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Chapter 18
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Darker Than Red Chapter 19
[LUNA]I managed to drag Kylie out of my room, my shirt still hanging half-open, but I didn’t care. I shot a glare at B and V, who had been lingering by the door, clearly eavesdropping. They scrambled back, disappearing downstairs like startled bats."Let go of me!" Kylie’s voice rang out, sharp and desperate. I released her arm but swiftly shut the door behind me, locking Ruby inside. I couldn’t risk another attack.Kylie’s breath hitched as she stared at me, her eyes flicking to my exposed chest. I could see the confusion and hurt warring on her face."Why?" Her voice cracked, barely more than a whisper."Why what?" I asked, already dreading the answer, my brows furrowed."Why are you doing this to me?" Her words came out strangled, as if she was trying to hold back more than just tears.I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Kylie, it’s not like you didn’t know. You knew I was fucking other girls.""Yeah," she snapped, her voice trembling, "but in your room? The room you never let me into?"
Darker Than Red Chapter 20
[LUNA]As soon as everyone was gone, I quickly texted Ruby. There’s something about her—some magnetic pull that keeps me craving more. It’s insane how much I already missed her, even though I knew it was just infatuation. It reminded me of the beginning with Kylie—back when we were just messing around. The difference? Ruby was a stranger. A stranger who happened to wear the same face as the girl I’d been searching for months. And Kylie... well, she’s my best friend—and my brother’s first love. The thrill of hurting J, though, is intoxicating.L: RubyR: Who’s this?Of course, she didn’t have my number. I got her number from B.L: It’s Luna.R: Oh hey, you.A smirk crept across my face as I stared at the underwear she’d left behind.L: You’re really naughty, aren’t you?R: No.L: What?R: You haven’t seen the bad side of me.Damn. She was testing me, and I hated how well it was working. She knew exactly how to play this game, and I could feel myself slipping into her trap.L: I’d love
Darker Than Red Chapter 21
[LUNA]I had every intention of hitting the gym today. After all, I needed to prepare for my fight with Sadie tonight. But just as I was about to leave my room, my phone buzzed with a notification. Ruby had posted. Pilates, huh? I knew she didn’t want me dropping by, but the idea of a surprise visit was too tempting. Changing into casual clothes, I sent a quick text to the group chat to keep everyone off my back while I paid Ruby a visit.L: Don’t look for me. Meet me at the bar tonight.V: Where are you off to this time?L: Pilates.I cursed under my breath as soon as I hit send. Way to spill the beans.V: Since when do you do pilates? You only box.B: Since Ruby posted. LOL.B’s comment had me rolling my eyes. I should’ve known better than to slip up.V: LOL.K: Luna, want me to join you? I’ve got a session today too.B: Uh oh.V: Perfect timing.This was getting complicated fast. I needed to draw some boundaries, and quickly.L: I’ve got somewhere else to be, Kylie. Ask J to go wit
Darker Than Red Chapter 22
[RUBY]The audacity of Luna to pull a stunt like that. Does she really think she’s holding the cards now? I headed back to the house, prepping for tonight’s main event. My phone buzzed—Luna, of course. A twisted sense of relief washed over me. My plan was working. She’s hooked—completely obsessed with getting my attention. But I have to play this right. Let her believe she's in control, but never give her exactly what she wants.L: Just hit me up if you want to see me again.I scoffed. Arrogant, as always.R: You really think you did something, huh?L: I am Luna Salvatore.Oh, I know exactly who she is. But soon, she’ll be wrapped around my fingers, and she won’t even see it coming.R: And?L: Haha. Just text me after.Typical Luna, thinking she’s untouchable. I don’t have time for her little games. Not when I’ve got far bigger prey tonight. Sadie Davis is going to die, and nothing is going to stop me.R: We’ll see then.I was just about ready when James barged into my room, looking l
Darker Than Red Chapter 23
