Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
“Okay, I’ll keep my mind open, so long as you quit suggesting I might be attracted to my mortal enemy.”
“Hey, no judgement. Danger is sexy.”
“Ugh,” I groaned, wishing I had a pillow right now so that I could throw it at her head.
***
I eventually managed to get a few hours of rest. My dreams, however, were more than a little disturbing. I saw myself on the boat to the prison, sitting on the same bench I had during the journey, but I wore no handcuffs. Instead, leafy branches began sprouting up from the bench. They twisted around my wrists before crawling up my arms. More branches captured my torso, pinning me to the bench until I was completely trapped, my entire body held in place. I gasped for breath as the branches finally twisted across my mouth, biting into my skin so I couldn’t even scream. In the distance stood Peter, yelling for me to come back. Don’t go, Darya! I wanted with every fibre of my being to break free, jump from the boat, and swim to shore, but it was no use, and eventually, Peter faded into darkness. I could no longer hear his call.
I woke with a start, sweating profusely. My body had healed up a little after the nap, but I still ached in the places where I’d been injured. And now, after that horrible dream, my heart was sore, too. I missed Peter. I missed him terribly, and I’d barely been gone two days.
The memory of my dream caused a chill to run down my spine. Why was I suddenly dreaming about tree branches? It was the same as the strange feeling I’d had earlier in the day, like a red tree had been calling to me.
My thoughts about the dream were derailed when I noticed how dark it was. The small tendril of light that shone through the narrow window of my cell was gone. It was night, which meant one thing.
The vampires were awake. I shuddered with the realisation.
I rose from my bed and peered into the corridor. All was quiet. So much for Vasilios and Sven guarding me. They were nowhere to be seen. I didn’t know why I was surprised. He was definitely the type to break his promises.
My stomach gurgled and the insistent need for blood that I tried my best to ignore gnawed at me. I decided I’d request a meeting with the warden and ask if he could provide me with a once-off blood donor to tide me over. I didn’t want to prey on another prisoner, and if I wanted to get strong again, I would have to feed. The warden knew I was undercover, so surely he’d be willing to assist.
I stretched and attempted to limber up in anticipation of another attack. I didn’t have to wait long. Mack appeared in the doorway to my cell, her eyes gleaming with malice. Several other vampires, including my nemesis, Vincent, stood behind her. I often marvelled at people who went everywhere with a gang of cronies thinking they were tough. To me, it showed how scared they were deep down that they always had to be accompanied by a group.
My father was the opposite of Mack. He went to most places on his own, never feeling the need to throw his weight around because he was confident in his power. It meant Mack had a vulnerability somewhere. I just needed to figure out what it was.
Well, sunlight was an obvious one, but she still ruled during the night. So, what was she scared of?
“You don’t look too bad,” she said as she sized me up. “I expected worse. Didn’t any of the shapeshifters rough you up today? They must be losing their touch.”
“Rumour has it Serg wants to fuck her,” Vincent said, and I bristled. I’d never wanted to punch someone so badly.
“Ah, that explains it,” Mack said with a tut. “It really is a pity how distracted some men can be by a pretty face.”
“Personally, I don’t see it,” Vincent put in. “Her tits are too small.”
“In comparison to what? Your own?” I shot back, and he scowled.
A faint hint of amusement crossed Mack’s features as she glanced at her burly henchman. “She has a point.” Vincent’s scowl intensified.
I caught movement in my peripheral and saw Vasilios standing by the railing one floor above, quietly peering down at us. Since her back was turned, Mack didn’t see him. I wondered what he intended to do, and then something shocking occurred. A thick, impenetrable aura of magic filled the air, like a tingle on the very surface of my skin.
Oh my God, Vasilios really can access his magic in here!
I couldn’t believe he’d revealed his hand so soon. Now, all I needed to do was get him to confide in me how he was bypassing the tattoos and contacting the outside world.