Amelia I pull back from him confused, searching his face I see the same lost look on his “And you don’t know who she is?” His voice is bewildered as he answers me “Not a clue she arrived a few hours ago, she’s in my office but refuses to say what she wants until she speaks to you, I thought you would know who she is she seemed so familiar in the way she talked about you, like you’re old friends” Glancing at Nico he looks tense, his brow furrowed and shoulders tight “Could be a Damian trap?” He grumbles. “It also might not be” I counter so desperate for any shred of hope. We all stand there for a moment too long unsure of what the next step should be taken aback by this unexpected turn. Giovanna is the one who breaks the spell “Enough of this nonsense, if she is a plant by Damian she has made a grave mistake coming here to us, if she isn’t then we might well have something solid to work from! So let’s get to it!” She declares clapping her hands together in a firm action. I d
Amelia My eyes are laser focused on her every movement and expression, I watch her intently as she begins to speak searching for even the slightest hint of deception. Her face remains calm as she tells her story. “I was born into the hunters, my father is their leader, he tried to keep me away but I believed it was our sacred duty to rid the world of the evils of vampires” Papa scoffs loudly at that statement but I give her an encouraging nod to continue. “Go on” I add softly. Her eyes are full of sadness as she does “It was all a lie! All I had heard my entire life was how cruel and evil, soulless, you all were. I trained as soon as I was old enough. I was sent to New York to watch you and Erik as my first mission, send back information but who I found was not who I had been told you all were. You were kind to me, you put yourself in harms way to help me. I broke into your lab and all the research I found told me you were trying to help. I watched the love that was clearly
Nico I’m like a coiled snake ready to strike, I do not trust this girl or anyone here, a very long life of betrayal and war has taught me never to let my guard down. It goes against every instinct inside of me to let Amelia out of my sight in this moment. Reluctantly I walk towards the dining room with Giovanna and our new ally’s, she thinks she is being subtle but I can see the looks she keeps throwing my way, watching for even the slightest sign that I will flip out. She needn’t worry I’m on alert but in control. At the end of a long hallway are double doors and I can hear noise and chatter beyond, the sound of happy people living normal lives, relaxed and oblivious to the constant turmoil swirling around them. How I wish for just one day, that could be me. I allow an image of a relaxed and smiling Amelia to flood my mind, sitting in the sunshine relaxing with a glass of wine in her hand, carefree, leaning into me on an outdoor sofa as we watch the glorious colours of the
Amelia Papa and I share a nervous look as we wait for Nico and the others to join us. I know he is not going to like my plan but there is no way in this world I am not going with them to get Erik, I could never forgive myself if anything went wrong and I wasn’t there. The baby somersaults inside of me again and I am certain it’s a sign of agreement with my thoughts. I gently rub my hand over my stomach in a soothing gesture “Don’t worry we’ll get your daddy back safely” I whisper. Looking up I catch Papa’s eyes fill with emotion. “That little one will be the greatest gift we could have imagined after everything you have endured” his lips give a wistful smile as he walks over and wraps me in his arms. “We’re going to bring him home I just feel it” he whispers before kissing my cheek. The door almost crashes open and I know before I look it’s Nico, he will be beyond anxious now it’s been a few hours that we have been apart. His face is tight, his beautiful features pulled tog
Amelia My entire body is coiled ready for Clara’s signal. We’re about a mile out from their compound in an unmarked van. If all goes to plan we should be in and out before they even realise we’ve been there but there’s always that little doubt inside of me. Damian. He has consistently been a step ahead of us, what if he is this time too? Seconds tick by like hours, there is absolutely silence in the air, everyone too caught up in their thoughts, too focused on what’s to come for conversation, making the silence drag out to what feels like eternity. I’m comforted by Giovanna’s reassuring arm around my shoulders, her touch feels like that of the mother I so miss. I can see the comfort that Miranda’s presence provides for Papa too, his brow a little less furrowed with her beside him. Glancing at Nico he sits alone, prone, ready, everything about him deadly. Part of me wants to reach over and give him some comfort too but I know he doesn’t need or want it, he is lethal, danger
Amelia Erik’s head slumps low his body heavy against the chains holding him tot he wall, it looks like he is unconscious, every inch of his body is covered in wounds and bruises, blood pools at his feet. I have to stifle a cry, knowing that I can’t fall apart just now we need to get him out of here. Desperately I look to Clara and she types in numbers on a keypad to release the door, it beeps and then stays red, locked, keeping me apart from Erik. Panic begins to rise in my throat, at the look of shock on Clara’s face that her code hasn’t worked. I’m about to start clawing at the door to let us in when Giovanna’s gentle touch makes me look a her. She nods to Nico who is barking orders into his comms, less than a second later he gives me a wink and the door releases. I have never felt relief like it when it opens enough that I can push through. I just need to get to Erik. Everything in me wants to touch him but his body is so damaged that I worry I will cause him more pain.
