-Gabriel-“Did you tell her this?”“I figured it wouldn’t be in her best interest.”I’m sitting across from Valentine and Church three days after my attack, reeling from the bombshell they’ve just put on me. Katherine and Xenia are out at the moment, so it’s finally given us time to speak about the events that nearly saw me killed.Sighing, I lean back and cross my arms. “She can’t know about it until I’m confident she’s ready. I knew Alexander would have a failsafe for when something happens to him, but I never fucking expected this.”“The element of surprise is a fucking bitch,” Church adds, shaking his head. “When are we heading out of this town? Something here doesn’t feel right.”“Funny you should say that,” I chuckle sadly, shaking my head. “I never told you two who turned Alexander, did I?”They both frown when I say this, and I swear that I still don’t fucking believe it myself. I keep wondering if the baobab was to blame for causing me to hallucinate, but Alexander has turned
-Xenia-Kat is going to owe me big time for this. While she’s at home getting her lady bits wrecked, I’m out here feeling awkward as hell with two of the hottest guys in this shady-ass biker bar. She can be lucky that I love her so much.I never would have expected this town to have a bar like this, seeing that it’s so nose-in-the-air, but I suppose every perfect thing has a hidden flaw. And I’m all for flaws. Dark corners, wooden exterior with matching barstools, tables, and chairs, and honest to God jukebox blasting Sabbath, leather, boots, and cigarette smoke.Yeah, flaws are my thing. I leave Valentine and Church and walk up to the bar, signaling for the bartender. “Jack and coke - heavy on the Jack,” I order when she approaches, eyeing my chest and smirking. No fucking idea what she’s eyeing since I’m only dressed in jeans, a black tank top showing no cleavage, and a leather jacket. She puts the tumbler down in front of me, nodding. “Running a tab?” “I think I might,” I grumbl
-Katherine-My entire body is on fire, but I find myself unable to move or call out. My mouth hurts, and my gums feel like I’ve chewed on too much Doritos and got shards stuck in them. With heavy eyelids, I drift off to sleep, but a few hours later something claws at my stomach and I wake up.Hunger - soul-splitting hunger.“What the fuck are you doing, little lamb?” Gabriel’s voice interrupts my chewing and I peer up at him while chewing at the leftover pizza in the fridge. I’ve had six slices, but nothing is stopping this fucking feeling.“I’m hungry,” I say, shaking my head. “I’ve eaten so much already but I’m still fucking hungry! My mouth hurts, my body aches as if I have hectic flu, and my head feels like it’s about to explode! What’s wrong with me?! And why the fuck am I so emotional?!”He sighs and walks over to me, taking the pizza from my finger and planting me on the counter top. Then he wipes my tears away and kisses my forehead. “Here,” he tilts his head to the side. “Dri
-Katherine- “Kazimir and Eirisse Vasile from Germany, Ezra Aviet from Armenia, Nisha and Niall Deveraux from France, Dante and Demetria Principe from Italy - these are the heads of the council. They’re old, powerful, and hold sway with a lot of important people because of the snakes they’ve managed to slip into government. Like me, for instance.” Gabriel explains while we drive along the snowy mountains. He’s been trying to teach me more about these people he says I shouldn’t be scared of, but the more he tells me, the more their names haunt me. “Is there anyone I should be particularly scared - uh, wary of?” I ask, and he shoots me a look. None of them can be trusted, I know but there must be one of them who I need to be extra careful of. There always is. “Yes; Kazimir and Eirisse. They’re twins and equally vicious as the other. Eirisse has drained her Fated while Kazimir keeps his locked up, so other lives mean absolutely jack shit to either of them. Don’t let your guard down; d
-Gabriel-If there’s one thing I hate, it’s the way Kazimir looked at Katherine; as if she was the most appetizing thing he’s ever seen. It pissed me off because not only could I not protect her, but if I made a move, it would have meant my death.Then Katherine would be alone in these mountains with Kazimir as her captor.“I couldn’t fucking do anything!” I cry out, punching the castle wall of the bedroom they made us stay in. “He stood there, leering over you and I couldn’t do a damn thing!”Katherine runs over to me and takes my face in her hands. “Babe, if you did anything in retaliation, you would be dead right now. I understand and don’t think any less of you,” she says, stroking my cheek. I shake my head, placing my hands over hers. “You’re my woman, my Fated; if anyone threatens you, I should be the one to defend you-!”“Gabriel, I am not some fragile princess who needs protecting!” she exclaims, her eyes shifting to crimson. “I don’t see you as weak in front of all those Pur
-Gabriel-“Are you sure you’re okay, love?” I ask Katherine for the fifth time since we left Blutholz Castle. She’s been quiet, and if there’s one thing I know about Katherine, it’s that she’s not a quiet person. Ever.“I’m okay, I promise. She sighs and hugs her coat closer to her body as she says, "I just want to get out of this country." “I don’t ever want to come back here.”“We won’t have to after you gave the coordinates and codes to Kazimir this morning. I doubt we’ll see the council any time soon.” I say, noticing how she flinches when I mention the Pureblood cunt’s name.I get it. Most vampires would cower at Kazimir’s feet, but she stood her ground yesterday. Katherine is not weak, I know this, but I still want to protect her at all costs; even if she thinks she doesn’t need it. Taking her hand in mine, I kiss the back of it and bring the car to a stop on the tarmac. “Let's go home,” I say, opening the door and leading her to the waiting jet.We left the castle about three
-Gabriel-The anger has simmered down; now all that’s left is vengeance and a pain in my heart knowing I slept soundly next to Katherine while Kazimir violated her. Pain knowing that someone harmed my Fated and tried to protect me from someone who could easily have killed her. The broken look in her eyes shouldn’t be there; they should be filled with love and happiness knowing we have our forever together. But our happiness was stolen - and her pain only fuels my vendetta.I hold her hand and walk out toward the SUV, where Valentine is waiting for us. He’s wearing a relieved expression, but it slips away when he sees the look on my face.“Welcome home, Pres; Kitty Kat,” he says, nodding to both of us before I open the door for Katherine to get in. I look up at Valentine before following her in. “Meet me in my study the second we arrive at the estate. There’s a war coming.” His eyes narrow when I say this, but he nods anyway.When I get inside the SUV, I pull her into my arms and we
-Katherine-It’s been three days and I can still feel Kazimir’s hands all over my body. I try to brush it off when everyone asks how I’m doing, try to make it seem like it’s not affecting me; when in all honesty it feels like I’m slowly being eaten alive.Gabriel has been nothing but sweet and caring; taking care of me and loving me right through it all. I wake up and he’s holding me; I go to sleep, and he's holding me… all this love and I still feel Kazimir’s touch.My bedroom door opens and Xenia walks in with the same concerned expression as before. She blames everything on Gabriel, even though I told her it's not his fault at all. When a vampire sleeps, nothing will wake him until the sun goes down - it’s like a literal hibernation.“Kat, please talk to me,” she says, walking over to where I’m standing at the window. “You haven’t left this room since you came back from Germany, and you keep saying you’re fine when we all can see you’re not.”I sigh. “You guys have been talking abo