[RUBY]The tension between us was palpable, the weight of her suspicion growing heavier with every second. I could see it in her eyes—the doubt, the wariness. She was trying to piece me together, but I couldn't let that happen. Not yet."Ruby—" she started, but I cut her off, grabbing her by the waist and pushing her back onto the table. My lips crushed against hers in a desperate kiss, silencing whatever question she was about to ask. I had to distract her, throw her off course. For a moment, she stiffened in surprise, her body rigid beneath mine. But then, just as I knew she would, she melted into me, her lips moving against mine, her hands pulling me closer. I smiled against her mouth, triumphant. She was mine now, at least for the moment. I deepened the kiss, letting her tongue explore my mouth, teasing me with a mix of urgency and aggression. I couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped when she bit down on my lower lip, hard enough to send a rush of heat through me.“God, Ruby,”
Darker Than Red Chapter 24
[MIA]“Mia!” Abbie whispered in shock as she saw me struggling beside her, both of us collapsing to the floor. I did it. Thank God I managed to pull her down just in time, or she might’ve been hit by the bullets. I had been tracking Luna ever since we met at the museum, piecing together her life bit by bit, convinced she was connected to Xanthe. I’d hoped my pursuit would lead me to Abbie, and tonight, fate seemed to prove me right. I hadn’t planned on any of this. I was supposed to drown myself in alcohol, let the night fade away. But when I saw Abbie racing toward a girl holding a gun, sobriety hit me like a slap in the face. I ducked under a table as panic spread and everyone scrambled for cover. My heart raced when I spotted Luna, confusion sweeping over me as she frantically asked where Abbie was. But she was with her, wasn’t she? Then, I saw the face of the woman Abbie had aimed her gun at. My blood ran cold. It was her. The woman Abbie had drawn—the one who killed Xanthe.The
Darker Than Red Chapter 25
[ABBIE]I was terrified—terrified for my life, for my family’s safety. The fear of failing to give Xanthe the justice she deserved twisted my heart until I couldn’t bear it. So I ran. I ran until my legs were numb, my lungs burned, and my breaths came in ragged gasps. I ran away from everything. From her. But hearing her voice call my name, a voice so eerily like Xanthe’s, only made the ache worse. I didn’t stop. Not until she caught me. Her cold hand closed around my wrist, freezing me in place. "Abbie," she said, and my body went rigid. My heart pounded with dread. Was this the end? Was this how everything came crashing down? I should have listened to James. I should have stayed away.I whimpered, avoiding her eyes, trembling as I sobbed uncontrollably. When her fingertips brushed my cheek, I flinched, the sensation like ice. “Was it because of Xanthe?” Her voice cut through the darkness in my mind, dragging every fear, every guilty thought, back to the surface.I was terrified s
Darker Than Red Chapter 26
[LUNA]I thought I was back to my usual self, the cold, untouchable version of me. After that day with Ruby—no, Abbie—I swore I wouldn't let emotions control me again. She almost cracked my walls, almost made me weak. I don’t shed tears. I don’t care about people’s feelings, especially not for someone who lied and used me like she did. So here I am, fucking some random woman I met at the bar. The second she hit her climax, I was already buttoning my shirt, stepping out of the cramped cubicle before her voice even registered."Luna!" she called, but I didn't bother looking back. She got what she wanted, and I got what I needed.As I left the restroom, I spotted B waving me over. "Luna!" he called again, louder this time, holding up a bottle of beer. I grabbed it, downing it in one go. Booze never really affected me—it was more of a habit than anything else. Numbness didn’t need a drink, after all."So, how was it?" B asked with a grin, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. He was talking
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Darker Than Red Chapter 35
