bChapter /bb164 /b

Before he can reply, I speed off toward ra. I search for her scent–it’s impossible to lose that wild fragrance. I find her even faster than expected, though the sight freezes my blood. Several Purebloods surround her, their faces stricken with panic at the sight of the corpse lying at her feet. Her hands tremble, and when her eyes meet mine, I see a mix of determination and relief.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t have a choice. He got too close. I got scared, he wanted to take me…”

I take a step toward her, ignoring the horror around us. I quickly recognize the body as one of the Diluted security guards. His skin is ashen, his eyes open and nk. I step in front of her, using my body as a shield from the rest. I reach for her hand and grip it tightly, easing the tremble in her fingers.

“It’s been a difficult and turbulent night. I suggest everyone returns to their homes, gentlemen.”

My voice echoes through the dark night–not even the nocturnal creatures dare to break the silence. One of the Purebloods watching us closely inhales sharply and raises a finger usingly.

“She’s a monster!”

I see the thought spread among the others, burning itself into their eyes. My entire body tenses like a drawn bow, and I feel a pressing need to pull ra even closer. I don’t want a single inch of her body not pressed against mine.

“She’s a monster! Don’t you see it?” The Pure points his damn finger at the corpse lying at my feet, as if I’m too stupid to have noticed. “Look

what she did!”

ra shrinks back, and I know without needing to probe that her fear is fueled by the thought of being locked up again, stripped of freedom, ignored. That won’t happen–not while my heart still wants to beat for her. Just as she can turn me into a merciful being, when the threat tooms over her, I can be the most sadistic vampire ever to roam this earth.

The urge to set boundaries makes me act fast; I wrap my hand around the Pure’s neck and squeeze just enough to feel the tendons shift beneath my palm. If he was scared before, it’s nothingpared to what he feels now, seeing death etched in my eyes.

“She may be a monster, but she’s my monster,” I hiss between my teeth. “She’s the thin thread of my sanity–and trust me, you don’t want to see what happens when it snaps. If you thought I was dangerous before, I assure you–if you touch her, look at her, breathe near her–I won’t even leave your memory alive.”

“W–what is she?”

“Mine,” I say, firm and absolute.

The word echoes in every bone of my body like a sacrament.

“That’s enough! Everyone, go home!”

Aeron breaks the tension, followed closely by Ciro. Both begin to disperse the crowd, ring with authority and making it clear that defying their orders will cost dearly. A few stragglers linger, hoping to catch some valuable bit of information. That won’t happen–I have no intention

of sharing anything with anyone.

The white–haired vampire looks at me and nods in farewell; however, when I turn to take ra and leave, I see Ciro has already stepped forward.

“I guess you’ve made your choice.”

Sadness glimmers in ra’s eyes.

“I never had to chooseb, /bCiro. It was always going to be him.”

“I could make you stay. I have the right.”

b“/bThen you’d be forcing me.” ra’s face softens. “And I know you’re not that kind of man, Ciro.”

“I suppose someone as special as you can’t remain a mere feeder, right? Because you’re clearly much more than human.”

“Much more,” she says, offering no further detail.

Ciro nods and gives her a sad smile.

“I’ve truly enjoyed yourpany these past weeks. I hope this is just the beginning of a friendship, and that you’ll be allowed to visit me sometime. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’ll miss you.” His gaze shifts to his brother. “You’re a very special woman. I’m sure you already know that. Thank you for always seeing me for who I am, bnot /bjust what I seem.”

“It would’ve been impossible not to see you. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before others see what you hide inside.”

The vampire steps forward with a sincere smile and hugs her. Jealousy ws at my chest. I could sharpen my senses and eavesdrop on what i know he’s whispering in her ear during that embrace that unsettles me, but I don’t think I have the right to interrupt. I hope she’ll share those words with meter, when she’s finally where she’s always belonged. In my castle, wandering the gardens, reading dusty books in my mother’s forgotten library, lingering in my wing as if I won’t notice her scent clinging to everything. I want ra everywhere, at all times.

“Shall we go?” I ask, a few steps away from them.

The vampire steps back with a warm smile, and though I’d love to knock it off his face with a punch, I won’t–because ra smiles back at him and looks more at ease.

“Wherever you say.”

She smiles and offers me her hand.

The pink–eyed Pure passes by me, brushing his shoulder against mine, and murmurs a few words.

“Take care of her. She’s the most special thing you have.”

He doesn’t need to tell me. I’ve always known there was something extraordinary about herb, /bno matter how much I tried to convince myself she was just an annoying human. Even when she thought so herself, she always found a way to challenge me—and she has no idea how much I enjoyed it.

We’re finally alone. I squeeze her hand tightly.

“Let’s go home, ra.”

“Aren’t you going to carry me?”

“If that’s what you want, I’d be d to carry you in my arms. But I thought maybe you’d like to try one of your new abilities.”

“You meanb…/bb?/b” Her eyes bgo /bwide, and that ghostly pallor quickly gives way to a flush of excitement in her cheeks. b“/bHow? What do I do?”

“There’s no trick. Just run. It’s part of your nature now.”

She looks at me, confused, not believing it could be that easy. I smile and take off running, easily leaving her behind. I stop in the distance and see her small figure far away.

“Come on, little wildcat. There are people waiting to see you again.”

I know that’s the little incentive she needs. She takes a few hesitant steps, and before she knows it, her legs gain a speed far beyond that of any mortal. In a sh, she’s beside me, hair tousled, cheeks flushed. Most importantly? That tension and fear seem to have vanished.

“Let’s go.”

I nod forward, and soon we’re on the move again. I nce back more than once to make sure she’s still behind me. Sometimes she dashes ahead, her melodic, softugh filling the air and pulling a smile from my lips. The journey to the castle feels unreal. I’ve never been so d to have someone by my side–to be willing to risk everything.

My men open the gates to the castle grounds the moment they sense us approaching. As we pass them, I can’t help but marvel at the blittle /bsounds slipping from ra’s lips every time she’s surprised by her newfound ability.

We stop at the base of the stairs, and this time, I’m not the one seeking closenessb–/bit’s she who presses her side against mine and reaches for my hand.

“Do you want to be hereb, /bra?”

“I can’t believe what I’m about to say.” She fidgets with my fingers, nervous as a child. “But I want to be with you.”

“Then let’s go. You’re home, ra.”

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