-Ronan-I was elated all throughout the flight, only to return to chaos unfolding at the manor. What the hell is Stella doing here, anyway? And why is she holding Ara like this? "Let her go," I say in a low voice, trying to contain the anger surging through me.Stella's hand is still pulling at Ara's hair, though the two are no longer struggling, as if my presence has frozen them in place."And please explain what the hell you're doing here, attacking my attendant." "Desmond texted to tell you we were coming," Stella says, slowly removing her hand from Ara's hair.Ara pulls away immediately and runs off in the direction of my room. I want to run after her so badly, but I have to deal with Stella first. I take it she hasn't seen Ara's sister yet, because that would have been the first thing she said once I barged in on them. "She was being insolent again," Stella says. She's still heaving, as if whatever had gone on between her and Ara before I arrive
-Arabella-We lay in the dark, my head on the pillows, Grace's on my shoulder. I stare out the window looking at the twinkling stars of London as we reminisce about our hometown of Savannah, Georgia. Our conversation always centers around Dad and all the wonderful things he did for us even though he was a busy man, working hard to support the family and our mother's spending habits. From the corner of my eye, I can see Grace's face light up.Suddenly, something occurs to her. "You know, I always wondered how Daddy and Mother ever fell in love with each other."I laugh softly in the dark. "They must have been different people back then. People have a tendency to change over time."My thoughts ebb away, and I am taken back to a time when Dad was still with us. I remember the summers we spent in the garden, with him teaching us how to grow vegetables and herbs. I remember the days spent running around the woods, climbing trees, and building forts. I remember the
-Ronan-I am getting ready to put an end to a long day of work. All I want to do is relax and spend time with Ara. I put my watch on my wrist, feeling the reassuring presence of the gemstone inside. Human emotions are strange, I think as I feel the smooth surface of the watch.I feel the kaleidoscoping changes in Ara's emotions. She goes from feelings of sadness to excitement. I like the feeling her excitement gives me, and realize it is because she is coming to see me. A small smile crosses my face as I put a quick end to my workday and started to hurry to the restaurant.But then her emotions drastically change again, and this time they are filled with fear. I feel her panic, sending a horrible chill through my own system that I'm not there with her. Two faces come to mind. Only Desmond and Stella could be responsible. My cell phone rings. It's my driver."What happened?""I'm so sorry, Mr. Stewart. They blocked the road, there were two vans...""Where is Ara?" I interrupt him. "T
-Arabella-It is a red eye flight from London to Savannah. I am the only passenger, of course; the private aircraft feels way too big than when we all flew to London together, even though it's the same plane. The city lights below me start to get farther away. I lean back against the plush comfort of one of the seats, or the spacious beds to be precious, and finally get the chance to process everything that has occurred.I was abducted by one of the Stewart brothers, and saved and freed by another. Too many things have happened. The past few months of my life feels longer than the twenty some years I lived before. Fate seems to like to play tricks on me. Growing up, I've been taught that vampires are worthless, they are nothing but lazy, filthy leeches. Yet, when no one else in the human society spared me or my family a single drop of pity, it was vampires who offered me a contract that paid off our debt.I spent the better part of my life looking down upon the blood monsters until
-Arabella-Three days later I am settled in a safehouse in Savannah. I am not able to leave or contact anyone until the head security guard gets a message from Ronan that it is okay for me to see my sister. I am enjoying the little bit of fresh air that Ronan's security team allows me at the safehouse. When I was on the flight back to the States, this is not at all what I imagined my situation would be. It's not ideal losing my freedom, but for the time being, at least I know that my baby and I are safe. Trying to stay positive, I take in the beauty that surrounds me. The sky is a deep, vibrant blue, and the sun radiates with a warmth that promises a beautiful day ahead. The trees rustle slightly in the breeze, and I feel a sense of peace that I haven't felt in a long time. I look out further and can see the Savannah River, which glimmers in the sunlight. Despite the uncertainty of my current situation, I'm grateful for the beauty that Mother Nature has given me. "Ara!"Suddenly,
-Ronan-I don't rest at all on the flight from London. I am taken directly to her safe house, hungry to lay eyes on her again, to smell her scent again, to feel her warmth again. The door to the house is open and a man's voice is trailing from inside. I tune my ears and listen to every word of Tommy's declaration. My first impulse is to enter and rip his head off, but I calm myself trying to wait for Ara's response. I want Ara for myself but know that us being together as a real couple is impossible. I let out a breath of relief when I don't hear the same feeling reciprocated. A bit of hope springs in my chest. I enter the house and round the corner, then I see her in his arms. Heat rushes through my body. Jealousy burns every cell of mine, especially when I realize, despite how much I want to deny it, that they look perfect together.I don't want to admit it, but my rational mind reminds me once again that she would be better off living her remaining days with him in the human wor
