Burning a Three Hundred Year Sigil

The blood-red words of the illusion swam in my vision, mocking me.

I didn't need to be a seer to know it was Trina mocking me.

Although I had already guessed the real reason for Erik's absence, Trina Petrova's taunt still felt like a silver stake plunging into my heart, leaving me breathless.

I grew up with Erik, as a human. My family, the Vances, had offered me to the Salvatores as a 'Blood Anchor,' a living shield meant to protect him for three hundred years.

As a naive human girl, I had sworn to become his eternal partner.

This vow sent both our families into a state of ecstasy.

And Erik had always been good to me, or rather, very possessive.

Until he brought back another woman—the fledgling vampire Trina Petrova. Watching their unrestrained intimacy, I finally realized: whatever Erik felt for me, it wasn't love.

That realization terrified me.

A hundred years ago, I first proposed that we complete the blood pact.

Our families were all for it, but Erik—he flatly refused me.

Over the next century, I proposed it a dozen or so times.

He only agreed seven times—and on all seven of those occasions, he abandoned me.

And each time, like clockwork, Trina would materialize with a fresh taunt.

Just then, my communication stone vibrated again.

I thought it was Trina, and my thumb instinctively moved to crush it, but I saw it was my friend, the witch Caroline Forbes.

She was inviting me to that night's Nocturnal Feast.

Without thinking, I asked, "Is Erik going to be there?"

"Don't worry, Berry. I know things are rough between you two, so I made sure he'd be there. He's coming!" she said cheerfully.

"Then count me out," I replied. "If he's going, I'm not. Maybe next time."

The connection went dead silent. Caroline was stunned.

Everyone knew I had chased Erik for three hundred years.

I tirelessly restored ancient spells to stabilize his power, fought for his interests in the Vampire Council, and spent my days managing his vast, empty castle.

Once, at a Blood Alliance celebration, someone remarked how lucky he was to have me.

But Erik just scoffed coldly. "She's just a convenient blood bag. Who cares what she does?"

Back then, I didn't care. I thought one day he would see my worth.

Now, I cared.

After ending the communication, I sent a telepathic message to all the vampire acquaintances I knew: "From now on, if Erik is attending, please do not invite me."

Then, I returned to my room in the castle.

After bathing, I started gathering Erik's things. I threw them all into the fireplace and set them alight with a small flame spell.

My good friend Caroline appeared in a swirl of smoke, having clearly gotten the message.

When she saw the silk shirts burning in the fireplace, she cried out, "Gods, Berry, are you in there? Are you burning yourself alive?"

I smiled and pointed to the pile of ash. "What are you talking about? This is all Erik's stuff. I'm burning it all."

Caroline froze. After the flames died down, she looked at me in disbelief. "Weren't you and Erik supposed to complete the blood pact today? What happened that led to... this?"

She trailed off, the realization dawning on her face.

She knew everything that had happened before. She was trembling with rage, the magical elements around her vibrating. "He stood you up again? That bastard. No wonder you sent that telepathic message. I bet Trina was behind this. Come on, I'll teach her a lesson with a curse!"