Erik I slowly regain consciousness and wonder what fresh torrent of hell awaits me today. Yet, my body does not scream in agony as I have become accustom to, the bite of chains around my wrists and ankles doesn’t grind against my very bones. My back feels cushioned on a soft comfortable material, my skin feels normal instead of open wounds grating on a rough stone wall. My mind doubts itself, what fresh torture have they conjured up to try and break me even further, honestly I am broken, they don’t need to do anything more to me, I welcome the final death rather than this existence of incessant pain and torture. Resisting the temptation to open my eyes and be exposed to their tricks I try to pretend I am still unconscious, perhaps they will leave me alone a little longer. “He should be awake by now Nico what if something is really wrong with him?” My heart sings at the sound of her sweet voice, my angel, my heart, my very soul, my Amelia. Then it hardens, this is a tric
Amelia The relief, the joy, the pure heart jumping moment of Erik opening his eyes was ruined and interrupted by that little traitor. I know I was cruel and shouldn’t have reacted like that before Erik is really recovered but her self righteous anger just tipped me over the edge. I have been holding it all together but only with the thinnest of threads and she snapped it. I wanted nothing more than to rip her head clean from her shoulders but I know that wouldn’t help Erik right now. At least she is gone from my fucking sight. If she has any brains she will stay that way. Turning quickly back to Erik I give him my full attention, I can see the damage in his eyes, he is not himself. He looks haunted. Sitting beside him and taking his hand once more I cup his face with my other “Erik talk to me please, are you okay?” Shit I curse myself, what a stupid question! Of course he’s not bloody okay. Yet I feel the slightest squeeze on my hand with his own and the attempt at a smile as
Clara I allow my hands to roam over his hard muscular chest, sliding them up around his neck and into his dark hair, I feel myself tug at it with need as his tongue becomes more and more insistent. My mind whirls with the incredible feel of every flick of his tongue, lost to my need for him. Suddenly his weight shifts, those strong hands grip my hips and I’m pulled on top of him as he shifts back, never breaking our kiss. This new position puts me right over his rock hard need and oh my, it is impressive. I can’t help the moan that escapes me as he grips my hips pulling me closer to him. Feeling bereft as his lips leave mine but only for a second as he leaves a blazing trail of kisses from my lips to the base of my neck, where he buries his face into the nape of my neck and then begins to gently, teasingly suck a spot, I feel the graze of his teeth and then the most delicious shiver of pleasure runs through me as he bites into me, slowly sensually drinking from me. It has n
Clara The cool night air bites at my cheeks as we step out onto the street, the feeling of his hand in mine electric. The hotel looms before us and we both take a step in that direction and then pause with an awkward laugh. “You’re staying there too?” He chuckles in that deep hypnotic tone. I nod suddenly shy, even if we are the same, how do I tell him about the tragedy of my life, explain what I am doing here and then another thought hits me, what if he is from one of the houses loyal to Damien? Knowing my luck he will be, which leads me to another even more terrifying thought, what if he was actually sent by Damien? Could it really be a coincidence that he is here so close to the mansion by accident. I feel my whole body tense as the pessimistic thoughts flood through me. A gentle tug on my hand snaps me back into the moment, his beautiful face filled with concern as he studies my features. Surely someone who looks like a literal angel can’t be evil? Yet I know how stupid
Clara Sitting alone at a bar has to be a new low for me but I don’t know what else to do with myself. The bar itself is decent, in the bustling town not far from the mansion, I had to leave, to breathe, I’ve been a vampire for exactly eighteen years and those years have been miserable. I couldn’t leave Amelia, she protected me before she even knew me and I had to do the same but the last few weeks have been emotionally exhausting. Erik was gone for an especially long time this last trip, Miranda and Papa no longer speak even to each other it’s like they’re dead inside and everyone else has long ago departed the sinking ship like the rats they are. There’s only so much flower arranging and talking to an unresponsive Amelia and Nico one can take before they feel like they’re starting to go insane. I just need a little space, a little fresh air before I go back. I jump a little as I feel a presence slide into the bar seat beside me, their energy is electric but I’m so drained
*** 18 Years Later*** Erik Standing before the once grand house that I had called home for so many years I hesitate to walk up the steps, now strewn with leaves and debris. The formerly immaculate white building that had neatly manicured wisteria and Ivy winding around the grand entrance pillars is now overgrown and greying. It looks cold and empty, soulless, a far cry from when it was bustling with our family. The big window shutters all firmly closed even though it is the middle of the day, shielding the world from the misery that lies beyond them. I don’t blame the others for abandoning us the house is a monument to pain and loss. My anger and bitterness consumes me, heightened every time I return here. I have spent eighteen years scouring the globe for my son, turning over every rock, investigating every possible sighting, I have never come even close to him. I am a monumental failure and I dread each time I must come back empty handed to tell Amelia how useless I am.
