I sat rigid over the circular couch, staring at the charismatic, confident gait of the man calling himself Reuben Lincoln. Zinnia was sitting on the same couch I was, a bright curious look in her eyes as she shifted glances between the two men she was with. Reuben, on the other hand, was sitting across me on a leather recliner, his posture relaxed as he leaned against the seat's backrest, his elbows propped up on the recliner's armrests.
"You look like you've seen a ghost, Mr. Hudson," he noted.
"That's because I think I just have." Bitterness was in my voice. That I could still be hurt on her behalf as I stared at the father who abandoned her for eight years was a cold reminder that Sofia still meant more to me than I was comfortable to admit. "You're Aiden Claremont."
I was expecting him to deny it, so I was surprised when a smirk showed on his face and he said, "I figured you would recognize me. You were old enough to remember."
"Remember what? That yo
1509A slight drizzle had begun over the thatched roofs and stone walls of our small village. The fresh air of the countryside was a welcome change to the city atmosphere I'd grown accustomed to since joining the hunters. However, even the comforting sight of our beloved and closely-knit farming community failed to ease the heavy burden I brought with me upon coming home.Though our neighbors greeted me with nods and smiles, I could tell that they were wary of me, some even fearful of me. After our mother was murdered inside our own home two years ago, I was written off as having gone mad, because I was convinced that a vampire took my mother's life. It didn't take long until I couldn't bear working our farmlands anymore. I had to get away. Rumors were circulating about an order known as "the hawk". They were hunters, determined to rid the world of vampires. I found them and I joined them. Of the several times I went home since I joined the hunters, this homecoming pro
I woke up to find him staring at me. Waking up next to him felt right in a way it never did waking up next to Ben. I eased myself into his arms. I'd found his chest comfortable enough to be my pillow during the night. I smiled. It was the first time I could remember that a nightmare didn't wake me up in the middle of the night."I'm sorry you had to see me that way…" I never thought I'd see him look so embarrassed.It took a moment for it to register what he was apologizing for. I shook my head and snuggled closer to him. "Don't be, Derek. You never have to pretend around me."I could swear I felt his heart quicken a beat. His arms around me tightened. We lay there comfortably for a few more minutes before we fell into routine. I noted the ease we had about us as we both got dressed. I'd forgotten how natural it came to us – being around each other. We just knew how to move, how to act, when to stay out of each other's private spaces and when to move
Reuben's office had a distinct masculine feel to it, the air smelled of mint with hints of rum and tobacco. The carpeted floor and the white-washed walls, with a few select paintings adorning them, provided for a minimalistic feel to the large office interior. At the center of it was a large glass desk – one Reuben, Zinnia and I surrounded as they once again pushed me for any information I could provide them regarding The Shade."That's it? That's all you know?" To say that Reuben looked displeased was a huge understatement."There's got to be more you can tell us.""I told you everything I know." I shrugged. Apparently, I don't know all that much. Most of my time spent at The Shade was inside Claudia's home – in her bedroom or in one of her dungeons. The only time I went out was to be brought to Derek's house. I knew the way to the port but how to get out of the island and how to go back there was beyond me. Reuben was livid."Basically, you
The Black Heights was a huge mountain range that spread out, north of the island. Within it was an intricate network of caves. The caves contained the Cells and the Catacombs. The Cells were located in the western portion of the caves. The Catacombs, home to the humans living at The Shade and not under the care of a vampire, occupied the eastern portion.As I made my way from west to east of the Black Heights, the encounter I had with Ashley and the dilemma it posed weighed heavily on me. I felt weak and helpless over everything going on around me, but I knew that I could no longer turn a blind eye to what was happening at The Shade. I was blinded by my affection for Derek, but it could not remain so.I passed by the entrance of the cave network and headed for the cave opening that led to the Catacombs. I was surprised to find Derek leaning against a solid rock wall, waiting for me."I told you I'd send a guard, but I figured I'd send myself instead. Xavier can
Standing there, listening to the woman express her fear for her children's safety, I remembered why I never bothered to visit the Catacombs. The place made me feel helpless to do anything about the plight of the humans living on the island. We were vampires. We fed on blood to survive. That was our curse.Rob and Madeline. They were indeed beautiful children, who would one day grow up to become an attractive young man and a gorgeous young lady. Lily had a reason to be afraid. Hell… she should also fear for herself. I dared catch a glimpse of her, noting how lovely she looked. She pulled Sofia in for an embrace and whispered something in Sofia's ear. I noticed how Sofia's form suddenly stiffened against Lily. She pulled away from the young woman and flinched when Corrine gently laid a hand on her shoulder. My brows furrowed, wondering what Lily said."It was nice to meet you, Lily." Sofia's voice was hoarse and broken.A lump formed in my
My gaze was set straight ahead, not really paying attention to the stalls and the people surrounding me as I meandered through the cobblestone streets of the Vale's marketplace. So preoccupied was I by my own thoughts, I didn't notice a familiar face until I bumped into her. Upon seeing the mass of blonde curls, the pretty round face and those big eyes, I froze. Claudia. A wide and wicked smile formed on her lips upon seeing me."Well, if it isn't the little twig herself…" She brushed her fingers over my hair. "The prince's pet walking about The Shade as if she owned the island."I stepped away from her, unnerved by her touch. Glaring at her, I gathered all self-control in order to keep myself from venting out all my anger toward her for what she put my dear Ben through – yet another atrocity Derek turned a blind eye to."I don't want any trouble.""Neither do I." She raised her brow and tilted her head to the side. "Send my regards to the pr
I puffed a cigarette as I stood beside a flickering lamp post in Amsterdam. My hunt for my father was proving to be a greater undertaking than I had initially predicted. He wasn't an easy man to find and I was hoping this would be the last stop I had to take before discovering him.I was there to meet with an old acquaintance, Natalie Borgia. The gorgeous Italian vampire didn't belong to any of the covens. She was one of the few rogue vampires and the most well-connected among all. She was the only one who knew all the locations of the covens and was allowed entrance into all of them. She was the ultimate diplomat, a woman I found incredibly irresistible and totally unattainable."Lucas Novak."I turned toward the sound of the voice and found Natalie approaching, her dark brown hair lifted into a neat updo, her sultry curves covered by a chic red coat. Classy was the only way I could think to describe her."Hey, beautiful." I smirked.She rolled he
Vivienne stared at her appearance in the mirror. She sighed as she set her long dark hair in its proper place. The violet haltered dress she was wearing highlighted not only her pale skin but also her eyes – more violet than blue against the candlelight. She looked stunning, but there wasn't a hint of pleasure in her face. Instead, she appeared anxious and afraid.A knock on her door made her turn around. Xavier appeared in the doorway, his dark hair closely cropped and his eyes betraying how much he adored her."They've arrived," he announced. "Your father asked me to come and escort you to the dome." The way he spoke the words revealed that neither of them was fond of the guests he spoke of."Has my father forgotten what I went through under that monster's hands?" Vivienne asked as she ran both hands over her slender form to smoothen out the slight creases on her dress.Xavier's gaze darkened, pain looming over his handsome face. "Vivienne…