The Vampire Prince | Book One ✔ (Needs Editing)

Burn | Chapter 38

I stood watching the empty space where Christian vanished. While watching silently I noticed the baby inside me shift and kick. I smiled and rubbed the bump.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled. "I didn't think I'd be saved, I didn't think that Julian would stop chasing me if he knew I was alive."

I suddenly felt a sharp pain inside me, where my unborn child laid. I gasped and leaned against the side of a house. More pain followed, it spread through me like a parasite in my veins.

I cried out and fell to my knees.

"W-what's wrong with me?" I cried. The pain was increasing as more time passed. It wasn't labor, I wasn't far enough to be in labor.

I whimpered in the shadows of the house and kicked over a bucket of water.

"Stark!" I begged, I needed him, I needed him beside me. I prayed he'd somehow hear my calls for help.

I quickly climbed to my shaky legs and started heading in the direction I watched Christian vanish to. I had to go, I had to find Stark, I had to find them both and save them, they put their lives on the line for me, I'll do the same.

"Baby, am I dying?" I asked staggering across a field. I held my belly as pain continuously jolted my body. I was hungry and filled with a new motivation.

After almost an hour passed I stumbled toward the mansion and squinted my eyes to see two figures standing together.

Not standing together but lashing at one another.

Christian stood frozen in place as Julian's hand stuck right through his chest. Tears spilled down my cheeks while I watched Christian fall to the ground, kneeling before the man he use to know.

"No!" I cried out and ran to him. Time seemed to slow; my only thought was to go to Christian and try to protect him.

Once I was by his side I noticed how his pupils were dilated and his body was stiff.

"Run," He gasped. "I can't... Protect you anymore."

I grabbed him and pulled him into my lap and brushed his hair out of his face.

"Christian, stay with me, Stark will be waiting for you, you can't leave him — It'll destroy him. Please." I begged as my tears fell onto his cheeks.

"Well, well. I thought yiu were dead, turns out my little game has yet to —" Julian reached for me and I quickly smacked his hand.

"I won't let you kill him, I won't let you kill me, our child or Stark. I'm going to enjoy watching you crash and burn." I spat. His eyes glowed with amusement and he grabbed me by my throat. I winced and climbed to my feet.

"You were the best slave I ever had; you always kept me on my toes, it was defiently hard to keep up the fake facade until now," He chuckled and brought his face close. "Goodbye, darling."

Just as he whispered those words he dug his fingers into my throat. My body jolted and I grabbed his throat in return.

"I hate — Vampires!" I cried out and dug my nails into his jugular and grabbed it firmly.

"Go!" Christian ordered as he stumbled to his feet. His body swayed as he forced his hand into Julian's chest.

I gasped as Julian let go of me and with a swift movement had Christian's heart in his grasp.

Time froze, Christian slumped forward as Julian ripped his heart straight out of his chest and throwing it to the ground. I stared wide eyed and fell to my knees.

"Monster!" I cried clutching to Christian. He didn't find his brother, he wasn't able to save the one person that he cared for.

"Oh?" Julian smirked and grabbed my face. "I wonder how I should kill you?"

I shoved him and closed my eyes, something inside me flipped and before I knew it I had him in my grasp. One hand through his stomach and the other one tugging at his arm.

Julian gasped and smiled.

"Christian was right. You really are different, very strong and fast. Well, you're much different now that you became a vampire." He licked his lips and flashed his fangs.

"What are you talking about?" I growled. I hesitated and he grabbed my face and pulled my top lip up.

"I see what happened. Christian promised Stark that he'd protect you no matter what — so when you took that liquid to kill yourself, you had vampire blood in your system and was brought back as one of us." He chuckled.

"A vampires blood in my system?" I questioned and gasped. "Christian tried to heal me before I passed out —"

"Of course he did, dear. He made a promise with his brother." He hissed. I raised my gaze and met his and chewed my lip.

"T-this can't be—" I stared.

"Oh, but I'm sure your unborn child has already tried to tell you. It's hungry." Julian smirked.

"Shut up!" I demanded.

"Now you're a monster just like me." He mocked.

"I'm nothing like you—"

"Sam! Get away from him!" Stark appeared behind me and touched my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Stark. I tried so hard for things to have a different outcome. I ruined everything." I glanced at him.

"Stop this, it won't solve anything! We have to go; the NightBlood Clan is on their way, I sent word of Julian's fallen crew." Stark grabbed my arm and gently pulled me into his embrace.

Julian crumbled to his knees and sighed.

"Don't be fooled. All vampires are the same." Julian chuckled before vanishing from sight.

We allowed him to get away only to come for me another day, whether it be a week, a month or years from now — he'll come for me — for my child.

Stark held me in his arms and gave me a squeeze. He sighed and rubbed my back.

"I'm sorry I couldn't find you sooner." He mumbled and stroked my hair.

"Your brother—" I cried.

"It's alright. I asked him to put his life on the line and he did, he died a hero." Stark squeezed tighter and sighed.

I could sense his anger and his pain as he stared over my shoulder at his lifeless brothers body.