Page 72 of Darkest Heart

“I know enough.”

“I don’t need your approval,” I said, then stood. “You did your research, you’re done. I’ll send you both away tomorrow.”

“Good.” She placed the book back on the pile. “You’re the one who dragged us here anyway, right? When I entered the rooms of that club you are a part of, I heard enough.”

“I only gave the command. I didn’t drag you here in chains.”

“You may as well have.” Her eyes welled up. “Don’t you know what you do, to the families of the people you take? Haven’t you ever lost anyone? What you all do is cruel and callous.”

“We have to feed!” I shouted before I knew what I was saying. “Where else are we supposed to get blood?”

She shrugged. “Don’t you have volunteers? Blood bags? Animals? I don’t know, but I know you don’t need slaves so you can have blood on tap. I saw the girls in those rooms. They’re getting as good as raped.”

I shook my head. “No. They’re doing it willingly.”

She laughed. “You’re delusional. They’re agreeing to sex because they’re high on venom, and let’s face it. What would they get if they said no? Would you understand?”

“I don’t fuck anyone who doesn’t want to.”

She clapped slowly. “You’re proud of that? As if it’s a badge of achievement.” She scoffed, then kicked away the blankets. “No mortal here has a choice. But you don’t care about us anyway, right? Even though you were mortal once.”

“Yes, and it was awful.”

“Your bad experience doesn’t give you a reason to hate us. It’s ridiculous.”

“No.” I put a finger up, stopping her mid argument. “Mortals act like they’re better than us all the time.”

“Oh bullshit, Niall. There are bad people everywhere, mortal or vampire. But at least we don’t chain people up, drag them across an ocean, then rape them, feed on them, and ruin their lives and their families.”

“Mortals can be just as bad.” My voice rose higher. “You act as if there are no criminals amongst you.”

“That’s not what I’m saying.” She placed her hands on her hips. “If you refuse to see what you’ve done, then we don’t need to be having this conversation. I appreciate you sending me and my sister home,” she added, as if I might change my mind. “You can go now.”

“You’re lucky you had me, you know.” I paced in front of the bed. “If it was anyone else, your sister would be dead, and you wouldn’t still be a virgin.”

Her next breath caught, her swallow loud in my ears. “What do you want from me? To say thanks for being slightly less monstrous than someone else?”

“No.” I pulled my hair back, scrambling for words. “I’ve never had anyone aggravate me like you do. I should have given you over to Adrian.”

She stood and walked over to me. “Then why haven’t you?”

The sunlight danced through her soft waves. I breathed in the smell of her rose perfume and closed my eyes. For a moment, I softened. She was brave. I gave her that. Annoying, but brave. But more than anything, I hated how she had a point. “Why did you kiss me?” I asked, unsure of what I wanted the answer to be.

“I was using you,” she divulged, her words twisting like a dagger in my chest. Although, it was the only answer that made any sense. “Well at first, but the venom lowered my inhibitions and then you were being you and…I got carried away, and liked it.”

Her breath hitched, and my dick bulged in my pants. Her lips were inches from mine. I couldn’t look away. “I’ve never liked mortals.” My chest heaved. “You’re right, I take what I want,” I professed, bringing myself closer. “But do you want to know the truth? I don’t care about any of them. Or anyone.” I paused, her gaze pouring into mine. All I could think about was kissing her, the agitation from earlier slipping away. “Except for you.”

She stumbled back; the shock rippling through me as I admitted that to myself at the same time. “It’s driving me insane,” I said, scratching the back of my neck. Fuck, I’d never felt so humiliated. She just stared and me, and I wished I could take the words back. “So, it’ll be better when you’re gone.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t like how you make me want to be a better person.” I shook my head. “I know I’m just a monster to you.” I paused, uncertain of what to say next. There was little redeeming about me. But there was a man in here, somewhere. A version of me that wanted to be loved. I shook my head, pushing away those thoughts. When butterflies erupted inside of me.

She touched my hand before I could leave. My lip quivered as I thought back to Gwen, and every other person who’d used me. I’d learned to close off my heart a long time ago, but Elizabeth was working her way in there.

“So you do have a heart,” she said, and I laughed.

“I’m just as surprised as you.”

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