[LUNA]I woke up with a heavy head, the weight of last night’s decisions crashing down on me. I need to remind myself to never drink like that again. But then the memories flooded back—was it all just a dream? I quickly checked for my medallion, my fingers grazing my neck. Nothing. Shit! It wasn’t a dream. Panic twisted in my gut as I found the medallion lying on my bed. Frustration bubbled up inside me; Ruby now knew my secret. I imagined her fear and shuddered—of course she would be scared. I bet she wouldn’t dare step foot in the mansion again, and maybe that was a good thing. Perhaps she would walk away from the Camorra and return to being Abbie Gomez, living a life untouched by the darkness I inhabited.I sighed, feeling oddly empty. What the hell was I so sad about? I shouldn’t be sulking over the fact that I scared Ruby just because she discovered I was a vampire. Kylie had reacted similarly, and look at her now—she was in love with me. So why was I worried at all?Resolutely,
Darker Than Red Chapter 34
[RUBY]I arrived at the bar, my eyes immediately finding her. She was sitting on the pavement next to her motorbike, her back slumped against the wall. The sight of her like that—head buried in her knees, arms wrapped tightly around herself—made my heart twist painfully. She looked so small, so lost, like a child who didn’t know where to turn. I had never seen her this vulnerable before.I rushed toward her, my footsteps quick and quiet. Kneeling beside her, I gently reached out, running my fingers through her hair, brushing it away from her face. “Luna,” I whispered softly. Her head lifted slowly, and when she finally looked at me, her face was streaked with tears. The sight of her like this, broken and raw, hit me harder than anything ever had. Without thinking, I knelt down fully and pulled her into a tight embrace. Her arms wrapped around me instantly, her face pressing into the crook of my neck. I could feel her shaking, feel her breath cold against my skin as she tried to stif
Darker Than Red Chapter 33
[LUNA]Here I am again, at the bar, trying to drown myself in liquor. But this isn't just any liquor—this one is different. A darker brew, gifted by the elder vampires themselves. I don’t know what’s in it, but it grips me, sends a shiver down my spine, makes the room spin just the way I want it to. Life as Luna Salvatore isn’t something you wish for. People think they want to be me, but they don’t carry the weight I do. They wouldn’t last a day in my skin. I don’t even know who my mother is—never had the chance to ask. Normal? That’s something I’ve never been. While other kids were playing with dolls, I was given weapons. A gun in one hand, a blade in the other. My father made sure of that. I was trained, forged in fire, taught to be self-reliant, never to trust in others' strength. Wisdom, leadership—those were my toys. I used to watch the other children from a distance, laughing and chasing one another, wondering what it felt like to belong to something as innocent as that. But I
Darker Than Red Chapter 32
[LUNA] Maybe I should stop thinking about her. It’s the rational thing to do, after all. But the lump in my throat grows thick as I recall the way she averted her gaze, the silent rejection etched in her every movement. Every time she looks at me, she sees Xanthe. And that—it’s unbearable. The worst kind of torture. Foolish of me to fall into her web, only to find myself ensnared by a love that was never meant for me. Now, I’m trapped, struggling in vain to break free. My heightened senses, sharp as a blade, can perceive many things—but not her thoughts. Her heart, though, betrays her. It skips a beat every time I speak Xanthe’s name, a telltale sign of who truly owns her heart. It’s as though her very pulse is tethered to someone long gone. I press harder on the throttle, urging my bike to speed up, as if the rush of wind against my skin could numb the ache festering within. But it’s futile. This strange, suffocating feeling clings to me. I shouldn’t feel this way—I'm a vampire, a
Darker Than Red Chapter 31
[RUBY] "Welcome to the Camorra, Mia Kaufmann," the Boss finally announced, lifting his glass of crimson wine. The room followed suit, the soft clink of glass punctuating the silence. Mia undergone the ritual, pricking her finger just as I had done before, her face unreadable as the dark liquid beaded on her skin. Of course, this was all for show—an elaborate dance to keep suspicion at bay, especially from Luna’s watchful eyes. Mia was not yet a part of the Camorra. Not until her mission was complete. As the meeting wound down, I leaned closer to her, dropping my voice. "I need to talk to Luna after this," I murmured. She shot me a knowing glance, the kind that said she was already one step ahead. I furrowed my brows. "Stop imagining things. I’m just giving her my painting," I added hastily, trying to keep my tone casual. "Alright. I wasn’t thinking of anything, Ab—" she caught herself, nearly slipping up. "Ruby," she corrected herself. "And for the record, you're the one overthin
