Behind the Vail, Tome 1: Scarlet Night

~1 YEAR AGO~

I knew this was a mistake.

I could never go back.

“Serena, if you turn your back on us now. You are no longer welcome within these walls!” Gregori snarled at me.

He was nothing more than Gregori to me now. “Father” was meaningless to me.

“I don’t care! You killed Mom! You and your cursed clan are dead to me!” I growled, cursing the tugging emotions for trying to betray my anger for sadness.

“Serena, do you—“

“Don’t bother, Gregori!” I hissed out his name and I caught a glimpse of agony in his eyes before I turned away and left.

The city streets were empty around this time and I sighed. Sadly, even the clubs were dead. I could’ve used a dance or two; at that point I would’ve even left with one of the first guys that harassed me.

I felt warm tears fall down my face and I let my sadness overcome me as I fell into the cold arms of the alleyway. I fell against the brick building and cast my gaze upward as the tears flowed freely.

The shadows were my savior.

“You are beautiful,” a soft, male voice whispered from the depths.

I turned my face and quickly wiped my tears away, replacing them with a mask of confidence. My eyes adjusted to his features and I gaped for a moment. He was tall, lean…

…and hot.

His hair was brown and was tied behind his back, his bangs hung over the most gorgeous green eyes I had ever seen. I felt a blush creep up on my face and I growled at my carelessness.

“You looking for a show, big boy?” I smirked, running my tongue across my fang. Who cared if he saw what I was? Let The Council take me!

His eyes beckoned to me as I stepped forward without even realizing it. He smiled a moment as he watched me. I felt the heat rising and I smirked, licking my lips again habitually.

“Well? It’s not polite to make a lady wait,” I grinned.

“Indeed.” He stood up, his eyes looking determined as he stepped closer. “You don’t need to hide your emotions. I won’t judge you.” He smiled warmly, “I won’t hurt you either.”

Damn, his words struck a chord more than they should have. I fell forward and was embraced in his warmth. His arms wrapped tightly around my waist and I felt myself sinking further into this stranger.

He was the warmth I needed.

As we stood in the alleyway, time seemed to stop and I felt myself losing all my strength.

“I’ll take you to my place,” He whispered in my ear.

Even his words were warm.

I could only nod against his chest; I could barely find my own thoughts let alone words to respond. He began to carry me.

“H-hey! I can walk!” I grumbled, struggling a moment.

“I know.” He chuckled as he continued to carry me and I felt another blush creep up my face. He made me feel so much and I didn’t know how to react to it.

The city streets weren’t filled but as we walked down the sidewalk, I caught glances of people walking by who were staring at us. I looked at a group of girls who giggled and I realized they were staring at him.

“Are you always this popular with the girls? Or seeing you with a new plaything makes the other toys jealous?” I forced my usual banter, looking up at him.

“Maybe a bit of both.” He shrugged it off, his eyes focused only on me and I realized he hadn’t even noticed the others.

“You know what I am, yet...you don’t care?” I frowned, biting my lip.

“I should, shouldn’t I? Especially since I hunt your kind.”

I froze and glared, beginning to struggle more in his embrace and his arms only tightened around my body. The bastard! I hissed and continued to struggle from his grasp and finally I was freed. I rushed away from him, running through the streets as a flash of lightning pierced the sky.

The rain began to pad the streets as I continued forward; I couldn’t go into overdrive here.

As I found myself drenched and panting in another dark alleyway, I smirked at the irony. At that rate, I would more than likely end up living in one.

“There you are!” I heard heavy breathing and I glared over at him as my purple aura began to wrap around my hands.

“I won’t hurt you!” He stepped forward, glaring as he added, “I only wanted to help you.”

“Yeah! Like I’m supposed to believe that! You used my emotions to try and capture me! You are the worst!” I glared, hissing as my aura faded slightly.

Suddenly, the lightning struck and he moved forward, grabbing my waist and bringing me into his chest.

His lips found mine.

For a moment, I thought I had been struck by lightning. My lips began to move on their own, matching the pace he set in this uncomfortably passionate kiss. I grabbed onto his shirt for support. The rain came pouring down on our bodies as we continued. Even the cold rain could not squelch the inferno within his arms and I felt myself begin to succumb but for the first time, it wasn’t my hunger.

And in this stranger’s embrace, I succumbed.