“I saw him become addicted to power and knew it was what brought him down. I wasn’t going to take that same path. I’m not saying I was a saint, far from it, but I lived my own unnatural life as I wanted, but without family, without an anchor, I knew it wouldn’t last forever, so shortly before Valeria found me in that wood, I’d decided that it was the end.”
“What?” Hearing his sincere and direct words was like being stabbed through the heart.
Ignoring her question, he continued, looking deep into her eyes. “And after we saved Sera, I knew I couldn’t stay. I was restless and empty. And longing for something, someone I couldn’t have.” With the sweetest of touch, he caressed her cheek. “You. For the briefest and most wonderful moment, you made me feel alive again. It was you and not Valeria, who truly saved me. The moment I saw you, your fire, I remembered what it was like all those years ago. Everything I had forgotten came back to me, and I dared to feel hope, even when I knew that in reality, it could never be mine.”
Violet couldn’t speak and tears started to fall as an answer.
“When you offered me your blood, it connected us, and I wanted so much more, but not with death still lurking around me. You deserved the best possible life and still do. When you say you’re sorry you bound yourself to me, because you condemned me, know that I was already condemned. You just allowed me to experience the last threads of life in the most wonderful and unexpected way. With you. We may not have much time to live together, but for the first time, I’ll welcome death gladly, as I know I’ll be in your arms.”
With those precious words in her heart, she closed the gap and kissed him. He had opened his heart to her, and his admission calmed her heart and guilt. Even more, it gave her hope that nothing was lost, as she knew that never in a million lifetimes would she find a man or vampire as incredible as Finn O’Malley.
Chapter 18
Her body felt tired and languid while her mind was sharp and bubbly which was a strange feeling. Violet had never experienced it before, and it had been caused by how Finn had worshiped her body over and over again during the night until she cried for mercy. And even then, the vampire only smiled and carried on as he had been far from finished with her.
Too bad their mood sunk when they’d examined the black mark and found it had grown and expanded. The clock was ticking, and Violet had been reminded of it in the most tangible and brutal way.
Finn had done a quick check-in with Sanctuary, updating everyone on some of the information they had gathered but had watered some down. Violet had been adamant about not telling them the truth of how she’d soon be forced to end it all before her mind was possessed by the unknown dark power. It was a burden she wanted to carry alone for the moment.
Instead, Finn relayed the information about ancient necromancer magic and Layla’s disappearance. She knew they’d start their own research and keep an eye out for strangers in town.
Finn hadn’t been happy about her decision, far from it, but she couldn’t help it, so she focused on the task at hand, which was to track down the men who had kidnapped her.
With her memory back, Violet knew where to start the search, and it was just outside of town. Luckily, someone had brought her car back during the night, so transportation wouldn’t be a problem. As she zipped up her coat, wondering when the winter would finally let go so spring could warm up the temperature, her fingers started to tingle.
It was a light sensation, but one she had experienced previously when she’d come into her magic as a teen. That tingling passed through her body like the wind over her skin, light and soft. She wondered if she should try a spell, test the magic a little, but refrained from doing so, as she had since they’d returned from the cave.
From what she felt, Violet knew that fear never brought anything good or helped her in any way, but it was difficult to pull her mind out of the despair. She was losing her identity, minute by minute, and she was going to die or kill herself to escape from what was invading her. Among all the pains and hardships she’d had to face during her life, this was one of the hardest.
“Darling?” Finn’s voice pierced through her thoughts. “Are you ready to go?”
She was glad he didn’t ask if she was okay, because it would’ve been impossible to answer him without lying. Instead, she pushed her shoulders back and offered him the fiercest smile she could manage. “Yeah, I am. And I’m driving.”
With a chuckle, Finn followed her outside but stopped short when he saw Hunter exiting his car.
“Hey, you two! I’m glad I caught you home.”
Finn discreetly stepped closer to her, and Violet almost rolled her eyes. The human cop had proven himself to be an ally and an asset time and time again and there was no reason to be protected from him.
“Hey, Hunter. Good timing, we were about to leave.”
“Valeria updated me on the situation, and when the Sentinels said you had come back via whatever spell you normally use, I made sure to return your car too. You’re lucky I was the one who found it. You can’t park worth shit and were about to get a ticket.”
Violet playfully punched him
