“It was worse than seeing the dead,” I said between heavy breaths.

“That’s because the dead are at peace, mostly. The living allows their emotions to control them. Their energy gives the more sinister feelings strength. It’ll get better the more you learn.”

I stood up and looked at Dorian. “I’m getting tired of you saying that. How much do I have to go through before it gets better?” I released an aggravated sigh. “I freaking hate this!”

Dorian began laughing which only pissed me off more. “You sound like a petulant child.”

“What about you? You’re this creepy powerful Angel of Death, yet Holly has you by the leash like a little lapdog. I guess we both have problems, huh?” I laughed sarcastically.

Anger hardened Dorian’s face; he walked to his motorcycle, leaving me standing on the sidewalk. I laughed to myself because the name calling had been so immature; we’d both acted like children. I couldn’t seem to find regret in what I’d said though, I didn’t understand why he’d do Holly’s bidding, and he wouldn’t explain it to me. Holly may have had control over him and Kye, but I could still practice free will and make my own decisions.

I hailed a cab and directed the driver towards Aiden’s hotel. He was the only person who’d be able to calm the storm that churned within me.

7

I slipped the plastic keycard in Aiden’s door. All it took was a little enchantment to get the lady at the desk to give it to me. Aiden would be asleep for the rest of the day, but at least I could be close to him.

The door swung open easily, and I made sure to close it quietly behind me. Vampires became very fatigued with the sunrise. They needed to sleep, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t wake up. There were a lot of attacks when the Revelation happened. Humans thought they’d be able to kill the vampires during the day, but they were mistaken. Several lives were lost due to those inaccuracies.

I shrugged out of my coat and set it on the back of a chair. Aiden slept with both arms tucked under his pillow. The sheet draped across his legs leaving his chest uncovered. I loved the valleys of his muscular body as his chest rose and fell with each breath. His dark hair was a careless mess framing a peaceful face. The corners of my mouth turned up as my earlier tension slipped away from the sight of the man I loved.

I crawled onto the spare bed so I wouldn’t disturb him and drifted off to sleep.

Sand squished between my toes as I walked across the desert. Tall, stone pyramids stood against the darkened sky, godly temples. Stars shone like diamonds above and the moon bathed the landscape in silvery beams.

“You are absolutely beautiful, little witch.” Ian’s voice came from behind me. He was dressed in white linen pants and a matching shirt. His blonde hair was cut close to his scalp and his blue eyes were bright even in the darkness. The color of blue that was associated with brew drinkers.

Ian walked towards me and reached a hand towards my face. I jerked back to avoid contact, but his arms wrapped around me and held me against his chest before I could run away. He dipped his nose to my throat and trailed it up the length of my neck, moaning in delight from the scent of my blood. “And you smell delicious.”

His fangs scraped along my skin, and I tried to fight out of his grasp. Ian chuckled squeezing me harder. His tongue snaked its way up my throat his mouth stopping at my ear. “You will be mine, Gwen.” His erection pressed through his pants, rubbing against my ass. A thread of fear overpowered me as much as his tight grip.

“I’ll never be yours! You’re a disgusting monster.”

Ian turned me around so we were face to face. His eyes were black, a sinister smile lifted his lips to reveal his fangs. “You’re attracted to me, you can’t help it. We’re bonded.” He laughed. “Fighting your desires will only torment you, Gwen.” His hand caressed my backside and lifted the material of my skirt.

Panic surged through me at what was about to happen. I flailed in his arms, but he only pinned me against one of the pyramids. Ian captured my wrist in one hands and held them above my head while his free hand ripped my shirt open. Tears streamed down my face, but he ignored them. “Stop!” I screamed.

His mouth captured my nipple, and he sucked until it had turned hard. His hand trailed down my body and began its decent between my legs. I clamped my thighs shut, but the attempt only made him laugh. Ian rubbed his fingers in circles over my vagina, then he struck. His fangs sunk into my neck, and I cried out in pain. It wasn’t anything like what I had experienced before. His bite was agonizing. It felt as if an animal was chewing on my jugular. I screamed and cried but he only sucked harder.

“I’d play nice if I were you,” he said against my skin. “I can make it hurt,” Ian warned and bit down to prove just how much pain he could cause. “Or I can make it feel good.” He continued to rub the spot between my legs and a euphoria washed through me when he bit down again.

“Doesn’t that feel good, Gwen? Don’t you crave it? Don’t you want to feel me push inside of you while I drink?” I was brought back to sanity while he spoke. The venom of his bite still made my body weak in the knees, but I could think more clearly now.

