KEILAH The bed beneath me felt soft, impossibly warm, like being wrapped in a cloud. I opened my eyes slowly, groggy, my mind drifting in and out of a haze as I tried to orient myself. The last thing I remembered was—my chest tightened, memories flashing back: that cold, dark castle, the vampires, the suffocating silence of that nowhere place. I looked around, my heart beating steadily as I took in my surroundings. I was back in my room, in Damien’s house. “Oh, my good heavens, you’re awake!” The familiar voice belonged to that old woman, her face a mix of worry and relief as she snapped her book shut, her gaze trained on me. I blinked, shaking off the last remnants of dizziness. “How… How long was I out?” She gave a light chuckle, her hand resting gently over mine. “Long enough to worry everyone senseless. I pushed myself up slowly and sat upright. The light in the room held no trace of the sun’s glow, yet everything was softly lit, as though daylight had snuck its way into a
DAMIEN I watched her as the weight of my words settled in, the flicker of fear in her eyes. This Veilshift was something neither of us fully understood, but I knew one thing with brutal certainty: she was playing with fire, and I’d barely managed to pull her from the flames this time. If she vanished again, there was no guarantee I'd find her.I forced my gaze away from her, needing a moment to suppress the surge of frustration clawing up from inside me. I couldn’t be angry at her—she hadn’t asked for any of this. But the idea of losing her so easily… it was more than I could bear.“Why don’t you head downstairs for something to eat?” I suggested, my voice more curt. She looked at me, eyes wide with uncertainty, and I felt the tension shift in the air.I turned, ready to walk out, but just as I took a step, a gentle tug on my shirt stopped me in my tracks. I turned my head slightly, glancing down to see her fingers grasping the fabric. "Damien," she started, her voice wavering with
DAMIEN The wind roared in my ears as I tore through the air, my vampiric speed carrying me like a blur over the landscape. Shadows slanted and stretched as I neared the dark tower, the thought hammering in my mind: Had I left the portal open? Was that how Ralph’s wolf had crossed over? But the closer I drew to the ancient stone archway, the more obvious it became—the portal was sealed. Intact, untouched. How had Ralph’s wolf made it through? I pushed a hand against the stone, but its chill seeped into my skin, indifferent to my questions. My thoughts shifted, mind racing through the possibilities. There was another portal...one the outcasts used to slip between worlds. Could it be possible that Ralph’s wolf had somehow breached it without triggering any alarms? There was no logic to it, yet the appearance of a wolf—Ralph’s wolf—near the castle - meant that some magic was at work beyond what the outcasts could see, or even sense. But then, how did Seth see it? I clenched my teet
DAMIEN The weight of her words hit me like a blow, sinking into my chest, freezing my breath in my throat. A part of me had suspected something terrible, some hidden pain she'd kept buried for so long, but never… never this. The pieces began to click into place—the agony that seemed to cling to her like a shadow, the haunted look in her eyes every time I looked into her eyes.“My poor baby…” Her voice cracked, and I saw her fingers tremble as she pinched them together, as if trying to hold on to something long lost. Her jaw tightened, the strain of anger and grief pulling at her expression until it almost looked like a mask, one forged in anguish. “He was just a child…” she said, her voice trembling, her gaze unfocused as if she were staring into the past.A tremor overtook her, and suddenly, her hands flew to her hair, gripping it with a desperation that shook her whole body. She pulled, her fingers curling tightly in her hair as if she could somehow punish herself for her helplessn
KEILAH I slowly opened my eyes, only to find myself tucked under the covers, and for a moment, I couldn't quite place how I ended up there. My last memory was sitting in the kitchen, eating with Barbra, and then... waking up here. How had I gotten to the bed?A voice startled me from my thoughts. "Are you okay?"I turned to the side and saw Garbie sitting there, her concern evident. "Jesus, Garbie, you startled me," I muttered, my hand over my chest as I tried to steady my breath."Sorry," she said quickly, her tone apologetic. "I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you alright?"I sat upright, facing her. "I'm good. Energetic and all, but... what happened? How did I end up in the bed when I was in the kitchen eating?"Garbie went silent for a moment, her lips pressing together as if deciding how to answer. Then she spoke, her voice a little unsure. "I don’t know about human food, but it must’ve gotten you drunk after you
KEILAH I watched as the fight in the ring reached a fever pitch. One vampire—lean, with scars tracing his face—moved with an intensity that even my eyes could barely follow. His opponent, a stockier man, was fierce, but it was clear he was no match for the first vampire's speed and precision. With a swift motion, the scarred one pinned him down, pressing his arm firmly to the ground as the crowd cheered.The victor rose, the surrounding vampires chanting his name as someone handed him a massive wooden bowl filled with dark, thick blood. A proud grin spread across his face as he raised it to his lips, drinking deeply. My stomach churned at the sight, but I clenched my fists, determined to keep my reaction hidden. This was their way, and I couldn’t afford to look squeamish here. But, of course, Maureen noticed. Her sharp eyes caught my expression, and she leaned over, her tone soft with understanding. "If it makes you uncomfortable, you don't have to watch."I managed a small smile, s
