Without a word, I lifted Jo into my arms, her slender form shaking violently against me as I carried her back to the pink room. Her sobs broke the silence, each one echoing against the walls of my heart, resonating with a pain I felt keenly. Holding her close in bed after pulling on loose clothing to cover the injuries and bite marks until they healed, I felt her tears dampen my shirt. She cried until the gentle rise and fall of her chest evened out, her sobs giving way to the quiet breathing of sleep. I decided that was the last time she would cry herself to sleep in my arms. I would not fail her like this again. The moonlight brought a new night, but the shadow of the previous day lingered. Everything was packed and ready for our departure. The return journey in the limo was silence. I was lost, my thoughts a vortex around the events that had unfolded. I reclined in the seat, Jo nestled against my chest as I stared out the window.She reached up and undid my collar, jolting me b
JO POV"Explain. Now," I demanded, unable to mask the shock and confusion. "Tone, kitten," Dane cautioned."I don't give a fuck about my tone. Tell me what is going on," I shot back."Kitten," Dane repeated. I finally deflated at the look he gave me. He would talk to me about it if I just calmed down. "I feel like there's so much I'm missing here," I confessed. Dane nodded. "There is, Kitten. I was Magness's sex slave for a century before he released me. About 600 years later, he decided to try again and took Deirk. Magness tortured him far more than he ever did me. Luckily, I was able to secure my freedom and, later, his.""When we were under Magness's control, he... he forced me to do things to Deirk like what happened to us. These are things I would never have chosen to do on my own. It was a kind of manipulation, coercion that we both endured at his hands that entire year."My stomach turned violently. My hand flew to my mouth."Oh shit... I'm sorry," I managed to stutter out.
(DANE POV) The sounds that filled the room were authentic, arising naturally from the depth of our connection, devoid of any pretense or exaggerated display. It was crucial to me, vital even, that she felt the profound distinction between the spectacle forced upon us in Magness's presence and the genuine, heartfelt union we shared now. The lessons I learned from my turbulent history with Deirk, as well as the pain and confusion that had lingered for centuries before we finally addressed it, underscored the importance of this moment. I was determined to ensure that she recognized the difference, to prevent any shadow of doubt or misinterpretation from clouding her perception. I wanted her to know that what we shared was real and pure, worlds apart from the manipulation and coercion forced on us. This was about us, about a connection that defied the constraints of time and circumstance. Eventually, I watched over her as she fell asleep, mere hours before the dawn signaled th
(JO POV) Today's lecture in Vampire 101 with Dr. Matthews was particularly intriguing. It focused on the royal lineage and its division into five prominent families from the original. As Dr. Matthews delved into the complexities of vampire hierarchy, he highlighted our unique position, mentioning the rare opportunity we had to learn alongside a member of the original family.Dane, ever humble, smiled and clarified, "I'm not from the original family, but I was turned by them. I'm secondary if you want to get technical."Dr. Matthews, undeterred by the correction, continued to emphasize Dane's significance, labeling him the only vampire prince currently in existence. The information washed over me, a blend of historical facts and familial prestige that seemed distant from the reality of our daily lives.One of the wards raised her hand to ask, "If he is a prince, does that make her a princess?"I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the question. The titles felt ill-fitting and too grand
(DANE POV)When Cami briefed us about the lockdown, she laid out the seriousness of the situation with an urgency I hadn't seen before. She was trying to tell me something without saying it. The entire campus was to be sealed off due to a turf war sparked by the presence of a girl from a prohibited family. This dispute had escalated dangerously, now posing a threat to the safety of everyone at the academy. The stakes were suddenly much higher. All humans were confined to their rooms alongside their masters, relying solely on trusted attendants for their essentials.Magness's sudden arrival now made perfect sense. He wasn't just here to torment me or stir up old fears. He needed me to dive into the fray and help him navigate this upheaval. The task was daunting, not just because of the physical dangers involved but also because a delicate political balance needed to be maintained to quell the unrest. Something I specialized in. This wasn't just another assignment or a simple fa
(JO POV) Watching Dane embrace Deirk before leaving struck a chord with me. Their once guarded open display of camaraderie and affection now seemed natural in my presence. As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, Deirk's voice broke through my reverie. "I don't have all of Dane's talents, so breaking into your brain is off the table for me... You'll actually have to tell me what's on your mind."Caught off guard, I opened up. "I'm just starting to wrap my head around the whole vampirism thing, and now there's this whole organized crime world that Dane's a part of. It feels like I'm always playing catch-up."Deirk nodded. "Honestly, I've kept myself out of that world by choice. I don't know much about it either." "One thing I do know for sure, Jo... Dane is exceptional at what he does. Magness wouldn't have sought him out if he wasn't the best at these... negotiations.""But he didn't exactly dress for a diplomatic mission, did he?" I couldn't help but point out. "In our world, negotia
