*VICKY*I heard the sounds of Leon's screams as I gave into the void. They were utterly heartbreaking. I wanted to open my eyes…I wanted to stay with him. As Vicky, as Victoria, it didn't matter anymore. I just wanted to be with Leon. My Blood Bond. My mate.A soft hush fell over my consciousness. It was quiet. Peaceful. I hadn't experienced this sort of serenity since I was a child on my parent's farm. I yearned for it, but I couldn't risk going any further. I needed to wake up. I had to wake up.I heard a faint muffling sound and swore I could smell Leon's Blood Perfume. It was rich, and strong, just like when we had first met, but it was now combined with my own scent. We were one, and as I tried to will myself to consciousness, I could see the light from the bright full moon gradually turning from silver to red behind my eyes. Everything around me seemed to have stopped. I tightened my arms around Leon's body just enough that he knew I was still there. I was still alive. I fel
*VICKY*I focused my eyes on the shadow not far away. A man stood there, the stark darkness shrouding his features. He was wearing a large cloak with a hood over his head. I couldn't see what he was wearing underneath it, but I saw a golden badge on his chest. The Elders."Lord Tybrius?" When he appeared from the shadows, his face was immediately illuminated by the moon's kiss. His gaze was watchful, and he moved toward me. He was holding a black rifle with exquisite carvings that was still pointed up at me."Vicky. That's enough." His voice had an air of authority to it, which made me realize that I wouldn't be able to kill Rupert today. I stared back at him, and it was like the emotions all hit me at once. My body started to shake, and my hands…they moved on their own. And suddenly, I was crying."H-he killed Rey…he almost killed Leon…" "I know, I know," Lord Tybrius coaxed. He took a step closer but moved with caution as if he wasn't sure what I was going to do next. "But
*Vicky*When I opened my eyes, I felt as if I had gone to ground and been asleep for centuries. It took a moment for me to get my bearings and recognize the inside of my own apartment that was both familiar and strange to me. I stretched my limbs and checked the time. Oh my God! Had I really been asleep for four days? That was the last thing I remembered. How was Leon? Where was he?I immediately took out my phone and called him, but there was no answer. What was going on? My heart skipped a beat as I got up and pulled open the curtains. The sun was already high in the sky. The sunlight was dazzling. I covered my eyes with my hand. Should I go to the hotel and see about him now? What must he be thinking if I had not shown up to work for almost a week?I sent a text message to Leon and waited for a long time, but he didn't reply. I called him again countless times, but still no answer. What was going on? I thought about how hard it had been for us to be together and keep our han
*VICKY*Leon had the curtains drawn and I couldn't see what was going on in the room. I had to let the bats climb to the top edge of the window to see if there was any chance I could hear anything coming from his apartment. The light through the curtain slit told me Leon was still awake even at this late hour. Was he thinking about me? Was he scared because of what had happened the other day?My mind was in a tizzy. Yes, vampires, the Allied Holy Order, do exist. Such things really should stay in books or on television, but we were real. I came into my life and brought that world with me and… It almost killed him.Perhaps he didn't understand what it meant to be in love with a vampire when I told him the truth. Now he could see what it meant, he saw the reality of what we would be to each other and also what we could never be to each other. We would never be the same species and should never have tried to be together.What are you thinking? He accepted you, didn't he.Didn't he give
*VICKY*Unknowingly, I came back to the place where it all started. If I hadn't applied for that job, everything that followed probably wouldn't have happened. Then, I would still be a happy girl with a sweet tooth, and I might have even become a famous chef by now."Do you regret it, Vicky?" asked the other me inside. "If, as you said yourself, you never love anyone, then you won't be so hurt. Now, look at yourself."I couldn't help but stand in front of the hotel window. Looking at my haggard figure, I almost didn't recognize myself. Well, what was I supposed to do now? Keep pestering him? Obviously, it didn't make sense.I knew exactly what kind of person Leon was. After spending so much time with him, what did he do when Osip pestered him? Those same methods would be used on me.It was so annoying to lose one's self completely in a relationship. Wasn't there any way to turn me back into a rational person? I pinched my face one moment and pulled at my hair the next, trying to make
*VICKY*The moment the door opened, I saw Leon sitting inside. He saw me, too. He must have. In fact, I didn't want to leave from the moment I got on the elevator. I wanted to see him one more time, to say a formal farewell to him.Vicky, if you are still considered an elder of vampires, you should go and turn him into your own family now, so that Leon can not resist you no matter what.The other self in my head was screaming at me desperately. It was true that by nature I should have done so, but that was not what I wanted. What I was after was pure love, not the kind of bonding that relied on command or conquest. Even if he didn't love me now, I didn't want to do this either. I found a place to sit down as I thought about it,The door of the elevator opened and the security guards from downstairs came up, including David, who surrounded me with their guns. The applicants who came to the interview were terrified to see such a situation. They rushed to make space."Miss Eaton, please
*VICKY*"Okay, okay, you name a place. I'll go with you. Okay?"I didn't expect this guy to be so annoying, like a puppy without an owner wagging his tail for strangers when he saw them. But Jaydan was right. I should indeed have a good drink, preferably to get myself drunk. Maybe, as he said, sleep it off.If I didn't go with him, I guess he would have followed me all the way. His body smelled familiar, but I couldn't remember why."Haha, just come with me. You have nothing to worry about. I promise you'll be okay."Jaydan led me out of the subway station and around the corner to a small alley. It seemed like homeless people had just vacated the alley. The surrounding area was covered with the marks of burning fires. The strong smell of urine made my head spin.A vampire's sense of smell was much sharper than that of humans. This smell affected me far more than a normal person."Wait, is there really a place to drink here? Don't you lie to me. I'm warning you. If you try to do anyth
*VICKY*Excuse me, here's your wine. Have a nice evening."Eric blinked his eyes at us. I hastily put away the note Jaydan had given me. Something in front of me caught my eye. It was a golden liquid with a faint glow as if there were stars floating inside. It was simply amazing."Come on. Taste it. This is the specialty of their house. After drinking it, you will definitely forget all your sorrows.""Really?" I looked at him in disbelief, but Jaydan picked up the glass and drank the wine in one gulp. He stretched his hand at me, meaning he had already drunk it first. This stuff was wine, not some poison, and he didn't mean to harm me.I hesitated to pick up the glass of wine and took a small sip.Hey, this stuff was really good to drink! There was a sweet fragrance to it. It felt as if it was a mixture of cinnamon and peach blossoms. Moreover, it was light in taste, unlike ordinary whiskey which could be irritating to the throat.I took two more sips. Huh, the taste changed again. No