KEILAH I pulled the covers tightly around me, curling up as if I could hide from the weight of the feeling that had been clinging to me since we left the vampire town. It was as if the night had left a trace of its energy on me, sinking deep into my skin, tightening around my chest, pressing in on me with a force I couldn’t shake. I tried to push the sensation away, burying myself in the blankets, but it didn’t help.Even during dinner, as I sat with Barbra and Garbie, I couldn’t escape it. They didn’t feel it. They couldn’t. How could they? It wasn’t something you could explain, and I didn’t want to make them worry. So, I forced myself to smile, to laugh, and pretend I wasn’t suffocating under this invisible pressure that was slowly wearing me down. But it was getting harder to ignore. It was like some dark cloud hanging over me, and I had no way of pushing it away.Maybe it was the energy of the vampire town. Maybe the overwhelming presence of so many creatures, their powers swirli
KEILAH I pulled away from Damien, gagging as an unfamiliar, metallic taste flooded my mouth. The kiss had been impulsive, desperate, and now I was paying for it. My stomach churned, and I stumbled back, spitting on the floor to rid myself of the sharp tang lingering on my tongue. “Ugh!” I coughed, dragging the back of my hand across my lips. The taste was so overwhelming it made my throat tighten, and I could feel bile rising. I rushed toward the kitchen, my bare feet skidding on the cold floor. I fumbled for the tap, twisting it on, and let the water pour into my mouth. I gargled and spit, repeating the process until the sharp taste dulled, replaced by the cold purity of water. My hands shook as I gripped the sink, leaning over it as I took deep breaths, trying to calm the storm raging inside me. When I finally straightened up and wiped my mouth, I glanced over my shoulder, expecting Damien to be there. But the space where he’d been standing was empty. I frowned, turning towar
KEILAH I didn’t know what was happening, but suddenly, every painful memory came rushing back like a movie set on fast-forward, playing at twice the speed, each scene more unbearable than the last. It started with the first time I came to the pack house, where Ralph subjected me to unspeakable physical and mental torment. The memory shifted to where I was being attacked by his pack members—wolves whose hatred burned through me as they clawed and struck, their growls echoing in my ears. They nearly killed me that day, leaving me broken and bleeding, barely able to crawl away. Then came Zac. The memory hit like a punch to the gut—just as his fist had, that horrible day, slamming into my stomach, causing me to miscarry my child. I felt the agony all over again, the sharp, ripping pain in my stomach as I crumpled to the ground. The painful flashbacks kept coming, each one more heartbreaking than the last—our endless fights, and misunderstandings that we couldn't resolve. And then… the
KEILAH My eyes fluttered open slowly, the haze of sleep still clouding my mind. A heavy, unfamiliar weight pressed down on my chest as I blinked, the world around me coming into focus. For a brief moment, I thought I was still with Damien, safe in the warmth of his presence. But then… I saw him.Ralph.My breath hitched, my body freezing as my gaze locked on his. Ralph. The one person I’d sworn never to face again. The one who… no. I couldn’t think about it. But the memories came anyway, crashing over me like a violent storm. His betrayal, the pain, the utter devastation that had shattered me into pieces I thought I’d never be able to put back together.For the first time since being with Damien, all those buried emotions clawed their way to the surface, sharp and suffocating. My throat tightened as if invisible hands were squeezing the air out of me. It had to be a dream. Maybe Damien had some sort of side effect—sharing a bed with a vampire king like him could mess with my head, ri
DAMIEN I’ve been pacing back and forth for what feels like hours, the frustration clawing at me with every step. Keilah is gone, and I know it’s either that damned witch’s doing or she disappeared on her own. Wherever she is, only God knows. Tracking her this time won’t be easy—it’s going to be a hell of a lot harder.I’ve tried countless times to use my vampire powers to vanish through the air, but every attempt was futile. The barrier was impenetrable, which meant only one thing—that witch had secured the entire house with it.If I catch him, I swear I’ll kill him.And after what felt like an eternity, the sun finally rose. I let out a frustrated sigh and smashed the door open. Of course, I passed right through—meaning the barrier had broken. The cars were still parked where they had been, but then—that scent. A familiar, lingering trace of a werewolf.I tensed, my senses sharpening. There was movement, and out stepped the alpha from the bar last night.“Hello there,” he said, st
