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12 A Confrontation
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2025-04-23 15:53:35
Karima Sa'ad UsmanI hope the story is coming together nicely for you! ðâĻ The heat will be on soonâI promise! ðĨð Stay tuned!
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Fated In Darkness   13 Denial
NatalieI was too wired to sleep and too distracted to concentrate in class.Everything that had gone wrong with Michelle after the bonfireâthe tension, the staresâhad faded into insignificance.Adrian had texted me.Not just some casual check-in. He had gone out of his way to get my number. He said he wanted to see me.When? I didnât know.But the thought of it was enough to make my skin hum with restless energy.Carson had messaged me a few times too, and I responded as politelyâand distantlyâas I could. I didnât want to give him the wrong idea. He was nice. Sweet, even. But he wasnât Adrian.âHey, wanna help me hand out flyers today?â Lisa asked, bouncing up beside me.Honestly, I wasnât looking forward to it. The idea of standing in the sun, smiling at strangers, and hawking whatever student event we were promoting sounded exhausting. But Lisa wouldâve done it for me.And besides, she had no one else.âOkay,â I said with a tired smile. âBut I canât stay too long. Iâm running on
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-26Fated In Darkness   14 An Invite
NatalieI made it back to my apartment on campus, bone-tired and ready to collapse into bed.But something stopped me at the door.A small package sat neatly on the mat, topped with a card. Not just tossed thereâplaced carefully, deliberately.I frowned, glancing up and down the hallway, but it was empty. Silent.Curiosity buzzing under my skin, I picked it up and carried it inside. I set it down on the couch, tossing my bag aside, and pulled the card free first.It was handwrittenâelegant, precise.The roses are red,and the evening is bright.Come dance with meat the ball tonight.Adrian.My heart fluttered wildly.I opened the box next, and inside, lying atop soft tissue paper, was a single red roseâits thorns carefully removed. Thoughtful. Almost old-fashioned.Beneath the rose was a dress.A red dress.I pulled it out and gasped. It was stunningâshort, backless, daring in all the right ways. The fabric shimmered faintly under the low apartment lights, the kind of dress designed
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-26Fated In Darkness   15 The Ball
NatalieThere were a lot of important people thereâsenior students, alumni, professors, and even a handful of dignitaries and a few multi-billionaires.It was clear: this wasnât just a party. It was an elite gathering.The kind where every handshake was a transaction and every smile was laced with expectation.The only person who didnât belong was me.I knew I looked the partâthe dress, the jewelry, the careful makeupâbut I felt out of place.A freshman among giants.I kept scanning the room, searching for Adrian. Hoping he'd show up soon. Hoping I could have someone to lean on before my nerves unraveled completely.I was so caught up in my own swirling anxiety that I didnât see her approach.Michelle.She slipped into my peripheral vision like a shadow, her presence sharper than a blade.âWhat are you doing here, Pierce?â she asked, her voice dripping with that familiar, Iâm-better-than-you tone.I turned toward her slowly, trying to school my face into something neutral. She stood
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-26Fated In Darkness   16 And He Arrives
NatalieOne of the security guards reached for my arm, and I yanked it away instinctively."Donât touch me," I snapped, my voice low but firm.I wasnât mad at Michelle anymore. Not really.I was furious at Adrian.Furious that he wasnât here to meet me. Furious that he had left me standing alone in a place where I clearly didnât belong."I can show myself out," I muttered.The guards exchanged a look and then stepped back, letting me be.Michelle stood nearby, watching the whole thing unfold with thinly veiled amusement. She didnât even bother hiding the smug satisfaction on her face.Her expression practically screamed:If you were one of us, this wouldnât happen.I had the sudden, immature urge to flip her offâbut I was wearing a dress that cost more than some people's rent, and despite everything, I still had my dignity.I held my head high instead.I was just about to turn and leave when the announcement system crackled to life."Ladies and gentlemen," the voice boomed through t
