After Hours (VAMPIRES PART 1)

Chapter 41

JENNIE

One Thousand Years Ago

There are some loves that transcend time, space and law. Jisoo was that for me.

I'd spent a year hiding, making excuses, leaving the manor in the depths of midnight, finding ailments and issues that would mean I could justify a visit to the apothecary. Mother was strict you see, the longer I remained unmarried, the more she would fluster and book events and balls. It became tiring rather quick and unfortunately, harder to see Jisoo. But I stole what moments I could.

I should have realised Mother would figure out something was up. But Jisoo swept me away, made me forget reality. She captured me in her arms and filled me with love and joy that bent the shape of my world and convinced me that fate would help us last. That we could have this love that our families thought shouldn't be.

But dreams like that never last. Love like that isn't meant to be. And I should have known better.

We're curled in her bed above the apothecary, my arms wrapped tight around her round belly, the softness of her skin keeping me dozing.

We forgot to draw the curtains last night, so I stare out of the window, as Jisoo sleeps in my arms. Morning hasn't broken, but soft violets and sparks of orange streak the sky. I'm not sure why I'm awake, perhaps the aching that still plagues my jaw and my eye socket. But I'm comforted by having her with me.

I sigh as I lean into the tendrils of her waves draped across the pillow and inhale the scent of her hair. Vanilla and lavender and hints of woody forest.

She smells like home.

As the sun's orb rises, cresting the horizon, something shifts in the air. An energy. It's wrong. All sharp around the edges like broken turrets and carriage spokes.

That's the last thought I have before an explosion rips through the cottage. The screams of men shred the air and heavy footfall echoes around us.

More screams.

Then an unnatural heat.

Four men burst through the door. I shriek. Jisoo wakes, her eyes meet mine and then she's dragged from my arms.

The men I barely recognise, but the emblems on their shirt breasts tell me they're St Laure men.

Mother.

Oh no, no, no.

I've been so careful. I ensured I had reasons to be out of the house. I know I wasn't followed last night. I knew if she discovered I'd escaped, if she found out who hurt me, she would seek revenge. Someone must have ratted me out. But it doesn't matter, I need to protect Jisoo.

"You filthy, disgusting whore," the first man says. His nasty sneered features harsh against the smoothness of his bald head. He raises his fist and slams it into Jisoo's jaw.

I scream. Blood splatters against the wooden floor. He raises his fist again and I am leaping out of bed, but someone wraps thick arms around my middle and yanks me back. I kick and scream and wriggle, but it's useless.

The bald man's fist comes down.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Blood sprays everywhere. Bones crack and snap. Jisoo's beautiful face melts into a puddle of macerated flesh. Her eyes disappearing beneath swollen purple lids.

I wrench myself around and sink my teeth into the man holding me. Biting so hard blood wells in my mouth. I spit it out and throw my head back connecting with his face.