Vampyre | Book I of Bloodlines

THE GAMES BEGIN

Darius

Completely powerless—there's nothing I can do but listen as William plays games with Viola. I heard him coming and knew it was over—the dream Viola had for us was now in danger of permanently fading into nothingness.

The first thing William did upon arriving was check on me, only to find me significantly improved and the curtains drawn.

"Well, well, what little creature found its way in here?" He asked, making his way through the field of crucifixes surrounding me.

William maintained a safe distance, aware that I could snap his neck if he approached too closely.

He tucked his hands into his pockets and sighed as he examined my face. "I saw Viola taking Elliott into the barn just now. What do you suppose she's up to?"

William's smug smile filled me with fury, and I tested the strength of my chains once again, albeit in vain.

"I see. You like her then?" William scratched his stubble thoughtfully as he started to walk a wide circle around me. "Are creatures like yourself capable of love, I wonder."

He finished walking his stupid circle around me and finally looked at me, his gaze piercing, scheming within.

"Let's experiment and find out," William shrugs, "I might have something to add to my family's guidebook."

"If you lay a hand on her—" I started.

"You'll what? Possess me again?" William reached under his shirt to retrieve a charm from around his neck.

He held it up for me to see—it was a protection charm encrusted with a large emerald. The moment I saw it, I knew I wouldn't be able to control him or use him as a looking glass while he wore it.

"I finally figured you out, Darius. I could feel you poking around every now and then, but when you took over the library like that, I knew for sure it was you," she said, backing off.

"Plus, I've already laid my hands on her, Darius. I own Viola, legally. She is my wife, after all, and I plan on laying more hands all over her."

I saw his cruel mind at work—he had found a way to hurt me the way I hurt him, using Viola.

William smirked. "I think it's time we end this, Darius. Your imprisonment no longer amuses me, and as for my wife, well, we can chalk it up to irreconcilable differences."

William turned around and sauntered toward the door.

"You know, I always wondered how you managed to get Emily to marry you," I snickered.

William paused at the door.

"Did you isolate her the way you did Viola? Is that the only way you can attain a wife, Willy? Isolate them, make them feel all alone, and present yourself as the safest way out of whatever tragic predicament you've put them in?" I laughed.

"The irony of my Emily, the wife of a Vampyre Hunter, turning to a lifeless, soulless creature like myself for rescue from you is what kept me amused all these years," I added.

William turned to look at me, his anger simmering beneath the surface, making me laugh. Good—whatever jabs I had left to make would have to suffice before my inevitable fall. I just prayed he didn't hurt Viola too much.

"I have watched everyone I ever loved die—my father, sister, her children, her children's children. You lose one woman and turn into a beast crueler than the bloodsucker trapped within me," I shook my head in disgust.

William stepped closer, his anger propelling him forward, almost within my reach. The hungry beast within me lunged at him, claws and fangs outstretched. William dodged, stepping backward. I couldn't help but laugh like a lunatic at hearing his heart pounding away in his ribs—it had been years since he'd seen me this strong.