Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Alek studies me. I can feel his power at the edge of my mind, though he doesn’t try to enter. Not that he could. Not without a fight. And I really don’t want to fight the king right now.
Something settles over him and he nods. “You have perfect timing,” he says. “Because Aurora needs a security detail.”
“Wait, what?”
Alek nods. “She needs to claim her newly inherited lands, but we’re still vulnerable with Samuel and the Sons of Honor likely regrouping and planning their next attack. Will you go with her? Protect her?”
The floor tilts beneath my feet. I need to stay away from her. For her own good.
Then why the fuck do I hear myself say, “With my life.”
“Good,” Alek says. “You leave tomorrow night.” He gives me a dismissive nod, and I leave his study on autopilot.
What the fuck did I just agree to?
CHAPTER 8
Aurora
When I was forcibly turned as a vampire, I never imagined I’d be able to do much of anything beyond being a monster, let alone travel to Italy.
And as for the monster thing? Turns out, vampires are some of the nicest beings I’ve ever met. At least, most of them.
Icy chills scrape my skin with thoughts of Samuel. The way he’d torture and kill humans right in front of me, their cries starring in my nightmares. That’s what I thought I’d turn into. Depraved. Immoral. Inhuman.
I’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong.
Sure, I crave blood, but I’ll never hurt anyone. That much has been proven with my refusal to bite a volunteer feeder. And I may have a slippery mind, but I haven’t lost my humanity.
The black town car takes another winding curve, drawing my attention to the vast hills to our right. The night sky is clear and there’s something about the air in Tuscany that makes my heart sing. It smells fresh and ancient at the same time.
“That’s…that’s where we’re going?” I ask as golden lights illuminate rows of lush vineyards, little roads separating the massive sections. Sprawling trees pepper the property, which, as the driver navigates us up a long, graveled path, boasts a gray-stone castle dating back to the thirteen-hundreds.
“This is yours now,” Saint says from where he sits on the opposite side of the town car.
It’s the most he’s said in hours. He’s been grumbly at best, and for him, that’s something.
I shake my head as the driver slows the car before parking it in front of what is a clearly modernized addition connecting to the property’s original castle. Beige sandstone and decorative columns and wide double doors sit just beyond a glistening fountain with lion statues.
“This is…” I don’t have words for what this is. Not as Saint holds the massive front doors open for me, not as our driver settles our suitcases in the entryway before bidding us goodnight. Not as I stand in the grand foyer, my eyes darting from the polished marble flooring to the sparkling crystal chandeliers that hang high above us.
“Overwhelming?” Saint asks when I don’t continue.
“Yes.” I let out a long breath, eyes drawing up to where he’s come to stand next to me. “I’m used to the king’s residence, but this is entirely different.”
Saint nods, holding my gaze for a moment. Need pulls taut beneath my skin, a hunger that’s grown worse ever since I tasted him. I still haven’t worked out if that’s simply a vampire trait, the incessant pull I have toward him being solely linked to the blood he has that I crave, or if it means something deeper.
My instincts shout one thing. Saint’s behavior toward me screams another.
“I need to clear the home.” Saint breaks my gaze, hurrying toward the closest room, which looks like a study.
I follow him through the first floor, doing my best to keep up with him, before I quickly give up. He’s determined to check every room twice, and every concealed space three times. I leave him to it, instead wandering through the main level that he’s already cleared. I head past grand kitchens and a lavish living space until I find a wall of French doors, their windows teasing a gorgeous exterior.
Opening the set of doors, I head onto a grand terrace, my lips parting at the stone steps leading down to a long, deep pool illuminated by more of the golden lights decorating the property. I can’t deny how luxurious everything looks, from the pool to the gardens surrounding it, to the vineyards beyond.
“The home is clear,” Saint says a few moments later. “I’ll check the castle in a moment, but there are only two entry points connecting it to this residence.”
I nod, suddenly feeling so tired I can feel it in my bones.
“This is not my life.” I swallow hard. “This is my father’s life.” I shake my head. “He never let me see or learn about any of this. Not that he would, I guess. He never wanted to acknowledge I was his daughter. And sure, I buried the part of me that was him so much, I practically forgot the vampire blood that ran through my veins, but I never stopped being mildly curious. I tried to connect with him a couple times, but he refused. I wasn’t vampire enough for him to claim me.” I glance at Saint, whose eyes are on me. “Seems to be a theme,” I say more under my breath, but from the way his jaw clenches, I know he catches every word.