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THE NIGHTMARE Chapter 71
I shook my head and tried hard to focus. As far as I was concerned, in these past few minutes Rafael had accomplished a lot more than Valerian had in all the months I’d spent with him. He had saved my life, but it seems that his efforts had only earned him heavier chains and subduing spells. I sighed. Too much had happened in just the span of a few hours and I didn’t know if I could bear it all.When Dragos summoned Valerian to his chambers, I had been so saddened at the thought of him leaving me. I remembered how his summons had made me feel, but I looked at him now and I couldn’t hide my disgust. He had just hurt me badly, physically and emotionally. What had he gained by lying to me about his past? This was not just about some girl he spent a few nights with. Valerian had deliberately withheld information from me about his wife. The claw marks on my arm were healed but the muscles underneath my arm still throbbed in pain. I didn’t care whether Ivan or any of the guards were within
THE NIGHTMARE Chapter 72
I debated if I should just run away and take my chances out in the human world. The only thing that was holding me back from leaving was the fact that rogue vampires were hunting me, and I didn’t know how to defend myself. Maybe I could find a witch coven who could teach me how to use my powers and then send me on my way. Who was I kidding? I probably wouldn’t get far without Valerian tracking me down. He would kill every creature who stood in his path until he found me. I guess I should have been impressed and appreciated his perseverance.Valerian held my gaze for a moment before his supernatural speed banished him from my sight. I exhaled a deep breath as I felt my eyes swell with tears. They were hot as they slid down my cheeks. I felt so alone and lost, and I missed how perfectly everything was going before his secret divided us. I felt empty and despondent as if I were trapped in a tragic nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from. I needed someone to talk to about my feelings, but
THE NIGHTMARE Chapter 73
I sighed, left the window, and began to prepare to visit Rafael down in the dungeons. My visits to his cell had helped me remain sane because he freely shared his thoughts and we talked about practically everything. I kept those visits hidden from Valerian and Ivan, but I wasn’t stupid. I had stolen enough blood bags from the kitchen downstairs to warrant a report to Valerian. I didn’t really care. I’d already decided to fess up whenever he confronted me about it, but not a moment before. I dressed quickly, went down to the refrigerator downstairs, and fetched some more blood for Rafael.Then I marched off in the direction of the dungeons. On getting there, I found Rafael to be good company as always. Talks of the day we had met and Valerian’s inadequacies both as a husband-to-be and as a host were no longer routinely discussed in these visits. I had made it clear that I was fed up with that line of questioning, and those days Rafael found new mind power challenges for me instead.I s
THE NIGHTMARE Chapter 74
“They are too strong!” Ivan shouted as he held me tightly by my side behind him.“What do we do?!” I was terrified that we wouldn’t make it out of here alive and it would be all my fault. All because Rafael convinced me to ask for time outside of the castle.“You may have to run and leave me behind!”“No! I can’t do that!” I screamed as my heart cringed at the thought. I couldn’t leave Ivan behind. If he died protecting me, I would never forgive myself.It was like my prayers were answered, because suddenly one rogue halted in his tracks as his eyes widened. The vampire’s lifeless body collapsed to the ground and in the rogue’s place stood Valerian with the monster’s heart cradled tightly in his palm. Valerian’s hand was drenched in black blood, and he growled through his exposed fangs.Valerian fought side by side with Ivan and they moved like perfectly synced dance partners swaying to the same rhythm. I hid behind the bushes as I watched the brutality of their battle. Suddenly, I fel
THE NIGHTMARE Chapter 75
Valerian gently removed Ivan's palm from his forehead after coughing a few more times.He said weakly, "We would need to interrogate them to find out more if any of the rogue vampires survived."Go.Determine whether any of them survived.Ivan quickly objected to this new plan, still vehemently distrusting me, but Valerian insisted.Ivan, she won't hurt me,” he said over and over until Ivan reluctantly nodded.As Valerian's eyes closed, Ivan said to me, "I'll be back quickly."Don't act foolishly for your own sake.After that, he quickly got to his feet and stormed out of the room.I moved over and knelt next to Valerian after he left.What did I do outside to him?What was that voice inside of me?As I gently placed my right palm on his forehead, I reflected.He was badly burning.I quickly got up, dashed into the bathroom, grabbed a white towel, and filled a bowl with cool water.Valerian had coughed up a few lumps of blood when I returned to his side after being absent for less than a minute.
THE NIGHTMARE Chapter 76
It's hard to believe that.She curved her lips as her mentality moved hips.As Catelyn glared at me with her arms crossed, I explained, "It was so long ago, Catelyn, I barely even remembered what my wife looked like until I met you."As I reached out my palm to her, I begged, "Let me show you my previous human life."She made a cautious approach to me and gently placed her hand in mine.As I pressed my forehead against hers, I drew our embrace closer to my chest.While blasting the images in her mind, I closed my eyes and dug deeply into my memories.As I pressed my forehead against hers, I drew our embrace closer to my chest.I buried myself in my memories and blasted the images into her mind with my eyes closed.[Flashback 600 Years Ago] I was just a young Knight Templar at the time, during the Third Crusade.Society regarded me as a noble warrior because I represented our village with great honor.I was rewarded with a great deal of good fortune for my family, which was a magical experien
THE NIGHTMARE Chapter 77
Catelyn gasped as I slowly brought us back to the present moment.Her lips were parted and her eyes were full of tears.As she swallowed the lump in her throat, she felt a heaving in her chest.She cautiously stepped away from me as I reached out to touch her face and caress her face.I felt my heart break and closed my eyes.Catelyn, I swear to you.I don't love you because you look like Maura; I love you for who you are.You are not viewed by me as a specter from my past.I consider you to be my accomplice for what's in store.I adore how disobedient you are and how you push me to be better.I adore your generous spirit and sharp wit.You and Maura are so different in so many ways.It means nothing to me that you look like her.Your heart contrasts from hers, and I need your heart and your spirit.Please have faith in me.I could see the conflict in Catelyn's face as she examined me.She had no idea how to feel or process the information I had provided.I hadn't told anyone about Maura or how I fel
THE NIGHTMARE Chapter 78
As Rafael's laughter reverberated far away, Valerian paced the floor.As he punched through the stone wall, Valerian's eyes were red with rage.He didn't even seem to be bothered by his actions, which made me gasp from the damage.He needed to know that what he was doing wasn't right, so I didn't want to talk to him while he was furious.Rafael should be grateful that he saved my life.I stopped him in his tracks by remaining before him like a blockade.As he turned his head and glared at me, Valerian furrowed his brows.I didn't budge despite the fact that he was mentally telling me to get out of his way.Valerian, you ought to show him mercy.I pleaded, biting my bottom lip to stop it from trembling, "I wouldn't be alive if he didn't break free from his chains."He laughed.He didn't do it to save you!Catelyn, he wanted to hurt you!"That's not right!"He gave a head shake.I know Rafael better than you do, and I know you are too ignorant to comprehend this!His motives were not admirable.I f