Eve's CottageThe blackness engulfed Andrew's thoughts. Stretching out in front of him like a map, the unknown surveyed his anxieties, his strength, and his understanding.Even though his eyes were closed, he couldn't think of why his heart was beating and his mind was empty. It was as if it had cleared a spike of adrenaline into his carotid. Second pass. His eyes opened like two searchlight beams, the new temporal inserts providing sufficient light to brighten whatever he looked at. It was like being shown the woods one tree at a time in some crazy memory game, but it was better than blackness.His energy sped up inside his head, but he wanted them to stop so he could breathe, but they wouldn't. Andrew's breaths came in gasps; his heart pounded inside his chest, though being a vampire doesn't mean he doesn't have a beating heart anymore.Diana?Where are you?The room swirled as he attempted to make everything quiet, but he was unable to keep everything silent. He was hurting from th
A few seconds later, he shifted in his seat and asked, “Where is Raymond?”"Oh, Raymond isn't here. Eve and Henry sent him to deliver a message—”"Who's Henry?" Andrew frowned."Alpha Henry of Wetland Pack, my lord." A male voice came from the kitchen door with a dirty animal skin apron on his waist. He bowed and added, "And here is your nourishment, my lord."Andrew watched the middle-aged man and raised his brow.“Pardon, milord, it is my greatest honour to finally meet you. I heard so much about you, and though we were born mortal enemies, we—" he halted when Andrew hissed.Alpha Henry tilted his head a little and gave him a goblet of blood.“I'm done with my fill. Thank you," Andrew replied."You are welcome, my lord," the alpha said, handing back the still-full goblet to Eve.Andrew watched the Alpha intently as if trying to read his mind; after all, vampires and werewolves were sworn enemies, and the Alpha bowing his head to him was unheard of."Did we meet before, Alpha?" Andre
Andrew was furious with himself.The speed and efficiency with which he set about achieving a goal were nothing less than breathtaking because he knew Diana barely had time to get her head around the idea of him being her mate, let alone accept him. He was the prince of darkness, after all. Could she accept him?He found herself standing on the garden shed, overlooking a breathtaking cliff and the ocean far down, with just minutes to spare before Diana asked him about their mating bond.He’d been pacing and swearing to all the damn gods for giving him the taste of someone's soul. How could Tomas or Tommy be so innocent, pure, and so dark at the same time? Both suffered the same heartaches and betrayals. Suffered the same grief. But was it fate?He shook his head; however, Andrew knew it was all his mistake. He remembered his first visit in this century, long before, when a wolf pup needed help. He, without a second thought, helped the little pup, and his kindness was rewarded for taki
There was a silence broken only by the sound of waves pulsing against the shore. Diana rose from the hay bed and wandered over to look out of the open balcony doors to the cliff below. Her arms were around her midsection, and her posture was stiff and guarded, as if she were shielding herself from an expected insult. “So, you didn’t enjoy it, then?” Her voice still echoed with self-doubt.Andrew told himself to stay where he was—to keep his distance. To not tempt himself beyond his endurance by crossing the floor to her. But step by step, he went, programmed by a force he had no way of countering. He placed his hands on the tops of her shoulders, turning her to face him. Her sensual gaze assiduously avoided his, so he tipped up her chin with one of his fingers, so she had no choice but to meet his eyes. “I enjoyed it way too much, and therein lies our problem.”She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue, making them even more unbearably tempting. “Why is that a problem?” Her vo
Midnight passed, Tommy was fast asleep, and Diana went to Andrew's side and asked him about the thing that bothers her: "Andrew, does a vampire have a mate?"He sighed so heavily that her shoulders slumped. "What made you ask that, Diana?" He said with amusement in his voice that, by the sudden change of her moods, he sensed her vulnerable state.“Well, I'm just curious—”“Don't be.”“Why?” she hissed, rolling her eyes.“Diana, you’re way too hard on yourself, stop thinking about things," Andrew said, echoing her mental anxiety.“Is that really what you want? For us to ignore things between us?”“For now, yes.”“Why?”"Because, as I said, I'm doing this for you. I can't—just let things be professional between us.”She closed her eyes. “You shouldn’t let what happened in your past colour how you see yourself now. But the whole friends-to-lovers thing can happen, you know. It doesn’t just happen in romance novels. If two people were mated, fated, or whatever you call that, I don't think
Andrew stuffed his hands into his trouser pockets and moved to look out of one of the distant mountains, his back turned to her.Diana could see the tension in his shoulders even through his clothes. The breadth of his shoulders had always secretly fascinated her. She had dreamed of him since he moved in next door to her apartment; he had seen him rowing and swimming in the summer on the lake in the university gym when he’d come home to visit. Tall and lean-hipped, with abdomen muscles ridged with strength and endurance, she had been fascinated by his athleticism, as it had been in such stark contrast to her young, busy, poor body. And when he’d brought his lover home for visits, Diana had watched them both. His lover had been a supermodel—stunning, slim, and glamorous. Never had she seen two people more perfect for each other or more devotedly in love. It had set a benchmark for her to aspire to. Perhaps an impossible benchmark, but a girl could dream, couldn’t she? “Andrew—”"Enough
