Chapter 22We were standing outside the door to one of the many rooms within The Academy. I could see Damien knocking on the door and I laughed a little because he was so damn daring. A Vampire, just waltzing into The Academy like he was one of us. Not that anyone could really tell at a first glance, as the Vampires had mastered the art of blending in. But there was still a sort of ethereal beauty about Vampires that I don’t think they really knew how to cover up. At least not if you knew what to look for. We were trained to spot the subtle differences in The Academy. Not that I ever needed that type of training, all I had to do was touch someone and I could know instantly. It had me wondering if anyone else had the same enhancement I did. Not that I would ever tell them though, even if they did. My attention was pulled back to the door as it opened and a 13 year old me stood in the doorway. I was shy and timid, very different from what I am now. The light caught the obsidian stone ha
Chapter 23He came around the corner shortly, and I held my knife up. “Why are you following me?” I demanded, but even I could see that the gifted mate bond was taking effect. My 14 year old self didn’t know what to think. I didn’t lower the knife, but I could see that the thought process in my mind regarding what I was planning to do, and what I was going to do was completely changing. “Snow, lower the knife, I’m not going to hurt you.” Damien said. I took a few breaths in, and then lowered the knife, seating it back in my holster. I facepalmed myself again while watching this unfold, this gifted mate bond really made me do stupid shit. “Who are you?” I asked. “My name is Damien, and I was following you because I wanted to buy you something for your birthday. Were you planning on going to the boutique?” He asked. I nodded. “Well, lead the way.” He said and put his arm out, gesturing for me to go first. Never in a million years would I have entertained a complete stranger, but this gi
Chapter 24He wrapped his arms around me and held me there for a bit before pulling away. "I know you are confused, little one, but please just trust that I have your best interests in mind, always. Now let's get your paperwork done." He said. I nodded and took a seat next to him while I started filling out the paperwork. "It asks me if I can put an emergency contact on here in case something goes wrong... I have no one, do you think I could put you?" I asked him. He smiled at me. "Of course, my name is Damien. And my number is 909-663-8197." He said, as I scribbled his information down. "Thanks." I said, and kept writing. I watched Damien watching me as I filled out my enhancement paperwork. He was enamored, floored, just by being in my presence. I knew I felt the gifted mate bond, and clearly he did too. I didn't understand it, of course. How could I? I didn't even know this man, and while I know I had an inkling that he was a Vampire, my 15 year old self never said anything about i
Chapter 25I started to stir soon after and my eyes started to flutter open. I was disoriented. I remember waking up, except I was alone in the room. I was always alone and I was used to it. This memory was a lot different than what Damien would have me remember. As my eyes fully opened, I locked them into Damiens when I saw him gasp. I was still in too much of a daze to realize what he was doing but watching from the sideline I could see his shock. I knew it was because my intense blue eyes had now turned onyx black, just like my hair. That seemed to be the only thing that changed on me, but what a change it was. Damien reached for my hand and I knew now that this was the first time I was able to hear thoughts. Damiens thoughts were the first thoughts I ever heard. He was thinking about my eyes being black and what a shock it was, and then he was thinking of killing that doctor. “My eyes are black?! You don't have to kill the doctor, Damien. I knew the risks when I agreed to this.”
Chapter 26I had better figure this contract out quickly. I wasn’t about to waste a second more than I already had to. “Jarvis, tell me everything you can about the person who ordered the hit on Damien.” I said. “I’m sorry ma’am, that information was not provided on this particular contract.” Jarvis replied. I groaned out loud. Fuck, what was I going to do now? How could I find out more information? I thought. I was racking my brain trying to figure out another way to get the information when it hit me, the archives! The Academy keeps an archive of every hit ever ordered. This includes the information of who ordered it. When ordering a hit you have to fill out an application and it will either get approved or denied, depending on your reasons. The Academy is very picky when it comes to the reasons they allow a hit. Even if you are denied your application will be saved in the archive. Luckily the archives are digital, so I wouldn’t have to go sneaking around in a filing cabinet. But I
Chapter 27The next 24 hours were going to be the slowest 24 hours of my life. I honestly couldn't do anything else right now. It was all in Jericho's hands now. I laughed because knowing him, he would be calling me at exactly 6:35pm tomorrow night. He was particular like that when he gave time frames. My mind went directly to Damien, I wonder what he was doing right now. My phone suddenly went off in my hand, causing me to jump and almost drop the thing. “Sheesh!” I said out loud, as I tried to calm my beating heart. I looked down at my phone and saw the name Damien flash across the screen. He had texted me. I instantly raised an eyebrow at my phone as I fumbled to open the message. I didn't ever give him my number, how in the hell was his name and number programmed into my phone? I finally opened the message and read it. ‘Hey, I'm sorry, not trying to bother you, but I just really miss you…’ He said. My heart fluttered reading his words. ‘Hi, how exactly did I get your number in her
Chapter 28Damien wasn’t touching me so I had no read on his thoughts, but his face was torn in a look of turmoil. “Snow, you have to understand why I did what I did before you can understand why it took this long for you to accept me. I never wanted to force you into something, I never wanted to be the reason you gave up your entire life. Had I not erased your memories all those times, maybe our outcome would have remained the same, but maybe it wouldn’t have become what we have now. I don’t know, but the second you rejected the idea of us together, and I knew it was causing you inner turmoil, I erased your memories and let you go on your way. I knew there would be a time when I didn't have to do that, and you would accept me. But I didn’t realize how long it would take. Being a Hunter is in your blood. It's difficult to realize that fate has other plans for you. Especially when you were so hellbent on avenging your mother in any way possible. Can you imagine feeling as if the world
Chapter 29“I know you have a lot of questions, but right now the answers aren't important. Just know that I am on your side. I would never hurt you, and when you get old enough I will tell you everything.” Damien said. We had already ordered and our food arrived before I spoke again. “You’re a Vampire, and you know I'm a Hunter…” I said, as more of a question than a statement. “I know, little one. And that's what makes this all the more difficult.” He said, and I let his cryptic words dance through my brain as we ate. I noticed that my 16 year old self couldn't keep her eyes off Damien. The gifted mate bond was definitely in effect, but she was smart and kept her thoughts to herself. Once we were done eating we went back to the parking lot. Damien had me ask Shiva to pull the car around. Once we were inside he commanded Shiva to take us back to the hotel in town, he needed a ride there since he had driven my car to come get me. “How is it that you can control my artificial intelligen