All Chapters of THE VICTIMS: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

Aric exhaled a sigh of relief as he witnessed the dawning of her eyes and spoke the word "liberty.""Hi," she said, flashing a warm and inviting grin that caused my chest to tighten."I wasn't sure if you were ever going to wake up," he said as he brought her hand to his mouth and passionately kissed it while tears ran down his face. "I wasn't sure if you would ever wake up."Liberty said, "I wasn't gone that long," appearing perplexed by the question.Aric looked into her eyes as he said the following: "Darling, you've been unconscious for practically an entire day."She looked at him and questioned, "A day?" with amazement taking the place of her earlier perplexity.As he got to his feet to offer help, he asked, "Are you able to sit up?"Liberty nodded as she sat straight in anticipation of Aric piling cushions behind her back and shoulders.He said, "How are you feeling?" while looking at her with worry in his eyes."I'm hungry," she acknowledged, her newly grown fangs falling down

Leanor waited patiently for everyone in the conference room to find a seat before starting the meeting. She observed as everyone made their way around the room and sat down.Aric, Liberty, Emily, and the captain of her guard were seated to her left, and then some of her most outspoken and ardent admirers took their places behind them.To her right was a row of Lothaire's sycophants, faceless minions her husband had delegated over the years to carry out the responsibilities he had neglected because he was too preoccupied with having fun to do so himself.These creatures would have to demonstrate their allegiance to her son before they would be accepted.She stood tall and confident as she announced, "Lord Lothaire has passed away," and said, "Lord Aric is now the rightful ruler of the Northwest Territory."Aric whispered, "Mom," but his words were virtually obliterated by the roar that immediately followed.While swiftly standing, he pressed his mouth on her ear so no one else could he

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, "

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

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