My eardrums almost burst from the sound of an explosion that echoed like a clap of thunders. A strong force hurled me against the wall along with various unidentified objects in the room.I collapsed onto the floor again with a thud. The stage was suddenly engulfed in flames. The chaos erupted. A few patches of flames scattered around the theater. Pieces of broken furniture laid everywhere.I painstakingly picked myself up off the floor as plumes of dark smoke thickened the hall. In the midst of havoc, I heard swift movements coming from the backroom.At the same time, a troop of royal guards burst into the theater through the front entrance. They started shouting out orders and immediately surrounding the damaged room. Then all I heard was shooting.

VALERINAThose eyes.Those deep sad golden eyes were going to haunt me forever.The moment she grabbed me and kissed me, she had me deep down to my soul. Although I refused to admit that I had been claimed by this beautiful princess, I knew it was just my own denial, and I wish I could, for the life of me, escape from those eyes.But I knew it was too late.I was the moth and she was my deadly flame.Our hunters arrived at the main entrance at last. I slid down the back of my horse. Malena swung her legs over hers and jumped off gracefully. Then the stable boys came and t

The feeling of warmth and contentment I had from last night still enveloped me. Stretching myself on the bed, I blindly grabbed the familiar angelic form under the blanket. A smile curved itself on my lips when my eyes opened and gazed down Avery's smooth naked back. She lay on my chest with one of her hands placed nicely on my left breast."You're awake now, Alex?" her soft melodious voice said to my surprise.Her legs shifted around, brushing gently against mine as they got intertwined. I ran my fingers over her smooth silken skin. Avery slowly lifted her face to look at me with a smile. Her bright violet eyes pierced through the early dawn. I gave a sleepy smile back. She pecked me on my lips and butterfly kisses all over my face and my exposed chest. I gathered her back into me and tightened my hold around her body.

Half of the castle was carved out of the mountain rock, but it had an air of ancient beauty to it. The gothic place could be unbearably cold if it wasn't constantly lit.As our feet echoed on the stone floor, I saw the Alpha and her group of hunters came from the opposite side. The same bearded man I had conversed with the other day gave me a smile of greeting as he walked gracefully forward. Vale went out to join them like she couldn't stand being near me anymore. This part made me frown while staring at her. Perhaps she was still angry at me."I hope you have a good night rest," Trotsky spoke, breaking my gaze from the huntress."As good as a vampire without her coffin could sleep, I guess," I said, turning to look at the man without much of a nod in return.

~ALEXANDRA~ It was the first warm sun in the small hours of a new winter day in Kremlin. I walked towards one of the untended corners of Alexander's Garden, passing the grim-looking vampire guards posted in the shadow through the arched ways. They bowed as I went passed them. A number of royal guards trailed behind me.The meeting with the Royal Council was a hellish affair, to say the least, and it resulted in me having a tongue-lashing at the parliament members of Biley Dom, most notably General Konstantin.He cowered under my rage as I was informed by Victor of the previous meeting, and how unsatisfied he was when Anastasia had handled the issue.The Russia