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-26Fated In Darkness   17 The Evening
Natalie"Let's go somewhere private," Adrian whispered against my ear, his breath warm, sending a shiver straight down my spine.I didnât hesitate. I was more than ready.He excused himself with a graceful nod to the others at our table, and I mirrored him, barely aware of the curious stares trailing after us.But instead of leading me toward an exit, Adrian steered me toward the dance floor.A waltz had just begun, the orchestra swelling with old-world grandeur.He pulled me close, his hand steady against my back, guiding me with a confidence that left no room for doubt or hesitation.The last time I had danced like this was with my fatherâand for a moment, a sharp pang of bittersweet memory twisted inside me.But I pushed it down.Tonight wasnât for sadness.Tonight was for living.I let myself lean into Adrian, feeling the way his body moved with mine, leading without words, commanding without force. I could feel eyes on usâburning, envious, curious. Let them watch.I didnât car
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-26Fated In Darkness   18 A Little Heat
NatalieI jumped into Adrianâs arms, and he caught me with effortless strength, like I weighed nothing.My fingers threaded through his thick hair, pulling him closer, desperate to taste more of him.The ache inside me was blinding, a raw need that only he could easeâand he knew it. He pressed me tighter against the wall, his mouth devouring mine, his tongue claiming, coaxing, making me forget where I ended and he began.The world outside the office blurred into nothing.There was only us. Only this."Natalie," he whispered against my lips, my name falling from him like a broken prayer. There was a roughness to itâa battle raging inside him, one he was barely winning.I was already lost.His lips trailed down my jaw to my neck, then lower to the bare skin of my shoulder, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.Goosebumps broke out across my skin, every nerve ending alive and straining for more.When I felt his teeth graze my neckâjust the barest, teasing scrapeâI arched into him,
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-26Fated In Darkness   19 After the Ball
NatalieJust as I'd expected, the next day was chaos. Everywhere I went, eyes followed. Whispers floated through hallways and over lunch tables.Overnight, I had somehow become a sensation, and no one could seem to look away. Even people who used to barely tolerate me were now gawking like I was something rare on display.A few of the Phi girls, who had never spared me a second glance before, suddenly decided we should be best friends.The attention pressed down on me, heavy and strange. I couldn't figure out what had sparked it. Was it the invitation to the ball? Or was it the fact that I was with Adrian?Honestly, separating the two felt pointless. Still, it stung a little â since when did it matter so much who you showed up with?Lisa plopped down beside me on the grass, her grin wide with gossip. "Apparently, our handsome stranger is a big deal," she said, practically buzzing with excitement.I laughed, shaking my head before glancing at her. "A big shot isn't dangerous anymore,
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-29Fated In Darkness   20 An Unwanted Visitor
NatalieI got back to my apartment earlier than usual that day. I couldn't take it anymore â the constant staring, the whispering behind my back.Some students didnât even bother to be subtle. They walked right up to me, their questions blunt, their curiosity practically dripping off them.How do you know him?What's he like?Can you introduce us?Is it serious? Are you two a thing?And those were the good ones.The ugly ones came with sneers and fake smiles:"Watch your back, bitch.""You have no idea what you're getting into.""You're in way over your head.""You're just a distraction. Don't get cocky.""You're punching way above your league."Then there was Michelle and her little pack of hyenas â keeping their distance, which was unusual for them.I could feel the hate in Michelleâs eyes when we crossed paths, even if she didnât say a word.Whatever had happened at the ball had shifted things. I wasnât sure if that should make me feel relieved or afraid.After freshening up, I was
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-29
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Fated In Darkness   35 An Invite
