In the shadowed alleys of Ravenwood, Celeste Osborne finds herself irresistibly drawn to the enigmatic and dangerously alluring Lucian Bathory. Hired as an au pair for the mysterious Bathory family, Celeste quickly discovers that Lucian is no ordinary man—he’s a centuries-old vampire with a thirst for blood and a hunger that goes far beyond the physical. As Celeste is pulled deeper into Lucian’s dark world, the boundaries between fear and desire begin to blur. Her days are filled with tension, but it’s in the secret hours of the night that their passions ignite. Lucian’s touch awakens something wild within her, something she never knew existed, but it comes at a price. His world is one of power, danger, and ancient rivalries, and loving him means embracing a darkness that could consume her whole. As their forbidden romance intensifies, Celeste must decide if she’s willing to surrender to the seductive pull of Lucian’s world, where every kiss could be her last and every touch could bind her to him for eternity. In this tale of love, lust, and immortality, Celeste will learn that some desires are worth risking everything—even her soul. "Crimson Shadows: Forbidden Thirst" is Book I of the Crimson Shadows series. It is a dark and passionate story where love and danger entwine, pushing the boundaries of what it means to surrender to desire.
View MoreAs I go down to the dining room in the evening. Today's events are still foremost in my mind. What a day! As if discovering the university and the courses weren't enough. I got to know Sarah better, and I also got a little closer to Peter.Well, it seems that I didn't just make friends either. As I think about Caroline and Logan, I start to worry. If those two always behave like that they haven't finished causing me problems! I hope that things will calm down soon. For the first time since my arrival at the mansion, the dining room is empty. Since everything is ready. I take a seat. I'm so hungry!While I'm wondering whether I should wait or help myself right away, Draven joins me. "Good evening Celeste! So how was your day?""Hectic!""I wasn’t expecting such an answer! Things were as bad as that?""The classes were ok, I only had three hours in all and we mainly talked about the coming year.""Repetitive but essential, no doubt. Did you make any friends?" Why is everybody curious ab
Once we reach the manor, Lucian parks the car near the huge fountain. The engine is still running when I step out.I walk past a confused Draven who must be wondering what I'm doing with his brother. I hasten the pace when I hear Lucian behind me. "With pleasure, little thing! Look forward to the next time." I climb up the front steps a little too quickly and run into Peter, as I reach the top. "Sorry!""Are you okay?""The day was full of twists and turns and didn't end very well!""What happened?""I found myself between Logan and Lucian!""Oh...""Yeah, like you say." I enter the manor. Peter is still with me when I cross the big hall. I decide to go straight to my room.We both go upstairs and as we walk down a corridor, I start talking again. I need to get things off my chest. "I thought Lucian was the most unbearable guy on Earth, I found worse! “Logan is a bag of muscles with no brain." Peter says, as he keeps up the pace."He seemed to be more of a drag to me.""That's what
Lucian's behaviour is one of my main problems. I don't know what to do with him. Becoming his friend seems impossible, and avoiding him is equally unlikely, given that we both live under the same roof."You seem very thoughtful?""I was thinking about Lucian." Sarah's gaze darken at once."We don't get along very well."Sarah sighs. "Allow me to give you a piece of advice: stay away from him as much as possible.""I agree with you, but it's not easy, should I remind you that I live with him?""Yes, seen from that angle, but nevertheless you still don't have to spend all your time with him. The house is big enough, no?""Yes, but he always finds a way of running into me. It's as if he did it on purpose.""Okay, so it's more complex than I thought, between you two." she rubs her chin looking deep in thought."I absolutely have to get him out of my head!""Reason more to get out as soon as you can!" Sarah exclaimed."Yeah. I'll have to have a discussion with Draven about my hours off. T
ACCORDING to my schedule, I have only one lesson this afternoon. I hurry, intentionally because I don't want to cross Sarah or Lucian. He drives me mad! And Sarah, well it's different. I like her but she's hiding things from me. And I don't like that.I hurry up to the aisle. At this time, during the lunch break, the gardens are crowded. I try to think of a way to learn more about Amelia Forbes and her sudden disappearance. I am now convinced that the Bathory's are connected with it. I'd like to have more details. After all, there's no harm in wanting to learn more about the family you're living with.If I'm in the slightest danger, I may as well know as soon as possible so as to run for my life! The best thing is to take advantage of my visit to the library to try to glean some information. Perhaps I can find some newspapers that write about the tragedy, as it happened only a few weeks ago.As I get to the library, I am surprised by the vastness of the room. The high ceilings and t