-Ronan-I have lived over one hundred years and I still have trouble envisioning how far the consequences of my actions will carry me. That is how, on this crisp October morning, I am on the way to get my first human pet. We're supposed to call them attendants, but they're essentially pets, and I've managed to keep myself human pet-free for so long because I've stayed off my parents' radar for a decade or two. Now that they're back in Savannah and I'm working on something with my father, they've turned the spotlight on me. Desmond sits across from me in the limo, and he's pouring his third glass of whiskey in half an hour. He picks it up and raises it toward me. "It's your fucking fault that I have to pick another pet. Maybe if you hadn't 'accidentally' released her, you wouldn't be here with me. And I rather liked her, you know?" Evidently, my distaste is etched on my face. I scoff and ignore him. Yes, my brother liked her blood and he liked fucking her sensele
-Arabella-How could I have messed everything up so badly?My hands tremble as I make my way to the office where a few minutes ago, I offered up my life in exchange for my family's future. I want this. I need this.And yet, I'd behaved like a brat in the interview, which only guarantees that no one would ever take me. It just feels so… unfair. It's unfair that the only way to fix the mess my late father got us into is for me to give up twenty years of my life. It's unfair that this system even exists. Thankfully, the room is empty when I come in. The cold air flowing from the vents in the ceiling sends a shiver down my spine.I don't know what I'm supposed to do now. Wait to be told that I'm not welcome back? I think about leaving to expedite the process, and the door suddenly opens."Arabella Hamilton?" A woman pokes her head in. "Will you come with me, please?"I follow her out down more pristine corridors until we reach a sparsely decorated off
-Ronan-I don't rest at all on the flight from London. I am taken directly to her safe house, hungry to lay eyes on her again, to smell her scent again, to feel her warmth again. The door to the house is open and a man's voice is trailing from inside. I tune my ears and listen to every word of Tommy's declaration. My first impulse is to enter and rip his head off, but I calm myself trying to wait for Ara's response. I want Ara for myself but know that us being together as a real couple is impossible. I let out a breath of relief when I don't hear the same feeling reciprocated. A bit of hope springs in my chest. I enter the house and round the corner, then I see her in his arms. Heat rushes through my body. Jealousy burns every cell of mine, especially when I realize, despite how much I want to deny it, that they look perfect together.I don't want to admit it, but my rational mind reminds me once again that she would be better off living her remaining days with him in the human wor
-Arabella-Three days later I am settled in a safehouse in Savannah. I am not able to leave or contact anyone until the head security guard gets a message from Ronan that it is okay for me to see my sister. I am enjoying the little bit of fresh air that Ronan's security team allows me at the safehouse. When I was on the flight back to the States, this is not at all what I imagined my situation would be. It's not ideal losing my freedom, but for the time being, at least I know that my baby and I are safe. Trying to stay positive, I take in the beauty that surrounds me. The sky is a deep, vibrant blue, and the sun radiates with a warmth that promises a beautiful day ahead. The trees rustle slightly in the breeze, and I feel a sense of peace that I haven't felt in a long time. I look out further and can see the Savannah River, which glimmers in the sunlight. Despite the uncertainty of my current situation, I'm grateful for the beauty that Mother Nature has given me. "Ara!"Suddenly,
-Arabella-It is a red eye flight from London to Savannah. I am the only passenger, of course; the private aircraft feels way too big than when we all flew to London together, even though it's the same plane. The city lights below me start to get farther away. I lean back against the plush comfort of one of the seats, or the spacious beds to be precious, and finally get the chance to process everything that has occurred.I was abducted by one of the Stewart brothers, and saved and freed by another. Too many things have happened. The past few months of my life feels longer than the twenty some years I lived before. Fate seems to like to play tricks on me. Growing up, I've been taught that vampires are worthless, they are nothing but lazy, filthy leeches. Yet, when no one else in the human society spared me or my family a single drop of pity, it was vampires who offered me a contract that paid off our debt.I spent the better part of my life looking down upon the blood monsters until
