Vampyre | Book I of Bloodlines

BEGINNINGS

Viola

From that day forth, at his request, Darius becomes Dae. It will require getting used to, yet since his transformation, it feels like the natural order of things. Darius Kane is no more, and Dae Han has been resurrected—he is a living, breathing Dhampir.

Initially, Dae contemplated burning down the Spencer manor, but now that it rightfully belongs to Elliott, we decided against it. Ultimately, it's just a structure. The malevolence within it now lies submerged, decaying at the bottom of a lake.

During breakfast, which I shovel into my mouth at a rapid rate, needing more food than normal to heal after being drained last night, I inform Mr. Norris that I intend to visit my friend Pollyanna.

I hand Mrs. Norris two letters. "Have this sent to Polly and this one is for her father, Mr. Argyle, so they know we're coming. I'll be taking Elliott and Sophie with me."

Mrs. Norris, however, protests my intention to drive myself, all the way from the breakfast table to when I head outside to the car.

"It's unbecoming for a lady to drive," she admonishes as I slip on my driving gloves.

Sophie and Elliott eagerly climb into the car and wait. Dae will accompany us from above until we're out of sight of the manor.

"Edmund should drive you; a Lady should not be traveling alone," she continues.

"Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Norris, but driving was a pastime I enjoyed with my father, and I sorely miss it," she goes to continue to argue on the matter, but I stun her into silence with a hug,

"Take care of yourself, Mrs. Norris. When my husband returns, assure him we'll return by the 21st. I don't want William to worry," I add with a reassuring smile.

Knowing I'll never step foot in this house again, this is the last time I'll be seeing Mrs. Norris, though she remains unaware. Without a moment's hesitation, I slide into the driver's seat and start the engine before swiftly pulling away, eager to begin our journey.

I watch the house diminish in my mirror until it's finally gone, hidden behind scenery—the tightness in my rib suddenly releases, and I'm free to breathe.

Sophie shoots me a subtle wink in the rearview mirror while Elliott occupies himself with a toy soldier and horse beside her.

Once we've put enough distance between us and the house, Dae gracefully lands on the car's roof and slips gracefully through the window to sit beside me.

"You're an excellent driver, my love," he compliments—his gorgeous smile nearly has me swerving off the road as he plants a quick kiss on my cheek.

"I've always wanted to learn how to ride a motorbike, but my father drew a hard line. He said they were dangerous," I tell Dae.

Dad smirks. "He wasn't wrong. I will teach you."

Sophie clears her throat behind us, clearly disapproving of my learning to ride, but I suppose she's beyond mothering me now that I'm half dead already.

We journey throughout the day, pausing only for refueling. The inn we discover is modest, but for our first meal as a family at the restaurant, I'm filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. We're finally on our way to freedom.

Reuniting with Pollyanna proves a surreal experience. It's as if I'm seeing a ghost from an old life I could never return to—too changed by all I've endured. I find myself reticent to divulge too much of what has happened since we last met, and the last thing I wanted to do was lie to her. How could I possibly tell Polly of such awful things and the story of how I met Dae and who he is to me? I'm still legally married, after all.