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They're the most unlikely duo, but as everyone knows, when it comes to love, your head and heart rarely agree.
Chapter 1
Fifty-five. That was how many heartbeats per minute Zoe could hear in his pulse before she finally emerged from the shadows.
He must have been sitting on that bench a while. He looked...sad, lost.
"Hey, Drake." Zoe waved as she closed the distance.
"Zoe, what are you doing out so late?" He peered around like he'd expected to be unfindable. Silly man.
The silence stretched a few seconds, fifteen of them, twenty heartbeats in between. He stood the second she got close to the bench.
Zoe nudged his foot with her steel-toed boot and grinned. "I didn’t realize I had a curfew.”
He raked a hand through his curly, dark hair and then eyed her carefully. Silver moonlight gilded his handsome face, and she followed its ghostly trail as it traced over his full lips and strong, chiseled jaw. He wore a pair of dark jeans. A hoodie in the same color stretched over his broad shoulders and muscular chest.
Twenty-five beats at the quarter mark, one hundred beats in a minute. What was wrong with him? Something was clearly on his mind.
"Drake?"
"Sorry, I’m just surprised to see you. It’s almost midnight. Then again, your sleep schedule is always so messed up. Sleep all day, up all night. Like a rock star."
Or, like a vampire.
His gaze landed on her backpack. "Where are you headed?”
She swallowed hard and gave him a weak excuse.
"I couldn’t sleep. Thought I’d just go for a jog, get some fresh air.”
The real reason she was out so late? That had to remain a secret.
He didn't seem convinced.
Zoe shrugged and indicated the backpack she knew he’d already noticed.
“Packed an extra sweater in case I got cold. Maritime winters. You know how unpredictable they can be.”
“Yeah, about as unpredictable as you can be.” He grinned finally, his shoulders relaxing, his pulse coming back down. Sixty-five a minute. That was normal, a good pulse.
Zoe cringed at a thought that suddenly wouldn't go away. A thought which had haunted her ever since that fateful night when she carelessly ventured into the darkness of the forest.
She wished she still had one. A heartbeat.
“What about you? What are you doing out so late?” She adjusted her backpack, trying to evenly distribute the weight. “It’s New Year’s Eve. Shouldn’t you be at home or out celebrating?”
He shrugged, a deep sigh escaping his lips, and she regretted asking the question the moment the words slipped out of her mouth. “Dad was drinking again, and I needed to get away before it got out of control. You know how he can be.”
Zoe nodded. This wasn’t the first time his father, in a drunken frenzy, had driven him out of the apartment. “I’m sorry, Drake. You really need to find a new place to live.”
“I’m working on it.” He nodded towards the sky. “Look.”
She followed his gaze to the stars above and smiled. The winter sky was a sea of twinkling lights and lightly falling snow. Zoe sucked in a deep breath, letting the cold air fill her lungs, and for a moment, she felt relaxed. Then the thought of what she’d set out to do—the reason she was out there in the first place—hit her like a freight train, and she stumbled back.
“It’s a beautiful night.” She tried to recover, but she knew her voice quivered. She wished with all her unbeating heart that she could turn back the hands of time and be given the chance to enjoy the holidays again.
“You okay?” Drake peered at her as though evidence of her thoughts was splattered across her forehead. He reached out and squeezed her arm gently. “You’re trembling.”
Zoe shrugged, forcing a smile. “I’m just cold.”
His gaze narrowed. “Didn’t you say you had an extra sweater in your bag?”
She nodded but made no attempt to retrieve it. The truth was, she had many things in her backpack—a stake, holy water, and a dagger for good measure, but a sweater wasn’t one of those things. “I’m going to go for a jog. I’ll be too warm for the sweater once I get moving.”
There was that look on his face again. It was a mix between suspicion and deep concern. They’d only known each other for a few months now, occasionally meeting at the park and going for walks together in the evenings.
He was the closest thing she had to a friend these days.
“Be careful, hon. I’m not going to pretend like I’m thrilled you’re out on your own. I’d go for a jog with you, but I have to get back soon.”
Zoe stepped forward and ran her fingers through his short, brown hair. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry. But same goes for you; be careful, okay? It’s not safe out here. Not tonight.”
She didn’t know why she said that to him, but the look on his handsome face told her he was as caught off guard as she was. Before he had a chance to reply, she turned and headed for the path down the street, the one which would lead her to a place no one should ever go alone, especially on New Year’s Eve.
A place where her nightmare began.
Chapter 2
To many, New Year’s Eve was a time to make memories with family and friends. Kids were tucked into their beds, exhausted after days of playing with their new Christmas gifts. Resolutions and goals were being made. Champagne was being poured. Everyone was ready to say goodbye to the current year and toast the new one dawning with promise of better things to come.
But for many others, the holidays brought the darkest of hours.
The homeless and broken, the forgotten, the lonely. That time of year was nothing more than a cruel reminder that they were alone. A time when they were most vulnerable.
But it wasn’t just those people who were likely to trade their souls for the promise of a better life.