Darker Than Red Chapter 30
[LUNA]Frustration builds inside me as human emotions creep into me, weakening my senses. I need control—craving the strength that makes me who I am. The engine of my bike roars as I head toward the forest, where I trained with my father and hunted for food that truly sustains me. Human food is dull, a weak substitute for the raw power of blood. It's been months since I’ve tasted it, and that’s why I feel this way—vulnerable, almost human.As I reach the forest, I strip off my medallion, leaving it in the bike’s compartment. Instantly, my senses sharpen, flooding back with intensity. I hear everything: the heartbeat of every creature, the pulse of life, the emotions carried on the wind—fear, anger, joy. I am alive again, in control. Swiftly, I leap through the trees, my movements as seamless as the wind. I search for my target: deer, my favorite prey. Its blood will revive me.I spot it, the scent of its fear already filling my lungs. It flees, but I am faster. In a single motion, I d
Darker Than Red Chapter 29
[ABBIE]As we drove home, my mind spun with confusion. Why would Mia, of all people, join the Camorra? A lawyer, fiercely dedicated to justice, diving into the very world of crime she’s sworn to fight against—it didn’t make sense. I glanced at James, hoping for answers, but he offered none. "It’s not my place to explain her reasons," he’d said. So I let it go, planning to ask Mia myself when I saw her. Lost in thought, I barely noticed when our car stopped at the gate. Another car had followed us in, trailing close behind. My gut churned with a mix of excitement and dread. Was it her? Mia? I hadn't seen my sister in so long, and the thought of her being part of the mafia made my heart pound. What could drive her to such a drastic choice? James, sensing my anxiety, gave me a knowing nod. I bolted out of the car, barely breathing as the door to the other car swung open. "Mia!" I cried, running toward her. She stepped out, and I was in her arms before I knew it, clinging to her like I
Darker Than Red Chapter 28
[LUNA]I watched Abbie descend the stairs, unable to tear my gaze away even as I cradled Kylie on the couch. I tried to focus on our conversation, pretending I hadn’t noticed her, but the moment Abbie paused halfway down and looked our way, I got nervous. This shouldn’t happen in anyway. I have never felt nervous in my entire life. It must be the medallion’s doing. Her face was a mask of unreadable calm. Was she jealous? No, that was impossible. She’d only used me, played me like a pawn for her own agenda. The temptation to remove my medallion surged through me—just to glimpse her emotions, to know what she was hiding. My fingers brushed the cold metal, but I hesitated. If I lost control, if I went berserk, Kylie—and everyone else in the house—would be in danger. I sighed and let the thought slip away.I refused to hope. Hope was a dangerous thing, especially with Abbie. She’d blindsided me, twisted my emotions, and I hadn’t seen it coming. Or had I? Had I just ignored the signs? I pu
Darker Than Red Chapter 27
[RUBY]“Have a seat,” Marco Salvatore gestured to the couch with a calm authority that sent a shiver down my spine. His office felt suffocatingly small, as though the walls themselves were pressing in on me. My hands had gone cold, clammy, and despite my best efforts, they trembled in my lap. His gaze, unreadable and unwavering, seemed to pierce right through me as he clasped his hands together in front of him.“Ruby… or should I say, Abbie.” His voice was like a blade, sharp and precise, slicing through the silence. My heart lurched, hammering violently against my ribs, and I felt the blood drain from my face. How did he know? What else did he know?“I’ve known about you long before James brought you to me,” Marco continued, his words deliberate, each one sinking in like a stone. “And I know about your father—once a member of the Camorra.”I swallowed hard and stole a glance at James. He offered me a reassuring smile, one that told me to keep calm and listen. But it was impossible to
