JOVITA A few hours passed after Uncle Kala left me in the living room, but nothing happened. I sat there waiting for anyone to come and pick me up. I knew the outside was filled with thirsty vampires, and they easily hurt humans. I did not want anything that would trigger me to retaliate again. I heard pounding footsteps and muffled voices a few minutes later and hid behind one sofa in the living room. The footsteps became louder, and the voices became more apparent. It was Lord Ralph and the other man. I stayed there, holding my breath, hoping they would not smell me. In no time, he came into my view. His demeanor was relaxed now, and he spoke with his brother, telling him he would get back to him. I did not know what they discussed or what his brother did to make him calm. He suddenly turned toward the direction I was in. I ducked behind the chair immediately, hoping he did not see me. I did not want him to see me, but I knew I would be discovered sooner. He left the

JOVITA I did not even touch my food before another male vampire dragged me away. The other girls gasped as I was taken away, thinking they would harm me. My hands were tied this time, and I was dragged up the stairs toward the same library room I had run away from. He opened the door and shoved me inside; I did not fall this time. Lord Ralph was dressed in a black tailored suit that hugged his frame like a second skin. His back was on me when I entered. His physique was attractive. I cautioned myself when I realized I was assessing him. "Leave us alone," he said to the vampire that brought me in. The man stepped back and left the room, gently closing the door behind him. We were alone in the room, and I felt strange once again. Goosebumps that did not come out of fear blanketed my skin once more. Lord Ralph turned to face me with a clap of his hands. I glared into his eyes, momentarily forgetting their compelling power. "I have your time now. Have a

JOVITA Darkness. Pitch darkness wrapped around me like a blanket, clutching me, ready to drain the life out of me. My eyes could not be accustomed to it; I could see nothing. My eyes dashed around, looking for a source of light and escape, but there was none. There was only darkness. Where is this place? Who is here? What am I doing in this dark place? Those questions rang in my head, but I could not provide the answers myself. The darkness was suffocating me, and I waved my hands in front to make out what was before me, but it was only space, yet I felt a presence. Movement. Swift, an almost undetectable movement. I stood in the darkness alone, yet I felt eyes on me. Someone was watching me, lurking in the darkness that surrounded me. My hand reached for my stake tucked into my waistband, gripping it so tightly that my knuckles went white. My heart was hammering in my ribcage, and goosebumps had taken over my skin, but I kept hope alive an

JOVITA "And you are what?" I asked. "I am the janitor," he replied with a cocky smile. "I am always the last to sleep here. Lord Ralph just got back from wherever he went to." He leaned closer and lowered his voice. "I saw you kill that vampire. You must be a pro." "He attacked me first," I defended, my voice cracking. I was not supposed to trust anyone here yet, except my uncle, because I do not know how much loyalty they have to their Lord Ralph. Bryce nodded, the cocky smile still plastered on his face. "Of course he did." "Will you sell me out?" "You want to kill me too?" he asked, stopping at a door. I wondered if that was his room. "I am a human like you, am I not?" I didn't answer. Humans have betrayed me more than anything. Harrison, my childhood friend, told them where I lived, and now Ana acted like she was on the vampire's side. "I know you are hunting secrets like me. I have access to Lord Ralph's library. This is the

JOVITA All this wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t seen him in the light. Part of me wanted to believe that he purposely did this. He knew what he was doing. Does he take every other girl by surprise by unveiling himself when they least expected it? He brushed his hair in the mirror, ignoring me, while I struggled to ignore my racing heart. I do not know why my heart rate kept spiking like that. This was a man I was brought up to despise, but here I am, acknowledging his beauty. I wanted to kick myself in the ass. “You are my assistant from today henceforth and will always be by my side,” he said from the mirror. I will always be by his side sounded so intimate that I had to convince myself that he was only speaking of work. “Your job description includes bedroom duties...” “What?” I flared, interrupting him. “With all due respect, you will have to kill me first before getting into my panties. I am not a whore and did not come here to be your sex sl