Vampyre | Book I of Bloodlines | Free on Inkitt & Kindle Unlimited
Stefan's Aftermath

Darius

Gratitude was Viola’s response when I informed her that William was responsible for her father’s death. From that instant, I resolved to always be truthful with her. The news had the potential to steer her toward recklessness, break her heart, and undoubtedly break her already cracked and battered soul. Nevertheless, she absorbed the blow like a true warrior—adding it to the armor that strengthens us for the battles that lie ahead.

At that moment, I pitied her. The world had vastly underestimated her strength and trod lightly around her emotions. My Viola is a force to be reckoned with, and those who underestimate her will soon regret their mistake. It appears my maker is about to learn this lesson firsthand.

During our drive home, Viola vividly recounts her encounters with Stefan, illustrating the moments that left a lasting impression on William, whom I listen through. I’m impressed at how well she can tolerate looking at him.

When showing me her memories, I can see how Viola mistook Stefan’s longing gaze at the printer’s daughter’s hospital window for love, but I recognized it as possessiveness. When Stefan cast the same gaze at Viola, I understood his intentions. The danger lies within that glance—he wants her.

Stefan relishes toying with humans, replaceing amusement in the games of this lengthy, solitary existence. He firmly believes that humans are merely mice while Vampyres are cats—free to play with their prey without consuming it. Stefan lost his humanity long ago and has never divulged the tale behind his creation, I very much believe his maker is the reason for his depravity.

At the time of Emily’s tragic demise, the name my maker bestowed upon me, Darius Kane, circulated widely, even appearing in the papers as the alleged brutal slayer of the beloved, pregnant Lady Emily Spencer. It’s plausible that Stefan followed the trail in search of his progeny, with the trail leading him here. He likely discovered William’s Hunter status and perhaps presumed my demise. If I had been captured, he would never have risked himself for my sake. Prideful as he is, he is not that proud.

“I’ll just make another,” were his last words to me when I left him all those years ago.

Giving Viola the bottles of human blood was a play to earn her trust.

What Stefan doesn’t know is Viola is no mouse. Sophie was right; she’s a tiger, and last time I checked, tigers trump cats. Even then, I’d rather not give him that chance to get close enough for Cat and Tiger to go head-to-head.

Viola is my life now, and if something were to happen to me, she’d never forgive me. I cannot risk myself. I know Viola is strong; she could survive losing me in time, but I don’t want her to. I want to be there, I want to see Elliott grow into a man. I want to show Viola the world and be right there by her side the entire time. In order to achieve that, we must depart. Tonight.

We have everything we need—nothing is official, but the adoption process has started.

Viola holds a ledger filled with all the documentation Mr. Collins provided us with—copies, of course. Everything was legally filed immediately after William signed away his parental rights over Elliott. It’ll take a few days, maybe weeks, but I greased enough palms with William’s money to expedite the process.

Only as we approach the house do we see exactly what Stefan was up to while we were away.

I soar overhead, positioning the sun behind me to remain concealed. The scent of blood grows stronger as we draw near. Once, that aroma alone would have triggered the beast within me, driving me into a blood-lust frenzy. Now, it stirs mixed emotions.

Down below, an ambulance passes Viola’s car, carrying away certain death. The air is heavy with the smell of blood—too much for Stefan’s victim to have survived.

Touching down on the roof, I have William approach the visibly distressed Mrs. Norris. Viola hurries out of the car with Elliott and the ledger clutched tightly.

“What’s happened?” William’s voice booms across the grounds.

Mrs. Norris struggles to form a coherent sentence.

A police officer approaches William, his eyes falling on Elliott in Viola’s arms. “Your Lordship, I’m afraid there’s been an incident. One of your staff members, Amber Fairchild, was found deceased on the grounds, and your son was reported missing. Is that your son, Lord Spencer?”

“It is. My wife spotted him in town with a man named Mr. Dixon. I demand you arrest this man at once. He had no right taking my boy!” I roar through William.

William’s anger simmers upon hearing of Elliott’s disappearance, driven by either paternal love or possessiveness over his belongings.

This complicates matters. If we intend to leave tonight, what shall we do with William? Taking him to an asylum, as Viola suggested, is no longer an option.

“Lord Spencer,” the officer continues quietly. There was talk in town of Darius Kane having returned. Have you heard or seen him? Have you received any threats from him, perhaps?”

“Darius Kane is dead,” William states matter-of-factly before I send him inside.

I usher William back to his corner, passing Sophie on the way through his office—she remains immersed in her books, oblivious to the day’s events outside. Her searching for information on Dhampirs in William’s office has kept her out of harm’s reach.

“You’re home; how was it?” Sophie asks.

“Complicated. Come up in about twenty minutes, and don’t talk to anyone; we need to talk,” I tell her via William.

I watch from the rooftop as Viola pulls Mrs. Norris aside to ask her what happened—it was she who discovered Amber’s lifeless body in the garden.

I listen intently as Mrs. Norris recounts how Amber had taken Elliott outside for a few minutes. When they failed to return, Mrs. Norris went to summon them for tea—only to replace Amber dead in a pool of her blood and Elliott missing.

The blood stain is visible from the rooftop—rather wasteful of Stefan not to drink her dry. He’s either sending a message or playing games.

Using my speed, I head to Viola’s bedroom. As I wait for her, I notice a stack of boxes in her room and decide to peek inside to replace a suit I had ordered three years ago. I never anticipated the tailor would hold onto them for so long. Though they may be out of fashion now, my taste in clothing has always been unconventional.

I begin to change into the suit. With each layer, it feels as though my transformation back into my true self is finally reaching its conclusion.

As I put the jacket on, I look in the mirror—this is the Vampyre I’m used to seeing. Dhampir, I correct myself.

Viola enters the bedroom, and the moment her eyes land on my reflection in the mirror, I sense a spark ignites within her through the bond we established earlier today. Her desire for me intensifies as she saunters over, and I feel my body responding in kind.

Setting down the ledger of documents, Viola stands behind me, her eyes roaming over my attire with approval as I finish buttoning my jacket. The way she bites her lip sends a blissful shiver down my spine, and when our eyes meet in the mirror, I can’t resist turning around to claim those teasing lips with mine.

My growl of disapproval echoes as Sophie moves to open the door from Elliott’s adjoining room.

Sophie enters, barging in with a stack of books and some papers in hand. Viola sighs and takes a step back, her disappointment palpable. I reach for her hand, offering comfort, and hold her regardless of Sophie’s presence.

“I’ve figured it out! I know how you became a Dhampir; at least, I have a theory.” Sophie looks at me and stops, looking me up and down before nodding in approval.

“Very extravagant. You look incredible, Mr. Kane, who would have thought?” Sophie exclaims.

“Me,” Viola remarks through our shared link.