chalice to her lips and drank, seeing how Lucian had already downed his. The taste was metallic and bitter, making her gag, but she forced herself to swallow.

The room seemed to shift around her, the air growing colder as a strange energy crackled inside of her body. Confusion set in her mind but she did her best to mask it and concentrate on what was happening.

The Council Leader gestured to the altar. "Now, your hands."

Lucian stepped forward, placing his palm flat against the altar's surface. The runes flared brighter, casting eerie shadows across his face. She wondered if he could feel what she was feeling inside, after drinking whatever it was they offered to them.

"Ms. Alaric," the Leader prompted.

Her feet felt like lead as she moved to stand beside Lucian. With a deep breath, she placed her hand on the altar, her palm mere inches from his.

The attendants moved swiftly, drawing ceremonial daggers from their robes. Serena flinched as one approached her, the blade glinting ominously in the light.

"It will only sting," the attendant said, as though that would make it better.

She bit down on her lip as the blade sliced across her palm, the pain sharp but fleeting. Blood welled up, dark and warm, pooling in her cupped hand.

Lucian didn't flinch when his own hand was cut, his stoic expression unchanging.

"Join your hands," the Leader commanded.

Serena froze, her instincts screaming at her to run. But the memory of Elias's face—his pale, frightened face on that screen— and his tired voice when she was allowed to speak with him, kept her rooted in place.

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Lucian extended his hand toward her, his blood dripping onto the altar.

"Let's get this over with," he said, his voice low.

Swallowing her fear, Serena reached out, her bloodied palm meeting his. The moment their skin touched, a jolt of energy shot through her, sharp and electric. She gasped, barely able to keep herself standing.

"What the hell—" she began, but her words were drowned out by a surge of light erupting from the altar.

The runes flared blindingly bright, their glow consuming the room. Serena's vision blurred as the strange sensation intensified. It wasn't just physical—it was something deeper, something she didn't understand.

She glanced at him, her breath hitching when she saw the faint flicker of emotion in his eyes. For a moment, it wasn't disdain or indifference—it was something closer to confusion. But it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by his usual cold mask.

The light began to fade, and the room settled into an uneasy silence.

"It is done," the Council Leader declared, his voice ringing with finality.

Serena made to pull her hand back to herself but her knees suddenly weakened and her body swayed.

Lucian caught her before she could fall, worry settling on his face for a moment.

"Are you alright?" he asked, helping her regain balance. When she nodded he let her go.

"Now for the final part," the council leader spoke, gesturing with his hand towards the attendants, who came forward once more, and clipped a bracelet each around Serena's and Lucian's wrists.

"What is this for?" Serena asked in a low voice.

"Your wedding presents. It will help ensure that you both keep to the terms of the contract," the council leader answered with a confident smile. "It is waterproof, and should be on your hand at every time. Taking it off for any reason will attract severe consequences."