-Ronan-I am getting ready to put an end to a long day of work. All I want to do is relax and spend time with Ara. I put my watch on my wrist, feeling the reassuring presence of the gemstone inside. Human emotions are strange, I think as I feel the smooth surface of the watch.I feel the kaleidoscoping changes in Ara's emotions. She goes from feelings of sadness to excitement. I like the feeling her excitement gives me, and realize it is because she is coming to see me. A small smile crosses my face as I put a quick end to my workday and started to hurry to the restaurant.But then her emotions drastically change again, and this time they are filled with fear. I feel her panic, sending a horrible chill through my own system that I'm not there with her. Two faces come to mind. Only Desmond and Stella could be responsible. My cell phone rings. It's my driver."What happened?""I'm so sorry, Mr. Stewart. They blocked the road, there were two vans...""Where is Ara?" I interrupt him. "T
-Arabella-We lay in the dark, my head on the pillows, Grace's on my shoulder. I stare out the window looking at the twinkling stars of London as we reminisce about our hometown of Savannah, Georgia. Our conversation always centers around Dad and all the wonderful things he did for us even though he was a busy man, working hard to support the family and our mother's spending habits. From the corner of my eye, I can see Grace's face light up.Suddenly, something occurs to her. "You know, I always wondered how Daddy and Mother ever fell in love with each other."I laugh softly in the dark. "They must have been different people back then. People have a tendency to change over time."My thoughts ebb away, and I am taken back to a time when Dad was still with us. I remember the summers we spent in the garden, with him teaching us how to grow vegetables and herbs. I remember the days spent running around the woods, climbing trees, and building forts. I remember the
-Ronan-I was elated all throughout the flight, only to return to chaos unfolding at the manor. What the hell is Stella doing here, anyway? And why is she holding Ara like this? "Let her go," I say in a low voice, trying to contain the anger surging through me.Stella's hand is still pulling at Ara's hair, though the two are no longer struggling, as if my presence has frozen them in place."And please explain what the hell you're doing here, attacking my attendant." "Desmond texted to tell you we were coming," Stella says, slowly removing her hand from Ara's hair.Ara pulls away immediately and runs off in the direction of my room. I want to run after her so badly, but I have to deal with Stella first. I take it she hasn't seen Ara's sister yet, because that would have been the first thing she said once I barged in on them. "She was being insolent again," Stella says. She's still heaving, as if whatever had gone on between her and Ara before I arrive
-Arabella-"Mr. Stewart has given me clear instructions not to let anyone besides his attendant in his room. If you'd like, I can set you up in another bedroom," Julia says in a stoic voice. "He doesn't want to be disturbed." I can tell she's trying very hard not to snap, with her shoulders all tensed up. I've never seen Stella act so viciously toward another vampire, but I guess she's used to having servants and others scramble to please her all the time, and she's not happy with Julia's reticence to do as she wants. Stella's head snaps in Julia's direction, and she takes a few quick steps toward her.Without stopping, she slaps the woman's cheek so hard that Julia stumbles and almost falls over. If it weren't for the mahogany table in the center of the foyer, she would have landed on the floor.She stares at Stella with her mouth hanging open. "I am going to be your mistress, and the first thing I'm going to do once I run this manor is to fire you if you ca
-Ronan-"What do you mean?" I ask Carlota.She gestures for me to follow her to another courtyard, one that is slightly elevated and has an amazing view of the enormous forest surrounding her compound.I was planning on leaving, but it seems she's not done with the conversation yet. "I spend most of my time around humans lately, for obvious reasons," she continues, leaning on the balcony and looking out at the horizon. "As vampires, we've never taken love or feelings too seriously because we take life for granted. We know we have years, decades, ages. Humans don't have that luxury, so each moment shared with their loved ones is immensely more important and valuable."I'm not too sure where she's going with this, but it's making me feel…uncomfortable."If you love someone else, don't marry Stella," she says after a pause, point-blank. "I can't drop all the responsibilities I have toward my family," I counter. I came to ask her for help figuring out Ste
-Arabella-"I'm not a child," Grace says to Gabriel, crossing her arms. "I turn eighteen in two months.""I meant no disrespect." Gabriel bows his head and smiles at her.?Grace flinches slightly at the sight of his fangs, but keeps her composure and turns back to me.?"Did you really not know I was coming? I thought you asked your vampire to set this up. A travel agency called me, and they had first class tickets and everything set up," she says.?"No, I didn't. It must have been Ronan." Unexpectedly, her words make my heart ache.?Ronan isn't MY vampire. He can't be.?Moreover, those guys who have been threatening me wouldn't organize a trip for Grace, would they??The only thing that makes sense is that Ronan wanted to get her somewhere safe, and that meant bringing her to me.This is also an outright violation of the attendant agency rules, and it warms my heart to think that Ronan would go to such lengths to help my little sister.?"How is M