DAMIEN The weight of her words hit me like a blow, sinking into my chest, freezing my breath in my throat. A part of me had suspected something terrible, some hidden pain she'd kept buried for so long, but never… never this. The pieces began to click into place—the agony that seemed to cling to her like a shadow, the haunted look in her eyes every time I looked into her eyes.“My poor baby…” Her voice cracked, and I saw her fingers tremble as she pinched them together, as if trying to hold on to something long lost. Her jaw tightened, the strain of anger and grief pulling at her expression until it almost looked like a mask, one forged in anguish. “He was just a child…” she said, her voice trembling, her gaze unfocused as if she were staring into the past.A tremor overtook her, and suddenly, her hands flew to her hair, gripping it with a desperation that shook her whole body. She pulled, her fingers curling tightly in her hair as if she could somehow punish herself for her helplessn
KEILAH I slowly opened my eyes, only to find myself tucked under the covers, and for a moment, I couldn't quite place how I ended up there. My last memory was sitting in the kitchen, eating with Barbra, and then... waking up here. How had I gotten to the bed?A voice startled me from my thoughts. "Are you okay?"I turned to the side and saw Garbie sitting there, her concern evident. "Jesus, Garbie, you startled me," I muttered, my hand over my chest as I tried to steady my breath."Sorry," she said quickly, her tone apologetic. "I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you alright?"I sat upright, facing her. "I'm good. Energetic and all, but... what happened? How did I end up in the bed when I was in the kitchen eating?"Garbie went silent for a moment, her lips pressing together as if deciding how to answer. Then she spoke, her voice a little unsure. "I don’t know about human food, but it must’ve gotten you drunk after you
KEILAH I watched as the fight in the ring reached a fever pitch. One vampire—lean, with scars tracing his face—moved with an intensity that even my eyes could barely follow. His opponent, a stockier man, was fierce, but it was clear he was no match for the first vampire's speed and precision. With a swift motion, the scarred one pinned him down, pressing his arm firmly to the ground as the crowd cheered.The victor rose, the surrounding vampires chanting his name as someone handed him a massive wooden bowl filled with dark, thick blood. A proud grin spread across his face as he raised it to his lips, drinking deeply. My stomach churned at the sight, but I clenched my fists, determined to keep my reaction hidden. This was their way, and I couldn’t afford to look squeamish here. But, of course, Maureen noticed. Her sharp eyes caught my expression, and she leaned over, her tone soft with understanding. "If it makes you uncomfortable, you don't have to watch."I managed a small smile, s
KEILAH I pulled the covers tightly around me, curling up as if I could hide from the weight of the feeling that had been clinging to me since we left the vampire town. It was as if the night had left a trace of its energy on me, sinking deep into my skin, tightening around my chest, pressing in on me with a force I couldn’t shake. I tried to push the sensation away, burying myself in the blankets, but it didn’t help.Even during dinner, as I sat with Barbra and Garbie, I couldn’t escape it. They didn’t feel it. They couldn’t. How could they? It wasn’t something you could explain, and I didn’t want to make them worry. So, I forced myself to smile, to laugh, and pretend I wasn’t suffocating under this invisible pressure that was slowly wearing me down. But it was getting harder to ignore. It was like some dark cloud hanging over me, and I had no way of pushing it away.Maybe it was the energy of the vampire town. Maybe the overwhelming presence of so many creatures, their powers swirli
KEILAH I pulled away from Damien, gagging as an unfamiliar, metallic taste flooded my mouth. The kiss had been impulsive, desperate, and now I was paying for it. My stomach churned, and I stumbled back, spitting on the floor to rid myself of the sharp tang lingering on my tongue. “Ugh!” I coughed, dragging the back of my hand across my lips. The taste was so overwhelming it made my throat tighten, and I could feel bile rising. I rushed toward the kitchen, my bare feet skidding on the cold floor. I fumbled for the tap, twisting it on, and let the water pour into my mouth. I gargled and spit, repeating the process until the sharp taste dulled, replaced by the cold purity of water. My hands shook as I gripped the sink, leaning over it as I took deep breaths, trying to calm the storm raging inside me. When I finally straightened up and wiped my mouth, I glanced over my shoulder, expecting Damien to be there. But the space where he’d been standing was empty. I frowned, turning towar
DAMIEN “Do it already—I can’t stand the coldness radiating from you anymore,” she said, pulling me out of my thoughts. My mind had drifted, stuck on the one word that lingered after everything she said: *trust.* What the hell made her say that? Trust? From her? I let out a low chuckle, more to myself, at the absurdity of it. Trust was a concept I couldn’t even entertain, yet hearing it from her did something strange to me. It left a faint buzz in my chest—a feeling I couldn’t name. My attention shifted to her mate’s wolf, who had risen and now stood protectively at her side, its piercing gaze fixed on me. “Do I need to grab a knife from the kitchen and cut myself to get you started?” Her sharp words pulled me back again. I looked down at her, taking in the determination etched across her face. She wasn’t going to back down. With a quiet sigh, I reached for her and pulled her closer, my grip firm but careful. “It’s going to sting,” I warned, my voice low.“I know,” she repli
