*Gwen’s POV*It took a while for me to come to again—my body was weak, depleted. I could barely feel anything. But I could hear, gradually, and when it all came into focus, I saw Darick’s eyes, staring at me, brilliantly."Hit bit her! That fucker bit her! I'll kill him, dammit!" Darick leaned over me and examined my wound. He was bleeding all over, and small droplets from his body spilled onto my chest. I opened my mouth to speak, stopping Darick in his tracks. But nothing came out. He waited, frantically, as I tried again. When I spoke, it came out gravelly, and sharp."I-I'm burning, Darick. My whole body feels l-like it's on fire. You have to get me to a h-hospital,” I pleaded. I grabbed Darick's arm and placed all my focus on his eyes. "Please, don't let me die." At this, Darick lifted me in his arms and raced to the cellar. Over his shoulder, I saw Viktor trailing close behind us. I had never been in the cellar, but I remember Isabella letting me know it was whe
*Darick’s POV*Fuck. What was I thinking kissing Gwen? I couldn’t allow myself to get attached to her. She was my hostage, and I still didn't know what I would do with her. I opened my closet and perused through the different outfits, contemplating what to change into.But my mind quickly wandered back to Gwen.Her lips were as soft as cotton and tasted sweeter than blood. It took everything in me to pull away—to leave her there…No! Caring for her would endanger both of our lives. I had to pull myself together. I grabbed my black outfit and walked to the mirror. I wondered if maybe Gwen was here for a reason. Out of all the women in the world who could have broken into my home, it was her. A gorgeous journalist with pure blood, blood so pure it could reject a blood oath. In the wrong hands, it was dangerous. In the right hands, it could save lives.A knock on my bedroom door startled me out of my daze."Darick, We need to have a meeting. The men are fighting am
*Darick’s POV*No one moved a muscle as they waited for Amber to regain her composure and deliver her verdict.But when she did, all heads snapped to Godfrey—fangs bared and eyes red.Godfrey growled. “You bitch!” he yelled. Then, his attention turned to me. “I did what I had to save the Blood Brothers! Darick has lost his way and is no longer fit to be our leader. I invoke the Vampire Articles of Confederation!" Godfrey turned and looked at me with an evil smile on his face. I froze in my spot. "You what?" I knew exactly what he meant but I wanted to make sure I had heard correctly. The look on his face only confirmed it—he was doing this. The Vampie Articles of Confederation stated that under any circumstance in which the leader of any congregation can have his abilities questioned, he can be challenged, and with the right amount of votes, ruled out.And now, Godfrey was enacting it, essentially starting a war between the Blood Brothers. "Yeah, that's right,”
*Darick’s POV*Shit, shit, shit.The one thing I didn’t want to happen, did. I ran after Gwen as she raced down the hallway. "Gwen. Please, wait," I grabbed her arm and turned her toward me. "Darick, I promise I won't say anything, just please let me go." Her hands were shaking, and she looked frightened, her eyes wide with fear."Gwen. I'm not going to hurt you," I whispered. I turned and saw Viktor staring at me. Godfrey's blood was still dripping from the stake. "He doesn't like me much. Does he?" Gwen said as she lowered her gaze. I looked back to see Viktor’s eyes on her, and once they saw me staring, they adverted and he continued to help clean up the mess I left behind.I sighed. "Come with me,” I stated. “I want to show you something." I grabbed Gwen's hand and led her to the library. She was silent the entire way and part of me expected her to run—but rather, she kept close to me, and trailed behind me. "It's not that Viktor doesn't like you. He
*Chelsea’s POV* The sun peeked through the curtains just as my alarm clock rang. I reached over and hit the snooze button, hoping to get more sleep, but my mind hadn't been at ease since I lost contact with Gwen a few days ago. I had tried contacting her several times, but her phone went to voicemail. I sat up, rubbed my eyes, and yawned.I reached across the nightstand, grabbed my phone, and checked my missed calls, text messages, and voicemails.‘Mom: Chelsea, it's the first day of fall. Don't forget to meet me at Starbucks for our fall ritual.’Ah yes, how could I forget our evening pumpkin spice mocha at Starbucks? My mother and I started this tradition when Starbucks released their first line of drinks for the fall. There was nothing like a hot pumpkin spice tea or mocha to warm my body after standing in the freezing cold temperatures of New York.‘Mr. Jeffers: Chelsea, I need you to work late tonight. We have hundreds of articles that need to go to print today. Come to
*Amon’s POV*Nothing pissed me off more than losing a battle with Darick and his gang. We had everything set to kidnap that journalist, and it all fell apart. I planned on calling a meeting as soon as we arrived at our headquarters. The thought of Darick defeating me sickened me, and someone was going to have to pay. I entered the office and kicked over the black vampire statues. "How the fuck did we let Darick defeat us?!" "I-I don't know, boss. I had him pinned down until the fire started," Klaus stuttered. He was new to the Blood Kings, and I thought he could fight. He passed many of my tests within the past month, but tonight, he got his ass kicked. "Liar! You were in the corner crying like a little bitch. I saw him, boss!" shouted Stefan. "Yes! I saw him too. Kill him,” Claudia agreed with a smile on her face.I turned my back and walked to my chair. "Please! Give me another chance. I'll help you get the girl!" Klaus pleaded. Stefan, my second in comman
*Gwen’s POV*I was looking forward to Isabella's return today. My journalistic nature needed answers to the feelings I was starting to have for Darick. After badgering Darick a little more, I finally got my answer. And it stunned me.He did it…for me. He did it because Godfrey was going to kill me.What boggled my mind was that Darick barely knew me. I broke into his house and insulted him, and he protected me when my life was in danger. How could he be so ruthless, yet kind, protective, and caring to an intruder? My body was still tingling from the softness of his lips. Thinking about his touch gave me goosebumps. Gazing into his eyes was like looking into the deep blue sea, and there was something about how his ruthless nature that turned me on. His chest, hard and sculpted, sent me into a lustful frenzy, and I couldn't stop thinking about what I would do to him. I wanted to lick every part of his body. I wondered what it would be like to date a vampire. From the moment I
*Darick’s POV*I never understood how people could hurt children. Such was the man whose lifeless body was lying on the table. I studied his big crystal blue eyes, the roundness of his face, and his pointy nose. He didn't have a beard or hair on his head. His face was clean and smooth. He looked like a man who could easily gain young people's trust, and maybe that's why he kidnapped little girls. I despised men like him.When Wendall handed me his case yesterday, I almost threw up reading the long list of atrocities he committed. The thought of his blood in my mouth sickened me, yet would also satisfy me, knowing that his judgment day had come and a sick psychopath like him would be off the streets.I leaned over the dead man's body and traced my fingers across his neck. I tilted his head back and opened my mouth. I could feel my razor-sharp fangs extending. It had been a while since I had eaten, and I was ready to enjoy this meal.My fangs pierced his skin, and blood poured