Page 63 of Chains of Blood and Darkness

Angelo sighed heavily, slumping his shoulders. “Looks like I don’t have a choice.” He glanced at Gianna, his voice firm as it echoed off the high ceilings. “Stay with Serenity.” It was an order, not a request.

To my surprise, Gianna nodded, her expression completely solemn for once. “I will protect her.” I couldn’t tell if her agreement stemmed from a genuine affection for me, or from fear of the unknown force that threatened us all.

His face dark and troubled, Angelo began to leave the living room, his footsteps heavy on the polished wooden floor. I ran after him, my hand grasping his arm desperately, the fabric of his shirt rough beneath my fingers. “Wait! You don’t even know what this power is, what you’re up against.”

He turned to face me, his hands gripping my shoulders tightly, the scorching intensity of his touch branding me through my robe and nightgown. “Stay with Gianna.”

Determination surged through me, and I straightenedmy spine, meeting his gaze head-on. I refused to be a helpless victim. I knew Angelo would never let me leave the house with Joy missing, but I had to do something. “I want to go to your library. Maybe there’s something you overlooked. Maybe Gianna and I can find it together?”

I looked at Gianna questioningly, hoping she would back me up.

To my relief, she smiled and nodded.

“Please, Angelo. I need to do something. Louis, Steven, and Joy are my family. Think about how important your family is to you. I can’t just sit around and do nothing.” My voice cracked, and tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, blurring my vision.

“All right. You may go to the library.” He raised his finger, his tone brooking no argument. “But only the library.”

I looked over to Gianna, my resolve strengthening. “I understand.”

Angelo headed for the door, his footsteps echoing in the cavernous foyer. “I’ll have Elena prepare coffee for you to have in there.”

I clasped his rough hand. “Thank you.”

He pulled me against him, his strong arms encircling my waist, and kissed me hard. His lips were demanding and urgent as he poured all his frustration, fear, and desire into that one searing moment of contact. I knew I should push him away—this wasn’t the time or the place for such intimacy, not with everyone watching us, but his kiss was too intoxicating, and I found myself melting into his embrace.

The world around us faded away as I lost myself in thesensation of his mouth moving against mine, his tongue teasing the seam of my lips, seeking entrance. I parted them with a soft gasp, and he deepened the kiss, exploring my mouth in a way that made my knees weak and my heart race.

His hands roamed over my back, pulling me closer. The searing touch of his skin through my flimsy robe and nightgown was like a brand, marking me with its intensity?—

Someone cleared their throat significantly, and I pushed on his broad chest.

He reluctantly released me. What was wrong with me? One minute, I vowed not to let him touch me, then the next I wanted his lips and hands all over me. He claimed never to have used compulsion on me, but sometimes I wasn’t so sure. Or was it that my traitorous body simply craved a vampire’s touch?

Gianna escorted me out of the living room while the men left to fulfill Angelo’s orders. I hoped that there wasn’t a second ambush; the thought of it made my stomach churn with dread. The memory of Enzo’s close call was still fresh in my mind, and the idea of any of these men—especially Angelo—facing a similar fate filled me with a sickening sense of fear and helplessness.

My mind was suddenly filled with lurid images of Angelo lying in a pool of his own blood, his lifeless eyes staring up at me in silent accusation. I rubbed my slick forehead and felt a sudden, desperate need to find a way to protect him, to watch his back and ensure his safety.

My hands clenched into fists at my sides, and I had to take a deep, steadying breath to calm the frantic pounding of my heart. I knew I couldn’t be in two places at once, but theurge to protect him, to shield him from the dangers that lurked in the shadows, was overwhelming.

For now, at least, Angelo was staying within these walls, but I knew it wouldn’t be for long. He was the Angel of Death, and he would soon be tearing this town apart, looking for what he wanted.

“Do you mind if I go change?” I picked at the folds of my robe, feeling exposed and vulnerable. “I’m really self-conscious walking around like this.”

Gianna’s lips quirked up in a sympathetic smile. “Why not,” she said, her tone understanding. “I don’t want to walk around in my nightgown all day either.”

We made our way upstairs to our respective rooms, the silence between us comfortable despite the doom and gloom of the situation. It felt strange going to Angelo’s bedroom, but this was where all my clothes were now, whether I liked it or not. I slipped into a pair of jeans and a soft, oversized T-shirt, the familiar garments helping to ground me and ease some of the anxiety buzzing just underneath my skin.

As we headed back down to the library, Gianna glanced at me curiously. “What are we looking for anyway?”

I shrugged, biting my lip, considering the question. “I don’t know, but I have a feeling we must have missed something earlier.”

She frowned. “Like what?”

I thought about Steven and Louis. “Maybe there’s something on what kind of creature could block Angelo’s power of compulsion? Or something on witchcraft or ancient curses that could resist a vampire’s influence?”

“Whatever it is, it would haveto be super powerful to overcome Angelo.” The nervousness in Gianna’s voice made me tense up.

Elena passed us on the stairs. Her hair was pulled back into a loose bun today, softening the lines of her face.

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