(Salvatore's POV)Now that we have a location, I look at the map for where I need to go. I will have to investigate it out alone. It is too risky to take Quinn away from the mansion. My brother hurt her enough for just going upstairs. Thankfully, he does not know that she has been in the study with me. Before I leave, I want to fill her in on the vampire hierarchy, so she understands how we work, in order to protect herself not only while I’m away, but also for when this is all over. The single candle bathes the room in a dim glow, casting shadows on the walls. I lean back and the worn leather chair creaks beneath my weight. Quinn looks up at me, her eyes wide and eager. “The vampire mafia operates on with a delicate balance of power,” I state, my gaze fixed on Quinn. “My family is at the top. We oversee every major decision within our organisation. Over the centuries, we have seen many empires rise and fall, some under our hand. My brothers are not like other vampires you may have c
(Quinn's POV)As I walk inside the study, I realise I will never get used to all these candles. The dimly lit room casts eerie shadows on the ancient artifacts and dusty books inside, making the atmosphere feel heavy with mystery. My heartbeat slows down as I take a seat next to Salvatore at the wooden table. I glance across at him, as he starts looking through an old manuscript looking for any information about the obsidian veil.“Are you sure we’ll find something in here?” I whisper. “Surely if any of these books mentioned the veil, we would have found it when we were looking for information about the perpetual twilight.”Salvatore nods absentmindedly as he tries to focus. His amber eyes glow red in the flickering candlelight. “That was before we knew anything about it. If it truly does exist, then it will be in here somewhere. If we can unlock its secrets, it could change everything.”I bite my lip, considering the implications. Finding the Obsidian Veil has quickly become an obses
~*~Warning the following chapter contains a sexually explicit scene. ~*~(Quinn's POV)Salvatore stares at me intensely. His gaze burns into my soul, igniting a spark that quickly turns into an inferno of passion deep inside me. “Quinn,” he whispers, his voice rough with need. “I want you.” He points at the spot in front of his feet, and I move towards him. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer as his lips crash into mine in a frenzy. I’m completely consumed by him, as I surrender to my desire.One by one, he slowly removes my clothes and tosses them in a pile on the cold stone floor. Salvatore’s muscly tattooed arms wrap around me as he pulls me into his embrace. I crave his touch. There’s nothing I want more in this moment than his hands on my body. Finally, he breaks away and starts to explore every inch of me. His hands wander lazily over the curves of my breasts, before they trail towards my bum. “Please,” I whimper, arching into him as my desire turns dark with need.
(Salvatore's POV)The empty street echoes with the sound of our footsteps as we approach the entrance to the gathering. The dimly lit ballroom looms before me, instantly memories of a long-forgotten past that refuses to be buried flash through my mind. Quinn’s hand grips mine. Her palm is sweaty, and it’s clear that she is anxious. I squeeze her hand to reassure her, but her piercing blue eyes are too busy scanning the area for any threats to notice the slight gesture. As we approach the grand entrance, I put my hand on the small of her back. “Stay close,” I whisper. A deep purple velvet curtain opens into the main hall. The air is buzzing with power. The promise of uncovering many dark secrets is overwhelming.I scan the room, taking in the sea of masked faces as they dance. The sound of their laughter and conversations are like whispers barely audible above the loud, yet haunting music. Their identities might be hidden, but I can sense the power emanating from each and every one of
(Salvatore's POV)As we attempt to leave the building, I turn to Quinn. “Stay close,” I tell her, my voice barely audible. “We have what we need. Let’s try to get out of here without drawing too much attention to ourselves.”“Alright,” she murmurs back, her eyes flicking from mine to the shadows beyond. She’s well aware of what will happen if someone figures out who she is. We make our way through the crowd with ease. My hand grips hers tightly. As we pass by other guests, I can’t help but notice the hungry looks on their faces. The way their predatory gazes move across Quinn’s body as we walk past them puts me on edge.“Over here.” I lead her down a dimly lit hallway, away from the main gathering. My senses are on high alert as we make our way into a quieter area, where we can discuss our findings in private.“Salvatore,” Quinn says once we’re safely in the secluded alcove, her blue eyes meeting mine with a mix of relief and concern. “Now what do we do?” She asks with a frown.“We go
(Quinn's POV)The walls of the ancient building echo with an eerie silence as we prepare to leave. All of a sudden, the strange figure in a cloak that we had spotted inside the party appears before us like an apparition. Salvatore steps in front of me protectively, his body tense as if he’s ready for an attack. I can feel my heart race faster. What if it’s one of Dante’s men? A chill runs down my spine in the dim light. My fear seems to linger in the air. It’s like a thick fog surrounding me. “Salvatore,” the mysterious figure snarls, his voice low and dangerous. He doesn’t remove his mask, so he is at an advantage. This guy clearly knows who we are, but I have no idea who he is.“Do I know you?” Salvatore sneers, not even attempting to hide his disdain.The figure chuckles, a deep, menacing sound that echoes through the desolate halls. “You should, Salvatore. After all, we used to be partners in crime.”Salvatore’s eyes narrow as he studies the figure’s face, trying to place him. “I
(Salvatore's POV)The night is long and restless. My mind keeps replaying the conversation with the cloaked figure, trying to piece together any clues that could lead us closer to the obsidian veil. I can hear the distant sounds of the city, the occasional car passing by and dogs howl in the distance. It's almost as if the world outside is oblivious to the danger that lies ahead of us.I toss and turn in my bed, unable to find a comfortable position. Every time I close my eyes, I replay the figure's sinister grin as his gaze rakes over Quinn’s body again and again. Every time I close my eyes, I see his staring back at me, gleaming with malice. I can feel his presence lingering in the air, like a ghost of my past that refuses to leave me alone, yet I have no idea who he is.It's almost midnight when I hear a soft knock on my door. I sit up, my heart racing as I make my way over to it. I open it slowly. In my sleepy state, I half-expect to see the cloaked figure standing before me. Inst
~*~Warning the following chapter contains a sexually explicit scene. ~*~(Quinn's POV)When we return to the mansion, none of the other members of the seven have come back here. Thankfully, that means they don’t know that I have left my room, but I can’t help but wonder what is keeping them away. I knew we were walking into a trap when we went to the church, but I didn’t think it would end as badly as it did. Neither of us talks about it. We don’t want to dwell on our failure; we need to focus on locating the obsidian veil.The air in Salvatore’s study is thick with tension as he cleans and dresses my wounds. I wince at the pain as he disinfects the thick cuts. The horror of the attack weighs heavily on my mind, alongside the gentleness of the kiss that still lingers on my lips. Our partnership is strained because I still don’t know if I can’t trust Salvatore fully. If it came down to me or his brothers, I am not as sure he would pick me over them.“Quinn,” Salvatore breaks the sile