78. The Monster's Roof.

Rose’s POV

I woke up slowly.

Too slowly.

My body felt soft. Heavy. Like I had slept for days. My head ached, but not the sharp kind. It was dull. Deep. Like my mind was trying to remember something it didn’t want to remember.

I opened my eyes.

The ceiling wasn’t mine.

It was too high.

Too wide.

Too perfect.

My breath caught in my throat as I sat up quickly.

The room was huge.

Walls painted in dark calm colors. Curtains thick and heavy. The bed I was lying on felt expensive, soft like it could swallow me whole. Everything around me screamed money. Power. Control.

A mansion?.

Panic crawled up my spine.

I pulled the blanket closer to my chest and looked around again, my heart racing.

Where was I?

Then the memories hit.

The woods.

The blood.

The woman.

Damien.

My breath broke.

“No.…” I whispered.

I swung my legs off the bed, but before my feet could touch the floor, I froze.

He was there.

Standing near the window.

Shirtless.

Damien.

Sunlight brushed his skin like it belonged there.

Sunlight...isn't he a vampire?.

Like the sun itself accepted him. His body was built—hard lines, smooth muscle, calm strength. He looked unreal. Like something carved, not born.

My eyes dropped before I could stop myself.

And suddenly—

Flash.

Adrian.

Strong arms.

Carrying me when I was weak.

Protecting me.

Saving me.

My chest tightened painfully.

I looked back at Damien without meaning to.

I was staring.

He turned his head slowly.

One brow lifted.

“It’s rude to stare,” he said calmly.

Heat rushed to my face.

I looked away immediately.

“I—I’m sorry,” I stammered.

Then reality crashed back in fully.

I scrambled backward on the bed until my back hit the headboard.

Fear swallowed me whole.

“You—” My voice shook. “You’re a vampire.”

He didn’t deny it.

That scared me more.

I slid off the bed and dropped to my knees before him without thinking.

“Please,” I begged, my hands shaking. “Please let me go. I swear I won’t tell anyone. I won’t expose you. I’ll disappear. I’ll leave the city. I’ll forget everything.”

My words spilled out messy and broken.

“I don’t want to die,” I cried.

He laughed.

Not loud.

Not cruel.

Soft.

Almost amused.

And that scared me even more.

He walked closer and sat on the edge of the bed.

Too close.

My body froze.

I curled inward, hugging myself.

He leaned forward, slowly, like he wanted to kiss me.

I flinched hard.

My heart nearly stopped.

“Don’t,” I whispered.

I couldn’t even look at him.

The bed dipped slightly as he shifted.

Silence filled the room.

Then—

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said quietly.

I didn’t believe him.

“If I wanted to,” he continued, “you would have been dead the first time we met.”

My breath trembled.

“Then why?” I whispered. “Why am I alive?”

He looked at me for a long moment.

Then reached out.

His fingers brushed my hair.

I stiffened.

Every nerve screamed.

He stroked it slowly, thoughtfully.

“You’re interesting,” he said. “Strange.”

My stomach twisted.

He lifted my chin gently, forcing me to look at him.

Our faces were close.

Too close.

His lips hovered near mine.

Then—

The door opened.

Damien’s POV

She woke up afraid.

I expected that.

Fear wrapped around her like a second skin. I could taste it in the air. Hear it in her heartbeat.

But what I didn’t expect—

Was how much it hurt.

Seeing her kneel. Beg. Shake.

Seeing her look at me like I was a nightmare.

I had seen that look before.

But never from someone I cared about.

Yes.

I cared.

That realization came quietly.

Dangerously.

When she stared at my body, I almost smiled. When she apologized, my chest tightened. When she begged for her life, something inside me cracked.

I moved closer to her, watching every reaction. When she flinched, I stopped.

I wasn’t going to force her.

Not her.

Her question stayed with me.

Why did I keep her alive?

Because she didn’t smell like anything.

Because she didn’t belong.

Because she was different.

Because I was interested to know more about her.

And that terrified me.

I leaned in, testing myself.

She curled in fear.

I hated myself for causing that.

Then the door opened.

Kate stepped inside.

Her eyes flicked to Rose.

Then to me.

I stood up immediately.

Control returned.

Cold. Firm. Kingly.

“Sire,” she said sharply.

I ignored her gaze and walked past Rose, giving her space.

For now.