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CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
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THE VICTIMS CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
When Aric returned from hunting and saw the stack of papers on his desk, he swore at the heavens.After only a week, the pile of work on his desk threatened to topple over.Taking a seat, he mentally played Eeny-Meeny-Miny-Moe to decide which stack to attack first.He chose the stack on the left and prayed for the energy to go through the long day managing his family's business empire.Even though Aric understood his father could delegate much of the work—allotments for slaves, control over outlying areas of the city, demands extra blood allowances from the Carthage Faction—he still felt compelled to keep his son pinned down beneath its weight.Aric sat back, drinking from an empty cup. He considered getting more, but he wasn't that thirsty.Aric decided to take care of one more file before leaving for the day, but his heart sank as soon as he opened it.He had to read it repeatedly before comprehending what he was seeing.After reading that his father had renewed his engagement with
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
My heart sank as I heard the shouts reverberate through the house. I immediately abandoned the shirt I was folding and sprinted to the door to assist the injured party.I tried to get out, but I'd forgotten I was trapped, so I cut my forehead open on the wooden door.More screams followed the initial ones, and they were suddenly silenced each time they were repeated. All of the dying cries were dreadful.When I put my ear to the door, I could hear the commotion of numerous individuals passing in the corridor. Distant, hushed voices trying to talk over one other.I banged my fist against the door and yelled, "Hello?" hoping to get a response. "Hello?"Those on the other side of the gap didn't even bother to halt before continuing their escape. Only after they had already left did I hear the distant banging of doors.The voice of someone calling, "Come out, come out, wherever you are!!!" caught my attention. It sounded like Aric, but it wasn't Aric.Outside, I could hear the approaching
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Liberty pleaded, "Please," as she fought to free herself from his grip. Don't murder me, okay?As Aric let the words sink in, he was brought back to the present.His back collapsed as he took stock of the destruction he'd wreaked.As he heard her breaths becoming shallow again, he rushed back to her side to examine the cuts on her neck and gently move her hands out of the way.To think on his feet, he bent down and licked the cut, feeling encouraged to see it begin to close.Using vampire saliva to change one's appearance was a secret technique only a select few of the human race knew about. They needed human blood for survival, but their victims' wounds healed after being licked with their saliva, so they had to rip at the flesh to keep the blood flowing.For Liberty's sake, he had better be quick about it.He nearly exsanguinated and strangled her to death at the same moment, but eventually, the skin closed, leaving just a tiny pinkness behind.He put his ear to her chest out of wor
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
I froze as the vampire's lips brushed over my scalding throat.His kisses were as light as butterfly wings as he flitted from one side to the other.When he lifted his head, and his lips met mine, I was taken aback since I had no idea if he intended to feed from me again.The fleeting sensations of a butterfly's contact were soon replaced with a ravenous desire I'd never experienced before.His hands went up my arms, avoiding my neck as he drew closer, his kiss growing more passionate.Even though I'd been kissed before, this one was different because of the intensity and warmth I felt.My body tingled with anticipation as his tongue probed beyond my lips in pursuit of my own.He was a wonderful kisser, my God. Sure, it's been a few hours, but didn't he just try to murder me?I pressed my palms to his chiseled chest and yanked my lips away from his with all my effort.Aric leaned back and gazed at me with puzzled eyes as he panted.He asked me softly, "What's wrong?" as he tried to pu
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
Aric drew a chair next to the sleeping animal and sat down to observe her, still perplexed by her sudden reaction.Nobody had been so forthright with him in all his years on Earth. Actually, no one else saves his dad.The words of Liberty had cut deep, their poison piercing his own soul.Indeed, she had been correct; he was not the innocent party. Furthermore, he had kissed her for God knows what insane reason. She was stunning to look at with her black hair, emerald eyes, and oh-so-kissable lips, but she was still just a person. A pet. As a vampire, he was her master.While it was not uncommon for masters to eat their dogs, it was another thing entirely to bed them. And once more, we must wonder what prompted such thinking in the first place.Nothing Liberty had done had given him any reason to believe she was interested in that sort of thing, and now when he looked at her, he didn't have the slightest desire to kiss her again.As he shook his head, he tried to refocus on the issue a
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
My mouth was full of crimson mucus, and I was awoken by a gurgling cough.A hand reached out, and tissue was handed to me.Thank you, I said through clenched teeth after spitting out the vile substance.I glanced at the kind soul who handed me a tissue as I tried to regain my breath.Upon realizing how near Aric was, I gasped, which started another round of coughing. The events of the previous night came flooding back to me at once.I'd smacked him around, shouted at him, and by the grace of God, he still ate off of me.It's okay, he responded as I tried to escape him. I've gotten over my anger.He spoke to her gently, soothingly, "Liberty," and he was relieved to hear that she was awake.He grabbed for my face, and I recoiled in fear.And I see you recall what occurred last night," he murmured, releasing her hand with a defeated expression.He took a cup from the nightstand and offered it to her, adding, "Stay in bed as long as you need to. Let me know when you're ready to eat, and I
