Chapter 71
ZIA
The room felt too quiet after Darius left, his presence lingering in the air like an unsenting whisper.
Carl came in after some time and delivered the dress. So, I hurriedly washed up and dressed in the new clollies.
an the suffocating
ng dominance that seemed to cling to the walls.
I needed to get out, breathe in something other than
My bare feet touched the cold marble floors, and I slipped out, closing the door softly behind me. The hallway stretched endlessly, making me hyperaware o of how cold it was.
The mansion was massive, every corner exuding an air of mystery. Intricate carvings lined the walls, depicting stories I couldn’t understand, their meanings buried under centuries of dust
Ancient paintings hung in golden, expensive frames, their subjects staring down with eyes that seemed too alive. One painting caught my attention- – -it was the painting of a beautiful woman who was bleeding from a hole in her chest, and her heart was missing. A chill ran down my spine, but I forced myself to keep walking
And then, I saw someone.
A woman stood on the staircase, her hand resting lightly on the railing as if she belonged to the shadows.
Her gaze pinned me in place, cold and sharp, like she was dissecting every inch of me. There was something familiar about her, but i couldn’t place
Her dark hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and her lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile. She looked to be in her late twenties, but the red ring in ber dark eyes told me that she was not exactly in her twenties. She was a vampire.
You should not be roaming around here.” She said, her voice smooth but laced with an edge that made me instinctively wrap my arms around myself
The red dress clung to me like a second skin, the silky fabric sliding against my arms. It was revealing—too revealing
Darius had sent it earlier, and I had reluctantly put it on, but now, under her piercing gaze, 1 felt exposed. The neckline dipped dangerously low, and the slit ran high up my thigh, making it impossible to ignore how much of me was on display.
“Lord Darius said I could go wherever I wanted. “I managed to alter, though my voice came out q
She tilted her head, her faint smile widening into something almost mocking.
*Lord!” She repeated, the word dripping with amusement.
out quieter than I intenderl
1 straightened, trying to muster some confidence, but her gaze never wavered. She started descending the stairs, each step deliberate, her movements graceful yet scary.
When did a werewolf start calling a vampire lord!” She wondered, her tone too casual, her words cutting too deep.
My heart missed a beat, but I kept my mouth shut. There was something about her–something dangerous—that made me want to retreat. She stopped a step away, her eyes staring into m
You should be careful. The woman said softly, almost kindly, but the chill in her voice told me it was anything but advice. You might get caught in something you can’t get out of
Before I could respond, she turned and walked away, her figure disappearing into the shadows. I let out a shaky breath, trying to ignore the unease curling in my stomach.
Who was she? And why did she
—wrong and yet familiar?
A soft exhale brushed the back of my neck. I froze. My body reacted before my mind could catch up, and I spun around, stumbling back. My leg twisted, but before I could fall, strong hands caught my bare arms and steadied me.
– Careful.” Darius murmured, his voice low, almost teasing
I shrugged him off right away.
His cyra swept ove
over me, lingering too long. I felt his gaze like a physical touch, burning through the fabric of my dress
Dreame–Road Romance…
Download
2:03 PM c
Chapter 71
“I can see what Maximus likes in you—“He said, his voice smooth.
~ What? * | blurted, heat rushing to
to my face.
His hips curved into a slow smile. You are beautiful. It has to be beauty, doesn’t it?”
–
“You sound like a creep. Stop it. I said, my voice firmer than I felt
Darius chuckled, the sound rich and unapologetic. “Come. Dinner is waiting.
1 didn’t want to follow him, but my feet moved anyway, trailing behind him as he led me to a grand dining room. The table was set with an array of dishes, each more extravagant than the last.
Golden canvilesticks held flickering flames, casting a warm glow over the room.
Darius
took his seat at the head of the table, gesturing for me to sit beside him.
1 hesitated but complied, my gaze flickering to the glass in his hand. The liquid inside was deep red, almost black, and I knew what it was before I
asked.
“Is that blood!” I whispered, my y voice barely audible.
Darius’s eyes gleamed with amusement. He stood, closing the distance between us in two long strides. Before I could react, his hand was at the back of my head, tilting it back.
“Taste it “He ordered and didn’t even wait for me to agreea
1 tried to pull away, but the glass was already at my lips. The liquid touched my tongue, and I braced myself for the metallic tang of blood, but instead, it was sweet. Rich, like spiced wine. I swallowed before I could stop myself, the warmth of it spreading through me.
“It’s not blood.” He said, smirking as he stepped back.
1 didn’t answer, too caught up in the strange pull of his gaze. He returned to his seat, watching me as I picked at the food in front of me.
pint
His eyes were studying me, peeling back my layers one by one.
-What do you think of Maximus Caine Darius asked suddenly, his tone too casual to be genuine.
I had a hunch he would ask that question.
I set my fork down, meeting his gaze.“What do I get if I answer?
His lips curved into a slow smile. “I will let you step into the garden.”
He was playing with me, or maybe he was trying to tell me that I was still under his control, that even leaving my room required his permission.
I shook my head, deciding to be more stubborn. “I want something else.
His brow arched. “And what might that be, little
Je well?
I leaned forward, holding his gaze. Tell me if you share a mother with Maximus.
The amusement vanished from his eyes right away. It was replaced by a dark, burning emotion that made me swallow.
“And— “I continued, pushing despite the tension thickening the air. ” the woman I just saw. Is she yours and Maximus mother!”
Darius’s eyes flashed red, and the next thing I knew, he was out of his chair. His hands gripped my arms, pulling me up
I barely had time to react before I was on the table, the dishes crashing to the floor. My pulse raced as I stared up at him, his face inches from mine.
Do you care about Maximus?” He hissed, his voice low, dangerous.
I didn’t answer, didn’t look away.
His lips twisted into a cruel smile,” do you know he is not a wolf? Or a Lycan. He is a hybrid.”
I still remained silent. And slowly, the realization dawned on him.
Ex
D
Dreame–Read Romance…. Download
201 PM
Chapter 71
is snuck fell. “You know everything about h
him, and yet your care. You don’t find him disgusting like the others, do you?
“It’s not his fault.” I whispered, my voice shaking but strady.” It’s his parents who crossed the line. Not him.”
bistantly, Darius‘ hand shot out and gripped my throat tightly.” Don’t bring my mother into this.”
I smirked, ignoring the tightness in my throat.” So, she is his anal your mother.
His grip fightened, and for a moment, I thought he would snap my neck. But then, his head dipped, his lips brushing against the curve of my neck.
I gasped as his teeth grazed my skin, sharp but not breaking the surface. Then, be bit down, the sharp sting melting into something strange, something I couldn’t fight. My head span, the edges of the world blurring as a hazy pleasure seeped through me, pulling me under.
Chapter 72