Tommy just raised a brow, and Diana scowled at Andrew. A minute passed, and the trio knocked on the door of the unknown but enchanted cabin; however, no one seemed to answer. “Are you sure we can trespass here?”Andrew nodded his head. “Who would put you in jail? Winnie the Pooh Woodland Police?”Diana hissed at him, “Why are you so mean to Tommy? He was just asking.”“Then why are you siding with him?”She cocked a brow at him and said, “Because he is my friend.”Andrew halted his knock; his eyes glittered with power only Diana could feel. “I am your mate.”Mate, my ass!“Whatever!”“Kid, enough with the childish trauma," Tommy said as he pushed a little harder. It cricked as it opened. “Here we go."Diana snapped at Andrew as they sauntered inside and took a seat on a small couch. By then, the trio was all powerless to the magnificent illusion conjured by the tenant of the little cabin. It gave them what they truly desired. What their hearts truly desire.A few seconds later, the th
By then, Diana began to feel the magic of the illusion; her desires were seeping into her mind, which made her vulnerable, but she didn't care. Not until Andrew mates her.The weather has been harsh as Diana's travelled through foreign neighbourhoods. The winds were so high and cold, and she saw trees swaying dangerously as she drove down the dark road. The driving rain makes it impossible to see through the windscreen.Without warning a tree falls in her path, and she swerves to miss it and ends up stuck in the mud. Diana gets out and looks around; she knows her phone does not work out here, and she wonders where the closest help may be. She can see in the distance a rooftop, and she grabs her overnight bag, locks up her old car, and begins to hike in that direction.The going was slow as she was not dressed for a hike. She was wearing a dress and boots with heels, and the wind tears at her coat, making each step harder as she leans into it. She eventually arrives at the cabin and he
" I… I've come to realize that things aren't quite as black and white as I've been portraying them to be. I don't need to give up something to become someone else. I'm hoping to gain something more. But as long as you were with me. I don't care anymore, Andrew. My grandpappy can wait. In fact, the tenth century can wait. Right?” She looked at him with a sheepish expression.It took him no time to respond affirmatively. His hands glided down her back to her shoulders as they reached his chamber, then he went down her neck back again. "Yes, my love." The corners of his mouth split into a sensuous smile. "Your grandfather can wait." His words kissed the side of her face. “However, I believe you could push yourself even further. You are powerful Diana. Never hold back yourself. Do whatever is necessary to survive.”“Why? Do you want me to be like you?” She exhaled as his hand became entangled in the buttons on the front of her gown. Slowly giving her goosebumps.“You are really similar to
Diana's heart began to beat again, her lungs began to fill with air, and she took a deep, gasping breath. Slowly, the chill began to melt away from her body, dissipating in the face of the raging river coursing through her, ratcheting up her seer magic a notch. The amazing bliss she felt from his single drop of blood fueled her mind and made her want for more, and she felt like she was drunk on lust. Diana could see everything so clearly now, and at that moment, she wished she could have Andrew with her. Now! Right here, right now!And so she stepped closer, coming to a complete stop in front of Andrew. Then she pushed herself to her toes and grabbed the back of his neck, pulling him against her for a long, passionate kiss. In that kiss was the sweetness of passion, a million loving thoughts condensed into a moment. In that kiss were the promise of years and the sweetness of waiting for real love.She then drew back just as fast as she had come. Diana was aware that people were starin
Blanca's cheeks were flushed. "I'll be delighted to comply with my lord's wishes." She kissed his cheek once more as she grinned. It had been a long journey, a long adventure, and she had given up hope that she would ever see Dimitri's smile once more...The ladies with the wine approached them, and Blanca whispered to Dimitri, "This area looks like a battle zone, and I can't wait to taste you again." He halted when Elfar groggily waved the ladies over to them. "How is he going to get it ready for a celebration by tonight?" "He was drunk as hell." Blanca wondered as she waved her hand to Elfar, who reciprocated by waving his hands in their direction."The stubbornness of Elfar should never be underestimated. He was more than just a mere wolf. He is my sire demon for a reason.""I get what you're saying. He's just as stubborn as you are!" Blanca spoke with a little smile on her lips as she gave him a sly look. "Don't be concerned. There's no danger of that, my love. My stubbornness wil
