I'm
Blaine and the others rushed over to Lillian, who had fallen to the floor with the shard still in her neck.
"Lillian! Lillian! You have to open your eyes!" Blaine shouted as he shook her.
"I knew this was a bad idea," Nimona said.
"Let's take her to the hospital," Gandulf suggested and ran to the door, followed by Blaine carrying Lillian.
But suddenly, her blood began to flow back into her neck, and the wound started to close.
Blaine stopped and stared at Lillian in surprise. "Blaine! Will you let her die?!" Gandulf shouted.
Blaine slowly looked up, amazed. "She can heal. Like us."
Gandulf and Nimona were taken aback. They came closer. Lillian slowly opened her eyes and smiled.
"I told you I can't die. Which proves there's nothing wrong with me staying here." She looked at the collar of her top, now stained with blood.
Blaine sighed, carried her to a couch, and dropped her carelessly.
"Ouch!" Lillian yelped.
"You deserve it," Blaine said as she glared at him.
"Just so you know, healing won't stop you from dying at the hands of Blaine's brothers. But I won't try to make you move out before you do something like this again." Gandulf looked like he had given up. "So we'll be going now. Stay safe – you are our lifeline."
Nimona walked to the door with Gandulf, and they left. Lillian waved them goodbye sarcastically.
"I'll go see them off," Blaine said.
"Suit yourself." Lillian stood and went upstairs.
---
At Hazel's production office, she leaned back in her chair with a smug smile as she watched the news about Lillian.
"The news is working against her," Mr. Cole said, standing beside her. "It's only a matter of time before she goes under investigation."
Hazel turned her chair toward him. "Mirabel's book – the one we haven't released yet – should come out tomorrow. The angry people will buy tons of it increasing sales since they see her as Lillian's rival. Make sure it's released within three days."
---
Back at the castle, Lillian dressed and came downstairs.
Blaine heard her footsteps and came out of the kitchen with two cups of coffee. "Do you want some?"
Lillian nodded. He gave her a cup, and she drank every drop. Blaine drank his, but before he finished, Lillian handed him her empty cup.
"How do I look?" Lillian asked.
Blaine studied her. "You've always looked beautiful. Why are you asking me now?"
Lillian was taken aback for a second but quickly recovered. "I know I'm beautiful. You don't have to tell me. I want you to tell me whether I look innocent but serious." She stared at him without blinking.
"You always look serious and determined. The innocent part? It's not in your dictionary. You always look like you're going to kill someone when you speak. But when you're silent, like now, you look innocent."
"Good. Exactly what I want. Go get dressed. Let's go." Lillian sat on the couch.
Blaine raised an eyebrow. "Where are we going?"
"I'm going where people are gathering against me. My brokenhearted fans – the ones who chose me because of my stories or my social media. I'll let them say what they want. When the truth comes out, they'll feel bad for me, and their love will be even stronger. When that witch, Hazel, tries to raise her ugly head again, it will be much harder to convince them."
"You really like to manipulate people, don't you?" Blaine said.
Lillian smirked and Blaine walked toward his room to change.
---
Hours passed. Hazel stood in front of the plasma TV, her hand under her chin.
"What the hell is she thinking?" she said to Mr. Cole. On screen, Lillian was being hit by objects thrown by angry fans and haters. Placards read: "Lily Lillian needs to be arrested", "Justice for Mrs. Silver", "Why is a psychopath still roaming free?"
Lillian shed tears while Blaine tried to shield her.
In the midst of the crowd, Lillian pulled Blaine close. "That's enough. Get me out of here now."
Blaine rolled his eyes and guided her to the car. They drove off. Lillian wiped her cheeks and sighed.
"The rate at which people believe lies is extremely high. But I won't let Hazel win, and I won't let that bastard who spread the rumor get away with it." She closed her eyes and rested her head.
"So we get ready for tonight, then," Blaine said.
"Yeah."
---
In Hazel's office, she dropped the remote after watching Lillian leave the scene live.
"Why would she go to a protest against herself and let them abuse her like that?" Hazel asked no one in particular. "Serves her right for trying to take everything from me." She sighed and sat in a visitor's chair, then abruptly placed her hand under her chin again. "What if a plan is going on in her head? The Lillian I know never apologizes or claims innocence without evidence."
She looked at Mr. Cole. "What do you think she'll do next?"
Before Mr. Cole could answer, a tall, ominous man wearing a long black coat and dark sunglasses entered. He was the vampire king – a man even vampires feared.
"Hazel, you must be enjoying toying with Lillian's emotions." His deep voice made Hazel freeze. Mr. Cole stared at the floor as if hoping it would swallow him.
The vampire king scoffed and sat in a visitor's chair directly facing Hazel. "It must be fun having a loyal servant like Mr. Cole, isn't it?"
Hazel nodded slowly.
"Mr. Cole, how long has it been since Hazel saved you?" Caspian asked, still staring at him.
"Twenty years ago, sir," Mr. Cole answered without looking up.
Caspian nodded. Hazel coughed, mustering courage. "Caspian, why don't you say what you came to say?" Her voice trembled.