Amelia Physically I feel fine, better than fine, my body is like nothing ever happened to it but my heart is forever changed. I had always thought nothing could compare to the love I felt for Erik but the love I have for Rowan consumes me, yet, with it comes fear and anxiety like I had never imagined. I can feel the raw power radiating from him, it’s like nothing I have ever experienced and it fills part of me with a hope that has always eluded me, that Damian can be defeated. In equal measures the knowledge of the terror Damian would be able to reign with that power under his control, it chills me to the core, everyone would be doomed. And that thought has my body trembling with rage, that we have let the immediate threat to Rowan slip through our fingers. She’s out there free to betray us all over again and put my son in danger. I hear the roar of anger that releases from me like it has come from someone else. I move to chase her through the passages, to capture her befo
Erik As soon as I walk through the doors to the bedroom my heart instantly calms and then soars. Lia is just walking out of the bathroom, dressed and looking perfectly healthy once more. Clara surprisingly is holding Rowan and they seem to be under each others spell, his tiny little hand touching her face and neither even so much glances my way as I enter. Nico rises from the sofa where he was lounging, he looks relaxed but I can tell he is on full alert underneath the exterior. His hand pats me on the shoulder and he leans in “How did it go?” His voice low to keep the conversation between us. A heavy sigh releases from me before my words “About as good as you would expect, the guards are helping her to move on as we speak” Even with our hushed tones I see Lia’s ears prick up at our conversation and she changes direction to come and join us. Her eyes narrow “what are you two whispering about?” We exchange looks, I had wanted to keep her out of this, let her enjoy Rowan and
Erik My very blood is boiling as I march towards the room that Nico had Harlow confined to. As I approach I am pleased to see there have been two guards stationed at the door, their eyebrows raise in curiosity as they take in my angered demeanour. They are quick to move out of my way and I feel the force that I yank the door open, it banging loudly against the wall. My eyes rake the room for her and I find her sprawled on the bed, her now surprised face streaked with mascara tears, skin raw and red from her crying. A small part of me tugs with sympathy for her pain but then I remember her betrayal. The memories Miranda had helped me stitch back together can only lead to one conclusion she worked with Damian, she played a part in my memories of Amelia being wiped away. She is not who I thought she was. After a moments hesitation she leaps from the bed barrelling towards me arms open wide to embrace me. I catch her wrists before she can touch me and hold her in place, I see t
Erik The room is a flurry of activity and I just stand there in a daze as Miranda barks requests at everyone. This is actually happening! My child, our child, he is about to be born! I feel a strong grip on my shoulders and focus in on Nico in front of my face, there’s a look of excitement all over his features. “Erik it’s happening get with it!” He barks at me and then he’s gone following some request from Miranda. He’s right, I give myself a shake and move into action. I couldn’t even count the amount of babies I’ve delivered in my long life, this should be me and not Miranda delivering my son. Dashing into the bathroom I quickly wash myself with cold water, the sharp sting on my skin calling me to life, waking every nerve ending and then I’m back in the flurry of activity. Gently I look to move Miranda away from Lia so I can check her progress, she gives me a confused glance and then shakes her head “Erik I’m forgetting myself” A warm smile spreads over my face, we al
Amelia Everything inside of me is churning as I watch his features change from pain to something calmer and more peaceful. Miranda is truly a god send her power over the mind a blessing in her hands but if she was a different person it could be lethal. I give thanks she is on our side. Second by second my heart hurts waiting for him to wake up, Nico’s arms are wrapped tightly around me and I pull every bit of comfort I can from them. Papa paces nervously across the room, pain etched on every feature. I curse the day Damian was born. Slowly his eyes begin to flutter open and that same look of peace stays on his face, it takes him a moment to focus and then his eyes open wide at all of the gathered people. “What’s wrong?” He asks, his voice hoarse from the screaming, quickly I pass over a glass of water as Miranda helps him to sit up, his features becoming more confused. Gently I stroke the sweat soaked hair back from his forehead “You were screaming my love, Miranda helpe