Cult: is considered pejorative by some, for a relatively small group that is typically led by a charismatic and self-appointed leader, who excessively controls its members, requiring unwavering devotion to a set of acts and practices which are considered deviant (outside the norms of society).TessaI was not nervous about going to his den and meeting his peeps. I was curious and maybe a bit too excited.The monstrosity of the mansion was what alarmed me. I lived with my grandparents and grew up mingling with the wealthy. I've seen big houses and ridiculously too-big mansions for people to flaunt their riches. But this... Nero's so-called den blew those houses off the market. Hell, the whole complex can occupy one of the small private islands I visited when I was younger. Mm...maybe I was exaggerating but sure does look like it."Well, this is not the den I was imagining. But given you cheated your way in piling money over the centuries I guess it was expected." I whistled appreciative
Emotion: a complex experience of consciousness, bodily sensation, and behavior that reflects the personal significance of a thing, an event, or a state of affairs.Ammar"You and Aldrich, huh?" Tessa's voice snapped me back from my gaze. I was pissed at my younger brother and the mentioning of the guard's name just made me irked more on the inside.So, instead of answering her question, I decided to ask her back. "Good evening, I assumed you are enjoying your stroll?" I politely questioned, thinking father cherished his human lover and I need to respect her while she was staying at the den.Tessa giggled as if my words were somehow a little too ancient for her taste. Humans... I'm too important for this, I need to get back to my territory."Hey, wait, sorry that didn't come out right," she put her hand on my arm and I look at it with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, come on, I know you're the emotionally unavailable one. What? Your daddy shares stuff. We are intimate, you know?" It was her turn
Companion: a person who frequently spends time with you, associates with you, or accompanies you when you go places.AldrichHe pushed me away. He didn't want me. They didn't want me. Fuck this. All I wanted was a mate of my own, settle down when everyone wanted nothing but my sexual companion."Aldrich, um... Where can I find the chef?"Tessa's voice interrupted my thoughts when I saw her walking into the kitchen. I was heating a blood bag since I was on rotation to guard the perimeter for the night. It was the second day she had been staying at the den, and strangely she fits in nicely with everyone. I guess partly because everyone had been tiptoeing around her, not sure of how to proceed with the strange human lover of their King."They usually left after sundown. It's one of our rules unless we demanded them otherwise. Can I help you with something?""Cheese, yes...yes, I talked to one of the chefs earlier today asking him to contact Lucius's chef for a recipe. I wonder if he had m
Desperation: a state of despair, typically one which results in rash or extreme behavior.LowellAt least there was something good about being a half-werewolf. I heal faster. I just turned twenty though probably looked like I'm thirty. I surely felt like I'm forty when my body had taken a good beating in the underground cage fighting. My knuckles felt like I'd put them through a grinder, at least my face was healed because I still need to work to pay off my debt to the Russians.After years of dealing with Mom's sickness, I was weeks away from clearing my debt with them. If my plan works. Lately, I was getting tired of juggling everything, and feels like I'm slipping away. Maybe it's a good thing.Losing Mom had felt like a lifetime ago. I had been struggling since her MS started to turn for the worst. I was young, stupid, and desperate when I decided to go to a loan shark. But it was the only thing I could think of and I did manage to get money for mom's treatment when my biological d
Brotherly: of or relating to brothers. : natural or becoming to brothers : affectionate.TessaWhen Nero told me that they had my half-brother in their dungeon I was shocked, thrilled that I could finally close that nagging feeling and get back to my life, my work. I've been bored and I needed to feel the thrill of the chase and see the fear in my victim's eyes."Don't go too crazy on him, we still need to get the truth on who's behind his constant pursuit of you," Nero, my sweet sexy king reminded me as I followed him down the narrow steps of the dungeon."Wow, you guys really had the vampire cliche down to the eerie hallways and dungeons," I whispered to no one specifically as my eyes roamed to the dimly lit passage. Nero was in front of me, while his dramatic youngest Prince, Vesper, was walking pompously behind me and Aldrich stayed close on his tail."Your half-brother is staying in our best accommodation in the dungeon. He's shackled, but I think I saw some bruises under his shir
Urge: a strong desire or impulse.Nero"Hunt, then fuck," I told Tessa before wrapping her in my arms, not wanting my little killer's mind to wander too far into her blood frenzy. I needed her calm. I didn't anticipate that watching her half-brother crumble with his life story would awaken the affectionate side of her. Seemed that brotherly love was there, and I can see that the realization was shocking the balance of her emotional nothingness."I want to bring my new toys."I cupped her face, my thumb was caressing her cheek before kissing the tip of her nose. "I'm sorry, love, we can't bring that big toy, how about your Baretta or Glock? The place will be tight, you'd want to move freely while aiming your gun.""Huh, didn't think of that. I wanted to try my bigger toys. How about we pull aside and use those Russians for some target practice?" She gave me her wicked smile and I laughed."Go on, pack your toy bag. I need to talk to Aldrich and Marius." I kissed her cheek and left her s
Son: is a male offspring; a boy or a man in relation to his parents.TessaMy heart was beating so fast as the surge of adrenaline ran throughout my body. The first shot and the second one were only seconds apart and I bit my lip when I felt the sudden jolt of thrill coursing through my veins. I know Nero could sense my excitement, but I couldn't stop myself from stealing a glance at him and smiling happily before pushing my finger on the trigger again and watching as another man fell to the ground with a heavy thud.I didn't know why I needed to avenge the injured guy in the cage but the urge was there. It was weird. It was my half-brother's words that made me chase after these damn Russians. But when I saw the guy that couldn't take the hit from the bigger guy in the cage, it made me want to blow more of these thugs' brains out.As much as I was confused about my sudden empathy for the dying guy, I just knew that I needed to do it. I needed to quench my rage, and by killing those rut
Feelings: an emotional state or reaction; a sensitivity to or intuitive understanding of; a belief, especially a vague or irrational one.Nero"So, now...let's go on to the good part." Tessa grinned when she grabbed and started unbuttoning my shirt."When she said that she wanted me to wait I was not happy, though I keep that feeling bottled up and told her I will wait. Anything for her. When she told me that she didn't recognize her feelings, I too reacted the same way about my feelings for her.From the day I saw her to months later when I was falling deeper in love with her. It was a whole other sensation from what I used to feel for Irina, my previous queen that I had vowed to love forever.After I was done caring for Marshall, I told Marius to watch over him. The youngling was resting when I left him. He was confused but most of all he was angry for being forced into fighting in the cage. The small amount of time that we speak didn't explain much of his past, but we will have more
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