HUSTLE’S POVThe four of us Milly, Tasha, Maureen and I sat huddled together on the bed, sighing in unison, each lost in our own thoughts but connected by a single dilemma: whether or not we should head upstairs to check on King Draven and Keilah. “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” Maureen muttered, breaking the silence. “How did we even agree to come to the human world just to keep an eye on King Draven and his woman?”“Not just keeping an eye on them,” I added with a wry smile. “We’re also supposed to stop them from sharing a room. Like that’s even going to work.”“I’ll go and make up an excuse to get Keilah to join us,” Tasha said, heading toward the door. We all watched her in silence, none of us daring to speak. Just as she reached for the handle, she stopped abruptly, letting out a heavy sigh. “I don’t even have a heartbeat, but I can feel it racing,” she muttered, turning back to face us. “I can’t do this.”I stood up, brushing off the tension in the room. “Let’s ad
DAMIENBefore I could finish, Keilah moved faster than I anticipated, rising on her toes and slapping her hand over my mouth. The action caught me so off guard that I froze, my glare snapping at her. “I’m so tired,” she said with a laugh so awkward it almost made me cringe. “Let’s just get some sleep.” What the hell was she doing? I stared down at her, her hand still pressed against my mouth, as I tried to piece together this sudden display of... whatever this was supposed to be. I pulled her hand away firmly, my brows furrowing. “Keilah,” I started, but before I could say more, the short man’s voice interrupted. “Do you guys have a problem?” he asked, his beady eyes flicking between us. Keilah’s response was immediate, her tone overly bright. “Not really!” she chirped, then she leaned closer, her voice barely a whisper. “I'll explain.” Explain? About what? Her words were quiet, but there was a weight in them that kept me from outright brushing her off. I studied her for
KEILAH I stared at him, my heart hammering in my chest. Surely, I’d misheard him. Surely, he hadn’t just said— “My price is your uterus,” the man repeated, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. His calmness made it even more unsettling. My mouth opened and closed, words failing me. The room seemed to tilt for a moment, and I grabbed the back of a chair to steady myself. “You can’t be serious,” I finally managed, my voice cracking. “Oh, I’m very serious,” he said, turning fully toward me now. His piercing eyes locked onto mine, unrelenting. “What I want is not negotiable. You came to me, seeking warmth, seeking help for him.” He gestured vaguely toward the door, where I imagined Damien still standing, pacing and waiting for me. “This is the price.” “Why?” The question slipped out before I could stop it. “Why would you ask for something so... so horrifying?” The man’s lips curved into a faint, humourless smile. “Because you’ll pay it if you’re desperate enoug
KEILAH The moment the lighting magic struck me, it felt like I had been hit by a train made of pure energy. My body flew backwards, colliding with the ground with a force that knocked the breath clean out of me. A ringing filled my ears as I struggled to process what had just happened, my body trembling violently from the impact. For a moment, I couldn’t tell up from down, the world around me spinning in a dizzying haze of cold and pain. When I finally managed to open my eyes, the first thing I saw was Damien rushing toward me, his face contorted with fury and worry. "Keilah!" he shouted, dropping to his knees beside me. His hands hovered over me, as if unsure where to touch, his panic barely restrained. "I’m... fine," I croaked, though my body screamed otherwise. My vision blurred as I tried to sit up, only for Damien’s hands to firmly press me back down. The memory of the short man standing in the doorway flickered in my mind, his sharp, hostile eyes burning into me. I turn
DAMIEN I stared at him for a moment, my mind racing to make sense of the situation. The man didn’t flinch under my gaze, his eyes unwavering as if he were the one in control here, which was the truth. This was his territory. "You’re looking for the witch, I assume?" he said, his voice smooth, almost mocking in its calmness.I narrowed my eyes. "I thought witches were women," I muttered, more to myself than to him.He chuckled a low sound that seemed to carry some hidden meaning. "Assumptions can be dangerous," he said, his grin never faltering. "Not all magic wears the shape you expect."I wasn’t sure if I was more confused or intrigued. My focus sharpened, sensing something ancient, powerful, and completely unyielding about him. He might not be the witch I was expecting, but he knew something—something I needed to know."Who are you?" I demanded, my voice firm, though I couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling in my gut.He tilted his head, considering me for a long moment, before rep
DAMIEN I glanced down at the damn rock, now sealed tight, its magic flickering out like a light being abruptly cut off at night, leaving entire neighbourhoods in darkness. And just like that, I was left in the dark, too. The only thing it confirmed was that the witch I’d been tracking was somewhere in this town. The question was, where do I begin?I looked up at the chaotic bar in front of me. Stepping inside, I immediately felt it—an overwhelming surge of energy in the air. I pushed through the crowd, the noise of the bar buzzing in my ears, the thick scent of alcohol and sweat hanging heavy in the air. Magic crackled all around me, a low hum that made my skin crawl. She was close. I could feel it. Whoever this witch was, I was getting closer to her. But then a shadow loomed in front of me, broad and blocking the way. The guy was taller than me, and built like a brick wall. I could already sense it—the weight of his presence, the raw power he radiated. "Vampires aren't welcome h