(Salvatore’s POV)With everything now calm, it is time for us to go back into the tunnels to finish what we started. The dampness of the underground walls seeps into my bones as we make our way through the dark tunnel. My flashlight flickers across ancient walls as I scan from left to right, looking for anyone that could be hiding within the depths of the hidden passageway. The air is thick with dust, making it difficult to breathe even for someone like me.“Salvatore, do you think we’re going to find the artifact?” Quinn asks, her voice echoes loudly in the confined space. I glance over at her, noticing how the dim light reflects in her piercing blue eyes. She remains fierce, even in the face of danger.“It’s difficult to say one way or the other,” I admit. “But I think we might be on the right track.”Suddenly, Quinn trips over an uneven stone, stumbling forward. She is so clumsy I have lost count of the number of times it has got the better of her in the short time we have known ea

~*~Warning the following chapter contains a sexually explicit scene. ~*~(Salvatore’s POV)Trapped in the dimly lit room, the air is thick with tension. The flickering candle on the wall is the only thing protecting me and Quinn from the darkness. Our breaths mingle together, heavy and full of desire. I can practically taste Quinn’s arousal on my lips. The magnetic pull between us has become an unbreakable connection over the past few days. Quinn’s piercing blue eyes rake over my body, and a shiver runs down my spine as her lips curve into a seductive smile. There is a hungry desire between the two of us, but there’s something else buried deep under the surface, something that I haven’t experienced in what feels like an eternity... Trust.“Are you sure you want to do this now?” I ask, as I tear a piece of delicate silk from the lining of my suit my jacket to tie around her leg.Her gaze never falters as she nods, desire and excitement shine in her eyes. “Yes,” she bites her lip. As

(Salvatore’s POV)I race through the streets with Quinn in my arms. Her body is burning up. I have to get the venom out of her leg before it spreads so that she can heal. As I run, I can feel the heat emanating from Quinn’s body. Her skin is slick with sweat. The venom is coursing through her veins, and her time is running out. I scan the area, looking for a secluded spot where I can help her without being seen. Up ahead, I spot an abandoned alleyway and I use my vampire speed to sprint there in seconds. I gently place Quinn on the ground. Her eyes are shut, and she moans as I move away from her. Within minutes, her breathing becomes more shallow. If she is going to survive the newborns venom, I need to act fast. I expose my fangs, using them to tear her jeans like a blade. As soon as I see the bite mark on her thigh, I gasp. Dark veins are already snaking their way up her thigh to her stomach. I grit my teeth and take a deep breath to steady my nerves. Placing my fangs into the inci

~*~Warning the following chapter contains a sexually explicit scene. ~*~(Salvatore’s POV) The flames of the fire quickly die down, leaving us shivering against the cold dark night. The rogue supernatural’s left a while ago, and the only sound left in the forest is the wind howling in the tree. It’s going to be a cold night, and we are going to have to find a place to bed down in for the night before the impending storm gets any worse. As we trudge through the dense forest, Quinn’s breath is visible in the frosty air. My body aches from all of the fighting we have endured of late, but I refuse to give up. Even in the silence, I can sense the connection between me and Quinn growing stronger. The trust we have built has strengthened our bond to the point where we don’t really need words.“Over there,” Quinn whispers, as she points to a hidden cave tucked away amongst some ancient fallen trees and moss-covered rocks. Despite her fear, she is still pushing forward. Her resilience amaz

~*~Warning the following chapter contains a sexually explicit scene. ~*~(Salvatore’s POV)As we walk away from the street back into the cover of the trees, I can’t shake the sense of dread that lingers in the pit of my stomach. No matter where we go, danger follows, and it feels as if everything is against us. If it isn’t my brother and his newborn army, it is some other supernatural creature, desperate to prevent us from finding the veil. I have no idea who the strange being was from the cave, or where he went, but he is the least of my concerns right now. Somewhere out here is a large beast, and it has latched on to our scent. I turn to face Quinn, and she looks exhausted. “Come on, let’s try to find somewhere to spend the night,” I say, holding her hand tightly as we cautiously move through the trees.“Over there,” Quinn says, pointing towards a small, log cabin nestled in the trees. This is a perfect temporary shelter.“Excellent spot,” I smile.We pick up our pace. Neither on