Page 68 of Kiss of Blood and Sin

I released him abruptly, and he crumpled to the ground, gasping for air. Before I could react, he snatched the mirror out of my hand, clutching it to his chest like a lifeline.

I had a choice to make—the mirror or Gianna. But really, there was no choice at all. I didn’t have time to dance with the devil. I’d burn the world down to keep her safe.

“Half-truths,” I muttered, my mind racing. “Fantastic. Because what we really needed was a magical mood ring with a penchant for drama.”

I spun on my heel, already moving toward where I’d parked the limo. My entire body thrummed with urgency, every second feeling like an eternity.

As I ran, my vampire speed turning the world into a blur, I couldn’t shake the image of Gianna in danger. Half-truths or not, I wasn’t taking any chances. Not with her life on the line.

“Hold on, Gianna,” I whispered into the night air. “I’mcoming. And heaven help anyone or anything that tries to stand in my way.”

As I jumped into the car, my mind was a whirlwind of fear and determination. The engine roared to life, a pale echo of the fury and fear raging inside me. “Hang on, baby,” I muttered, flooring the accelerator. “Your knight in shining snark is on his way.”

And when I get there, that overgrown puppy is going to learn why you don’t mess with a vampire in love. Especially one with a very fast car and a very, very bad temper.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Gianna

I gazed at my reflection in the full-length mirror, my heart fluttering with excitement. The wedding dress was a vision in white, sleeveless and flowing, embroidered with delicate roses. Each flower’s center sparkled with a real diamond, catching the light and sending prismatic rainbows dancing across the walls. Angelo had truly outdone himself.

A giddy laugh escaped my lips as I spun around, the dress billowing out around me like a cloud. The soft fabric whispered against my skin, cool and smooth. Saturday couldn’t come soon enough. Soon, I’d be Mrs. Dimitri Dragan. The thought sent a shiver of anticipation down my spine.

“All of my dreams are coming true,” I whispered to my reflection, my eyes bright with unshed tears of joy.

I twirled once more, reveling in the moment. But mid-spin, I froze. My nostrils flared, picking up a scent that didn’t belong. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I inhaled deeper.

Fur. Musky and wild. And underneath that, another male scent. One that made my blood run cold. One that haunted my nightmares.

The wolf shifter.

My stomach lurched as memories flooded back. The bite of the needle as he injected me with wolfsbane elixir. The snarls and growls of the pack as they attacked.

My heart racing, I shifted into a bat, my tiny wings fluttering frantically as I circled the dressing room. But even in this form, escape seemed impossible. No cracks in the ceiling, no vents, not even a sliver of space under the door. The room that had felt cozy moments ago now seemed designed for one purpose: to trap me.

Realizing the futility of my bat form, I shifted back, my human eyes darting around the dressing room. I felt like a caged animal. No windows. Just four walls, a mirror, and a white velvet settee that now seemed to mock me with its innocence. The space that should have been my sanctuary had become my prison.

My breath came in short gasps as the reality of my situation sank in. I was trapped, cornered like prey. And somewhere out there, the predators were closing in.

I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling my heart hammering against my ribcage. The beautiful dress now felt constricting, like it was trying to trap me.

I strained my ears, listening for any sound beyond thedoor. The usual bustle of the bridal shop had gone eerily quiet. Where was Elena? The guards?

“Stay calm,” I whispered to myself, but the tremor in my voice betrayed my fear. “Think, Gianna, think.”

But all I could focus on was that scent getting stronger, closer.

I backed up against the wall, my fingers splayed against the cool surface, ready to shift into a bat at a moment’s notice. My heart pounded so hard I could feel it in my throat, each beat a countdown to the inevitable confrontation.

Gritting my teeth, I stared at the door, willing it to stay closed even as I knew it wouldn’t. The absence of a lock now seemed like a cruel joke. My enhanced hearing picked up the softest footsteps approaching, each one sending a fresh wave of terror through me.

Time seemed to stretch, seconds feeling like hours. I could hear the rustle of fabric, the soft exhalation of breath on the other side of the door. My muscles coiled, ready to spring into action.

The door swung open with agonizing slowness, revealing him standing there. The same tall, muscular man with those cruel golden eyes that haunted my nightmares. His lips curled into a sinister smile, revealing teeth that seemed too sharp to be human.

“Hello, poppet,” he purred, his voice sending icy tendrils of fear down my spine. “This time there will be no escape for you.”

My eyes locked onto the sword in his hand, its bladeglinting menacingly in the soft light of the dressing room. No syringe this time. He meant to end this permanently.

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