Page 94 of To Vanquish Darkness

Theo sucked on her skin, a low growl in his throat. “Tell me to stop. If you want me to?—”

“No. Take it. Please?—”

Theo’s fangs pierced her skin, her feet leaving the floor as the force of him pushed her up against the wall. She wrapped her legs around his waist, clinging to him as warmth spread through her like spiced wine.

She couldn’t stop herself from touching him. Her free hand found his neck, her nails biting into his skin one moment, her fingers threading through his hair the next.

The heat within her built, coiling until she could barely stand it. “Theo—” she gasped for breath, liquid fire consuming her from the inside out. And then the mark on her arm, the symbol she now shared with Theo, ignited.

Her mind splintered, sending shards of flickering glass through her consciousness. She was falling. Tumbling. Whirling into darkness.

39

213 BC ANCIENT GUAL

Aurelia stood behind the shroud, extending her wrist. The fabric was rough against her skin, ancient and worn. Her hand shook and she cursed herself. Her parents had prepared her for this, and she hadn’t been afraid. Not until she’d heard the stories.

A hand encircled her wrist and she sucked in a breath. His hand was large, his grip firm, but not cruel. He could snap her bones in an instant. Pull her through the shroud and devour her whole.

"You’re frightened." His voice was low and soothing. "I won't hurt you."

Aurelia exhaled, heat rising to her cheeks. "That's what they say."Please, don’t choose me. Just take my blood and let me leave.

His thumb brushed over her skin. "You believe the rumors, then?"

"I've heard enough to make up my own mind." Her words were sharp, but she couldn’t erase the tremor from her voice.

The vampire didn’t speak. Aurelia’s palms started to sweat, her wrist still at his mercy. When she thought she might burst,he finally lifted her hand, and his breath whispered against her skin.

"My name is Theo. So you'll know who to blame if you have any complaints."

40

1422 GIEN, LOIRE VALLEY

Alba ran through the tall grass, her breath misting in the cool night air.Where were they?She scanned the trees, willing herself to see shadows moving on the ground and not streaking from the sky.

A hiss broke the stillness, and she stumbled to a stop, a shiver down her spine. She scanned the shadows.There.At the edge of the clearing, a figure writhed against the barbed fence.

From the size of it and the dark black wings glinting in the moonlight, it was a stryx. One of the bird-like creatures that had attacked with the vampires. She should leave it. After everything the creatures of shadow had done that night, she should be happy for any one of them to suffer. The creature let out another whimper, and she gritted her teeth.

Her heart pounded as she approached, her eyes fixed on the creature’s wings. The delicate membrane was torn, the flesh beneath exposed and bleeding. She winced as the stryx thrashed, his fangs bared.

"Hold still," she reached out a hand.

The stryx's gaze snapped to hers, and he snarled, his eyes flashing. Alba’s breath caught in her throat, but she didn't backaway. She knew what he was. Knew the danger he posed, but she couldn't leave him like this.

"I’m trying to help you.”

The stryx's nostrils flared, and he stilled, his eyes narrowing. Alba took a step closer, her fingers brushing against the cool metal of the fence. Her fingers trembled as she brushed the edge of the creature’s wings.

“This will hurt.” She stayed clear of the stryx’s talons and yanked, working the wing free from the barb.

When it finally released, she stumbled back as the creature dropped to the ground.

"There.” She wiped her hands on her cloak. "You're free."

The stryx’s eyes gleamed, and her stomach dropped. Before she could react, the creature lunged, his claws raking across her arm. She cried out, stumbling back as she fumbled for the dagger at her waist.

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