All Chapters of Bloodbound: A Consort For The Vampire: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

My hunger is worsening, too and the need for my human’s blood swarms through my veins, and an odd, empty ache builds in the pit of my stomach. It’s something I’ve never experienced before. My feet never tire from pacing back and forth across the uneven floor. My breathing never changes. Not that I need to breathe, but I have been practicing the action around my human. He seems to become unsettled when he cannot hear a beating heart or a steady breathing pattern. The lack of heartbeat I cannot change. But the breathing I can. Just before time strikes minute 176, my nose twitches at Jucintha’s familiar scent. She’s back. I cross my arms over my chest and tell her to enter yet again. Her wide eyes peer into the holding cell that’s meant to be hidden as a guest room. “What?” I bark. “Kieran has been moved to the Learning Center with Mr. Consulate. They’re still going to be awhile. I was told to check on you, to ask again if you’d like to join me in the common room?” Hearing his n

Kieran’s POV A guard with a pale green uniform escorts me to my room. My head is heavy from all that’s happened today. And now, somewhere out there, a group of Secondaries are trying to find my best friend. I promised Caspian that once they changed Beau I would give him my decision. What will happen to us if I decline, though? We’re their guests now, sure...but I have a sinking feeling their welcoming arms will recoil with malice rather quickly if I choose not to participate in their own course of war. I gingerly rub my temples and follow the guard’s quick steps down the dimmed hallway. I know I have to talk this over with Caius. A hollow pit forms in the pit of my stomach just thinking about my vampire. This is the longest I’ve been away from him in months. Surely I can wait to discuss all this with him until after we’ve spent some time together? Or perhaps I’m just rationalizing with my nerves. The guard comes to a sudden halt in front of me. He pulls a string of keys to

Caius’ POV The door whines in slight protest as I push it ajar and move into the hallway. No guards are awaiting my exit. I’m no longer a prisoner. Just as he promised. I slip my hands into my pockets and silently move down the hallway, following the faint remnants of my human’s scent. Flames flicker against the weathered rock of the uneven walls. A ghost of a smile spreads across my lips. I remember the days that torches and candles were used as light. Seeing them again is a bitter reminder of my first memories as a vampire. My eyes focus on the door at the end of the hallway. Both of the torches on either side of the door have been extinguished recently. Smoke slithers around the entrance, beckoning me closer. I tilt my head to the side as I approach the door to the War Room. It’s left open a hair, not enough for a passing guard to notice, but enough for me to know he’s followed through with his word. My fingertips press against the wooden door, and it willingly moves

Kieran's POV I pace outside the medical holding room. My thumb nail is wet with saliva, the uneven edges a visual proof of my nerves. I spit a small piece of nail on the floor. The guard protecting the room watches it fall with a look of disgust.Caspian assured me I’d see Beau once they assessed Beau’s mental state and provided him a meal. Until then, ‘it was too dangerous.’ I wanted to laugh at this. If he only knew all I’ve been through the past year, he’d realize being around a vampire is the least of my worries.But I didn't argue. I know without my blood they have no use for any of us. Without my blood, there’s no way I can help to win this war. So in the best interest of both parties, I agreed to his terms to keep my safety intact.I switch hands and start working on my other thumb nail. The guard’s dark eyes follow my movements as I pace in front of the room. A week ago this silent, brooding interaction would have driven me crazy, but I’ve been around enough Secondary gua

Kieran's POV Tips of tree branches scrape against my bedroom window. I rub the sleep from my eyes and squint, expecting to hear rain or wind. There’s nothing. The branches scrape against my window again, like sharp nails on a chalkboard. It’s enough to pull me out of bed. As I trudge towards the window, I notice someone holding onto the branch, forcefully causing the unruly noise to transpire. My frown of dismay morphs into a coy grin. I pull the window open, and a soft breeze gives way, curling around my neck and caressing my face. “Well, well,” I shout-whisper. “Look what the cat dragged in.” Beau smirks and emerges from his hiding spot in the shadows. His hair hangs in disarray and falls against the sharp angles of his face. The moonlight almost makes it shine, like dark waters of the deepest lakes. “Grab a shirt and meet me out front.” I push my head further out the window. “Wait! Where are we going?” My best friend doesn’t bother providing a response. He slinks bac