NatalieâLetâs give it time, Mom,â I said softly, my fingers tightening around hers. âI have a plan.âShe pulled back slightly to look at me, her eyes scanning mineâhope flickering there, desperate to latch onto anything that resembled a way out. âA plan?â she echoed, her voice tentative.âIâll stall Uncle Michael,â I said, choosing my words carefully. âWe wonât leave. Not yet. Not until your treatment is complete. And if he still insists on pushing this marriage nonsenseâĶ then weâll go. But I want to be sure weâve explored every option first.âShe let out a small, bitter laugh and shook her head, though a trace of a smile tugged at her lips. âHow long do you think you can stall your uncle?â she asked, her tone laced with dry sarcasm. âHeâs not exactly the patient type.âHer laugh quickly faded, replaced by a flash of shame, and I saw it thenâthat quiet anger she carried. Not at me. At herself. At her body for failing. At the fact that her illness had become chains, not just around he
Fated In Darkness   34 What I Want
NatalieSomething had to have happened to make her say thisâto even think about leaving Hawkshire so suddenly. My mother, for all her spontaneity, wasnât careless. And this? This felt like more than a whim.âIs everything alright, Mom?â I asked softly, searching her face.She nodded, but the gesture was too quick, too rehearsed. She was lying. Not out of malice, but to protect me. She always did thatâcarried the weight quietly, so I wouldnât have to.âYou know we canât,â I said gently, grounding the truth between us.Her eyes shimmered instantly, and she looked away. The dam behind her composure cracked, and tears welled in her eyes. She tried to blink them back, but I saw. I felt it.This confinementâthis looming illness, this shadow of uncle Michaelâwas caging her spirit. My mother, who once danced barefoot in the rain, was now drowning in stillness.âI canât sit back and let you sacrifice yourself for my sake,â she said, her voice trembling.I shook my head, tears already burning a
Fated In Darkness   33 How Did You Meet
NatalieâSo,â my mother began, folding her hands in her lap with a polite smile, âhow did you two meet?âThere was a hint of curiosity in her voice, carefully masked but unmistakable to me. She wasnât just making conversationâshe was searching, trying to fit the pieces together.âCainebrielle,â I answered simply, and her smile deepened. She turned her gaze to Adrian then, clearly expecting him to fill in the blanks.âA student?â she asked lightly, but I felt her eyes slide to mine, subtle and questioning. I hesitated, caught off guard. I didnât know how much to say.Adrian, ever composed, answered before the silence stretched too long. âA former student,â he said gently. âBut now, a sponsor.âHis tone was modest, but I saw the flicker in my motherâs eyesâa flash of surprise she couldnât quite hide. She was probably doing the math in her head. He was far too young, far too striking, to be a sponsor.âIâm filling in for my father,â Adrian added smoothly, catching the shift in her expres
Fated In Darkness   32 Home
NatalieAs I stepped out of the car, the night air wrapped around me, cool and still. I closed the door gently, expecting Adrian to follow, but when I glanced back, he was still seated behind the wheel, hands resting casually, eyes following my movement with quiet curiosity.I hesitated, then leaned against the window, suddenly aware of how fast my heart was beating.âI didnât want to seem too forward,â I began, chewing on the inside of my cheek, âbutâĶ would you like to come in? I mean, just to meet my mom.âAs soon as the words left my mouth, I cringed and instinctively covered it with my hand. God, why did that sound like a proposal? My face flushed with heat, and I scrambled to undo the damage.âNot like weâre getting married or anythingâĶâ I added, forcing a laugh that came out too breathy, too nervous. My mouth opened again to explain further, maybe soften the awkwardness, but I gave up and sighed instead, defeated.Adrian let out a full, warm laughâone of those genuine, deep ones
Fated In Darkness   31 The Drive Home
NatalieWe slipped into Adrianâs car in silence, the soft click of the doors closing feeling louder than it should have.I could sense the weight of his disappointment as he gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly, his jaw set in quiet frustration.He had ended the interruption quickly, whoever it was, but the damage had already been done. My motherâs call had cut the evening short, bringing an abrupt end to what was supposed to be our first real chance to just beâno past, no obligations, no shadows trailing us.I let out a breath I didnât know I was holding.âSorry about the interruption,â Adrian said gently, stealing a glance at me. His eyes softened when they met mine, but he quickly turned his focus back to the road.âItâs okay,â I murmured, though the words felt hollow. I stared out the windshield, watching the world blur by in shades of grey and gold, but my mind wasnât in the car anymore.My motherâs voice had been steady on the phoneâtoo steady. I knew her calm tone we