Caspian sighed deeply and stood. Blaine's brothers can enter the castle and Hudson's Mansion and they will help us kill Lillian."
"Why would Blaine's brothers help us?" Hazel asked, avoiding his eyes.
"Blaine's brothers want to kill him. Given how dangerous they are, you can convince them to kill Lillian Silver. There's nowhere for her to hide except Hudson's mansion and her castle." Hazel nodded, satisfaction in her eyes.
"That's what I came to tell you. I came in person because this is important. You could lose your life over it." Dracula clasped his hands behind his back and left.
Hazel clapped and laughed. "So Lillian is going to die a murderer without a chance to clear her name. I love this like crazy!" She shook Mr. Cole with a wide smile.
---
The day passed uneventfully. Night came.
"So you guys came to protect me?" Lillian asked Tony and the others. They nodded.
"Do you have to do this?" Blaine asked, concerned.
"Of course. I have to clear my name and stay at the top. I am Lillian Silver. Have you forgotten already?"
"What if he kills you?" Tony asked.
"He'll hit me – that's certain. But if he tries to kill me, you'll save me. Besides, I won't die. I have to enjoy what I built." Lillian turned to Tony. "Are the cameras ready?"
"Yes, Lillian." Tony answered.
Tiana looked at Lillian with hesitation. "That leads me to a question. Why is your pen name Lily Lillian when your real name is Lillian Silver?"
Bryan sighed. "How did whatever she asked lead you to that question?"
"Exactly. Why are you always the one asking questions?" Shawn said with frustration.
Lillian's expression softened. "My mother's third child – the last before me – was the one who supported me most when I said I wanted to be a famous author. She died. So I joined her name, Lily, with mine, Lillian, for my pen name. Satisfied?"
Tiana nodded.
"Okay!" Shawn checked his wristwatch. "He should be here now."
A knock came at the door. Everyone except Lillian went upstairs. Lillian opened the door and met her father's eyes.
"Dad? What… are you doing here?" she asked, feigning ignorance.
James pushed her to the floor. "You wench! What did you think you were doing, claiming you didn't kill your mother?"
"Because I didn't kill her – you did!" Lillian shouted.
James pulled her up by her hair. "Yes, I did. But would they believe you after all those villagers testified against you?"
"Who sent you to do this? Why? I did nothing wrong!" Lillian shouted.
James slapped her hard, and she fell to the ground. Upstairs, Blaine and the others felt the pain of the slap.
"I think it was Hazel – she owns a production house. Because of you, I got one million dollars. Now she sent me again to torture you and kill you. I'll get another four million." James laughed loudly, clearly enjoying the moment.
"Oh! You did this for money." Lillian struggled to stand and walked up to him. "Did you kill my mother and sisters for money too?" Tears rolled down her cheeks – it seemed real.
"No. I hated seeing all of you. I decided to kill you myself, and you were the easiest to frame then – and still now." James kept laughing.
"You took everything from me!" Lillian shouted and tried to charge at him, but James flung her across the room. Blood spewed from her mouth. A table collapsed on top of her.
"So? I only took her books and the properties her Irish grandmother gave her. How is it my fault that I was so unfortunate to have only female children? I hate female children. They're annoying. So why don't you go join them now?" He pulled a knife from his back pocket.
Lillian laughed from the floor. "I thought you knew me well enough not to threaten me. I never let myself lose. You know I always refuse to be small. I didn't come this far to die by your hands." Her voice was strained but defiant.
The well‑lit room suddenly went dark.
"Don't kill him. Torture him and dump him in the street." Lillian's voice cut through the darkness. "Bastard. Son of a gun. Don't worry – you'll soon meet your kind in a place called prison."
The castle erupted with snarls. James backed away in fear. He turned to run to the door, but a hand dragged him back. He screamed.
Blaine and Tony came to Lillian. "Are you okay?" Blaine asked, worried.
"Of course. Even though I'm not healing." Lillian winced. "Tony, get the video. Edit it perfectly. Leave out where Hazel's name is mentioned and any scenes that would ruin my plan. Give it to a famous reporter anonymously. Make sure the address of this castle is in the headlines tomorrow."
"Okay." Tony rushed out.
Blaine carried Lillian upstairs. "Bryan, get up here!" he shouted.
In her room, Bryan got his medical kit and treated her wounds. Later, Lillian fell asleep. Blaine sat on a wooden chair beside the bed and placed his hands on Lillian's hands to reduce her pain while Bryan slept on the couch.
---
In the morning, Blaine's brothers sat in an Italian restaurant, eating tacos. On the TV, the news headline read:
"James, Father of Popular Author Lily Lillian, Confesses to Murder at Maryland Castle Where Lillian Lives."
"Finally, we know where she lives," Chase said, shoving a taco into his mouth.
"Tonight, we go find Blaine. And we kill him without mercy. Remember – he betrayed us first." Alan spoke in a leader's voice.
The others smirked wickedly.
---
The brothers know where Lillian lives. Lillian has her confession. The trap is set. Drop a Power Stone and add to library – Chapter 18 is coming fast.