I stood there, trying to recall whatever it was I learned from the self-defense lessons Ben had convinced me to take part in. I had no idea if they would work against vampires, but I figured it was worth a shot – if only just to stun them so I could make a run for it. It was wishful thinking, but it was the best I had. I bent down on the ground and swung a leg beneath Husky, making him topple to the ground. I took advantage of Pitchy's surprise and pushed him away before I began running back to the forest. I barely even took three strides, before both managed to catch up with me, pushing me to the ground.Pitchy held my arms down, while Husky bent on the ground to hold my feet down."That was a big mistake, sugar," Husky grinned.Both their fangs came out and I was sure I was about to lose all sanity, considering that it was the third time in the past twenty-four hours that vampires had threatened to suck my blood.I saw no hope whatsoever and just shut my eyes as both were about to b

I will never forget that conversation at Derek's dining table on my first "morning" at the Blood Shade. For one, it was the first conversation I sat through where the people surrounding me talked about me and my future as if I wasn't present. Only a day ago, I was really not much of anything other than Benjamin Hudson's shadow. In the span of about fourteen hours, I was sitting there, having two vampires argue over which one of them I belonged to.I wasn't thrilled about "belonging" to anyone, but I'd be a freaking liar if I didn't admit that I was flattered. However, it wasn't the brothers' showdown when it came to who had control over me that made such a distinct impression on me that morning. It was the look on Derek's blazing blue eyes when he asked if he could trust me.I didn't know why I did it, but then and there, I decided that he could. Still bent on escaping captivity, I wondered to myself how I would pull that off while still maintaining Derek's trust. I realized that if I

It was impossible not to know that Derek had already arrived at the penthouse. I and the girls – Gwen, Ashley, Paige, and Rosa – were in the kitchen making what we assumed would be dinner. It was hard to tell considering the lack of sunlight, but we all decided that we were starved and based on our estimates of how many hours had passed, it was dinner. We were actually having a good time. I'd already told the girls that there was no way of escaping – at least not yet – not until we had a solid plan, so we just went through the day trying to do what Derek suggested we do – entertain ourselves. We watched TV, read books, and made plans for what I wanted to do with the extra room Derek allowed me to have. Even the guards, Sam and Kyle, seemed to be enjoying our company. They definitely made no signs of wanting to suck any of us dry.So when Derek barged into the penthouse, screaming my name like it was bloody murder, I really ha

Everything happened in a blur. I was aware of it all, and yet, I wasn't. It was almost like everything was happening to another person, and yet it was me. I felt Derek's strong arms beneath me, carrying me. I heard his conversation with Vivienne before they both decided to take me to see Corrine the witch at the Sanctuary. I saw the agitation on Derek's face, the intoxicating scent of his natural musk filling my nostrils as I snuggled against him. I was conscious of it all, and yet at the same time, I was stuck in a memory, still reliving every sickening sensation it induced.   I was lured to sleep by an enchanting melody and awakened from it by a horrific nightmare. His hand was clamped over my mouth and his full weight was rested on top of me, constricting my breathing. I felt his free hand hike up my thigh and when I flinched, he chuckled vehemently, amused by my weakness.   "I will have you someday, Sofia," he whispered against m

I rose to my feet the moment the door swung open. I breathed out a sigh of relief when Sofia's lovely form stepped out of the room, a tentative smile forming on her face at the sight of me. If only out of sheer relief, I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her right then and there, but I fought the urge to do it in fear of scaring her. So I held back and allowed her to set the pace. I doubt she was aware of the effect she had on me when she walked toward me, grabbed my hand, her thin, dainty fingers intertwining with mine before she lifted my hand and placed a soft kiss over the back of it. I didn't fully understand why she did it, but I took it as assurance that she still felt safe around me, that she was choosing to trust me. I was both humbled and pressured by the gesture. I stared at her for a moment, taking in the sight of the splash of freckles on her cheeks and the natural red blush on her cheekbones. I let my eyes feast on the delicateness of her fa