Bucket list /noun : a list of things that one has not done before but wants to do before dying Tessa Who the hell walks around the forest trail in the dark, with his son, and his guard? Apparently, it was Nero. And why would he need a guard? He said that he was a vampire, why did he need a guard? I thought vampires have cool abilities. Surely they can kill or is their power only in their kiss? Argh, I shouldn't even be thinking about him, about the kiss that leads to the mind-blowing orgasm, or in my case last night's orgasms. I took a deep breath and calm myself down. I have my issues to deal with. Three days had passed and I was nowhere near finding out who wanted me dead. I've spent most of my morning looking at the wall, browsing on my laptop, and my black book, and had managed to make more possibilities than narrowing down the list of suspects. I hate being surprised by impending death, I hate being timed. Three fucking months. I had started thinking that someone was messing
Plural noun: loversA partner in a sexual or romantic relationship outside marriage. Nero I was back at Vesper needing to have a much-needed talk before I go back home. The short time away from the city proves nothing aside from unexpectedly finding Tessa hiding out in her rental cabin, practically behind Vesper's new house. "You're going back with her?" "She had agreed to go back with me to my apartment. I'm not taking to my den." "Of course," Vesper nodded his head in understanding. He knew I wouldn't just invite a human into a house full of vampires. No matter how good she was at protecting herself, on that note I also didn't want to risk the life of the vampires living in my den knowing how good she was at killing. "Okay, now, tell me you won't cause any disturbance in the area? Or better yet, why don't you go back to the den? I'll be staying with Tessa for a while, I need eyes on the den." Vesper smirked telling me that Tessa had got me wrapped around her little fingers. "Y
Dormant:(of an animal) having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down for a period of time; in or as if in a deep sleep. Tessa I was up at seven, I never need much sleep after I hit puberty. Four hours or a maximum of five hours of sleep was all I needed for a good night's rest. When I woke up, I was alone, and the other side of the bed was cold. Though I didn't expect to wake up with the vampire, still I felt a bit disappointed not to have his arms around me when I opened my eyes. Okay, so I might be a bit clingy, but hey I blame it on my impending death. I will see you later this evening.Have a nice day.-N His note was on the kitchen counter along with my set of his apartment keys, car keys, and motorcycle keys. Damn, Nero and his minion were good with their promise. I still didn't know why he was doing it, helping me and stuff, maybe he was bored. Rich older men tend to do that, I think. Hell, how would I know? I never actually met them. I mean I do meet rich entit
Immortality:The ability to live forever; eternal life. Nero Tessa had been staying with me for almost a week now and she told me that she had been seeing Rigel snooping around the building a couple of times. Though he didn't confront her again but still, she was annoyed by the fact that the man was messing with her view. Her view. Yep. That's the kind of stuff that I'd hear her say sometimes. Random stuff that she'd say because it was not to her liking or she was uncomfortable with a certain situation, like me, sneaking out just before dawn to leave her to sleep alone. The thought that she'd want to sleep beside me and watch me basically lay dead until my body could function when the sunset was tickling my insides. I know she has a fascination with death and sometimes I think her being with me as a vampire, was feeding her cravings whenever I found her watching me with interest. Not just because she was fond of me, but because she was intrigued with my state of immortality. "Aldri
Intruder: A person who intrudes, especially into a building with criminal intent. Tessa "So, why do you keep your guest bound?" Nero finally took our attention back to the man who was zipped-tied and bleeding in front of me. "Oh, him...yeah, this guy kept on watching me. I don't think he's a pervert, so I need to know why but the man is not speaking, and honestly, I was about to cut off his digits when you came in." I smiled sweetly and showed him my trustee cutter, which made the man let out a pathetic squeak and looked at me in horror. "Oh, great, now you're scared." I shook my head and mentally blame myself for wasting time and not going ahead with the finger-cutting instead of verbally insisting on him to tell me who he was and who sent him. I was off my game, I'd been too spoiled staying and laying low in Nero's apartment. "Tell me, who sent you," my voice was icy calm, the man trembled and tried to take his hand away from my grip. "What's your name? Look, I know you don't wa
Needy: Needing a lot of attention, affection, or emotional support. Nero I was not happy when I saw Tessa getting her hand dirty when she handled Rigel's man. Ammar reported that he had specifically told Aldrich how to hand deliver the not-so-sneaky hunter. Tessa was fast asleep two orgasms later when I decided to leave her to discuss the matter further with Aldrich and Ammar back at the den. I wanted to make sure that no more hunters are going to litter my building. "She can handle herself perfectly fine, father. And you don't have to be here tonight, though it's been a while since I've seen you this upset about your companion." Ammar pointed out when I was clearly upset with what happened. "I know she can, but that's not the point. Hunters are not supposed to breach our territory without plausible cause," "Right, about that, Aldrich heard some interesting information about Tessa. I know you told me that she's an assassin, and it seemed that when she was on one of her jobs, she
