Page 147 of Cursed Lifeline

“And if the vitality I crave won’t be satisfied without pushing her limits?”

“That’s a risk only you can weigh.” Glancing back at Celeste, I intently study her for a moment before her eyes lift, as if sensing my adoring gaze, and lock longingly with mine. “In the end, only ask yourself, is the reward worth losing it all?”

When I don’t respond, Celeste’s eyes trail Drusilla as she regally glides away. After a moment, they drift back to mine and curiously hold my stare.

Deciding it’s now or never, I shove my hands in my pockets and stride confidently into the room. Nervously, she shoves her nose in her book and shifts away from me in her chair.

Clearing my throat, I take a few cautious steps towards her and ask, “What are you reading?”

“A riveting collection of infinite ways to make your enemy suffer,” she sasses, holding up the book and letting me read the title.

Shaking my head, a soft chuckle falls from my lips as I take the seat next to her. She glances up at me and frowns. With pleading eyes, I beg her to let the wall she’s built between us crumble just a little. My silent begging causes her to put up more seemingly indestructible bricks I worry I’ll never be able to annihilate.

“Is that my eternal penance?” I shyly ask, gently forcing her book away from her face so I can see her captivating eyes. “Suffering by your hand?”

Annoyed, her chin juts out, and her nose that was once adorably shoved in a book raises as she looks down on me with an air of superiority. “It’s the least I can offer, seeing as I’m now forced to spend an eternity as a blood-sucking immortal.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, kitten.”

Her furious stare lowers and locks with mine.

Confessing more than I should, I realize what Drusilla was trying to tell me and say, “I’d suffer more if you gave in and held me close.”

Raising a disbelieving brow, she scoffs, “How so?”

“Because you can’t lose something you’ve never had.”

Her eyes fill with sadness. Her angered expression fills with understanding.

“You want to make me suffer, grant me the honor of holding you, knowing one day you might walk away.” I take her hand gently in mine and reverently say, “Because the thought of losing you would bring me more suffering than you know, Celeste. In fact, the threat of losing someone as perfect as you would slowly kill me.”

She eyes me sadly and shakes her head.

I wait with bated breath for her to respond. Fear gets the better of me when I realize, sometimes, no response is the most powerful one.

Fifty Three

Felix

song: tomorrow we fight | Tommee profit, svrcina

“What if it doesn’t work?”Alfred asks angrily.

“It has to,” I insist. “Lifetimes spent chasing the cure have shown me even rash and impulsive actions can prove vital and part of a divine plan.”

“I don’t like it. It goes against everything we’ve been working towards.”

Viktor laughs, “It aligns witheverythingwe’ve been working towards.”

Alfred’s indignant gaze swings violently Viktor’s way.

“Since when did you two decide to start working together?” he snaps.

“Since my brother’s club presented a perfect opportunity to put an end to all of this once and for all.”

“Does Esme know you two are working together?”

“Not yet, and I’d prefer if you’d keep it that way,” I insist.

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