In "The Eternal Burden," embark on an enthralling journey with Nataleea, a woman burdened by a tumultuous past entwined with secrets, curses, and a string of dark deeds. From the poverty of Italy to a turbulent marriage in America, Nataleea's life t...
'I wonder what will get you killed quicker your loyalty or your stubbornness?'
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She finds herself standing in a vast, dark landscape, devoid of any familiar landmarks. In the distance, she notices three rings of flames, their bright orange light casting dancing shadows across the ground. The crackling of the fire is overshadowed by a faint, but unnerving, sound of screams that seem to echo through the night.
She jolts awake, her heart racing and her breaths coming in frantic gasps. After a moment of disoriented, she rises from the bed and makes her way to the bathroom. She quickly strips off her sleepwear, her mind still lingering on the eerie dream. She steps into a warm shower, letting the water soothe her as she ponders the meaning of the nightmare. She then slips into a pair of black, low-waisted jeans coupled with a pinstriped suit vest, revealing hints of a lace-trimmed cami top beneath it. She completes the look with a pair of combat boots before heading out.
I head to the kitchen, realizing I was out of blood bags. Deciding to take a few from the Salvatore Boarding House, I get in my car and drive over there. On the way, I apply some vanilla, cinnamon, and vanilla with a hint of hazelnut perfume. When I reach the boarding house, I quickly head downstairs to the basement fridge where the Salvatore brothers store the blood bags they steal from the blood bank.
I approach the cellar door and knock on it a few times, hoping to catch Damon's attention.
"What do you want?" Damon asks, his raspy voice betraying his fatigue. His complexion is pale, and he regards me with an expression of annoyance as if my presence is merely a waste of his time while he deals with the effects of desiccation.
"You're more of a traitor than I thought," I say, my anger evident in my voice. "I bet you just want to rip into another human's neck, just like you did to Caroline?"
He scoffs at me, his weak voice filled with frustration and irritation, "Don't act all holy all of a sudden, sweetheart. You know damn well I'm no saint. I don't need to defend myself to you of all people."
"Damon," I say firmly, my eyes locked on his. "I want this to work. But you're too reckless, and I'm starting to wonder if you even love me. Or are you just using me to get what you want?"
He returns my gaze with a defiant glare, his expression guarded. My words have struck a nerve, and he can't help but feel a hint of defensiveness. "You want honesty?" he retorts, his voice laced with anger. "What makes you think you ever meant anything to me?"
"Go fuck yourself, Damon," I snap, my patience wearing thin. "You owe me now, and we're going to be strictly business from here on out. If you want to get out, you're gonna need to offer me something big-time, you dick." I say