DAMIEN The scream sent ice down my spine. Before I knew it, I was dashing up the stairs, each step heavier with dread. Seth and the others followed close behind, their footsteps echoing in the tense silence of the house. When I reached my room and shoved the door open, my senses went into overdrive.I scanned the room for any sign of danger. The windows were intact, no strange scents lingered in the air, and everything appeared undisturbed. It didn’t make sense. Nothing about this place screamed threat.My eyes darted to Keilah. She was leaned against the headboard, clutching the blanket tightly around her body, her eyes wide and darting between all of us. “What happened? Are you hurt?” Garbie asked, his voice steady but concerned. It was a question I should’ve asked, but deep down, I already knew the answer. Keilah’s fingers twisted into the blanket, and she let out a shaky breath before forcing an awkward smile. “Not really,” she said awkwardly, her voice shaky. “I’m good. I mean
DAMIEN The oppressive silence of the Red Castle bore down on me, each heartbeat echoing in my ears like the toll of a bell. My breaths were shallow as I tried to piece together what had just happened. One moment, I had been in the forest, confronting Aaron—or what I thought was him—and now, I stood here, trapped in my domain.I reached out with my senses, probing for any signs of life, magic, or danger. The air crackled faintly, a telltale sign of a powerful spell. It wasn’t my magic—it was something foreign, invasive, and far stronger than I’d anticipated. My jaw clenched as I realised just how badly I’d been played.The laughter from earlier still echoed faintly in my mind, sending a chill through me. It wasn’t Aaron’s voice now, nor was it the voice of anyone I recognized. It was distorted, layered with malice, a voice meant to unsettle and provoke.“Draven, the monarch,” the voice intoned, each word laced with a sinister melody that reverberated in the stillness. It didn’t echo t
KEILAH The woman’s voice cut through the thick silence again, cold and deliberate. “Aren’t you starving? Isn’t that what got you where you’re not supposed to be?” I stood there, utterly flabbergasted, my mind racing to catch up with her words. Shock, confusion, frustration—all of it churned within me, but what I was most aware of was the pounding of my heart and the irritation of Damien’s mark. It itched, stinging in a way I couldn’t ignore.The woman’s eyes never left me, her gaze unwavering as she spoke again. “Come, get something to eat before I change my mind. As for your friends, they’ll be fine that way.” She motioned lazily toward the group, who stood frozen. “Now, come.” I stayed rooted to the spot, uncertain of what to do. The group surrounded me, still and stiff, their protective postures making it feel impossible to move without brushing against one of them. It was like they were keeping me trapped in place, yet I had no idea how to get out of this. The woman’s expre
KEILAH The hum of the car engine filled the silence between us. Outside, the landscape rolled by in an endless blur—twisting roads, shadowed hills, and darkening skies that stretched on and on. It was the kind of silence that felt heavy with unspoken words and the weight of secrets neither of us wanted to touch yet.Damien sat in the driver’s seat, his tall, broad frame looking perfectly at ease. One hand gripped the wheel with an easy firmness, the other resting against his knee. His face, illuminated faintly by the glow of the dashboard lights, was carved from stone—sharp angles, impassive features, and those eyes. Even though they were fixed on the road, I knew they missed nothing.I shifted in my seat for what felt like the hundredth time, unable to get comfortable. Ever since I got in the car with Damien, my neck burned with an irritating itch—a deep stinging sensation that I couldn’t ignore. I scratched at the spot absentmindedly, fingers brushing over the mark. It wasn't the
KEILAH “What do you mean by that? Why does it want to stay here?” I asked, confused. Why would Ralph’s wolf refuse to leave when Ralph himself might be searching for it? I sighed. “Why do I even care about him reuniting with his wolf?” But then again, his wolf is a part of him. He must feel incomplete without it. Helping him reunite with his wolf—it’s the least I can do, right?I didn’t catch what Damien was saying because I was too lost in my own thoughts. My focus snapped back when he brushed past me, heading upstairs. His eyes moved as if tracking something unseen, and I knew he was following Ralph’s wolf.I followed him closely, noticing the tension in his jaw. He clearly wasn’t thrilled about this, but he was doing it because I asked. When he reached my room, he stopped abruptly, his gaze narrowing at the wall.“What is it doing?” I asked, following his line of sight.“It disappeared through the wall,” he replied.I stepped in front of him, my breath catching as I looked up. Hol