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER THIRTY
Aric got to his feet and walked to the entrance.He opened it, took the meal tray inside, and then closed it.Putting the tray on her lap, he remarked, "I ordered you some oatmeal with raisins for breakfast." He then poured himself a cup of blood.He sat down on the side of the bed and said, "It should help alleviate your throat."After sniffing the blood in Aric's cup, Liberty stirred her oats around in the dish.After noticing her distress, he gulped down the rest of his beverage and carried the empty cup to his desk.He wiped the drool from his mouth and returned to Liberty's side.He begged, "Please eat something," with his eyes.Liberty, trying to be obedient, ate a mouthful of the thick substance.Aric saw the look of delight on her face as the flavor hit her.With an optimistic grin, he told me, "I had the cook add brown sugar because you mentioned it the previous night."Liberty, rather than respond, stuffed another spoonful of the mixture into her mouth, her expression indica
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
"What am I doing?" I thought to myself as I spread my legs and felt Aric fumbling with his underwear.When I felt his prod, I immediately forgot about the inquiry.There was a tap on the door just as he was about to slide inside."What?!Aric's voice bellowed, and I got the willies listening to it.Across the threshold, a disembodied voice remarked, "I'm sorry to bother you, master, but Lady Josephine is come to see you."He slammed his head into my chest and muttered an expletive.Aric and I let out a sigh of relief as he freed his arms and legs from mine and we both rose.I lay there, panting, while he fumbled into his underwear.With some effort, he could zip himself in, at which point he apologized and stated, "You need to get up and get dressed."When she nodded, I pulled myself up and forgot I was nude.Aric's lustful gaze served as a reminder.I tiptoed around him, trying not to make any touch as I made my way to my dresser.Aric grabbed my waist and pulled me close, pressing m
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THE VICTIMS CHAPTER NINETY FOUR
The following morning, Liberty's mother came. She was saddened by the little details she knew about her daughter's ordeals, but overjoyed to learn that she was still alive. She embraced her daughter and her new husband, albeit with some reluctance.The newlywed couple's private apartment, located in a brand-new structure that Aric had selected as his seat of power, served as the setting for the day's festivities honoring them.The tower of suffering built by his father was going to be dismantled and lowered to the ground since this was already in the planning stages.Henry was given permission to transform Alfie, and a ceremony was arranged for them not long after his love awoke into his new existence not long after the ceremony was held for them.Two days after their hasty wedding ceremony, an announcement was made publically declaring the new Lord and Lady of the Northwest Territory. This notification was sent out by the law.Even though many of the lesser lords agreed with Lady Lea
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER NINETY THREE
When Aric's mother glanced at her son, completely disregarding my presence in the room, I couldn't help but nibble the inside of my lip nervously.Aric began by giving my hand a firm squeeze before rising to his knees and bending over his mother. "Mother," he said, "You did come to me earlier and tell me that Liberty was concerned that I might become like my father, did you not?""Well," Lady Leanor started, no indication that she was ashamed or trying to be deceptive, "sure I did since that's what she said."Aric continued, his tone becoming increasingly agitated as he vented his frustration, "You also insinuated that she had merely been using me until she could find someone with more authority to go on to.""What?"Emily inquired as she abruptly jerked herself upright, interrupting the conversation as her eyes swept over her mother, her brother, and me."Because she did," Leanor yelled at me while directing her murderous glare in my direction. "She leaped at the chance to abandon y
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER NINETY TWO
Aric took Liberty in his arms and led the way back to the chamber that he had staked a claim as their own.After temporarily leaving her to make arrangements for her mother's arrival, he returned to find Liberty standing naked under the stream of hot water coming from the showerhead.When he saw the scars that disfigured the previously smooth surface of her back, he couldn't believe that he had ever had any reason to distrust her.He undressed and joined her, then let his fingertips run over the scars his father had left in her flesh.While his arms were wrapped around her waist, he whispered into her ear, "For each and every one of these, I guarantee you a million wonderful moments."Liberty let out a contented sigh as she lay her back against his chest. She cherished the sensation of his strong arms surrounding her and protecting her at that very moment."Well," she continued with an invisible smile that suggested she was being playful, "you have eternity to do the work."Aric renew
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER NINETY ONE
