The Ties of Darkness (Book Two of the Hidden Secrets Trilogy)

Chapter Nine

I woke up with a pounding headache. I took in my surroundings and I realized I was still at Liam and Jacob's. My door opened and Liam stepped in.

"What happened last night?" I asked.

"You were possessed by whatever Erebus put in that necklace," Liam answered. The necklace. I looked down and saw that the horrible wretched thing had finally been removed. "Some of Erebus's life magic was given to you, but you used it up, which broke whatever bond he had on you," Liam explained.

I held up my wrist and saw too that the disgusting black swirl had dissipated.

"So I'm free of his hold now?" I asked hopefully.

"That's what it looks like," Liam said with a shrug.

"Oh thank you thank you!" I squealed hugging Liam tightly. He chuckled.

"Ok, I need air, you're like crushing my ribs," Liam said with a small laugh.

"Oops, sorry," I apologized releasing him.

"You're fine," he said smiling down at me. I noticed Jacob was gone and looked around Liam to see if he was standing in the doorway.

"Jacob left a while ago. He couldn't bear to see you in the state you were in after that demon left your body," Liam said.

"Erebus won't be able to find me any more right?" I asked.

"I don't know for sure, but we'll keep an eye on that," he said.

Later that day, Liam took me out to dinner. I let go of my victim, which was a guy about in his early twenties and let him crumple to the ground.

Liam took a hold of my hand and we walked around and headed over to the park. We found a bench away from others and sat down. I rested my head against Liam's shoulder as his arm wrapped around me.

"I love you," I said to him softly.

"I love you too," he answered before he got up and kneeled on one knee before me.

I covered my mouth with my hand as he pulled out a small black velvet box and opened it to reveal a beautifully made wedding ring. The large diamond in the center gleamed dimly under the full moon.

"Anna, will you make me the happiest vampire in all the 156 years I've been alive and marry me?" Liam proposed. Happy tears overwhelmed me as I choked out a laugh.

"Yes," I answered nodding my head and smiling. He slid the ring on my ring finger, then he stood up and took me up with him and our lips met. He took my hand again and we headed for home both feeling the best we had ever had. Although what we didn't know was that someone was watching us nearby.

Liam and I laughed as he held me in his arms, as he attempted to open the door while holding me.

We'd stopped at a bar on the way home and Liam had gotten drunk with a few beers, yet he didn't seem fazed by it. Once we got inside he flitted us upstairs, when he got to the bed he flopped us down. He rolled over so my back was against the bed and his mouth claimed mine.

I felt his hands slide down my waist and his lips ran down my neck and I uttered a soft sigh.

"Liam, when's the wedding?" I asked eager to know.

"So eager already, are we?" he teased.

"More than ever," I said and closed my eyes as his lips met mine again. My hands rested beneath his chest and I could feel his muscles ripple from under his shirt.

A moment later we both heard the door from downstairs open. We looked at each other, my face worried and Liam's stern. Liam started to go when I stopped him.