Chapter 38We finished showering and got out to get ready. Damien was ready pretty quickly, but it took me a little longer with my hair and all. I had to blowdry it, I wasn’t going outside with it wet. I laughed as he shook his head at me and told me I looked fine about 30 times before I actually agreed, and followed him out of the house to his car. He chose the Buggati this time. Cortana already had it ready for us and she opened the doors as we walked up. I got inside, and Damien shut my door for me and then he got inside. “Cortana, take us to Edge Enterprises.” He commanded. “As you wish, sir.” Cortana replied, and we headed that way. I had never been to his office before but I had heard a lot about it. I took the time to check my phone and Jericho did indeed message me. 'Hey love, the guy's name is Bartholomew. Looks like he's been working for Damien for about 3 years now. From what I can see he started purely with the intention of giving proprietary information to The Academy. T
Chapter 39Once he got inside and we started driving to an unknown location he turned back to me. “Matt thinks he is getting proprietary information and giving it to The Academy. What he’s really getting is proprietary information riddled with bugs and code that will never work. It will never let them copy my designs.” He said with a laugh. “Also, his name is Bartholomew, not Matt. I keep him around because it keeps The Academy at bay. I have a feeling they are eventually going to try and take things a step further, but for now they are appeased by his reports back to them.” Damien said. I just kept my mouth shut, it was extremely smart and he definitely knew what he was doing. He, however, didn’t realize that The Academy had already taken that next step… Me. I still had to kill Bartholomew though. I still had to, because it would put a wrench in The Academy’s plan, and I didnt have any other tools in my belt at this moment. “Well I’m glad you know, because the second he touched my ha
Chapter 40I could tell that my words eased some of his mind by the look on his face. “So the next question I have then is, I live in Maine, and I know you live in Vegas normally or within The Academy. Would you be opposed to relocating? You know, maybe stay with me here in Maine?” He asked sheepishly. I knew this was a huge question for him to ask, and although it didn’t feel too soon at all for me, I had other things to worry about first. “I am not opposed to relocating. I just need a little time first, if that’s ok. I just need to get my affairs in order before we make that move.” I said. I hoped that my words would calm Damiens mind, but still give me the time to figure out how to stop The Academy. “I never want you to feel like I'm pushing too hard or moving too fast. So please, stop me if I am. I’m new at this too.” Damien replied with a smile. I smiled back just as our food came. We ate and chatted, mostly about things that I wondered about him. I found out that his favorite co
Chapter 41Damien didn’t laugh this time but he just smiled. “Yes his name is Xavier, I know you will not want to hear this, but we have been intimate… I’m sorry Damien, I didn’t know.” I said, as a stray tear fell from my cheek. Damien suddenly took me in his arms and held me. “Why did you take my memories?! Why?! I could have prevented this!” I said, pounding my fist against Damiens chest. “You asked me too, remember? Last year, you said you wanted me to take them so you could focus on Hunting. So I did as I was asked.” Damein said. I could hear the hurt in his voice, but his thoughts that flooded through my mind when he touched me, told me that he already knew about Xavier and this wasn’t a surprise to him, it just hurt still. Guilt flooded into my chest at the thought of Xavier. This whole thing was a fucking mess and I had no idea how to get out of it. I pulled away from Damien to look him in the eyes. “I’m so sorry, I just… I didn’t know.” I said. Damien put his hooked finger un
Chapter 42I didn't even have a chance to scowl at my phone before there was a knock on my door. I jumped in surprise and dropped my phone on my bed, scrambling to my feet and cautiously walking to the door. I opened it slowly, peeking out to see Damien standing there in all his glory. I immediately pulled my knife. “You’re a bloodsucker?!” I growled. He put his hands up in surrender. “Please let me in, I promise I will not hurt you.” He said. I watched as the wheels turned in my mind, before opening the door and letting him in. I peeked out the door to make sure no one else was out there before closing it behind me and turning towards Damien. “Why are there texts on my phone between us when I have no idea who you are?” I asked him, knife still in my hand. Damien sighed, “you are so fucking beautiful when you are upset.” He said. I just took a breath in and exhaled slowly. “You didn’t answer my question… Plus why would I be associating with my prey? What kind of spell have you put on
Chapter 43“Well it’s something that before I found you, I never thought could affect a Human. But it’s a mate the gods gift to a Vampire. Someone to spend the rest of your life with, someone who will love you and only you for eternity. But it’s more than just a partner, it’s literally your other half. Like two halves of a whole. It's extremely rare, only 12 Vampires in the world are known to have one. Excuse me, 13 Vampires.” He said. I remained silent while I processed what he was saying. “Is that why you took my memories?” I asked him. “Yes, I originally took them because I didn't accept the bond. It couldn’t be true, you were a Hunter, and I was your prey. There was no way I could accept you as my gifted mate. The gods must have played a cruel joke. But I found myself unable to stay away. I chose to visit you every year on your birthday but I couldn’t let you remember as you were too young. As the years went by you finally accepted me when you were 18… But I wasn’t ready... And I
Chapter 44“Thank you. This is actually fantastic, I just hadn’t gotten around to replacing it yet.” I said. He nodded. “I’m going to go now, and it’s up to you if you want me to take your memories or leave them. But the last time I left them you almost got yourself killed on a contract because you were distracted. It’s your choice, but if anything ever happened to you, I would never forgive myself.” Damien replied. ”Did you know I never wanted to be a Hunter?” I asked Damien. He nodded to me. “You have said that before.” He replied. “The hardest part of this entire situation is trying to trust that you wouldn’t leave me again. Trusting that you wouldn’t tamper with my memories and that you wouldn’t leave. The rest doesn’t even matter.” I said. “I know, Snow. I know more than I think you realize. But I will not stop, I will be back and we will try again. And someday, I hope you can forgive me. And when that day finally comes, I will never stop showing you how much I love and care abou
Chapter 45He hesitated for a moment and then reached for my hand. I let him take it so I could get a read on him. He reports to the council, what is the council? That is strange… I wasn’t aware The Academy had a council. “Look I'm not trying to be weird, I'm looking to move up, away from Hunting into something bigger. I just need to know who to talk to after I complete this checkmate. You know this will earn me any title I want basically.” I said. “Ok, ok, you’re right. I report to the Council. They are a group of 4 that run The Academy behind the scenes. My direct report, his name is Max. He’s one of the original guys to start The Academy. If you want to move up I suggest you get a hold of him. He can definitely be of help. And honestly, I’m sure you can get whatever you want from him. He’s easily swayed, if you know what I mean…” Bartholomew said, with a wink. I swallowed my disgust, he meant sex. Jesus. I couldn’t imagine Humans being like that, but I guess there were bad apples