When Aric looked down into my eyes, he muttered, "I know you worry, and I promise that with you by my side, I can cope with everything."I drew his lips back to mine and whispered the words, "I love you."I needed to feel him against me now more than ever. As I reached up, I fumbled around frantically, trying to undo the buttons on his shirt, and I was almost in tears since it felt like such a challenge.At long last, I could get it out of the way and get a feel for the velvety smoothness of his chest beneath my palms.Aric's hands were fumbling at the hem of my own shirt, pushing it up and over my head as I heaved a sigh of relief.After he freed his lips from the cloth, he kissed a path down my chin, going agonizingly down my neck and finally latching on to my nipple after pressing the cup of my bra down.I couldn't help but sigh in contentment as I ran my hands through his thick hair and gently cradled his head in my arms.I murmured, "Aric," with a longing for buildup buried deep
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER NINETY
Aric's determination was almost shaken when he saw the agony in Liberty's eyes, but he managed to keep it together.If his mother's statement was accurate, he has been led to believe that she lied to him during their relationship. She has exploited her body to win his love and ensure her own future success.It seemed as though the evidence had been staring him in the face the whole time, didn't it?Because he had more authority, she ended up being his father's plaything, but as soon as that strategy backfired, she instantly found a way to get back into his bed.Aric muttered an expletive under his breath as he watched the woman who had once been his darling struggle to stand."Aric," she pleaded, tears streaming down her stunning face, "Aric, please, let me explain."While he had her by the shoulders and was choking her, he spat, "My mother explained enough." "You are more than a deceitful person who took advantage of me.""I never once exploited you," Liberty said under her breath as
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER EIGHTY NINE
Before I can continue, I need a few moments to collect my thoughts and proceed.I was finally allowed to talk to Lady Leanor when I told her that Lord Lothaire had brought me here and that he had made me one of his slaves."Did he cause you any pain?"Aric's mother questioned with sadness and anxiety on her face.I could not stop the tears from falling as I said, "Yes, ma'am," but "in ways, I wish I could forget."Lady Leanor groaned as she took another sip from her cup and remarked, "He was a dreadful beast."I nodded in agreement as I wiped my cheeks and said, "Yes, he was."When I looked up, I sniffed and said, "You know, I always wondered how a guy as violent as your father could have a kid as great as Aric, and I think I know the answer.""He had you," I said as I stood up and maneuvered my way across the cramped room to embrace the other woman. "Thank you."She was perplexed as she questioned, "For what?"I conveyed it to her while gazing down at her and saying, "for your compas
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER EIGHTY EIGHT
Liberty followed Lady Leanor into a cozy sitting area close to the office where Aric was working.Leanor stayed standing as she gazed down on the younger woman who had been chosen as the companion for her son and gestured for her to sit down."Are you hungry?"she enquired, noticing that she was beginning to feel hungry.Liberty said gently, "No, thank you," while wriggling uneasily under the inspection of the more experienced vampire.After nodding, Lady Leanor walked to the other side of the room and picked a blood bag out for herself. After ripping it apart, she transferred the blood-red liquid into a nearby cup before returning to her seat across from Liberty.Leanor couldn't help but emit a tiny giggle at the other woman's puzzled expression.Her voice was filled with mirth as she remarked, "I despise the taste those plastic bags leave behind in my mouth." "Call me old school, but if it's not coming directly from the vein, I prefer to drink it out of a cup," you can say that abou
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER EIGHTY SEVEN
"My mum!" I said, startled to realize that since I had sent her the little letter, I hadn't given her a second thought.As I whirled around to face Aric in a state of terror, I could hardly get the words out.I choked out the words, "I have to get to her!" "I don't want her to learn from anybody else about what happened to me.I pleaded with him, "Please, Aric," as tears filled my eyes.He reached out to wipe the tears from my face as he said, "Of course, my darling. We can board the plane and be there in forty-five minutes."When I heard the word "plane," the recollection of the last time I had been on a plane with Lord Lothaire caused my legs' knees to weaken.When I started shivering because of the recollection, Aric grabbed me about the waist and held me close while he seemed to understand that he had made a mistake.Despite Januarius's gift of peace, the recollection horrified me. All the atrocities I'd been forced to endure at Lothaire's hands rushed through my mind as though th
THE VICTIMS CHAPTER EIGHTY SIX
Aric's dispute with his mother continued until he discovered that Liberty was no longer in the area.As he looked around the room, he noticed that she was nowhere to be found at that point."Mother," he replied, holding out his hand to prevent her from offering yet another scathing response, "I am going to marry her regardless of what you think. I love her!""Love is not enough," Leanor said angrily in her response.A voice came behind them and said, "Love is enough."As Aric turned around, he noticed Liberty standing in the doorway, her chin lifted proudly over her chest.As she proceeded, she moved closer to Aric and intertwined her hand with his as she stood next to him. "Januarius informed me that our love was extraordinary," she said. "If he believes in us, then what gives you the right to doubt us?""I know you think you..." Leanor paused, staring at Liberty with a suspicious expression on her face. "I know you think you..." "Did you say Januarius talked to you?"Liberty said, "
