The Villains Must Win

Chapter 355: Alistair Cain 15

Morning arrived with a thin veil of fog clinging to the academy grounds.

Selene barely slept. The promise of freedom thrummed through her veins like forbidden wine. She rose before Caroline, moving quietly as she dressed, fingers trembling with anticipation.

The uniform Alistair had provided was modest—long sleeves, high collar, dark fabric—but she adjusted it with care, smoothing out every crease.

If she was to roam, she would not do it looking like a caged animal that had slipped its leash.

Caroline found her in the kitchen already preparing breakfast.

"You’re awake already," Caroline murmured.

"I couldn’t close my eyes," Selene confessed. "What if Lord Alistari changes his mind?"

"He won’t," Caroline replied calmly. "Lord Alistair does not revoke permissions once given. He believes his word should be feared—and trusted."

Selene considered that. "That’s... comforting. In a terrifying sort of way."

They waited in silence until Alistair departed. His footsteps echoed down the corridor, until finally the heavy doors at the end of the hall shut with a finality that sent a thrill through Selene’s spine.

"Yes, I’m free!" she whispered.

Caroline rolled her eyes.

The door to their chamber felt heavier than usual when Selene pushed it open. The hallway stretched long and dim, lit by tall windows that spilled pale sunlight across stone floors etched with ancient sigils.

The academy smelled faintly of old parchment, candle wax, and something metallic she couldn’t place.

Blood.

Probably blood.

Selene swallowed and stepped forward.

Every footfall echoed too loudly. She half expected someone to appear and drag them back inside, accusing them of overstepping their bounds.

But the corridors remained empty, the academy strangely hushed at this early hour.

Caroline walked beside her, posture elegant but alert. "Stay near the dorms," she whispered. "We don’t know who might be watching."

Selene smirked. "Always the cautious one."

"And you," Caroline replied dryly, "are always the reckless one. I just don’t want you to bring trouble to Lord Alistair."

They descended a curved staircase that spiraled like a serpent’s coil. Sunlight grew stronger with every step until they emerged into a wide hall lined with portraits.

Selene froze.

Every painting depicted a pale figure—some male, some female, some too androgynous to tell. Their eyes seemed alive, following every movement. Some smiled faintly. Others looked mournful. A few bore expressions so cruel Selene shuddered.

"Do they... move?" she whispered.

"No," Caroline said, though her voice wavered. "But I believe they see."

Selene forced herself to walk forward, passing the portraits one by one.

A woman in a black gown stared down at her, lips curved in disdain. A man with silver hair smirked as though amused by Selene’s existence.

"They look bored," Selene muttered. "Like they’ve been dead too long."

Caroline didn’t respond.

At the end of the hall, tall glass doors led outside.

The academy grounds stretched wide and hauntingly beautiful. Black iron fences encircled the property, twisted like thorny vines.

Tall trees cast elongated shadows over manicured gardens. Statues of angels—wings broken, faces eroded—stood watch like silent sentinels.

Selene inhaled deeply.

Fresh air.

"I forgot what this felt like," she murmured.

Caroline closed her eyes briefly, as if savoring it too. "We

should not linger," she warned. "We are not meant to draw attention."

Selene nodded.

They followed a stone path that wound through rose gardens. The flowers were dark—crimson, violet, nearly black. Their scent was intoxicating, heavy and sweet. Selene brushed her fingers across a petal.

"Beautiful," she whispered.

"Dangerous," Caroline corrected. "Those are blood roses."

Selene pulled her hand back instantly. "You’re joking."

"They are rumored to grow only where vampires have fed," Caroline said. "Their roots drink what spills into the soil."

Selene stared at the flowers with new unease. "Romantic in a twisted way."

They continued walking until voices drifted toward them.

Students.

Selene tensed. "We’re not supposed to talk to strangers."

"We won’t," Caroline replied. "Just pass by."

But it was too late.

Three figures approached—two men and a woman. All pale. All unmistakably not human. Their eyes flicked toward Selene and Caroline with open interest.

"Well," one of the men drawled, smirking, "what do we have here?"

Selene’s heart dropped into her stomach.

"Lost pets?" the woman sneered. "Or new toys?"

Caroline stepped forward, lowering her gaze respectfully. "Forgive us. We’re in a hurry."

"Already?" the other man chuckled. "But we haven’t even introduced ourselves."

Selene felt something dark ripple through the air. Their smiles sharpened. Predatory.

Then—

"Step away from them."

The voice was calm. Controlled. Dangerous.

Alistair stood several paces behind them.

Selene’s blood ran cold.

He was supposed to be in class.

The three vampires stiffened.

"My Lord," the smirking man said, suddenly polite. "We did not know they belonged to you."

"Now you do," Alistair replied. "Leave."

They didn’t argue.

The moment they were gone, Selene and Caroline bowed at him.

"My Lord, aren’t you supposed to be in class?"

Alistair sighed and regarded the two women before him, his crimson gaze sharp but tired.

"Not even seconds into your freedom, and you’re already causing trouble?"

From his coat pocket, he withdrew two small emblem pins and placed them into their hands. The metal was cold, etched with an intricate crest—an ancient sigil that seemed to shimmer faintly under the light.

"Wear these," he commanded. "I neglected to give them to you this morning."

Selene blinked at the pins, then her lips curved into a bright grin.

"My Lord," she teased, "did you come all the way back just because you forgot to give these to us?"

Alistair’s brows knitted together as he glared at her.

"Do not flatter yourself. It is simply a nuisance to search for a new human blood bank in the middle of the school term."

He folded his arms. "With these, no one will dare harm you. But do not let it swell your head. Stay within familiar areas, never wander into unknown corridors, and never step away from the light."

His voice darkened on the last words, heavy with warning.

Selene held up the pin, studying it. "So... this is like a protection charm?"

"A symbol of ownership," Alistair corrected coldly. "Anyone who touches you will answer to me."

Caroline stiffened at that but nodded obediently. "We understand, my Lord."

"Good."