BOUND: Blood and Desire

-

ace as the gruesome scene before her unfolded. A

rrrrrggggggghh

presence a wall between her and the exit. The door slammed

lle stammered, fear

's voice cut through the

face Olivia, confusio

was... y

e unannounced," Olivia snapped, her tone mo

a monogrammed handkerchief from h

k you,

th a single fang. Pressing it gently to Olivia's neck, the blood flowed instant

uggled to keep pace with the i

My

nd out so soon," Damien said quietl

her blood?" Rochelle's voice waver

y how this works,"

she pressed,

was drinkin

world. She steadied herself, try

she should be removed. Permanently," Oliv

ou're not actually going to kill me, ar

eyes gleaming wi

t bloodthirsty

es, I was feeding off Olivia,

via, her voice trembling

gaze was

used, then added softly, ".

ion back to Damien. "We

ait, what does that mean?" she asked,

d a calm, almos

. No need to rush. Seeing me like this must've

ed, then glar

are you

e Damien the mandrake extract Ezra gave me earlier. When I r

ien said, taking the vial deftly from her hands w

self without looking up, said, "Your me

her meeting tonight?"

es locked on hers, p

u like to c

hesitated

amien's lips, and sudde

mpire. Practic

Don't worry, I'll pay you overtime." Hi

ertime! You're a vampire-

can be a

e idea, publicly," Olivia quipped, gathering her things and c

via," Damien

in hand, Olivia he

aid before giving Rochell

mien were alone. He moved gracefully, a lit

uld unmake her with a thought, she flinched

ink I'm

farthest window, sh

appen to me in a single day," she thought, avoiding his

d to a low rumble, as i

paused, then added with a faint smile, "Just left a few thing

thought sent her spiraling-her mind was a rac

a vampire' was a pretty big th

light chuckle, s

to our meeting. Celeste

agreed, following

stions-based on what I kno

u see on TV is wrong. For starters, I do not sparkle. No vampi

ou're im

not age.",

elle asked, curiosity piqued as t

o, just over two hundred and fifty yea

wed by how casually h

I've seen older vampires

voice broug

t you ge

he elevator just as th

h, mumbling about Celest

sparked a r

ing to meet the Ce

amien repl

the founder of the

we don't hurry, we'll b

he bustling ground floor l

a von Frietag sho

smiled

for tonight's event, but since she's not coming and you're

elevator and returned in s

g around. Looks

tips and a plunging neckline. Rochelle changed

ted from surprise to somet

do you

you," he s

ors where a sleek Rolls Royce Phantom wai

ights sparkled around them. Rochelle's mind raced: intervi

what to ask me," Damien sai

lairvoyant?"

uckled

ok. But no, I'm not clai

.. can y

laugh es

y, and I don't turn into a bat. That's just an old wives'

strong

ine 's

enough to

"Y

"W

big deal,"

t ques

pires are there

er, but there are many, some

w how many ar

"1

s very s

ls in New York. Each council

raphine,

"Y

e leader equals 25. S

slowed t

ed the window

stepped out, swallowed by the dazzling world

life will look lik

as ever, though it was the same suit from earlier. Somehow, i

e entrance, guarded by a

rope with ease and began to

, Damien," she wh

Just stay with me," he s

d Damien, "Good evening, Mr. Tolland.

ded. "Thank

struck by the ma

Damien," s

gaze sharpened

assis

Mr. Tolland, you know how much Cel

. And I wouldn't tell her you put her on a

ed, then stepped aside,

whispered, "Whoever Celest

est vampires in the city, with a powerful voic

wealth and power. Models posing with e

d whispered excitedly, "I

ires out here tonight

ot out here, at lea

aid, "I have to meet Celeste, but I

e will be many vampires there. I

company for now", and flagged the

xing, Rochelle took a sip-a

o steady herself. When she opened them, a

she was transported back to a time before her

k, the air thick wi

ss, his shirt torn and soake

. or someone who

h! Wher

the dark silhouette of Damien emerged

mien commanded, vo

as the scene faded, the pas