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Chapter: 100 ****** TALON: John was a fisherboy. John was no vampire. But this John… this John was different. He couldn’t be the same person I once knew. My mind struggled to reconnect the boy from my childhood—who saved me, who kept me hidden—with the man standing before me, embodying a past I had long since buried, yet never truly forgotten. Confusion washed over me, and my instincts screamed at me to escape, to run from the memories that threatened to surface. “Where have you been?” he sobbed, his voice trembling with emotion. “For years, I searched for you. I traveled endlessly from city to city, lost and without a clue about you or the men who took you that day. I ran away from home, stealing my father’s boat—the only means we had to make a living—and set out on a desperate journey across the seas. Night after night, I searched for my Talon, the vampire for whom I had hunted rabbits, the one who was taken from me. In my quest, I realized that to find you, I had to beco
Chapter: 101 ******** VALE: Nestled within the embrace of towering oaks and whispering pines, the family burial ground lay cloaked in a serene hush, a sanctuary of remembrance. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the weathered stones that marked the final resting places of generations. The air was thick with the scent of earth and blooming wildflowers, a testament to life amidst the stillness of death. I knelt beside the grave of my lover, meticulously tending to the gravestone, pulling out the stubborn weeds that threatened to overtake it, and arranging bright flowers to breathe life into the somber ground. With each careful motion, an unfamiliar rage began to bubble within me, its source shrouded in mystery. It felt as though an intruder had trespassed upon this sacred space, disturbing the tranquility that I held so dear. Suddenly, I rose to my feet, scanning the burial grounds for signs of life, but found only emptiness surrounding me. De
Chapter: 102 ****** VALE: I sprang to my feet and raced back to the Manor, bounding up the stairs and into my room. I grabbed a bag and hastily packed the few clothes I could find, and then I snatched my phone to search for directions to Drakenshire. The realization hit me hard: it would take nearly forty hours to get there—and even longer to locate him. A wave of despair washed over me; it felt as though I had already lost before I even began. I had placed my trust in a dark witch, allowing myself to be deceived, yet a flicker of determination ignited within me. I still had time, and I would give it my all. I rifled through my treasure box and unearthed the delicate gift he had crafted for my eighteenth birthday—a glass petal that shimmered with memories of our time together. Even if I were to lose all recollection of the past, this token would provide me with some comfort. I tucked the petal into my pocket and called for help to load the piano into my truck. The commotion
Chapter: 103 ****** VALE: The days that followed my arrival in Drakenshire blurred into a haze, marked by the throbbing ache that settled behind my eyes. After suffering a relentless headache throughout the day, I found myself drawn back to the casino that evening, like a moth to a flame. The vibrant chaos of the casino felt strangely comforting, a distraction from the whirlwind of emotions that had taken hold of me since my arrival. As I approached the bar, the lively sounds of clinking glasses and laughter enveloped me with a calmness that momentarily dulled the ache in my head. The warm glow of the overhead lights illuminated the polished surface of the bar, where patrons leaned in, sharing stories and secrets over their drinks. The bartender, a tall man with a rugged charm, stood behind the counter, effortlessly mixing cocktails with a fluidity that spoke of years spent in this bustling environment. His short, tousled dark hair framed a face that bore the marks of experienc
Chapter: 104 ****** VALE: As we settled into the living room, the three of us quickly fell into easy conversation. Jake shared amusing anecdotes from his bartending experiences, while Ryan chimed in with his own stories from their university days. They have been friends for a long time. Laughter filled the room, and I felt the warmth of their friendship enveloping me like a comforting blanket. “Don’t worry, Vale,” Ryan said with a grin, “we’ll make sure you feel right at home here. Drakenshire is a great place, especially with us to show you the ropes.” As Jake and Ryan continued sharing stories and laughter in the cozy living room, I couldn’t shake a lingering curiosity about Drakenshire. The city felt vibrant and alive, yet there was something oddly homogenous about it. I took a moment to observe my surroundings, noting the absence of any beings that deviated from the human norm. “So, what’s the deal with Drakenshire?” I asked, trying to mask my intrigue. “I haven’t se
Chapter: 105 ******* TALON: The car glided to a stop in the exclusive underground parking area reserved for high-profile guests. The driver stepped out and opened the door for me, a gesture that felt both formal and reassuring. Nights like this had become my refuge, especially since my first visit here with John. For far too long, I had struggled with my own well-being, enduring a hunger that seemed insatiable. After our initial encounter, I found myself staring at John's business card for days, contemplating whether to reach out. It wasn’t until that fateful night, when my strength waned to the point of desperation, that I finally dialed his number. John’s enthusiasm upon receiving my call was palpable. Without hesitation, he whisked me away to the Crestwood Hotel, an establishment he owned, which also housed an exclusive members-only club concealed within the bustling casino. Upon our arrival, he presented me with a key to a private suite, where a server awaited with a reple
Chapter: 106 ******* VALE: As my shift began in the casino, I found myself alongside Jake, both of us bustling with orders amid an exceptionally busy night. During a brief lull, Jake turned to me and mentioned that I needed to head down to the cellar to retrieve an aged wine. I nodded, grabbed the keys from their hook, and made my way through the back doors, descending the stairs toward the underground wine cellar. With a lightness in my step and a melody on my lips, I hummed the same tune that had been lodged in my head for the past few days. I couldn't place where it had come from, but there was something enchanting about it that I found comforting—a catchy little refrain that I didn't mind replaying in my mind. Once I flicked on the lights in the cellar, the rich aroma of wine and oak barrels enveloped me. I quickly located the bottle we needed and turned to leave. However, just outside the cellar doors, something caught my attention—a scent that sent my senses into a wh
Chapter: 107 ******* TALON: The dim light of the room cast a spotlight on me, highlighting every pulse of desire that coursed through my body as I reclined on the sofa, my thighs spread wide in silent invitation. Above me, Vale loomed—a figure of tantalizing temptation. His striking white and blue eyes pierced through me, filled with a predatory hunger that sent exhilarating shivers racing down my spine. The warmth radiating from him felt like an electric current, drawing me closer and igniting a fierce fire deep within. With each breath, my heart quickened, and I sensed the weight of his gaze enveloping me—a blend of suffocation and intoxication. A whimper escaped my lips, a desperate plea for something beyond my control. Restlessness consumed me, my body squirming beneath the growing tension as Vale's intoxicating pheromones wrapped around me, thick and heady, driving me to the brink of madness. *** Although I had longed to see him again, nothing could have prepared me for this