Amelia I pause inside the doorway to the room Nico and I have been sharing. He’s there shoving clothes into a bag, when he hears me he stops and turns to face me, his eyes heavy and sad. “Nico what is this?” It’s barely a whisper but he hears me. His head shakes ever so slightly as he rakes his hand through his hair. I walk over to him, placing my hands on his chest but his eyes refuse to meet mine. “Nico?” I press and eventually he looks at me. His voice is full of raw emotion when he eventually speaks. “Amelia there is no place for me here, you and Erik are going to be a family, I’m no fool I know he is your soulmate and I don’t plan on causing you problems, you’re both safe it’s time for me to make my own way. I knew this day would come” My heart stutters a little at his words, it had never crossed my mind that he would feel this way, that he could think there wasn’t a place for him with us. I reach up and touch his face, his eyes close as he leans into my touch and I
Amelia I sit bolt upright in bed as a blood curdling scream rips through the stillness of the night. It takes my confused mind too long to focus on where it is coming from I had been in the most peaceful sleep I could ever remember. My heart races as I try to focus. Suddenly a light flicks on and Nico is standing beside the bed coiled, ready to defend against the danger. Finally my senses hone in on the noise, Erik laying beside me, eyes tight in sleep, his body trembling and covered in a cold sweat, an unearthly scream of pain ripping from him over and over again. The room door slams open, a sleepy but alert looking Papa and Miranda stop just inside the room, I see the pain in their eyes as they take Erik in. “What should I do? Will I wake him?” I can hear the desperation and fear in my own voice. I had thought he was okay after our conversation but he must have been putting a face on how he was really feeling. What horrors did they truly inflict upon him? Miranda rushe
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
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
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 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
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
*** 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.
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