Fated In Darkness   30 A Cold Way Out
Adrian"Please," Graham rasped, still clutching my leg. "If she fails the transformation, she'll die. And even if she lives, I'll be powerless. I have no sons. Sheâs all I have left. Either way, my bloodline ends."His voice cracked under the strain. His grief clung to the air, thick and suffocating. He wasnât wrong â but it didnât change anything.I had seen this before â heads of families, desperate and broken, coming to me with bleeding hearts and empty hands, begging for a different fate.But my answer was always the same."No," I said quietly, my voice like stone. "Iâm sorry, Graham. I can't help you."He sagged against me, the last bit of hope draining from him."If I take you into my clan," I continued, "I would be breaking the treaty. The very foundation of the peace we all cling to. When my bloodline broke from the strigoi, it was a war that could have ended us all. We reached an impasse. An agreement was forged: I would not take or turn what belonged to Volodym
Fated In Darkness   29 At The Door
AdrianMilo stood there, my fatherâs old assistant, holding a carton of wine bottles at his feet.The realization hit me. I had completely forgotten I had instructed him to stock the lake house.But even as relief started to creep in, something else made me pause. Milo was uneasy. Too uneasy for something as simple as a delivery."Master," he said, bowing his head in deference, recognizing not just my power, but who I was â his Sire, his Lord.I stepped back slightly, a grim understanding settling over me.I was not like the others. Not strigoi. Not dhampyr.I was something more. Stronger. Older. A bloodline born pure, untwisted â built from power the strigoi could only envy.I could survive on human food. I could walk freely under the sun. I had forged a new race â my own clan â stronger than anything the old world could birth.But strength came with its burdens.My body was almost invincible. My mind sharper than most. My instincts nearly flawless.And yet, my heart â th
Fated In Darkness   28 A Long Wait ( Adrianâs Point of View)
AdrianNatalie was perfect â a beauty crafted for me alone, even if she didnât know it yet.Her body knew. Her soul knew.But her mind was still catching up, still caged by the fragile logic of human life.When I felt the string tighten in my chest â that sharp pull of fear â I knew it wasnât mine. It was hers.The one I had waited centuries for. The one I had been told would never come.Being a vampire with a soul had its curses. I had sired a few, built a new bloodline stronger than the old ways, but nothing filled the hollow ache inside me. Nothing dulled the loneliness that shadowed me through endless lifetimes â through wars, through plagues, through the rise and fall of civilizations.I had lost friends, lovers, allies. I had buried them all. And yet I remained.Always waiting. Always incomplete.Unlike the strigoi before me, I could not simply choose a mate and bind her to me by force or tradition. Fate had to choose for me. And until Natalie, it never had.I had begun t
Fated In Darkness   27 Not Here For Food
NatalieI watched Adrian for a while, unsure how my next words would land. My throat felt tight, my heart louder than it needed to be. But I said it anyway. "ActuallyâĶ Iâm not hungry."My voice came out softer than I intended â hesitant, uncertain.He paused, slowly setting down the utensils and turning off the stove. Then he looked at me, amused. "So," he said, peeling off the apron, "what do you have in mind?"I opened my mouth, then closed it. Words failed me. I wasnât the type to take the lead â not like this. And I knew, somehow, he already understood that."You donât strike me as shy," he said, stepping closer.And then he was between my legs.I was still perched on the counter, his presence suddenly too close and not close enough. I had nothing on underneath his shirt, and when I looked at his face, saw the quiet heat in his eyes, I felt the blush rush up my neck and into my cheeks.He smiled at the sight of it. "I like it when you blush, Little Fox," he whispered
