Page 32 of Thorn of Sorrow

The room warped around me, as if I was peering through a fisheye lens. My mouth was dry from breathing too fast, and I wondered what was in the refrigerator to drink.

Dick usually kept it well stocked. I liked it when he bought the gallons of blue juice. What was it called? Anyway, it always made my tongue and teeth turn the color of those little things. Smurfs, that was it!

Without a television for five years, that was the only blue reference that came to mind. I was woefully behind the times.

Strangely enough, though, cell phones worked perfectly inside the castle but not televisions. Why was that? I couldn’t even watch a movie or video on my phone.

Kyson, concentrate and focus your thoughts. You’re disassociating, leaving yourself wide open for his attack. Snap out of it!

Returning to the present wasn’t as simple as blinking to clear the fog. It took a lot of effort and determination to come back. My mind wanted to stay in the comforting haze rather than confront the embodiment of my nightmares.

When I finally focused, I wished I had stayed in the haze. He was standing right in front of me, his features twisted into a puzzled expression.

“Where did you go just now?” His tone was filled with curiosity, his head tilted like Osiris’s. Slightly off-centered and just a little lower than a normal head tilt. “I’ve never seen someone detach themselves before. It was…fascinating.”

He moved closer, and I withdrew, until my back was pressed against the wall, trapping me in the corner. As he leaned in, the light caught on his razor-sharp fangs. His nose wrinkled slightly, a clear indication my scent still disgusted him.

“I’m heading to you, little bird.”

“It’s too late.”

“No! Run, hide, fight, Kyson!”

A hot tear rolled down my cheek as I realized the truth. Even though my smell revolted the vampire, it wasn’t enough to save me.

When his fangs pierced my skin, I let out a blood-curdling scream. I fought back with everything I had in me, punching and slapping at him while trying to claw at his face.

But I couldn’t break free from his hold. I was rendered helpless as he ruthlessly took what I desperately fought not to give. My arms dropped limply by my sides as a coldness swept through me. He was taking too much.

As the room began to fade, I could have sworn I heard whistling, but it didn’t matter anymore, as darkness enveloped me completely.

Chapter Eight

Giovanni

The party was alive with energy, the barn doors thrown open to let in the warm summer air. Laughter and chatter filled the space as guests danced and twirled under twinkling fairy lights hung from the eaves. Some simply mingled as lively music played. Waitstaff moved gracefully through the crowd, their presence barely noticeable as they catered to the guests’ every need.

It was a wedding, and everyone seemed caught up in the magic of the moment.

In the center of it all, on the dance floor under a clear, starry night, the newly married couple swayed to the music. The groom’s eyes were fixed adoringly on his new bride, his love for her evident in every glance and touch.

Amidst all the revelry, they were in their own world, completely unaware of anything else around them.

I stood hidden in plain sight, feeling like an outsider looking in on a world I had never been a part of. A world that had once belonged to Kyson before his life had gone to hell. Now I couldn’t help but wonder if allowing him to stay at Winterhaven had done more harm than good.

Once he had healed, there had been no reason for him to stay. He could have easily started a new life in another city or town, or even in a completely different part of the world.

He may have even found someone who would have loved him deeply, seeing past his scars and into the depths of his incredible soul.

But no one will ever love him as deeply as I do.

A surge of possessiveness struck me at the thought of anyone else bringing a smile to Kyson’s face or hearing his beautiful laughter. Touching him, making love to him, cherishing his heart in their hands.

Of holding him close in moments of vulnerability.

But I had been foolish to believe I could be that person, that he could’ve loved me in return. A bitter laugh escaped. He hadn’t even been able to say those three words back to me.

Kyson had made it clear where he stood when he’d screamed at me to stay away from him after Malachi had brought him home. I should have listened. But I could never let go of the guilt I felt for what Osiris had done to him.

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