JOVITA I slept off with Lord Ralph's image still in my head. I also dreamt of him and knew I needed to speak to my uncle. When I woke up the following day, Ana was already gone. I needed to find time to talk with her. She was the only person I was supposed to be closest to in this place, but I don't know what to do if she keeps up with this attitude. I had my bath, and something hit me as I was cleaning my body. The ring. My heart tumbled in my chest as I thought harder about that ring. My whole body went stiff. I tried to remember seeing it there after bathing in Lord Ralph's room. My mind totally went off it, and I was sure I had felt someone watching me then. Was it there? Was it not there? I would be in a big mess if someone found me in Lord Ralph's room having my bath. I ran my hands through my hair. How do vampires show anger? Do they break things or kill humans or relax and be cold? What if Lord Ralph found out I had the audacity to b
RALPH "It is just a careless mistake and nothing else," I defended, avoiding Colbert's eyes. But his stare told me he did not believe me or partially did so. I picked the food in front of me with my fork and chewed, ignoring his hard stare. "I certainly can't remember the last time we forgot our rings." Colbert leaned closer. "Are you okay? Is something bothering you?" I gave up. Lying to Colbert was not easy for me. But I did not want him to know anything about HER or tell him I lusted after her nakedness. I shut the thoughts away from me. I was growing hard again, thinking of it. "I have been feeling sick lately. I don't really know how I feel. It's... It's a new kind of feeling, and it's strange." Colbert observed me for a while. "Does this happen when you are around a female?" "Of course not. This isn't even about what you are thinking about," I lied through my teeth. But I can't tell my beloved brother that I was lusting after a femal
JOVITA I closed the door gently behind me, sighing with relief, and leaned on the door to compose myself before going down the stairs as I left the presence of the two intimidating men. My heart almost pumped out of my chest when I was there. Excluding the role I had to play as a naive girl, I realized I could not meet Lord Ralph's eyes. I was scared that he would punish me for bathing in his bathroom, but I was surprised when he said nothing like that. I was about to leave when his brother's voice reached my ears. I halted and placed my ear to the door to hear what they were saying. "You are sick indeed, and it is becoming alarming. Have you, by any chance, told anyone your secrets about the blood bank?" "Don't be silly. How would I let anyone know my secrets?" "What about the girl?" "What girl?" "The one that just left here. Is there something I should know about her?" I held my breath in the silence that followed. They suspected me ind
JOVITA "Everybody out!" one vampire yelled as they entered the dining hall. The girls squealed when their tables were overturned, and their plates of food crashed and spilled on the floor. They shoved us out of our seats. "Ingrates!" one of the vampire girls snared. I was confused because I did not understand what was happening. They ensured they turned all the tables and chased us out of the hall. We matched to the compound in a straight line. The boys and men were already standing outside. Lord Ralph stood on the balcony of the first floor, watching us calmly. We were all made to face him on that balcony; his face was furious. I know he was not known for smiling, but I knew he was angry this time around. A confused murmur erupted among the humans. "Do you know what is going on?" Emily asked beside me. I turned to see that she had gone pale with fear already. I shook my head. I might have an inkling of what was happening, and my chest was beating so
JOVITA I went straight to our room and searched the closet. There was nothing there. No crossbow, no stake. I looked under the small cabinet in the room, the bed, and even the bathroom. Nothing. The door to our room opened, and Ana strolled inside, but I ignored her. She went to her bed and sat down, watching me for a while. I could feel her gaze as I opened and upturned things, but I did not speak. This was surprising. When did Bryce come here? I doubted he ever came here because I had been in the kitchen with him. There was no time to come up here and take them out. A thought hit me. Could it be Lord Ralph that removed it himself? No, I dismissed that thought. It can never be. "Are you looking for something?" Ana asked calmly. "Yes," I replied monotonously, not ready for any lecture or guilt trap from her. "Your weapons, I guess?" My head snapped toward her. "Did you see them anywhere?" "You keep implicating yourself and others..."
JOVITA "Good morning, Lord Ralph," I greeted once I entered the room. Lord Ralph was hunched over some books on his table and only raised his head to look at me when I greeted him. He did not as much as hum to my greeting. He just ignored me and kept doing what he was doing. I rolled my eyes and walked toward the dark, rosy red curtains to draw them. Nothing is good about the morning, anyway. As long as these walking dead existed, the world would be gloomy, and nothing would be good. "I will draw the curtains now, Lord Ralph..." "Do whatever you fucking wish to do, and stop disturbing me. I am busy here!" he thundered, taking me unawares. Grumpy much? I was startled, and my hand flew to my chest. Why was he in such a sore mood? Humans were supposed to be the ones in this mood. They would starve for three days while his kind enjoyed it all. I looked at his hands and realized he was wearing his ring. To irritate him, I drew the curtain
RALPH My heart jumped into my stomach when I heard her voice by the door. It is not like I did not know she was the one knocking because no one else except my assistant could come to my room by this time. I realized that it was a surge of excitement. I was excited to see her. I cannot tell what was going on with me and why I was being a fool for this human who was likely my demise. I composed myself and asked her to come in. I drank in her lavender scent as she entered, but I pretended to be unfazed while all I wanted was to wrap my arms around her and inhale every bit of her. I cautioned myself immediately, and my heartbeat spiked when her cheerful voice floated toward me in greeting. I could not even find my voice because everything this woman does surprises me. I have never lusted over a woman in centuries like I did this time. I knew I would get any woman I wanted, but I had put myself in bondage I did not realize then. Everything about her was endearing. Instead
JOVITA I leaned on the wall beside the door to catch my breath after I left the room. Something is going on with me. I will need to speak to someone about this; it cannot go on any longer. This was the man I was supposed to kill and not get attracted to. I walked away when I was sure my chest was no longer pounding. I needed to speak with my uncle, so I went in search of him. He usually stays in the car or with some human men, playing chess at the local bar down the road. I pray he is in the car right now. Lord Ralph's sleek black car was parked outside, and someone was hunched beside it, but I doubted it was Uncle Kala. "Hi, uncle," I called, stepping closer. The person raised his head, and I saw Bryce. He offered me a wide grin, which I ignored and folded my arms across my chest. "Where is my uncle?" His brows furrowed, and his eyes narrowed at me. He stepped away from the car and approached me, peering at my face. I stared at him in confusion, wondering what he was looking at.