Vampyre | Book I of Bloodlines

CROSSING t'S, DOTTING i'S

Darius

Quickly and quietly tracking my Viola across town proves effortless—even in this altered form, my speed, agility, and stealth remain undiminished.

I'm uncertain what this new body signifies or what capabilities it holds. I don't feel any weaker, though perhaps it's Viola's blood still coursing through me. Aside from the fact that all my organs function, I don't sense any significant changes, and I retain my strength, wings, and magic.

Throughout Viola's time with William, I never let her out of my sight—I couldn't risk anything happening to her, even with me behind the wheel of William's mind and soul—seeing her through his eyes wasn't sufficient. Viola is now my everything, and I will watch and protect her for all eternity.

As I watch Viola exit Mr. Collins's office, I make William open the car door for her. After she enters, I swiftly close the door and position William on the other side of the car, ensuring he's as far away as possible. It bothers me that she has to be in such close proximity to him.

Passing by a pub, the scent of roast pork and apple pie briefly tempts me. Food is appealing, but I can't recall the last time I used a lavatory. There were certain conveniences to being a walking corpse, though shedding tears of blood after burying a family member was a dreaded occurrence.

Perched on the roof of William's manor, I observe the approaching car. I concentrate on diverting William's gaze away from Viola, but it's challenging due to my intense desire to see and hold her constantly—a new test of self-discipline.

Through William's eyes, I glance at Viola as she gazes out the window in the opposite direction. My eyes follow down her neck to the spot where William had stabbed her, and I resist the urge to plant a kiss there—these are not my lips.

The thought of Viola sprawled naked in bed flashes through my mind, and my body responds accordingly. Recalling how she moaned when we first kissed stirs a carnal desire in me. Vampyres do not derive physical pleasure from the act of sex—it was never an itch that needed scratching during my years as a Vampyre. Meaningless sex never interested me, though I did find some comfort in the arms of a couple of companions on a few of my lonelier and darker moments.

It was different when Viola touched me—before her life-giving kiss, I could feel her touch on my skin like no other. Perhaps her magic affected mine, granting me the sensation of feeling everything she did to me.

Never having found a wife before my turning, I'm yet to experience the sensation with a living body. Viola will be my first and last. With this new body, I might even be capable of siring children, but only if Viola consents to be their mother. No other woman would suffice.

As Viola steps out of the car, her eyes instantly lock onto mine, as though she knew where I was the entire time, making me wonder what she thinks of her new body and superior body.

Once Edmund drives off, I send William on his way to his naughty corner, making sure to inform any house staff William passes that he wishes to remain undisturbed for the remainder of the day.

Viola glances around as if looking around for onlookers, then surprises me by leaping up to the roof in a single bound. Her landing is somewhat clumsy, but she laughs joyously as she lands backward onto her behind.

"Wow, this is going to take some getting used to," she exclaims joyfully.

Viola takes my hand, and I pull her up to her feet. Before she can utter another word, I take her lips with mine and unleash a day's worth of pining over her in seconds.

Our first kiss as Dhampirs is desperate on both sides. I feel her desire for me as her hands pull me closer by my shirt collar.

"I want you," she whispers as I kiss a trail down her neck.