SETHThe air felt thick with rage as I leapt through the night, the weight of Draven’s anger hanging over me like a suffocating smoke. I could still feel the burn in my throat from where his hands had gripped me. King Draven had never looked at me that way before. Never with such ferocity. I had seen him angry over the years, but this... this was different. It was like he was seeing me as a stranger—someone who betrayed him, who threatened what was most precious to him. And it was all because of her. Keilah. That damn human girl. She had become a thorn in my side, and my patience had finally snapped.I could feel the burn of my fangs, the ache to feed, to rip into something, anything, to calm the fire within me. I pushed my speed harder, my surroundings blurring around me, until I reached the edge of the mountains, where the wild creatures roamed freely.Without hesitation, I launched myself into the woods, the familiar rush of bloodlust flooding my senses. My eyes narrowed as I caugh
DAMIEN Exhaustion hit me like a wave. I slumped down on the bed next to her, my body heavy and unsteady. A sharp, draining sensation tugged at my core. I felt hollow, as though something vital was being siphoned from me.The wolf paced restlessly beside the bed, its now golden eyes flickering between Keilah and me.“Sit your furry ass down,” I muttered, my voice hoarse and low. “She’s fine now.”The wolf hesitated but finally lay down beside the bed, resting its massive head on its paws, its gaze never leaving her.I closed my eyes briefly, trying to steady myself. The sharp pull of exhaustion still gnawed at me, but a prickle of awareness shot through my mind like a lightning bolt.Seth.My eyes snapped open, their natural hue giving way to a darker, furious abyss as rage flooded through me. He was here—inside my house.Before I could think, I moved. In a blink, I was downstairs, my body a blur of raw energy and fury. I slammed into him with all my weight, knocking him clean off his
DAMIEN Deirdre's soft laughter vibrated against my chest, a melody that soothed the storm inside me. “You’re holding me so tightly, Damien,” she murmured, her voice tinged with gentle humour. “Are you sure you’re okay?”I pulled back just enough to look at her, searching her face for any trace of deception, any sign that this was another cruel trick of the throne or my own fractured mind. But there was none. Her eyes held nothing but love and warmth.“I don’t want to let go,” I admitted, my voice raw. “Not after what I’ve been through. I can’t lose you again.”Her expression softened, and she reached up to brush her fingers along my jawline, her touch featherlight. “You’ll never lose me, my love. I promised you that a long time ago, didn’t I?” She smiled, her thumb tracing the edge of my cheek. A mischievous glint lit up her gaze, and her lips curved into a teasing smirk. “Did you forget who I am?” she said, her tone a playful
KEILAH Seth stared at me, his eyes cold. For a moment, the room was silent, save for the heavy beat of my heart in my chest. I held my ground, refusing to let his words rattle me. My mind was focused on one thing—Damien. If there was even the slightest chance my blood could help him, I wasn’t going to back down.Finally, Seth broke the silence with a low grunt, his eyes flickering toward Garbie. “You heard her. Get it,” he muttered, his tone laced with reluctant agreement. He turned his attention back to me, his glare never leaving my face as if daring me to reconsider. “I hope for your sake this works, Keilah. I’d hate to see what happens next if it doesn’t.”Garbie returned a few moments later, holding a knife that looked like it hadn’t been in use for years and a black bowl. The blade was worn and dark, the handle smooth with age. I glanced from the knife to Seth, my mind racing with questions I couldn’t quite master into words.My heart thudded painfully in my chest, and the weig
KEILAH I clenched my fists, her words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. I hated feeling powerless. I hated standing still while Damien was slipping further away. Every fibre of my being screamed at me to act, to do something, anything, but Garbie’s words were a harsh reminder of my limits.I turned away from her, my chest heaving as I struggled to calm the storm inside me. My mind whirled with thoughts of Damien, of those black veins crawling across his skin.What was I even doing here? How could I possibly help?But no matter how hard I tried to convince myself to step back, to listen to reason, a small, stubborn part of me refused. I couldn’t just wait. I couldn’t just accept that there was nothing I could do.I turned back to Garbie, determination hardening my voice. “You might think I can’t help,” I said, my voice steady despite the fear bubbling inside me, “but I have to try. Your king… he’s not just some vampire to me. He saved me and protected me, even when he didn’t have
KEILAH I froze. My fingers flew to my neck, touching the place where Damien’s mark had been, the one that had been a constant reminder of him and everything that came with it. It was smooth now, unblemished. No trace of the mark remained.Gone. Just like that.I stared at Garbie, disbelief and confusion swirling in my mind. “How is that possible?” I asked, though I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer.I pushed myself up, my legs feeling too light, like they weren’t quite holding me properly. The floor beneath me seemed distant, and for a split second, I thought I might collapse again. But before I could fall, Barbara was there, her hands steadying me.“Keilah, take it easy,” she said, her voice filled with concern.I nodded, barely registering her words as I shook off her hold, moving with urgency toward the stairs. My heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn’t make sense of what was happening. The need to see myself i