Share

Chapter 3

Author: Peachy
"There is a way." I bit my lip and met his gaze.

"How?" Dorian stared at me intently.

"The curse must be cleansed with Lifeblood. And only the Bonded mate can give it." I kept my voice flat, though my heart was hammering.

"How do you know that?" He narrowed his eyes, suspicious.

"The Blood Witch," I lied.

Truth was, I watched Cordelia suffer the exact same backlash in my past life.

"Let's go." He didn’t hesitate. He grabbed my wrist, gripping hard enough to snap the bone.

He pulled me into the shadows, and the world dissolved. We reappeared in the Witch's sanctuary.

Dim candles lit up the room as she ground ancient blood crystals.

"Witch, is it true?" Dorian cut to the chase. "Can mortal Lifeblood break the curse?"

She looked up, surprised, then looked at me. A complicated look. "Yes, my Prince. But..."

"But what?"

"The extraction of Lifeblood... from a mortal..." she sighed. "It is almost always fatal. She will not survive."

Dorian’s hand dropped from my wrist as if he’d been burned. He turned his back to me, his shoulders rigid. "No."

"I'll do it," I stepped up, voice steady.

He spun around, shocked and furious. "Are you insane? Why would you do that?"

"I owe her," I looked right at him. "And I owe you."

He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it.

The conflict was written all over his face.

"Prep the ritual," I told the Witch, cutting off his chance to argue.

She sighed and got up. "My Prince, it gets gruesome. Are you sure you want to stay?"

Dorian didn't answer. But his eyes said it all. He wasn't going anywhere.

An hour later, it was ready.

Red runes painted on the floor, surrounded by seven black candles.

They brought Cordelia in. She looked horrific.

Ghastly pale, veins popping black, dark blood crusted on her lips.

"Let's begin." The Witch motioned for me to lie in the center.

Just as the ritual began, Dorian stripped off his designer jacket and draped it over my face, blinding me.

"Don't look." His voice was weirdly raspy. Through the fabric, I could feel his hand shaking just a little. "This is going to hurt," he whispered, his voice strained.

In the dark, I felt him hovering. "I’ll make this up to you... I swear."

The ritual started.

The pain was absolute. A thousand silver needles, all dipped in fire, tore through my veins. I felt the dark magic crawling over my skin, draining me. Hot, thick blood streamed from my eyes, my nose, my mouth, painting crimson tracks on my pale face.

In a blur, I saw a golden light rip out of my chest and shoot into Cordelia.

Her agonizing roar mixed with my screams.

And then... just black.

I don't know how long I was out. I woke up to the faint dripping of a blood-stone clock. The room smelled of incense and copper.

"You're awake."

I turned my head. Dorian was sitting there, eyes bloodshot.

He looked wrecked, his crimson gaze exhausted.

"Cordelia..." I croaked.

"She's fine now," he said softly. "Thanks to you."

I closed my eyes. God, I was weak.

My lifeforce was basically empty. The price of giving up Lifeblood.

"Why did you do it?" he asked. He sounded confused, laced with something I couldn't read.

"Now we're even," I managed a smile. "You can be with her guilt-free."

Dorian frowned. "The Witch says you'll need months to recover. I could... turn you. As compensation."

My heart ached. Same old Dorian. Arrogant pity. Not love.

"No thanks, Dorian," I said quietly. "I'm leaving."

"What?" He shot out of his chair.

"We owe each other nothing." I looked right at him. "I hope you and Cordelia are happy."

He opened his mouth, but his phone buzzed.

He checked it, his face shifting.

"It's Cordelia... she's awake."

"Go," I told him, looking away.

He hesitated, but he left.

The second the door clicked shut, I forced myself up and got dressed.

The Witch had everything ready.

Fake discharge papers, meds, and my ferry ticket for tonight.

I left a note for the Witch to give him:

By the time you read this, I’ll be gone. Don’t look for me. This was my choice. My purpose is fulfilled. Live well, Dorian.

At 7 PM, I slipped out of the medical wing.

At 10 PM, when Dorian burst into my room, all he found was an empty bed and the note.

By midnight, breaking news hit the vampire territory.

A cross-sea ferry was struck by an unnatural firestorm. The boilers blew.

Right there on the passenger manifest was the name Odette Morrow.