“No. I don’t want anything to do with you. I hate you!” I said between clenched teeth.

Anger flashed in his eyes and he struck again. The waves of rapture washed through me once again and moans tore from my lips. I knew what he was doing was wrong, but I couldn’t control my reaction to it. If he wanted, he could have me naked and straddling his cock without a fight from me.

Ian continued rubbing between my thighs; the friction of his hands moving faster and faster building a feeling of torment deep within me until, with one last pull on my neck, an orgasm shot through me causing me to cry out from the strength of it

My eyes fluttered open, heavy with sleep and relaxation. Hands roamed my body and explored every inch of me. I sat up quickly and punched whatever was touching me. “Get away from me!”

“Ow, what was that for?” Aiden asked, holding his cheek.

“Oh my gosh, I’m sorry. I thought you were him.” I jumped off of the bed and went to Aiden’s side. Deceived

“Him, who?”

“Ian.” Tears streaked down my face at the memory. I had been helpless against him, and he molested me. I felt queasy and had to sit down. I looked down at my shirt but it was still intact. My fingers reached up to feel my neck, but the flesh was unflawed.

“What happened, Gwen?” Aiden knelt in front of me and rubbed my arms. The action should have comforted me, but at the moment, I couldn’t stand to be touched. I felt dirty and unworthy of his concern. I pushed past him. The longer I was awake, the more I remembered. Every detail slammed into focus. I slid down the wall, cradling my head and sobbed uncontrollably.

“Gwen, please tell me what happened. What did he do?” Aiden asked again. He walked over to me, careful not to touch and eyes filled with worry. Once he heard what I’d done, he’d hate me. I should have fought harder or used my magic to fend him off. I shouldn’t have fallen under the spell of his venom.

“Damn it, Gwen. Tell me what happened!” Aiden’s voice rose in pitch and made me jump. I could imagine what he must be thinking, seeing me crouched and hysterical. His anger would only get worse once he learned what happened.

“I’m sorry, Aiden. I should have stopped it, but he’s so much stronger than I am.” I managed to get the words out in a complete sentence. I looked up at him and saw fear set in his blue eyes. I could almost see the puzzle pieces forming a solid picture as he looked at me.

“Son of a bitch!” he screamed and brought his fist down on the desk beside me. It cracked in two and fell to the floor, debris flying across the room.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Aiden.” I pleaded for forgiveness.

Aiden took a deep breath, but it did absolutely nothing to calm the angriness shining through his eyes. However, when he looked down at me, it vanished.

“This isn’t your fault, Gwen. You have nothing to be sorry about.” He bent down and lifted me into his arms and walked over to the bed where he cradled me against his chest. I closed my eyes, but all I saw was Ian. Aiden held onto me as I pushed against him and whispered calming sentiments.

My skin crawled with repulsion, and the scent of Aiden made me queasy. I didn’t want to associate myself with anything male. I fought, clawed, and screamed to break free of Aiden’s grasp. I knew in the back of my mind he wasn’t a monster like Ian, but the dream left me a little unstable. I didn’t care that we loved each other; I couldn’t stand to be beside him.

Aiden let go of me, and I ran to the bathroom. I’d barely made it to the toilet before I threw up what little food I’d eaten. Though no evidence remained of my time with Ian, I knew what happened had been real. Somehow he had learned how to physically harm me in his dreams.

After I was sure I wouldn’t vomit anymore, I climbed into the shower. I scrubbed every inch of my body, three times. I was so angry and hurt I couldn’t begin to put those emotions into words. No words did my feelings justice. I sat huddled in the tub as tears continued to fall and the warm water beat against my back.

I wasn’t sure how long I’d been sitting in the shower when Aiden knocked on the door. I was a lot calmer than before and slightly embarrassed about how I had acted.

“Come in,” I called. The bathroom door opened and Aiden was silhouetted against the shower curtain. He hesitated to speak. “How are you doing?”

I could hear the strain in his voice, and it made my heart crack just a little bit. I didn’t want what had happened to cause him pain. Guilt twisted its way through my mind. “Better, I think. I’m sorry.” My voice sounded alien to me, small and quiet. Ian had turned me into a scared little girl and I hated it— hated him.

Aiden sat on the toilet seat and released a heavy breath. “Gwen, quit apologizing. None of this is your fault. You don’t have anything to apologize for, understand?” His voice was hard, but I knew it was directed towards his anger with Ian and not me. Still, I felt I was responsible too.