Savior: A person who saves someone or something from danger.TessaA week after my run-in with the man who was called the hunter, my inside craves a little action. It was almost nine in the evening and I was still waiting for Nero. I was still getting nowhere with my wall of suspects, and I'd been spending the day lounging, watching Netflix to cross off a number from my bucket list.Binge on sappy romance movies on Netflix was my Bucket list number seven, yeah I figured I need to clean my palate since my Netflix recommendations were mostly murder documentaries and gory films. There were a couple of numbers that had been crossed throughout the week. Such as, going to the zoo where I enjoyed watching lion feeding time. I also went to the mall to shop all day buying colorful clothes though I don't know where I'd wear them so I stick to blue, red, green, and purple. All in a different shade of their darker tone, obviously.I was hoping to go clubbing with Nero tonight, he can choose which
Younglings is one that is young; especially : a young person or animal. Nero The problem started to pile up just as I was about to go back to my apartment and spent the rest of the evening with Tessa. Ammar was supposed to be on it, but then he lost track of Rigel. And then a small group of hunters managed to behead two of our younglings just because they party too hard and killed all the people in the party bus. Their sire called it a misunderstanding, a containable mistake he said. A bus of people, all dead. It was easy enough to say that the bus was en route to crashville, a perfect escape to get the vampire younglings out of the mess. Until the hunters were on to them. God, I'm too old for this mess. It took me two more hours to watch as Ammar took charge of the situation and calmed the younglings' sire and hold him off. It happened under my territory and the young sire was living in the area, a couple of blocks from my den. Ammar had managed to convince the hot-headed sire no
Three months laterNero"He will cause trouble that spoiled son of yours," I grumbled after Emilian's bodyguard reported that once again the kid played with fire when he decided that it was okay for him to follow Tessa's footsteps and play assassin for one of the local gang members."Oh, my sweet king, he's your kid too. I know you adore him. He's just finding his place in the city, Emilian just moved from his hometown. There's nothing wrong with him. He's perfectly perfect." My little killer said in her sweet loving words placing her legs on mine, straddling me, and placing her arms around my shoulders. We were having a nice quiet evening away from our children and the hectic affairs of vampire younglings, on top of Emilian's. Now that almost all of our sired children were mated, they're busy with their own families. I shouldn't have anything to complain about when my bloodline was expanding and getting stronger. Still, little stuff got me agitated even when I have my Queen to take t
Vampire cult: is an alternative lifestyle and subculture based around the mythology of and popular culture based on vampires.Tessa"Well, I guess I should tell you from the start. It might came a shock to you but I want you to open up your mind about us. Promise me not to run out of here once I tell you about who we really are."He gave me a little chuckle promising me that he won't. He looked at me as if I was out of my mind. But I sat straighter trying to compose myself, after two decades of being a vampire it was my first time telling anyone what I truly was and not killing them in the end.Do I want to tell him? Yes. Do I wish he stumbled on the knowledge of me and Nero being vampires instead of me sitting to his front trying to compose my words? Yes, please.I cleared my throat before I start my explanation. "My name is Tessa and I'm a Xerxes, my husband, my mate, your future king is Nero Severus Xerxes. He is a vampire and so am I." I paused trying to get a feel of how crazy did
Loss: the state or feeling of grief when deprived of someone or something of value.EmilianI did not expect help from a stranger. Mom and I had been surviving without anyone's help since the day Dad passed away. We use to be a small happy family until we were not. Losing Dad had taken a great toll on Mom's health until she too passed away and I was alone in the world.I didn't know how I'd cope if it wasn't for Tessa who took pity on me. She adopted my grown ass and moved me to their castle. I was ashamed for a few moments before I told myself what the hell and let them take me in. I was nineteen, I should be able to defend myself, be independent, and just...live. But I was so damn tired, it felt good for once to have someone taking care of me. When the third day came, I was wondering why haven't I ever seen them in the daylight. Yesterday I thought that they were working, but when I asked the cook who was preparing breakfast for me, she basically said to ask Nero and Tessa myself w
