Vampyre | Book I of Bloodlines

HOLLOW

Viola

Since Mr. Dixon's departure abruptly cut short our conversation, I refocused on my original plan to locate Mrs. Gillian and Alice, who, according to Amber, are currently employed here.

Sophie joins me at the table but hardly speaks a word as we eat lunch together.

When the barmaid informs me that neither Mrs. Gillian nor Alice are working today, I can't help but feel disappointed that yet another day has yielded no results. With my husband away, every day is precious.

Sophie gives me the silent treatment most of the way home, and I'm grateful for it. Deciding I can't confide in her about Darius, I observe her stern face as she ignores me and chuckle to myself when she rolls her eyes, huffs, and tries even harder to ignore me.

Resting my head on the glass of the window as we drive, the hum of the engine soothes me as we drive home, allowing my mind a moment of respite. I watch the passing scenery, and my thoughts naturally turn to Darius.

It's been over a day since I last saw him, and I already miss his presence. I must be going mad because when Mr. Dixon mentioned spending eternity with my shackled friend, something about the idea felt strangely right, making my heart ache and yearn simultaneously.

Lulled into a shallow sleep, I begin to hear the distant, rhythmic sounds of rolling waves from the nearby sea. The gentle crash of the ocean waves and the distant calls of seagulls make it feel as though I'm standing along the sun-kissed shore. The air is thick with the tang of salt, each breath carrying the essence of the sea. I take a deep breath of the warm coastal breeze. It smells incredible.

Caught between wakefulness and dreams, I practically feel the hot sand beneath my feet.

We must have hit a bump in the road, which caused my head to gently knock against the car window. Am I truly dreaming?

"Viola!" a warm voice calls out from somewhere behind me.

Turning around, I see a small boy running up, his arms wrapping around my leg in a tight embrace. The sun is too bright to see his face clearly, but his joyful, childish laughter rings out over the sounds of the ocean, easing my fears and worries.

Following the boy's footprints in the sand, I look up to see a tall man approaching. When my eyes meet his beautiful brown gaze, a sense of completeness washes over me. I'm home—he is my home, and all is right in the world.

A gentle hand squeezes my shoulder, pulling me from the dreamlike state, and when I open my eyes, I'm met with Lord William Spencer's house looming before me. All remnants of the solace and joy I lived just seconds ago slip away like sand through my fingers. That world now feels painfully out of reach. This is my reality.

The vague residue of my fading dream leaves me with an empty, hollow feeling that sends me plummeting deep into melancholy. The weight of my emotions grips me tightly, refusing to be shaken off as I enter the house.

When I reach my bedroom, I quickly shut my door—my breath becomes shallow and quick, each inhale feeling insufficient to satisfy my lungs. A tightness grips my chest, making breathing difficult, causing a wave of dizziness, disorienting my senses. I need to see him.

Overwhelming sadness propels me straight to Darius. Each step I take makes it more impossible to fight back the tears—only being near him can stop this. Only his presence can fill this inexplicable emptiness.

Before I know it, I've unlocked the door and am rushing toward him without regard for my own safety.

Darius panics and gets to his feet, trying to move away from me as I barrel towards him.