(DANE POV) In a basement warehouse in New York, I was evading slivers of sunlight that dared to intrude through the cracks in the doors and windows. Each beam reminded me of the time ticking away, exacerbating my frustration with the situation. The day's task had dragged on far longer than anticipated, and the need to dodge these rays of light only fueled my growing irritation.Before me sat a family cousin stirring up trouble, slumped in a chair in the old, dingy room. Drawing upon the thick New York accent I once shared with Jo, a memory that now brought her smiling face unsolicited to my mind each time I used it, I addressed him. "Gregory... you know this isn't going anywhere fast. And I'm not one to back down, so why don't we speed this up? I'm sure there are places you'd rather be than here, losing blood in my company.Gregory's response was laced with defiance. "Fuck you. We're not under your thumb anymore." Technically, he was right. His family, the only human mafia that per
(JO POV) Two weeks had passed since we'd been confined to Deirk's room, and our initially cautious interactions had evolved into something much more intimate. Our days were now filled with constant conversation, laughter, and unexpected comfort in each other's presence, and our once-timid touches had grown into habitual cuddling. "Remember how I told you my stepmother used to scold me for forgetting my Spanish?" I teased Deirk, recalling when my stepmother insisted I speak Spanish at home. "Looks like you've become my new maestra." Deirk smiled and corrected my pronunciation: "It's 'maestro,' but I'm happy to take on the role. Your Spanish is coming back beautifully, by the way." To fend off the monotony, I finally gave in to Deirk's suggestion to play the array of children's board and card games he'd amassed. Watching a centuries-old vampire delight in something as simple as 'Go Fish' was heartwarming. "I never took you for a board game enthusiast," I remarked, amused by his chil
(DEIRK POV) The struggle had been almost overwhelming for hours. Mag was vulnerable and weak, and all I could think about was how easy it would be to rip him apart. Every time I tried to push the thoughts away, the memories came flooding back, vivid and sharp, slicing through my mind like the knives he used on me for centuries.I leaned back, trying to escape the constant loop of flashbacks. Percy lay beside me, close enough that I could feel his heartbeat against me. He always knew when I was close to breaking. His touch was steady, tracing shapes across my chest.He was trying to remind me I was still here, still in control. But the memories were relentless.The first time Mag strapped me down, I thought I'd die from the pain. I could still feel the cold metal biting into my wrists, the restraints cutting into my skin as he stood over me. The blade he used wasn't sharp. It was dull, dragging across my chest just deep enough to make me scream but not enough to kill. He enjoyed it
(DANE POV) I stood outside the room where Mag was held, feeling the moment's gravity. For 1,200 years, this man had been my "Daddy," inflicting pain, manipulating me, and shaping my life in his twisted image. Yet, there were times when he provided care and shelter, giving me some stability in the chaos. Now, the roles were reversed, and it was my turn to take care of him. A responsibility I never imagined. I opened the door and stepped inside. The air was thick with the smell of blood, remnants of the recent horrors that had unfolded. Mag lay on the floor, battered and broken, his once formidable presence reduced to a fragile shell. "Mag," I said as I approached. "It's time to get you cleaned up." He didn't respond, his vacant stare fixed on the ceiling. The man who once controlled everything now seemed utterly defeated. I crouched beside him. "Let's get you up and into the shower," I said, offering my hand. "I'll make sure it doesn't hurt more than it has to." Mag's eyes f
(DANE POV)I didn't want her to deal with my insecurities right now. She had enough on her plate. Between last night's chaos and everything still unresolved, burdening her with my doubts felt selfish. But I couldn't shake the nagging thought clawing at me for what seemed like forever.She pulled away slightly, her expression shifting as she processed what I had said. "What? No, Dane, you know I chose you. How long have you been dealing with that and not said anything? What the hell?"Oddly enough, seeing her getting worked up over this made me feel a little better. It was like a reminder that she did care, that this wasn't just something trivial to her. I shrugged, trying to downplay the unease that had been messing with me for days. "I didn't want to upset you more."Without hesitation, she pulled me down until I was practically kneeling in front of her so we were at eye level. She gripped my shoulders, and the intensity in her eyes forced me to focus on her and nothing else. "I ch