As we continue our lunch, talking, we're suddenly interrupted by someone calling out to us."Hey, hello Sarah, you must introduce me to your new friend!"A young man was so up to us, accompanied by the blonde girl who I saw Lucian with this morning.She is literally dangling on his arm and immediately makes me think of a leech. She doesn't seem happy to see him take an interest in us. Without behaving to ask, he sits down at our table with a womaniser smile on his face.Who does he think he is? Just because he's good looking doesn't give him all the rights and let alone invite himself to our table. He leans towards me, giving me a wink, probably thinking that I'm gonna faint from Ecstasy on the spot. I refrain from rolling my eyes. After all, I did want to make new acquaintances, this may be the chance."Celeste, this is Logan. He's our fantastic quarterback. Logan, this is Celeste. She just moved to Ravenwood!""So, you're new. I thought so too." He makes an observation."Is it that
"Hey Celeste, I thought you'd taken this course!""Oh, Hey, Sarah! What are you doing here?""I managed to take a few of the same options as you. Like that it'll be more fun!" She leans forwards and gives me a hello hug before sitting on the seat beside me.I won't be as lonely as I thought after all. In a flash, my anxieties dissipate. I thought the class would never end. The professor was as excited as a mollusc dying in the sun. I hope the next ones will be more interesting, otherwise, it's gonna be boring as hell. As I leave the auditorium, Sarah seems to have decided on following me."Come on, let's get some fresh air, I have an hour to kill before my next class." We stop at a vending machine for a coffee, then continue to wander through the corridors."I always get bored the first few days of the term, nothing much happens." Sarah tells me."You're right, our last class wasn't exactly captivating. I hope the professors will be more dynamic.""They better be because this last one
“Not at all, I heard a noise, and as i thought I was alone in the house…”“You thought you could snoop without any problem.”If he thinks I'm going to be intimidated so easily, he’s wrong. I look up at him, clearly showing that I want to find out more.He runs his fingers along my back, which stirs me dangerously. Instead of pushing me away as I thought he would, he quickly pulled me closer. I can smell his already familiar odour, and as strange as it may seem, I like it, and the intoxicating feelings it provokes.A feeling of warmth flows through me. His mouth is so close. It would be easy to stand on tiptoe, grab his shoulders… A sigh of frustration escapes me, and his eyes sparkle. Every second passed in his arms excites me further. My heart is caught in the vice of passion, my body becomes a furnace, and yet, I shiver.He tightens his grip around my waist, leans even closer towards me and looks at me through veiled eyes. I can feel his muscles stiffen against me, his body tense.
This morning, Laura is adorable. She looks so cute in her uniform. She's radiant, as always when she's the centre of attention. Her angelic smile is back on her face as she twirls around her brothers. Only Peter's missing this morning. I'm surprised to see that Lucian's also there. Their discussion is very lively around the breakfast table. Laura is full of enthusiasm about her first day at school.I remain a little withdrawn, looking on, but I feel good. I'd almost forgotten what these simple moments of everyday life were like. Draven gives the little girl a tender look. "I hope you'll like the school, don't forget to tell us everything, when you come home.""Promise!" Laura beams."If you don't like it, then we'll find you a better school..." Lucian starts speaking and as usual nothing good is coming out of it."No, I know already that this one is going to be fantastic!" Laura shakes her head"Or we'll keep you at home and we'll get you a moronic tutor!" Lucian snickers.Laura pout
I'm still surprised by Laura's comment. Suddenly I feel very uncomfortable. If a kid of her age can guess my feelings, I dare not imagine what her brothers are thinking."But... Uh... Not at, I hardly know him, you know..."Draven coughs discreetly, beside me. I turn to him and meet his amused look. I can't see how to explain my dislike for Lucian to a child of that age. And what's more, she is his little sister! Lucian still has that mocking air that irritates me a great deal. He runs his hand through Laura's hair smirking."Be nice to the little thing, okay? We mustn't play with her."He looks defiantly at Draven who stares back coldly. No, but who does he think he is? He's so pretentious! That nickname he's given me is really contemptuous. And that, I won't put up with it. I clear my throat and tap my fingers on the table to show how annoyed I am. Draven glances in my direction but makes no comment, Lucian just stares, boldly."Stop calling me that.""Okay, little thing." he smirks
University starts in three days. I am excited and a little nervous at the same time. Nervous, because I have just started at Ravenwood and I don't know anybody. Excited, because I can't wait to start classes!My plane landed yesterday, in the evening, and the only thing I have seen of the town so far is this horrible motel room. As I am exhausted I could have slept anywhere. Thanks to jet lag, I slept until noon.Today, I have to settle my registration formalities. For that, I have to go to the admissions office at the University. What a program! I think I’ve got everything I need for my registration in my little shoulder bag.I am trying to explore the city, but it will have to wait. I pause for a moment in front of the university.WHOAAA!!!!Amazing! The architecture of the building facing me is really impressive. I love this mixture of modern and antique styles. Between the red break building and the sculpted columns, the atmosphere is really different, chic and studious.I look a...
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