جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 9

I had no intention of telling anyone I was leaving.Seraphina hooked her arm through our brother Adrian's and asked sweetly, "Is Budapest fun?"Everyone flocked back to her. The hall filled with laughter again.I turned toward my room to pack, but someone caught my wrist.Julian."Remember to get Seraphina's luggage ready," he said under his breath. "Don't leave behind a single gown or piece of jewelry. As soon as the coming-of-age ceremony is over, we're going to Budapest. You might as well come work under us instead of chasing whatever little job you've found."His gaze traveled over me before he added, "I'm thinking of your future. You never managed to awaken your bloodline ability, after all."I stared at him, hearing the academy physician's diagnosis all over again."Vivian, the main reason your ability hasn't awakened is malnutrition. With proper nourishment and rest, there's every chance you'll recover."The answer to a problem that had haunted me for years had been tha

I was leaving tomorrow. My bags had been packed for a while, and I'd planned to go as soon as the sun came up.But that evening, Julian came by.He'd brought two bottles of blood wine, one for me and one for Seraphina.Seraphina's eyes lit up. She opened hers right away and poured herself a glass. A trace of deep red lingered at the corner of her lips."This is amazing. Cabernet Sanguignon, my favorite."I stared at the bottle in front of me and didn't move.I'd first met Julian years ago, in a corner of the garden. He'd been standing beside a cluster of white roses, and he'd smiled and told me we were the same kind of people.He was the youngest son of the Moretti family. His parents only had eyes for his older brothers, so he was always the one left behind, too.After that, we were inseparable.Then one day, he came looking for me and ran into Seraphina instead.From then on, there were three of us in our games.Even so, I still wanted to be around him. He always brought t

Back at the banquet, Mom and Dad were still drinking with the family's elders and fussing over Seraphina.They told anyone willing to listen about the Budapest businesses she was about to take over, growing more animated with every retelling. Each time, they finished by asking the elders to look after her in the future.The elders were happy to oblige. Seraphina was beautiful, charming, and clever, they said. The Vardi family's future was in excellent hands.Adrian stood beside our parents, pride written all over his face."At last I have a capable partner," he announced. "Together, we'll make the Vardi name famous across the vampire world. When Seraphina officially takes charge, I'll gladly serve as her second. As long as she's happy, I'm happy."The hall was still celebrating when the doors suddenly swung open.A group of imposing visitors entered. At their head was a cold-faced man in a sharply tailored black suit, a silver insignia pinned to his collar.A guest recognized hi

At noon, my daylight ring glowed faintly on my finger.I walked along the waterfront of a little town at the southern tip of Crete, completely unharmed beneath the brilliant sun. Any ordinary vampire who saw me would have been stunned.I reached the street-facing house I'd rented in advance and moved in.When I'd finished unpacking, I collapsed onto the sofa. For the first time in years, my whole body felt light.I opened the windows. Birds sang above the wash of the surf, and a sea breeze drifted through the room. There was only one sound missing: the endless criticism that had followed me all my life.I stretched without a care in the world.My landlady, Eleni Markou, happened to see the bruises on my wrists and around my waist. She said nothing. But the next morning, I found a little bag hanging from my door handle. Inside was a tube of ointment.After all these years, the first genuine kindness I'd felt had come from a human stranger.I'd made a decent amount of money selli

Julian and Adrian stormed into the shop."Vivian, I swear you'll regret it if you betray the Vardi family!" Adrian shouted, pointing straight at my face.Julian noticed the prince and his entourage, and his tone immediately became more restrained."Vivian, we're family. Whatever happened before is in the past. Stop holding a grudge and come home with us."The prince's expression cooled at the interruption.He glanced at Rex. A moment later, several guards swept in from outside and forced both men onto their knees. The entire movement was swift and silent.Adrian lay pinned to the floor, yet he still refused to back down."Traitor! If you say one word against us, I'll kill you!"The prince looked at me."Are these two members of your family?"I nodded. I knew exactly how much trouble their outburst would bring on themselves and the family behind them.I curtsied to the prince."All I want is to live quietly without being disturbed. I'm grateful for your generosity, but I don