I left Deirk, Jo, and Percy curled up in bed asleep, intertwined after the chaotic night. They refused to sleep in different rooms, insisting on sticking together. They insisted on the same during sex with us, effectively turning it into our first foursome. I didn't dwell on why. Maybe they sought comfort, or perhaps they were afraid of us. Nevertheless, it was the right decision. I had to restrain Deirk more than once to prevent things from escalating. I hoped I had done it subtly enough that Jo and Percy didn't notice, but I wasn't so sure. They seemed more aware than they let on.As I stepped out of the room, I found Dom and Marshall loitering in the hallway. Seeing them there so early wasn't surprising, but there was something different about them. There was a hunger and eagerness in their eyes that I hadn't seen before. Lately, they had been pushing boundaries and testing limits, as usual, but this time it felt different."What's up?" I asked, heading toward my office. I had a
(JO POV) I woke up to the unsettling emptiness beside me. Percy was still there, deep in sleep. Dane and Deirk were gone. I slipped out of bed. The silence weighed heavily, broken only by a distant, rhythmic sound that made my skin crawl.As I moved closer, the noise became unmistakable.Agonized groans accompanied the sharp crack of a whip. My heart pounded as the sound pulled me toward a door I had never noticed before. It was slightly ajar, with a sickly maroon light spilling into the hallway. I pushed it open and stepped inside.The room was a nightmare. Mag knelt in the center, shackled and bleeding. His body was crisscrossed with fresh wounds. Dane and Deirk stood over him, their eyes solid black, their faces crawling with red veins that pulsed with rage. Their need for total vengeance was consuming them. The brutality was terrifying to witness."Did you think you'd escape this, Mag?" Dane snarled in that thick accent, lashing the whip across Mag's back. "That we would just o
(DEIRK POV)The moment I saw Marshall with those knives, everything I thought I had buried came surging back, tearing through the mental walls I had so carefully constructed.I was thrust back into the nightmare, and suddenly, it wasn't Marshall holding the blade...it was Mag.His twisted grin, the way he'd relish in our pain, the unbearable torture that followed. Mag didn't just inflict physical wounds. He cut into our very souls, leaving scars that never truly healed.He always started slow, like he was savoring the moment. The first cut was an intro, a reminder that the nightmare was beginning all over again. He'd look me in the eye, a sickening smile, and then drag the blade across my skin, just deep enough to make me scream but not deep enough to be fatal. The real agony came later, drawn out over hours, sometimes days.The burn of silver seared through my skin, leaving marks that would never fade. The scent of burning flesh, my own flesh, still haunted me. Mag would just laugh,
(DANE POV)Marshall had always claimed to be bisexual, so I decided it was time to let him prove it. It was the only way I'd consider letting him continue attending the male events he enjoyed so much. Tonight was his test, and Mag was about to become his plaything.I turned to Marshall, who was already eyeing Mag with a dark gleam that matched the twisted grin spreading across his face."Have your way with him," I said as I tossed him a set of knives. He caught them mid-air with ease, his excitement noticeable. "Break him from the inside out. Make it count, and don't hold back. You might want to stretch him a bit, loosen up... you know, to get things going in easily."Mag's eyes went wide, his bravado shattering as the reality of his situation hit him. The fear consumed him, and the blackness in his eyes betrayed his panic. He began to unravel, his desperation flooding the room."Dane, please! You don't have to do this!" he stammered out in a rush. "I didn't mean it... I was just tryi
(DANE POV)Mag slid into the leather jacket, his excitement radiating off him like heat from a fire. He looked at me, his eyes gleaming with what he believed was shared anticipation. "I knew you'd like it," I said, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Figured it would help you settle in before you dive into things at the school."He beamed, completely convinced that he had finally won me over. Inside, though, all I felt was cold resolve. I might have been excited...if he hadn't crossed the line, if he hadn't forced Jo into that unbearable situation. But he had, and now, he had to pay.Deirk played his role perfectly, not giving anything away as Mag eagerly shrugged off his sports coat and slid into the jacket like it was a badge of honor. It fit him like a second skin, making him look every bit the predator he fancied himself to be. Deirk and I exchanged a brief knowing glance. The first part of our plan had succeeded. Mag, completely oblivious, was wrapped up in his delusions
(DANE POV) I slammed my phone down, the sharp sound breaking the silence. Two weeks had passed since we found out Jo was pregnant, and now, after what seemed like forever, the message I'd been waiting for finally came through. Mag was coming home.Tonight.Deirk looked up from across the room, his eyes meeting mine. He didn't need to ask what had me on edge, but he did anyway. "What now?""It's happening," I replied, leaning back in my chair. "He's coming tonight.""Tonight," Deirk echoed, a slow smile creeping onto his face. "Perfect. Full moon and all.""Yeah," I agreed, the plan solidifying in my mind. "We're going all out."The hunt had been meticulously crafted, not just as a hunt but as a punishment. Tonight, the academy's halls would become a battlefield. Slaves and wards who had stepped out of line, or those whose masters wanted to teach them a brutal lesson, would be let loose. They could run, they could hide, but escape wasn't an option. The vampires would be released to hu