Page 57 of Chains of Blood and Darkness

Instead, I leaned in and captured her lips in a searing kiss, pouring all the unspoken emotion that churned within me into that one passionate gesture. When we finally broke apart, both of us panting feverishly, I rested my forehead against hers. “Tonight,” I whispered. “You move into my quarters tonight.”

It was a declaration, a promise, and a vow all rolled into one. By bringing her into my private space, I was offering her more than just physical proximity. I was inviting her into my life and into my heart in a way I had never done with anyone else before. It was a step toward the future together I envisioned for us, a future where we would face our challenges and our enemies side by side, bound together by a love that could overcome any obstacle.

I just wished I could tell her how I felt.

Serenity’s eyes widened at my words. Then she nodded slowly, a soft smile playing around the corners of her mouth. “Yes, I’d like that,” she murmured, her voice filled with a quiet contentment that mirrored my own.

And as I gathered her close once more, I silently vowed to do whatever it took to keep her safe, to protect the precious bond we had forged in the heat of our passion.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Angelo

Two hours later, Serenity lay next to me, still fast asleep, in the very bed that had unleashed her powers. I wouldn’t make love to her again, though, not unless she wanted it.

The moonlight shone on her angelic face, revealing cheeks wet with tears.

I raised my hand to touch her, wanting to tell her that our bonding had changed me too, but I couldn’t find the words and lowered my hand again.

In all my centuries as a vampire, I had never experienced a connection so profound, so deep, so all-consuming. Love had escaped me ever since Vlad had turned me. But her trust, her surrender, and her unwavering devotion had touched something deep within me and reawakened a part of my soul I had thought was long dead.

I lay back on my pillow and stared up at the ceiling. The raw power that had surged through her during our mating had truly shocked me—the electric current that had passed between us in the moment my fangs grazed her skin, unleashing a force that seemed to come from the very essence of her being. When the room had come alive with swirling objects and crackling energy, I knew I was witnessing the awakening of her true potential, the full manifestation of her Nephilim heritage.

I knew Serenity was special the first time I touched her, but to feel the sheer magnitude of her power intertwined with my own, to experience it firsthand, had been glorious. She had shared something special with me and sparked something in me, and it had knocked down the walls I had kept around me for so long.

I got out of bed and grabbed my robe off a chair, moving slowly so as not to disturb her. I retrieved a bottle of red wine from the bar and poured myself a drink, then stepped out onto my balcony. Dawn wasn’t too far away, but the night’s energy still pulsed in the streets below.

Bourbon Street was alive with activity, even at this late hour. Neon signs flickered and buzzed, casting a kaleidoscope of colors over the faces of the revelers who crowded the sidewalks. Music spilled from the open doors of bars and clubs, a cacophony of jazz, blues, and rock that blended together in a chaotic melody.

Groups of drunken friends stumbled along, their laughter and chatter rising above the din, while street performers entertained the masses with their talents. A man juggled flaming batons, his deftmovements drawing cheers and applause from the assembled crowd. Further down the street, a woman’s voice soared above the sound of a saxophone, her soulful lyrics telling of love and heartbreak.

The air hung heavy with the scent of alcohol, cigarette smoke, and the spicy aroma of Cajun cuisine wafting from the restaurants that lined the street. Despite the lateness of the hour, vendors still hawked their wares, offering everything from colorful beads to voodoo dolls to gator-tooth necklaces.

As I sipped my wine, I felt a certain sense of kinship with these night owls of Bourbon Street. Like them, I was a creature of the darkness, thriving in the shadows and the secrets they held. I was old enough and powerful enough that the impending dawn held no sway over me, and I relished the knowledge that I could linger here and watch the world pass by long after the sun had risen and the humans had retreated to their beds.

For now, I was content to simply observe, to let the energy of the street wash over me as I drank in the sights, sounds, and sensations of this vibrant, pulsing corner of the city. It was a reminder of the life that still went on beyond the walls of my own existence, a connection to the mortal world I had left behind so long ago.

Someone knocked on my door, the sharp, rapid sound echoing through the room and piercing the tranquil silence. Anger surged through me at the thought of them waking Serenity and disrupting her peace. Using vampire speed, I sped through my bedroom, my bare feet barely touching the cold hardwood floor as I whipped open the door.

Dimitri stood on the other side, a smirk playing on hislips despite the urgency in his eyes. “Well, don’t you look cozy. Nice pajamas, by the way. Very... regal.”

I took a menacing step toward him, my jaw clenched with barely contained rage. “Then why did you?!” The words tore from my throat as I took a step forward, my hands curled into fists.

His smirk widened. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I interrupt your nightly brooding session? Because we’ve got a slight apocalypse brewing downstairs, but if you’d rather stay here and perfect your scowl...”

I gritted my teeth. “Don’t try my patience, Dimitri. Spit it out.”

Dimitri’s eyes sparked with a mix of amusement and urgency. “So, good news and bad news. Which do you want first? Oh, who am I kidding - you’ll love both.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Surprise me.”

“Alright. Crimson Stakes decided to spice things up with a kitchen explosion. Don’t worry, Enzo played firefighter and saved the day. No crispy vampires on the menu tonight.”

“And the bad news?”

Dimitri’s smirk widened. “Oh, that was the good news. The bad? We’ve got a father-son cop duo downstairs. Detective DuPont and his mini-me are demanding an audience with His Royal Vampireness. That’s you, by the way.”

I sighed. “Fantastic. Another woman murdered?”

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