The Villains Must Win-Chapter 350: Alistair Cain 10

"You enjoy this," Alistair told Selene one night, his voice low as he drew blood from her again. "Do not deny it."

She did not.

"Yes, my Lord," she replied, breathless. "I enjoyed it."

That pleased him.

Days blurred into nights. Nights bled into one another. Selene’s sense of time was lost, replaced by the rhythm of anticipation, endurance, and aftermath.

She learned to read Alistair’s moods—to recognize when restraint would be tested harder, when he would push further, when he would linger afterward in silence that felt almost contemplative.

She learned something else, too.

Alistair never killed what he valued.

Those who survived were those who understood him—not emotionally, not romantically, but instinctively.

They knew when to submit, when to endure, when to accept the pain without surrendering themselves to panic.

Selene understood now why she still lived.

Why Caroline still lived.

They were not special because they were loved.

They were special because they remained composed at the edge of annihilation.

On the seventh night, when Alistair drank Selene’s blood again at the height of her ecstasy, he whispered something against her skin that lingered long after the wound had sealed.

"Your blood is sweet as ever Selene."

That was why she remained.

That was why she would continue to endure the nights.

And that was why, whether she admitted it or not, part of her had begun to crave them.

Then one day, Selene found herself rejoicing—for it seemed, at last, that something was changing.

She had truly begun to fear that this tale was nothing more than an endless cycle of cruelty, bondage, and a perverted vampire’s indulgence. That she would never escape the loop she was trapped in, no matter how much she endured.

Finally, a change in the otherwise repetitive existence.

"You will be coming with me," Alistair said calmly.

Selene blinked. "Coming... where?"

He glanced at her, face ice stone. "To school."

The word landed like a stone dropped into still water.

"School," Selene repeated faintly.

"Yes."

She stared at him, waiting for the mockery to surface. It never did. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"You’re serious," she said.

"Entirely."

Selene pushed herself upright, disbelief sharpening her features. "You’re telling me that ancient, blood-drinking, arcane-wielding creatures of the night attend school?"

Alistair’s mouth curved—barely. "We do not emerge fully formed. Control must be learned. Discipline must be enforced. Power without structure invites catastrophe."

Caroline tilted her head slightly. "It makes sense," she said quietly. "Arcane magic destabilizes when unregulated."

Selene looked at her as though betrayed. "You’re agreeing with him?"

"I’m acknowledging reality."

Selene exhaled sharply and rubbed her temples. "So this is what this is," she muttered. "A gothic vampire academy romance. Of course it is."

"How old are you exactly my Lord for you to attend school?"

Alistair raised a brow. "I’m still young."

"That remains to be seen."

He ignored the remark.

"The institution is called Covens of Midnight," he continued. "It is not merely for vampires. Any creature capable of manipulating arcane forces is subject to its governance."

Selene frowned. "So witches. Warlocks. Whatever else goes bump in the night."

"Correct."

"And vampires," she said flatly, "need report cards."

"Assessment," he corrected. "Not grades."

Caroline’s lips twitched.

Selene leaned back again, staring at the ceiling. "I don’t know what disturbs me more—that this exists, or that you’re apparently obligated to attend."

"I am not obligated," Alistair said. "I am... expected."

She shot him a look. "That sounds worse."

"It is."

There was a pause. The fire crackled.

"And you said we’re coming with you," Selene said slowly. "You didn’t mean as students."

"No."

"Guests?"

"No."

She closed her eyes. "Of course not."

Alistair’s gaze settled on her with quiet intensity. "Human Blood Banks are permitted."

Caroline stiffened slightly.

Selene opened one eye. "Blood Bank."

"Yes."

"Is that the polite term?"

"It is the official one."

She sat up fully now. "You mean Human pets."

The word hung between them.

Alistair did not deny it.

"Institutional language prefers anchors," he said. "But yes. Pets, if you insist."

Selene laughed—once, sharply. "You’re bringing us to school as pets."

"You are not deaf," he corrected. "I’m sure you heard me."

"Yes, my Lord." Selene didn’t want to push it. Alistair seemed to favor her and Caroline. It was the reason that he tolerated them to some extent.

"Personal blood sources are permitted," he continued, unbothered. "The school recognizes the risks of forcing restraint without accommodation. It is... considerate."

Selene stared at him. "That’s one word for it."

Caroline spoke before Selene could spiral further. "So students are allowed to bring those they feed from. Voluntarily."

"Yes."

"And those companions," Caroline continued, "are protected under covenant law."

Alistair inclined his head. "No harm may come to what is claimed. As long as you’re marked as mine, no one will touch you two except me."

Selene’s mirth faded. "That’s reassuring."

Caroline agreed. "At least my Lord will protect us, I feel safe already."

Selene cast her a sidelong glance. The woman was shamelessly pressing herself close to Alistair, currying favor with obedient devotion.

She was the compliant one—while Selene rebelled when it mattered. So far, Alistair seemed to like the mix of the two of them.

And Selene had no intention of losing to her.

Caroline folded her hands in her lap. "How long?"

"A term," he replied. "Several months. I’m already in my last year in school, so not long."

Selene groaned. "Months. Living in a gothic nightmare school with creatures who could rip me apart if I sneeze wrong. Fantastic."

"They will not touch you," Alistair said. "You would be under my protection."

"Comforting," she muttered.

"And you," he added, turning to Caroline, "would be under it as well."

Caroline met his gaze steadily. "Thank you, my lord. Such protection deemed unworthy for the likes of us."

Selene wanted to roll her eyes. "When do we leave?"

Alistair calmly lifted his glass and took a measured sip of blood.

"Next week," he said coolly. "School will be opening soon. I expect you to pack at once. Do not bring excess—only what is necessary." His gaze flicked between Selene and Caroline. "You understand what I mean, right?"

Of course, Selene understood. The necessities were never practical things—only the dresses and nightgowns he preferred to see them in.

Caroline nodded obediently. "It will be done, my lord."