Page 61 of To Vanquish Darkness

“It’s impossible.”

Theo rolled his eyes. “Go again.”

The memory blurred at the sensation of a sharp sting, and Amalie dropped back into herself. She drew a ragged breath.

Theo’s mouth was no longer touching her arm. Instead, there was pressure. His hand still circled her waist, but he wasn’t so close, and she felt the loss of him. Euphoria danced in her chest, igniting every nerve ending like wildfire. She was both alive, electric, and seconds away from collapse.

"How do you feel?" Theo's voice hummed against her temple.

Amalie swallowed. She wanted to tilt her chin. Press her lips to his jaw . . .She wasn’t in her right mind."A little weak."

Theo was still. "To be expected."

"What is it like for you?" The words spilled from her lips before she could filter them.

"Feeding?"

She nodded, still clinging to him. Theo dropped his hand from her waist and stepped back, still pressing something against her arm.

“Much like how it feels for you to eat a meal, I expect.”

Amalie’s heart dropped. A moment later, lamp light streamed in through the open closet door. Amalie winced, blinking until her eyes adjusted.

Theo checked the cloth he held to her arm. Was it one of his shirts? Amalie couldn’t tell. When he was satisfied, he retreated into the room.

Cool air rushed against her, and she shivered. Her shirt was still pooled against her neck, and she quickly pulled it down, returning her arm to its sleeve. She felt strange. Different. That ball of light and warmth she’d felt before swelled.

Theo didn’t look at her as she exited the closet. When he finally turned, his eyes slid away from hers. “I’ll take you back.”

The words stung more than his bite. “Is it safe?”

He nodded once and stalked to the door. She followed, then stopped as Theo reached for the door handle.

Amalie pursed her lips. “You could say thank you."

He pulled and the door swung open. “You offered.”

Her eyes flashed, shame burning hot in her throat. "That doesn't mean you can't show gratitude."

His jaw worked. "Thank you."

The light inside her dulled, and her cheeks stained pink. "You're so very welcome."

Amalie swept out into the hall, walking straight to her room. She shouldn’t have allowed herself to be vulnerable, even inside her own head. Theo Vallon was a vain, selfish bastard, and no amount of compassion on her part was going to change his nature.

She stormed into her room, breathless, and closed the door behind her. Leaning against the cool wood, she pressed her palms to her temples. Images of her mother still danced in her head. The image of Theo in the woods. The feel of him against her . . .

She wanted to scream.

She wanted to weep.

"Fool," she muttered under her breath, heart racing as she pulled off her shirt, lifted her arm, and stared at the two new perfect marks on her skin.

26

1824 BLOIS, FRANCE

Rachel curled into Florent's chest, her fingers tracing circles over the palm of his hand as they sat in the hollow of their tree by the river. "Do you have friends?"

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