Anyone could be hoodwinked by a vampire.
The vampires Zoe had the displeasure of knowing were calculating, ruthless killers. They viewed humans as nothing more than a food source, and for many, the hunt was as intoxicating as the reward.
They were also elitists, believing they were superior to everyone and everything else. Rules didn’t apply to them, despite some of the older ones trying hard to enforce some sort of law and order so their kind didn’t just openly kill humans and litter the streets with dead bodies.
They were supposed to choose their victims carefully and be as discreet as possible.
All under the guise that vampires only targeted the corrupt, the evil, the menaces to society, of course.
None of that was because they held any respect for the city or its citizens, though. It was a lie steeped in self-interest. The better they kept their true motives a secret from unsuspecting humans, the easier it was to lure their victims.
But one night every year, they didn’t have to lure anyone.
Their prey came to them.
They called it the Night of Transformation. It was touted as the one night every year where humans could make the choice to become a vampire. It was the only time vampires were given free rein to turn humans at their discretion. Propaganda was splattered all over the city during that time, glamourizing everlasting life and the benefits of being immortal.
In reality, it was an effective way to attract the lonely, the desperate and the hopeless. People terrified of aging, of death, of losing their minds and bodies to illnesses, or simply for vanity’s sake, travelled in droves to the place where they’d sacrifice their humanity in exchange for a chance to live forever.
Everyone from politicians to popular celebrities vied for the chance to trade their lives for ones they believed would be so much better.
But this year, Zoe was determined to stop it.
She crept through the tangle of brush, making her way through Souris Park, to the outskirts of the city. This was where they hosted the ritual, and from what she remembered, she knew it was set to begin shortly.
The sound of murmurings grew louder the deeper she got into the forest—a blend of voices, eager vampires and humans who were bursting with excitement.
Zoe fought back the inky cloud of memories which tried to surface, pushing them away as she searched the area for a good hiding spot. She’d been here before but under very different circumstances.
Moving quietly behind a thick mass of brush surrounded by massive oak trees, she squatted and pulled her backpack off, carefully opening it and taking out the few items she knew she’d need.
“Honey, we’re going to live forever!” a woman cried, tangling her arms about her lover. “We’ll never grow old.”
Zoe quietly pulled her dagger from its sheath, gripping it tightly in her hand. There was magic in the air. Thick, pungent dark magic. She swallowed hard and focused on what she was there to do.
Suddenly, the chaotic buzz of voices was replaced by the smooth sound of chanting. She peered through the brush, watching closely, waiting for the perfect time to strike. A cluster of hooded and cloaked figures emerged from the shadows. The crowd moved closer, gathering around a bonfire, the flames crackling and hissing, sparks flying out. The chanting grew faster, louder, and if Zoe had a heartbeat, she was certain it would’ve joined in the rhythm.
She wasn’t foolish enough not to be afraid. Sure, she’d spent the better part of the past year learning everything she could about dark magic and vampires, especially how to destroy them. But her nerves were still on edge.
How could they not be?
Being out there, on the Night of Transformation, meant she was putting her life on the line. The evening would end one of two ways: she’d either be victorious or wind up dead.
The chanting had reached a thunderous volume now—a plethora of voices coming together in unison, a haunting chorus of desperation. People who longed for immortality huddled together, waiting for their one-way ticket to paradise.
Except, it was all lies.
Becoming a vampire wasn’t a beautiful process by any means.
Nothing about it was romantic.
Because unlike ridiculous movies, vampires weren’t smooth, seductive creatures. There was nothing desirable or mesmerizing about them when you looked beneath the exterior.
Their hearts became blackened over time. Darkness bound them forever. The desire to be cruel and vicious replaced anything left that resembled humanity. Their appetite for wickedness would eat away at their blood-starved minds until they were nothing more than cold-blooded killers.
And the process of being turned was anything but pleasant.
First, fangs pierced the skin, sinking into the veins. Then, there was an intense pressure, as the person’s lifeblood was pulled from their body.
But it only got worse.
The person would then feel their body begin to ache, their muscles tensing as the saliva from the vampire worked its way through their system. Poisonous, toxic. The human body didn’t know how to react to the foreign invader, and so it tried its best to fight against it, much like it would any other type of infection.
But there was no point.
Vampire saliva injected through your bloodstream was venomous. It spread quickly, corrupting the human system with its decay until it had fully consumed any shred of humanity.
Then the person was reborn. As a monster.
But of course, none of that was on the pamphlet.
Sudden movement captured Zoe’s attention, and she watched as a massive figure strode forth, shirtless, inked and rippling with muscle. He was taller than any other man, standing at what must have been at least seven feet.
Albian.
The vampire was the stuff of legends—one of the oldest to ever live, infamous for the immense number of people he’d turned over the centuries.
Zoe’s mind raced, trying to figure out why he would be here. Albian was notoriously secretive and guarded, living far outside the city limits. Not to mention, he was always surrounded by a league of powerful vampires who’d do anything to serve him.
If there was such a thing as a vampire mafia, he would be the kingpin.