The fire was so intense, the bodies were burned beyond recognition.
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Latest chapter

  • Set You Free, My Lord   Chapter 9

    Six months had transformed him. The gaunt, haunted look was gone. He was leaner, calmer.Most importantly, those crimson eyes—once full of despair and obsession—were incredibly calm.He wore a simple gray sweater and dark jeans. He looked like a normal human volunteer. Not a high and mighty vampire Prince."Odette?" He froze at the door. Surprise flashed in his eyes. But there were no wild mood swings. No ecstasy. No despair. Just a gentle surprise. "What... what are you doing here?""I came to say goodbye," I said directly. My voice was calmer than I expected.He nodded. He didn't ask why. He didn't overreact. He just stepped aside peacefully. "Come in. It's chilly out there."The inside was even cozier.Warm pine wood burned in the fireplace, giving off a light scent.On the comfy sofa, a little girl with werewolf traits sat drawing quietly. She looked about seven or eight. Her arm was wrapped in bandages for silver burns."We saved her from vampire hunters last week. A werewolf o

  • Set You Free, My Lord   Chapter 8

    Six months later.Free from the blood bond, I entered the best phase of my life.My architecture firm became famous in the Pacific Northwest.My buildings won international awards for their unique healing vibes and human-centric designs.Architectural Digest even put me on the cover. They called me "The New Era's Most Healing Architect."More importantly, my relationship with Liam was going strong. We spent almost every day together. We shared every little moment.One sunny afternoon, the mailman brought a surprise.A beautifully printed invitation. It was written in ancient vampire runes on thick parchment:"Ms. Odette Morrow is cordially invited to the inauguration of Alexander Blackthorne, the new Prince of the Eternal Night Coven. Time: Midnight this Saturday. Location: Moonshadow Castle Great Hall."I held it and hesitated for a long time. My fingers brushed over the familiar runes.Finally, I decided to go with Liam.Not out of nostalgia. But to say a final goodbye to the past.

  • Set You Free, My Lord   Chapter 7

    In Liam's arms, I smelled his calming scent. A mix of light sanitizer and fresh aftershave.It reminded me of safety and warmth. A pure world with no vampires, no magic, no painful memories.My heart beat faster. My cheeks grew hot.Liam looked down at me. A tender light shone in his brown eyes.He looked like he wanted to say something important. His lips parted slightly.But at that exact moment, his phone rang harshly."Damn it," he cursed softly. He answered it reluctantly. "Hello?... What?... Okay, we'll be right there."He hung up. His face turned serious. "Odette, we have to go back to the clinic now. The sheriff says someone broke in. It's a mess."We sprinted back to the clinic. We saw flashing police lights and a crowd from far away.When we rushed through the doors, I gasped.The inside was completely trashed. Chairs were flipped. Medical gear was scattered everywhere. Blood splattered the walls.The air was thick with the smell of blood and a supernatural scent I knew wel

  • Set You Free, My Lord   Chapter 6

    For the next two weeks, Dorian lingered around the clinic.He never showed his face to me. But I knew he was there.Every dusk, I saw a familiar dark shadow in the woods.A few times, some shady supernatural creatures showed up in town. But by morning, they were gone. Vanished without a trace. As if a powerful, unseen guardian had swept the town clean.I knew who was secretly protecting the town. But I didn't want to admit it. I definitely didn't want to be grateful.By this afternoon, I couldn't stand being stalked anymore.I pushed the clinic doors open coldly. I walked straight to the shadows at the edge of the parking lot. "Come out, Dorian. Stop hiding in the dark like a coward."A cloud of black mist slowly formed into a man. Dorian stepped out of the shadows.He looked even worse than two weeks ago. A hint of hope flashed in his crimson eyes. But my cold face shattered it instantly."Get lost, Dorian," I snapped. "You just make me sick.""I just want to... to make sure you're sa

  • Set You Free, My Lord   Chapter 5

    Five years later.A foggy town in the Pacific Northwest. The air smelled of ocean and cedar.I stood at the construction site of a new community clinic. I held the final blueprints in my hands.This town knew me as their best architect. This was my new beginning.This clinic was my twelfth project. It was one of my proudest works.A high priestess and an elven friend helped me fake my death. They snuck me onto a different cargo ship. I simply vanished. I traveled a long time before settling in this remote coastal town.The rune amulet on my body completely cut off the bond's connection. I vanished from Dorian's world for good.For five years, pure, unadulterated hatred for him was the fuel that built my new life.That hate burned like magma in my heart. It gave me the strength to stand back up."Odette, how is the progress?" a warm voice called from behind.I turned and saw Dr. Liam walking toward me.He was tall and handsome. He had chestnut hair and gentle brown eyes. He was my ancho

  • Set You Free, My Lord   Chapter 4

    "Impossible! That's not her!"Dorian smashed his fist on the table. The thick oak splintered under his rage. Blood welled from his knuckles. He didn't feel a thing."Your Highness, the police confirmed it," his guard commander, Marcus, reported carefully. "Odette's name was on the ferry's passenger list. All passengers...""Shut up!" Dorian roared. His crimson eyes flashed with dangerous bloodlust. "Get out!"He exploded into a furious cloud of black mist. He crashed right through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows and shot into the night sky.Thirty minutes later, Dorian stood at the harbor. He looked down at the charred wreckage of the ferry.Rescue teams were still working. A few burnt bodies had already been pulled out."Such a tragedy," a human cop shook his head. "Looks like we'll need DNA to ID them."Dorian desperately pushed his senses out. He tried to catch even a hint of Odette's sweet blood in the air.But he only smelled gasoline, burnt flesh, and death.The blood bond

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status