Anomaly: something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.Tessa"Then there was Helena. It was more than two decades ago, I think. I'm just saying that you're turning me into a jealous killer. At least you're not giving me wrinkles." I pushed him back to our sofa in the middle of our living quarters and straddled his thighs.On quiet nights there was nothing more I'd like to do than to climb and situated myself on his lap. We usually have our meals from blood bags to fill my thirst for human blood since I'd be too tired to move my limbs after a satisfying orgasm between us."Tomorrow I'm taking you out for a hunt.""Sounds like a perfect date. Now, cuddle me close. You've turned me into a cuddle slut." I hummed in appreciation when he wrapped his pale hands around me and rested me on the crook of his shoulder.But the hunt that was supposed to happen the next day, happened two days later when we visited Florence, Italy. We bought a castle together a couple of years
Jealous: feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages.Nero"I'm still not sure about sending him off with Vesper. Remind me why am I doing this again?" Tessa asked me for the third or maybe fourth time already. I know that I should be bored by now. She had told me that she did not expect sudden care for other humans or vampires. Tessa confessed that it came so suddenly that she didn't think it was in her to give a damn in the first place."Tessa, you know your half-brother is not going to be safe going back to his place.""Ugh, I shouldn't even care about these things. This is me giving a damn. I should work more. I think this is what free time does to my brain and I don't think it's pretty."I was not expecting her to be back working, she still needs to control her urges. I did not need my little killer on steroids. With her new urges for human blood, I need eyes on her all-time making sure she behaved accordingly. Pissing off our human liaison and trigger
Docile: well-behaved, quiet, and easy to control.Lowell"I don't understand, why can't I go home?" It has been days maybe even more than a week since they held me against my will. Honestly, I've lost track of time with the days and nights being the other around. Here, the place came to live at night, surely because they were vampires and they checked in on me during their waking hours.At least my new room was better than the dungeon where they shackled me when they first took me in, still, I had no freedom. Okay, I admit that it was my fault for wanting my half-sister dead because of her money. But still, I'd prefer they decide what they'd do to me rather than not having a clue about the days to come."Lowell, you're our new Queen's half-brother. At the moment she's still adjusting to her new role as our queen and she's yet to determine how she's going to proceed with you. Besides you're safer here. Imagined Yubkin's men wanting revenge on you.""I have a life." I interrupted with a
Snitch: to secretly tell someone in authority that someone else has done something bad, often in order to cause troubleTessaDays flew by easily when being Nero's queen meant having mind-blowing vampire sex. But when Ammar reminded me that I still have a traitor out there and told me that no one messed with their queen. I willed myself to unlatch myself from daddy king to handle the matter of my informant."Aww...this is sweet," I remarked when he opened the car door for me. "Thank you, son, now tell me, what have you found out? I bet it was my informant, that guy had always been sleazy but I thought I have scared him shitless a long time ago."I could almost see the imaginary roll in Ammar's eyes when I called him Son. And my heart fluttered with strange playfulness. I should really check if being a vampire has cured my psychopathy disorder. Not having to pretend my feelings around humans have been quite relaxing and working together with Ammar and Aldrich to catch my traitor would
Fated: be destined to happen, turn out, or act in a particular way.Nero"You do know what they say about the couple who hunts together stays together, right?" I told my new bride as I ushered her down to our dungeon. Ammar and Aldrich were in front of us while the rest of my children were still in the main hall, getting to know Marshall better."Wow...now, you're just putting words in my mouth.""It'll be only time before I put something better in your mouth," I licked her ear and felt her shudder when my hand rested on her waist."It's rude of you to tease with promises of a good time when we're heading down the dungeon with your son and your guard.""Our son, the moment you bound yourself to me, you bound yourself with all of my sired children.""Well, it's a good thing that I'm wrinkle-resistant now. I don't exactly know what vampire-sired children got up to these days, I'm just hoping they won't distract our sexy times.""Seriously Mother, you know we have excellent hearing right?
Bride: a woman on her wedding day or just before and after the event.TessaMy body felt like it's been hit by a ton of bricks. Every part of me ached and my mind kept on repeating back to the day when Yubkin managed to hurt me at the restaurant. I know I needed to heal first before I take my revenge.Having a personal healer on my side was even more helpful. But it didn't take long before my mind started piecing stuff together. I drank Nero's blood. Marshall drank his blood too. Would that make me his daughter? Ew... Would that mean that I couldn't have sex again with him since that'll be incest? Ugh... The vampire thing was getting more and more complicated. Especially when my mind was working on other things.I still need to find out how Yubkin had gotten to me. It was my informant for sure. Yubkin might have something on him. I also need to know if Chad was in on it, or worse if the Albanian mob boss was too. Maybe he wanted to branch out his business and he knows that Yubkin wante