I have always enjoyed dancing, and Opal is graceful on her feet. I accommodate her and take her to the dance floor for the waltz. We’ve danced together ofte before, so I easily lead her through the steps. We glide on the ballroom floor like we’ve been doing this for centuries. The dance gives me t
EmoryI can feel cabin fever settling in after being stuck inside the castle for too long. Being confined to my room doesn’t help as there are only so many books to read and card games to be played. Even castle gossip is growing stagnant. I’m getting ready to climb the walls when my mother and maids
“I just want to take a look around,” I reassure Helga. “I’m not going to try and climb the ruins.”“Why do you want to be running around the ruins anyway, Emory?” my mother asks. “What’s so fascinating about an old church?”“It’s a church that was for worshiping Selene. The vampires used to revere t
“That might be it,” Willow cut in with a conspiring tone. “We were too jealous of the Moon Goddess’s favoritism, and we turned on her. Vampires don’t play second fiddle to anyone. We’re a proud lot.”Lola purses her lips. “Who do vampires worship now?”“We don’t,” Willow answers. “After King Aeneas
Emory“Willow is a witch,” Lola says like she’s not talking about the impossible. I remember what Willow told me about her life before she was turned, but it’s hard for me to grasp. In my mind, witches aren’t real. No one has seen one in centuries. Growing up, I thought they were a fairy tale to mak
I know I have to tell Kane about this. Learning that one of the vampires in his castle is also a witch with magical powers is too great of a secret to keep. As much as I feel sorrow for Willow, this is too important to keep to myself. Even if I swore my maids and my mother to secrecy, there is a hig
The two maids share a look, communicating silently, before Nellie finally concedes. “She went west. There’s that old hunting cabin near the border.”“I remember,” I reply. “Thank you.”Helga grabs my arm firmly. In a serious tone, she tells me, “She’s terrified. She won’t come willingly.”I suspect
RainerAn arrow flies through the air and embeds itself in the wall beside me, narrowly missing me by a few inches. It’s chest level, so I know she was aiming for my heart. I stare at the arrow and then back at her in horror. She could have killed me.Her blue eyes are wide in shock too as if she ca
I cross the threshold into the hallway, murmuring to the servant in passing, “Will you please have a decanter of wine spiced with blood sent up for him, for all of our sakes? I really don’t want to deal with him biting maids again.”The servant swallows hard as he nods and quickly shuts the door beh
MichaelBlood-red walls cloud my vision. I focus on the spiraling, floral velvet details of the wallpaper instead of the tall, dark-haired man pacing vigorously across the room, leaving tracks in the carpet. Roses. Mom has always loved roses, and this room is a testament to her love of daylight, su
EmoryThe next few months are some of the busiest in my life. With King Myenas’s death, Kane had to negotiate a treaty with the heir to Carmine Falls. King Myenas’s son, Aiden, is a lot more agreeable than his predecessor. He and Kane may never be friends, but they won’t be enemies.The new system f
LexI don’t know how long I’ve been asleep. I wake up in the hospital wing with a bandage wrapped around my neck. The memory of Opal stabbing me with a ceramic shard has me gingerly touching the bandage. It doesn’t hurt anymore, but there is some stiffness.I blink against the harsh fluorescent ligh
KaneI expect the news of me sabotaging King Myenas’s feeder trafficking operation to reach him quickly. His business partners being present at the meeting means they have to warn him that he’s about to lose a fortune. The moment I arrive back at Castle Graystone, King Myenas is on the phone demandi
WillowI never like it when Rainer comes home injured. The gashes Opal left on him have healed by the time I see him, so there’s no reason to drag him to the clinic to get checked over by Dr. Martin. He tells me that Lex is in worse shape and is being treated by the doctor at Scarlett Thunder. Opal
LexRainer moves quickly, shielding Kane with his body. The sword slices into the dark fabric of his shirt and leaves a large cut on his shoulder. He hisses from the pain and pushes Opal away with his other arm, nearly knocking her off her feet. Blood drips down from the sword, onto the carpet.Opal
EmoryWith the Nightstones all refusing to leave Nightfall until Lydia is woken up from her magically-induced coma, I decide to hold the meeting with all the Alphas at Alpha Gerald’s home. His home is a fortress, and he has the room to accommodate all the Alphas and their entourages. I’ll also get t
Rainer“You son of a bitch, you did it,” I say, still reeling with how Kane has managed to convince the vampire monarchs to agree to his insane plan.“Hey. That’s my mother you’re talking about.” Kane is smiling so I know he doesn’t really take offense. “I’m surprised I got them to agree, too. I tho