(Quinn's POV)The metallic taste of blood assaults my tongue as I blink against the darkness. Flashbacks of Dante hitting me over and over, flickers, between my focus as the room gradually fades. I’m in so much pain, every breath sears through my body like a hot poker. Another brutal reminder of what he did to me. How he knew I had been upstairs, I don’t know. Maybe he smelt me, or maybe he was somehow watching the mansion while he was away.Pain. Darkness. Bedroom. Brutality, it’s a constant loop. I catch a glimpse of the room and notice the walls are a deep shade of blue. I wish I could keep my eyes open long enough to make sure I’m safe, but I’m fighting against my injuries and my body needs to heal. Eventually my surroundings come into focus, every inch of my body screams in pain. I try to sit up, but a sharp stabbing pain stops me. Every muscle in my body aches. I can sense Salvatore’s presence in the room, but I can’t see him from this position. But the fact he is here with me m

(Quinn's POV) My heart pounds so hard I think it’s going to burst right out of my chest. I stand in Salvatore’s bedroom. My body is battered and bruised from Dante’s beating. My mind is swirling from the kiss and everything we have discovered. I should be feeling broken, yet I feel strangely alive. There is something about Salvatore’s lips on mine. I should feel disgusted. He is supposed to be my enemy, but in this moment, I want him, more than I have ever wanted anyone. My body hums with desire, and I feel more powerful than ever before. A warmth spreads through my core, and I feel compelled by his presence. The way that he looks at me tells me he is feeling the same, and seeing how much he wants me causes the ache between my legs to throb even more. When I came back to London, I was trying to find out about the perpetual twilight so I could bring back the sun and take back my life. When I was captured by the seven, I thought it was the end, but now I know that we can do this, an

(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

(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

(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