Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Blood Curse: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

"I'll do it." The words reverberated through Layla's ears and she could hardly believe that she had just said them. When she was met with silence, she looked up at Atreus who was watching her. His eyes were filled with genuine surprise. He took a step closer to her. "Are you sure?" he asked in a hoarse voice as if he were fighting back something primal within himself. Looking into his eyes that burned with something unidentifiable, she nodded. "Yes." He reached for her then and Layla stiffened, trying to prepare herself for what came next. But instead of grabbing her and bearing her neck to him, he cupped her nape and brought his lips to her own, kissing her softly. Surprise lit up her insides, followed by desire as his kiss grew urgent and hungry. Tentatively she kissed him back, letting her tongue slip into his mouth, giving him the permission he needed to continue. With a groan of pleasure, he wrapped his other arm around her waist and dipped her softly, holding her tightl

And it was done. Layla set down her pencil and stared at her paper with a small grin on her face. She had just finished the final question on her final exam. Containing her squeals of relief she carried her papers up to her professor's desk and set them on top of the others. He gave her a smile and whispered, "enjoy your summer." "Thanks," she whispered back with a grin. Moments later, she was walking out the door and into the sunshine-filled campus. Today was going to be a good day! Pulling out her phone, she sent a text to Mia. Layla: I just finished my last exam! Call me when you're done, we need to go celebrate!Only after sending the text to Mia did she see a message from Atreus. Atreus: When are you coming back? As she read the text she smiled and shook her head.Layla: I've only been gone a day. Are you really that lonely without me? ;)Atreus: Devastatingly lonely :( Layla laughed out loud at his response. It was the first emoji he'd sent her and she co

It had been days since Layla left Atreus' suite and she was getting restless. While they spent their time getting to know one another's bodies inside and out, there was something missing between them. Atreus had not opened up to her. He was a thorough lover that was for sure, but she had noticed him withdrawing over the last day or so. He had been moody and quiet and Layla had no idea why. Mia had been texting her every day, wondering when she was going to return from her 'trip' with Atreus. Layla hated lying to her and hated that she had no one to share her worries with. She was growing increasingly lonely as Atreus' mood deteriorated. Yet, she stayed by his side, trusting him with her safety. Since the day at the beach, she hadn't had any strange visions of Ravana and for that she was grateful. But now she was wondering when she would be able to go about her everyday life. As much as Atreus would hate it, she couldn't stay cooped up in this suite forever. Both of them wer

The dead look in Atreus' eyes was beginning to suffocate her. She needed to get out of this room and away from his cold, ruthless gaze. Without another word, Layla gathered her things. She slipped on her pants and shirt, stuffed her phone in her pocket, and snatched her sandals before stalking to the door. While she half expected him to try and stop her, she was relieved when he didn't. Without looking back, Layla stepped out the door and slammed it hard behind her. As she stalked down the creamy carpet of the hotel, the panic of it all started to set in. It wasn't panic for her safety, but one for the overwhelming emotions that were strangling her heart. Putting her hand to her mouth, she choked back a sob as tears threatened to spill down her cheeks. Thankfully no one was in the wide hallway as she made her way to the elevator. Pushing the call button repeatedly, she tried to catch her breath. Blissfully the doors opened and she stepped into the empty elevator. Once inside, she

The shop door's bell tinkled above Layla's head as she slowly entered. There were lanterns on all sides of the room that greeted her as she walked into the shadowed room. In the soft glow of the lantern light, Layla made out shelves and tables full of a variety of things. There were shelves covered with books that looked to be older than she was, all bound in dark leather and covered in dust. A table near the door held a variety of mirrors and next to that was a cabinet filled to the brim with old antique boxes of all shapes and sizes. Many of the shelves on the wall were stacked with an impressive collection of candles. Some were short and fat and others tall and skinny, a few of them even had carvings etched into the wax. On the walls in between lanterns were old oil paintings that looked to be centuries old. As Layla walked slowly through the store, she noticed the smell of peppermint in the air. Just as Cairo's loft had smelt the night she was kidnapped. This gave Layla pause