Page 25 of Chains of Blood and Darkness

Serenity got out of the chair but swayed as if she was about to topple over. I clasped her arm to steady her, and she placed her hand over mine. As her fingertips, smeared with Enzo’s blood, brushed against my skin, a jolt of electricity coursed through my body. The centuries-old walls around me began to crumble, and I felt more drawn to her than I ever had to any other woman.

We walked in silence back to her bedroom. I stole a sidelong glance at her. Such a young girl, with such power pulsing within her, though she remained unaware of it. Her blood was like a gift from the gods. I cursed my foolishness. Of course it was. Her father was an angel. I just didn’t know yet how truly powerful her blood was.

We stopped in front of her door. “Are you going to be all right?”

“I’ll be fine,” she mumbled as she opened the door.

“Come back out here when you’re finished.”

She glanced warily at me, then shut the door behind her.

I waited outside Serenity’s room for her to finish her shower, wishing I had used the word please. Barking orders was so routine to me, I had forgotten to who I was talking.

Several minutes later, the door opened and Serenity emerged, now wearing a pair of jeans and a loose black T-shirt and smelling clean and fresh, like a summer breeze over the ocean. Somehow the casual attire made her even more enticing to me.

Her eyes were still dazed, as if she was not yet done processing what had happened. She was clearly still in shock over what had happened to Enzo and her ability to heal him.

I gave her a warm smile. “Feel better?”

She nodded. “I guess…” But I could hear the hollowness in her voice and see the way her hands still trembled.

I clasped her shaking hand. “Come with me. I have a surprise for you.” I tried to soften my voice, so it sounded more like a request than an order.

She followed me without question.

I led Serenity down the hallway. “Shall I tell you how you did this?”

Her steps faltered, and she looked up at me, her eyes searching. “You know?” I couldn’t miss the wariness in her voice.

“Yes, I do,” I chuckled as I opened the door.

Serenity’s breath hitched as I led her into the immense library, her gaze filled with astonishment as she beheld the grandeur surrounding her. The floor-to-ceiling shelves were filled with books, their spines adorned with intricate designs and gold-embossed titles. Our steps echoed through the expansive space as we walked.

My collection was more than a mere display of wealth or status; it held rare tomes and manuscripts that could not be found anywhere else. The room wasfilled with the intoxicating aroma of aged paper, and the silence was broken only by the sound of our footsteps. Looking at my vast library, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment; these books held not only incredible stories but also told the tale of my own journey through time. This was my sanctuary, where I could escape and continue my never-ending quest for understanding and knowledge, a quest that spanned centuries.

“Oh my gosh.” She released my hand and ran her fingertips along the book spines. “This is incredible.”

I headed over to a shelf filled with particularly ancient tomes and pulled out a thick book. “I have something you may find interesting.”

She peered over my shoulder, leaning in for a closer look. “Is that a book about angels?”

I inhaled her delicate fragrance of dewy roses which lingered in the air. It made my mouth water.

“Yes, it is,” I said, a small smile forming on my lips. “I want you to discover your heritage.”

She let out a laugh as she straightened back up. “Angels?” She put her hand to her chest. “You think my healing ability has something to do with angels?”

“I do. And I think you need to discover it for yourself.”

Her arms immediately crossed over her chest defensively. “I loved my mom, but she was no angel.”

I looked at her patiently, waiting for the penny to drop. “And your father?”

The amusement in her eyes disappeared and was instantly replaced with pain. She shook her head and looked away. “I don’t want to talk about him.”

I studied her. “Is he the one that left marks on your back?”

Her cheeks flushed. “I thought you didn’t see me naked.”

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