Title: "Eternal Blood: The Last Vampire"
Chapter 9: Life and Death of Those Who Obey
The vast California coastline stretched beneath the crimson twilight as Arthur's convoy moved silently along the private road leading to the Beverly Hills estate. The recent purges, betrayals, and political maneuvers had drained them, but tonight was about indulgence.
Arthur, towering at 188 centimeters, his long white hair cascading down his shoulders, looked like a figure carved by the divine—flawless, ethereal, more beautiful than the most adored celebrities. His golden eyes reflected a haunting wisdom, their depths revealing lifetimes of power, loss, and vengeance.
"Life and death," Arthur mused, stepping onto the marble terrace of his newest mansion, "are gifts I bestow at will. And tonight, my children, we revel in the life I've crafted for us."
Selena, fierce and radiant, brushed her dark hair behind her ear, gazing out at the infinity pool that shimmered like liquid starlight. "It feels strange," she admitted. "All this luxury after the chaos."
Daniel, ever observant, smiled slightly. "Isn't that the point? We outlive the storms."
Arthur nodded, savoring the cool ocean breeze. "We endure because we remember to live," he said. "Now, I've purchased three more estates, two in the hills, one on the coast. And... a little surprise." He gestured toward the driveway, where an armored convoy delivered the keys to their new yachts, anchored at the private marina.
"Yachts?" Marcus's voice broke through, his expression caught between awe and disbelief. Still adjusting to his newfound status as a transcendent daywalker, he marveled at the wealth surrounding him.
"Yes," Arthur replied, his gaze sharpening. "Because power isn't only displayed in blood. It's seen in influence, in assets, in how the world bends to your presence."
Marcus lowered his voice. "Before I forget... You can read hearts, can't you?"
Arthur's expression darkened slightly. "I don't just read hearts, Marcus. I hear intentions, sense betrayal, even before it breathes life. I knew my other children would waver one day. Now, there are three of you I trust." His golden eyes settled on Marcus, heavy with warning and promise. "Remember, treachery is met not with exile, but final death."
The group moved through the sprawling mansion—the grand halls adorned with renaissance art, the ceilings stretching toward the heavens, the air perfumed with vintage wine and victory.
"Come," Arthur announced. "We dine. French cuisine. I haven't tasted Parisian mastery in fifty years. Let the world play its petty games; tonight, we feast."
Laughter echoed as they descended into the mansion's private restaurant. Candlelight flickered, casting their immortal reflections across crystal glasses and silk tablecloths.
The celebration had begun, but beneath the surface, the old vampire's words lingered. Life was fleeting, even for the powerful. And loyalty, above all, determined who would rise—and who would fall.
Title: "Eternal Blood: The Last Vampire"
Chapter 9: Billionaire's Playground - Part 2
The sun glistened over the Pacific as Arthur's newly purchased mega-yacht, "The Sovereign," cut through the waves like a silver blade. It was over 400 feet of pure extravagance—helipads, infinity pools, marble interiors, and enough technology to rival a small nation.
Arthur stood at the bow, his long white hair flowing in the sea breeze, his sharp, divine features drawing the gaze of every onlooker. No actor, no model, no painting from the Renaissance could compare to the ethereal beauty of his face or the perfection of his physique—a living sculpture shaped by time and power.
"Children," Arthur called, his golden eyes sparkling, "we've built empires, influenced presidents, destroyed traitors. It's time we indulge in what this world offers. This, as the humans say, is the American Dream. Let's live it."
Selena appeared beside him, her dark curls dancing in the wind, dressed in sleek designer wear. "A yacht, multiple mansions, luxury cars... You really are making up for lost time," she teased.
"Fifty years without French cuisine," Arthur smirked. "That's unacceptable. Tonight, we dine like kings in Monaco."
Daniel approached, tapping away on his tablet. "The properties in Bel-Air and Malibu are secured. Also, the fleet of hypercars is ready—Bugattis, Ferraris, Paganis. It's... excessive," he admitted with a grin.
"Excess is our privilege," Arthur replied, his tone both amused and commanding. "Mortals chase wealth all their lives. We hold eternity—we might as well enjoy it."
Suddenly, Marcus stepped onto the deck, his expression blending awe and determination. "Father," he began, still adjusting to his new transcendent existence, "I feel... unstoppable."
Arthur placed a hand on Marcus's shoulder, his grip firm, eyes piercing. "Marcus, before I forget—never mistake power for invincibility. I read hearts. Betrayal pulses louder than blood. Even my own children cannot deceive me." He gestured to Selena and Daniel. "Now, there are three of you. A family. But loyalty... that defines whether you thrive or perish."
Marcus nodded solemnly. "I understand."
"Good," Arthur smiled faintly. "Now, indulge. Embrace this life—mansions in Paris, penthouses in New York, islands in the Caribbean. Five months of revelry, then you return to me. The world reshapes soon—and I will need your strength."
As the yacht cruised along the French Riviera, the siblings toasted with vintage champagne, laughter mingling with the sound of crashing waves. Jets waited on standby. Villas sparkled in distant hills. Their father—the immortal architect of their fate—watched with quiet satisfaction.
"Live well," Arthur whispered to the wind. "For soon, history remembers us not as shadows, but as kings."
(To be continued...)