Nirvana, on the other hand, smirked and murmured, "I happen to know that you are killing all of the offspring you have spawned through your wicked younger years," Nirvana said with a smirk and a "tsked."Camellana looked at Danny with a guilty expression on her face.Nirvana went on to say, "After all, you are not the only one that has spies." It turned out to be true. Nirvana had covertly dispatched spies across the hamlets in order to gather information about Camellana's plan.Continuing to dig, Nirvana said, "You are gathering military resources for yourselves to take with you, leaving Redberg Village as a shell of its former self, with its great walls as its sole defense. And I'm not sure what the assembly of the knights had expected you to perform, but I'm sure it's something big, something monumentally important. Despite Sulu's self-assurance and bluster, your very situation was dire. Andrew Norton was led here by my spy, and you are well aware that I am probably the only person i
Diana made a shaky motion with her head. Several strands of filth dropped from her hair and landed on the dirt floor. Diana then continued to recount all that had occurred earlier, while the others sat there and sobbed as she spoke. The others were so enraged at the traitors that it was understandable that they were infuriated. Even Anna had been questioned about what had transpired, and she proceeded to tell them about her confrontation with Sulu as well, which elicited a gasp from the audience.The elderly lady was deafeningly silent. Diana recognized that she was just as excellent at concealing her feelings as Lucinda was. In addition to being a charismatic leader, she would also be an excellent commander of their troops, as Anna would be.The following morning, Diana, Danny Nirvana, and Elfar, who had recovered from his wounds, arrived in the Redberg Village, which was close to Camellana's villa. As a result, Knight Leo chose to stay for another day at the witches' new cavern, firs
Elfar had the distinct impression that the ground itself was enraged at them. Massive mountains of loosened rock were falling into the cavern, and the rapid shift of such a large amount of mass was causing the entire area to become unstable. A louder, sharper disturbance could be heard just above their heads, and when Elfar peered up, he noticed fissures appearing in the concrete and stone roof of the tunnel. It was a terrifying sight. Within seconds, the fissures had grown in length and width. Clods of earth spilled out of them, strewing the train rails with their ashes."Run!" Elfar let out a yell. He snatched Anna and Leo's arms once more. "The tunnel is about to collapse! Is it possible for Nirvana to create some gateways, perhaps portals, to allow us all out?" Elfar was the one who inquired."I'm not sure if it's even possible to do so. Lucinda had made certain that her spell was strong enough to prevent anyone from entering or exiting the cavern without her permission. It's not t
Leo and Anna seemed to smile at their successful accomplishment.When they returned to Diana, they saw that she was barely holding her own against Sulu, but Nirvana was on her side as well.But Anna rushes to the other witches who were still battling with the two elders, and the three of them are found dead in the ravine, practically sizzling with the lava, as the enormous beast slowly drops its black tail into the ravine and falls. Along with the witches, of course. Then Anna threw herself at the elders and engaged in combat with the four friends. While Tommy engaged in combat with the four huge goblins that had fallen from the above-ground pit. And Leo rushed to Diana's side to assist her.Although she was backed up against the ravine that encircled Sulu's dais, Diana came close to falling, until the snake plunged into the lava under her feet. Nirvana was well aware that Diana was on the verge of being pushed over the ledge and into the abyss of molten lava below her feet. She didn'
Tommy added, "Oh well, D. I had planned on eating snake BBQ for dinner this evening, but it's not even feasible with that shadow hanging over me. Doesn't it look like a green screen that was used in future movies, D?""Yes, it's some kind of animated fuck of crap! In addition to a pot of giant worm soup. So put an end to your stomach aches and put your wolf fangs on, Tom."Then both of them halted their mind foolish conversation then Sulu's boomed around the niche of the chamber."Your commander Cornelius is a weakling," Sulu howled. "...Cornelius was a softie, but Nirvana here, on the other hand, was astute in assisting me, as were the two other chiefs." The two elders of the Dark Native's coven appeared out of nowhere, causing the witches to gasp in surprise. It took them completely by shock. It's no surprise why Sulu was successful in apprehending Lucinda. "Traitor!" Anna muttered under their collective breath while the rest of the witches stared at the two older leaders with contem
But Sulu is a master at exploiting the relatively weak aspects and outsmarting his stronger opponents. Yet he was livid, and his hands trembled. His fury had such a potent effect on him that if he had stayed that way in front of a human, it would have blinded them. Nevertheless, Diana was not a human. Vampire Seer, the Fated One. She wouldn't be phased with this jerk. She thought to herself.Sulu, on the other hand, flashed a menacing smile and lifted his hands in the air as if invoking his magical abilities. "Arise, my brethren!" he said emphatically.Then unexpectedly, the huge shadow and black barrier started to wiggle and move. To slither towards them. It was not a column that had fallen. It had come to life. And it was now poised to swoop down on Diana's entourage.Meanwhile, Knight Leo vampire knights and Aya's witches were frantically fighting with the Goblin who was waiting at the entrance to the Gathering Hall. It was a bloody battle. With its hammering power, the battering r