Which meant, he certainly didn’t have to slum it at the Night of Transformation in order to get his fill of lifeblood.
Even the government was terrified of him, which was evidenced by the fact that despite how savage he could be, and how dark his appetite could get, no one touched him.
Zoe had the sudden urge to abandon her plan, but she’d worked too hard to turn back now. Vampires had ruined her. This giant of a man had ruined her. She was going to make them pay.
Even if it cost her the only thing she had left: her life.
Chapter 3
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Albian began, his voice booming as a hush fell over the crowd. The man was beyond intimidating. “I welcome you here on what will be an unforgettable evening.”
Zoe’s gut twisted at his words. Unforgettable, alright. Especially once they realized, all too late, that they’d spend the rest of their days starved because no matter how much blood they consumed, it would never seem like enough.
And if they were one of the unluckier ones, they’d spend their days running from slayers who felt they were nothing more than an abomination.
Either way, unforgettable was a fucking understatement.
“The New Year is upon us, and into it, you will be reborn. You’ll be stronger, more intelligent, ageless, powerful beyond your wildest dreams....”
Some fool had the nerve to shout out some senseless remark about how they’d also be able to fuck like rabbits and build a never-ending harem, to which he was abruptly hushed.
“We’re sorry,” a woman stammered in the man’s defense. “He didn’t mean to interrupt you. My son… he’s just so excited.”
Albian chuckled darkly. “Your boy is right. You will love without end and without boundary. Write your own history, create a family that’ll prevail for eternity. It’ll all be yours for the taking.”
Zoe cringed at those words. Her stomach churned, burning a path of fire straight up her throat. She muffled a cough, trying to alleviate the pain while not drawing attention to herself.
Love without end and without boundary.
She felt sick at his hateful lie. All the things she’d loved when she was human had been ripped from her. Her parents, her friends—all lost the moment she stepped out of the light and into the darkness.
“We’ll begin with the men,” Albian continued.
His team of vampires moved into action, gathering the men from the crowd and guiding them forward like livestock.
“You’ll be turned by one of my men and then be taken to a place of sanctuary where you’ll recover. There, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about your new life. And don’t worry; you’re free to stay within our compound as long as you need to.”
The men huddled together, awaiting their fates. Any chance to back out was long gone, if there ever was truly an option to begin with.
“Then the ladies,” he continued, his lips curving into a dark smile. “The rules are simple. You must all be eighteen years of age or older to be turned. Anyone younger than that will be escorted back to the city.”
Zoe watched, in horror, as a pair of men dragged a man to the front of the crowd. He looked absolutely terrified, but when they released him, he stepped forward willingly. “I’m ready.”
A handsome vampire with black hair moved closer, his long fingernails tracing over the contours of the human’s face. Clearly he was the one who’d turn the young man. He moved gracefully, making what he was about to do look sensual, even though Zoe knew better than anyone the pain his bite would bring.
But the innocent man certainly didn’t. And when he tilted his head to the side and stepped into the vampire’s embrace, it was all Zoe could do not to scream out.
“No,” she whispered, tears streaking down her cheeks as the darkness inside of her rejoiced, refusing to give her agency over her own body. She still struggled to contr
ol her bloodlust at times. Despite thinking that she’d carefully planned what she’d do, she hadn’t even considered an event such as this could awaken the dark desires she’d wrestled with for the last year. But she fought back, refusing to give into the hunger.
Fuck the darkness. I’m stronger than this.
The vampire’s eyes glowed crimson. His fangs glistened with saliva as he lowered his face to the man’s neck.
But before he could sink his teeth into skin, he was thrown back, landing hard on the ground. The creature hissed, leapt to his feet and charged forward. That was when Zoe saw a familiar face; one she’d never wish to see in this place.
Chapter 4
Drake.
He stood at the edge of the crowd, pulling out another dagger. As the vampire charged toward him, Drake changed his mind and drew a wooden stake from out of nowhere, burying it into the vamp’s bony chest.
The crowd went into a frenzy. Screams echoed along the winter breeze as the vampires sprang into action. Drake was horrifically outnumbered. Whatever plan he’d concocted seemed to be nothing more than a death wish.
Zoe stood, ready to jump into the fray and help him. But then she stopped dead in her tracks, stunned, as she watched a bolt of intense white magic splinter through the darkness. The force of it knocked down a horde of vampires as though they weighed nothing more than feathers, and to her surprise, it left a pile of corpses in its wake.
Zoe’s eyes flickered to Drake who spun on his heels and hurled a silver-tipped dagger at another one of the dreadful creatures. The blade sliced through the air with a soft hiss before it hit its target. The vamp stumbled back in pain as blood spurted out in a crimson-tinged jet, the blade burying itself to the hilt.
She was beyond confused. Drake, the sweet, thoughtful man she’d met just a few months ago was a…?
A what, exactly?
She’d never seen a witch or a mage up close before, but she was certain they weren’t known for their combat skills, especially when battling a legion of vampires. If so, they would’ve wiped them out by now. The two were sworn enemies, after all.
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