Vampyre | Book I of Bloodlines

PURE MAGIC

Darius

Like a barren desert thirsting for water, my body absorbed every single drop of blood that Viola brought me. I still feel the blood rushing to every part of my being, my senses sharpening, and my strength slowly returning.

Now, if only Viola would do as she's told and come closer. I grumble at her, making my displeasure known.

I look at my arm and notice that my skin has improved—it's no longer the gray, sickly color it was before.

"Not bad. This hand, at least, I recognize as my own, but this still isn't me," I say, watching my hand make a fist.

"I fail to see how one can improve on this," Viola says, getting to her feet and flattening the front of her skirt.

Viola blushes as she does her best to hide her smile, still standing too far away for my liking. What I wouldn't give to see her blushing in the sunlight, where both of us are free.

I enjoy the fact that she clearly likes what she sees, but right at that moment—there is nothing more I want than to punish her for not coming to me. My bruised ego wants to hold her, to make her feel my strength and power, and for her to not only be impressed but also feel safe in my arms.

"Viola, will you please come here?" I offer her my hand, desperate for her touch.

When I heard her talking with Mr. Dixon, it wasn't just jealousy that consumed me. It was fear of what he might do to her. I was concerned for Elliott, too, but my Viola, my precious Viola, was out there all alone while a Vampyre stalked her from behind for much longer than she even knew. Meanwhile, I'm here, powerless to guard my little mouse.

With no breath or heartbeat to give Dixon away, he wasn't easy to track. He watched her for nearly ten minutes before making his presence known, which instantly made me distrust him.

Viola's eyes dart from my eyes to my mouth, a little smirk of accomplishment creeping its way onto her lips.

She walks over and finally slips her hand in mine. "What gives you the right to be so damned beautiful?"

Her eyes linger on my lips once more, conveying exactly what she desires. I wrap my hand around her waist and guide her closer to me, exactly where I yearn for her to be every minute of every moment she's away.

"Your eye seems to be doing better," I observe, examining her bruised eye. The swelling has gone down significantly. "Shall we try it again now that I'm a little stronger?"

Viola shakes her head. "No, it would be too suspicious if I were to heal so quickly."

"Perhaps you're right," I concede, drifting closer to those enticing lips of hers.

Viola pulls her face away just before I can kiss her.

"What's wrong?" I ask, concealing my utter disappointment at her withdrawal.

For a long moment, Viola studies my face, her eyes searching mine for something I'm unaware of.

"It's you," her voice carries disbelief as she cups my face in her hands and continues to scrutinize my features.

"Not yet, but we're getting there," I reply matter-of-factly.

"No, I know you. I've...dreamed of you," a smile slowly spreads across her lips as her eyes scan my chest. "I can feel something, I think it's your magic. There's a pull, but...one I can choose to ignore."

She looks up at me with her amazing storm-colored eyes and beams at me.

"It's really you..." she whispers.