Bloodbound Desires (Vampire Romance)

Demons and chaos

As the conversation continued, the tension in the room was palpable. Elena felt increasingly like an outsider in her own family. Natalie's presence only amplified the sense of favouritism that had always existed.

Natalie, ever the socialite, sidled closer to Neo. "You know, Mr. James, I've always been fascinated by the world of business. Perhaps you could mentor me," she suggested, her voice dripping with charm.

Neo gave a polite but firm smile. "I'm sure your parents have great plans for you, Natalie. But my primary concern remains Elena's safety and well-being."

Mrs. Beaumont interjected, her tone smooth. "We understand, Mr. James. But having someone like you guiding Natalie could benefit our entire family, especially in these uncertain times."

Elena's frustration boiled beneath the surface. She had just survived a harrowing ordeal, and here her family was, already shifting the focus to Natalie's ambitions. She bit her lip, her hands clenching the hospital bed's sheets.

Sensing Elena's distress, Neo placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Elena's recovery and safety are paramount. Any other discussions can wait until she's fully healed."

Natalie pouted slightly but didn't push further. "Of course, Mr. James. Family comes first," she said, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of disappointment.

Mr. Beaumont, always the pragmatist, cleared his throat. "Neo, can we ensure that Elena will be safe? Are there more threats we should be aware of?"

Neo's gaze hardened. "The world she's now part of is dangerous, and there are many who would want to exploit her. But I will make sure she is protected. My guards will remain close, and I'll be monitoring the situation.  Now she needs to get rest.''

The room gradually emptied. Natalie and Mrs. Beaumont left first, discussing their plans in hushed tones. Mr. Beaumont stayed a moment longer, giving his daughter a kiss on the forehead before following his wife and stepdaughter.

Left alone with Neo, Elena felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. "This is all so overwhelming," she whispered.

A nurse came in to check her wounds and to ensure the drip was running smoothly, then left again.

''Can you turn off the light please?'' Elena asked Neo.  

As the city lights flickered outside the window, Elena closed her eyes, too tired to care about being alone in a dark room with a stranger.  

Elena dreams of how she was rescued:

The handsome man is looking down at me, a small smile playing at his lips making him look dangerously attractive. I have seen him fight; he's definitely not human. He was moving from where he was before too fast to be human. I can't not look at him. Through the whole ordeal, I saw when he entered, and he looked familiar, but I can't remember where I saw him before.

He breaks the intense eye contact between us when his eyes flicker to the man who called himself Master, lying headless on the floor right by me, a pool of blood running from the neck. I couldn't understand why Master would have someone draw blood from me every eight or nine hours. The thought now makes me shudder. He drank my blood. Images of how moments before Master attacked me, sliced my neck with a knife, and moved in to suck my blood. "You killed him. Ripped off his head like it was nothing. How did you get here this fast? I saw you. You were over there."

My whole body is shaking, and I am unable to move away from the corpse. Seeing my one hand in a pool of blood that's coming from the corpse, I immediately lift it up and stare at it in horror. Nausea wells up from my stomach, and it takes effort to keep it in. Swallowing once, I shut my eyes, while tears stream down my face. "Kill me and get it over with," I say, slowly lifting myself off the floor, desperation evident in my voice. "I can't stand this anymore." Dying would be much better than the last few weeks repeating themselves in a different setting.