For the first time in weeks, I was sleeping peacefully. Not just peacefully, this was the best night's sleep of my existence. That was until something started to stir me awake. It felt like pressure against my skull followed by a crawling sensation. I could feel something was trying to get in my head and I knew instantly what it was. I’m half asleep, but I can feel my heart start to pound and panic setting in as this bastard tries to force his way into my head. Just when I think I’m going to open my eyes to a sight I shouldn’t be able to see, I feel Osiah’s arms tighten around me and a warm energy surround me, and as quick as it came the pressure disappears. I manage to make my eyes flutter open a little, and as I do I can just make out this stunning azure-blue energy flowing from Osiah and surrounding me. I don’t know if it’s because of our bond or if it’s just him, but somehow he’s protecting me. From his breathing, he sounds asleep but still, he’s protecting me. I smile and relax

I could have handled that a lot better. She was asking me questions she had every right to ask and instead of saying I’m terrified if I bite you I’ll rip your throat out, or given the uniqueness of what I am, I have no idea what that would do to you if I completed our bond. It’s literally never been done. I could have said that; I should have said that and because I didn’t I got kicked out of her room and a door slammed in my face. Two things that have never happened to me before. “So when are you going to tell her?” a voice says from my right. I turn to see Yildiz’s sister – Nuray I think her name was – leaning against the wall with her arms folded and giving me a death stare. I was so distracted from getting kicked out I didn’t even notice her approach. “Excuse me?” I ask in irritation. I don’t have time for her issues, I have an angry animai to deal with, and I’m shirtless. “I know who you really are, and I know you haven’t told Yildiz because if you had, she would have told me,”

“And this has been happening every night?” Ceren asks in concern. I take a sip of my Turkish coffee and bite into some freshly baked bread with sweet butter on top and swallow before I speak. “Not every night, but it has been getting more frequent.” “And you believe mother knows what’s going on?” “She has to. She sounded afraid for me, either because she didn’t see this coming, or she has seen something terrible happening to me. I don’t know which,” I shrug. “You’re taking this awful well,” says Ceren sceptically. “Hardly. I just acknowledge that it is happening.” I sit back in my chair, leaning my head back and let the afternoon sun warm my skin. We’ve been sitting at one of the dining spots in the garden so I could fill Ceren in on all the latest drama that has unfolded in my life recently. Including last night’s events. “But you said Osiah somehow shielded you last night. Any idea how he did that?” she asks curiously. I shake my head, “Not a clue. I would have asked him, but

With slow, calculated movements I get myself dressed for Nuray’s funeral. Two words I never imagined I would ever say. We’ve hosted funerals at the Kartheca in the past, but never for one of my own sisters. I know mother will be there. Though we haven’t seen or spoken to her I just know inside that she will be there to oversee it. She may not be in our life that often, but she has loved and cared for each of us since the day she brought us into this world. I don’t have to see her to know she’s grieving too. I step into my gown and pull the material up my body and slide my arms through the shoulders of the gown. I untuck my hair as the collar of the dress brushes against my neck. “Let me help,” Osiah gently offers. I listen as he walks up behind me and gingerly pulls the zip up the back of my gown. “You look beautiful,” he says, squeezing my shoulders. “I don’t think I’m supposed to look beautiful for a funeral,” I say sombrely. “You’ll always look beautiful to me,” he promises, pl

The thunderous sound of a heart beating has my eyes snapping open and I can feel my irises burning bright. Tunnel vision is setting in and on instinct, all ten canines take form in my mouth. I turn my head and look down at the glittering beauty in my arms; a distant voice in my head telling me not to touch her, but it’s drowned out as I watch the movement of the pulse in her neck. I can hear the blood moving through her body and smell the way it sweetens the perfume of her scent. My vision turns into a red haze, and I find myself leaning in to brush my nose against her neck and inhale her scent deep into my lungs. The moment I feel the burn of her skin against mine it snaps some sense into me, just enough to make me leap out of bed. I have to get far away from Yildiz and her sisters. With so many blood banks destroyed and me not willing to feed on a living soul, I’ve gone too long without blood and now it’s the threads of the bond tying me to Yildiz that are the only thing allowing me