My defense of him tipped her over the edge. Her furious snarl ravaged my ears. There was a blur. Claws slashed through thenight. A terrible, burning agony exploded through my stomach as she ripped through my flesh. I staggered back, slamming into a tree. My eyes jerked down. My shirt was ripped to shreds. She’d opened me up like a gutted pig.
All I could think was,I’m only twenty-two. I can’t die yet. I can’t die yet.
My trembling hand pressed against the warm wet oozing from my stomach.
Her fingers were covered in blood—my blood. She licked it off her fingertips, closing her eyes with sheer pleasure.
Shudders ran over my entire body and my breath burned. I’d take the chance and run again, but I knew it was pointless. I could never outrun a vampire.
“Stop,” I tried to sound strong, but it came out as a whisper. “You don’t have to do this. He will kill you if you hurt me.”
Sarah’s eyes snapped open. She moved closer and shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not.” Her voice came out gentle, and somehow that was more terrifying than rage. “But your death will kill him inside first.”
“Sarah, please?—”
A flash of fangs. A red-hot burning pain in my neck. Warm rain splashing over my shoulder.
Somewhere in the distance, a scream split the night, and I realized it was my own as the sound was pulverized by the wind.
Chapter 1
Unbreakable
Ijerked awake, catapulting to an upright position. Panic and horror burned through me as I stared wide-eyed, trying to peel back the layers of night. My heart boomed against my chest, my breathing fast and ragged. My hand bolted to my stomach—no blood, no intestines hanging out like fat sausages. Relief did not quell the terror. My other hand snatched at the knife under the pillow but shook so badly I dropped it.Shit.My fingers grasped for it again, my sweaty palm clutching it tight in front of my chest.
I blinked rapidly. Shredded light from the fire crackled across the room, seeming like slitted orange eyes. The glow waned the darkness just enough to let me see so the terror of the shadows didn’t choke me. Darkness and I were ancient enemies.
The nightmare clung on to me like a haunted echo.
Nightmare, not real, not real.
I closed my eyes, shaking all over, breathing in deeply, trying to slow my heart rate.
Not real.
My nightmares always played out like a movie in my mind. Even in the light of day, sometimes it was hard to differentiate between what was reality and what was made up in my head.But Sarah had attacked me, the memories a torture that was impossible to keep buried.
I slipped the knife to the bedside table and stretched my hand across the silk sheets, seeking his warmth. Seeking his comfort. I was met with cool, empty space. Disappointment curled through me. But I wasn’t surprised—Karson was probably out hunting Sarah. He put himself in danger every night when he went out looking for her, to protect me.
I’d rather be out there with him, but he wouldn’t even let me leave the house, let alone help hunt the vampire who almost took my life.
Her face twisted with rage, her eyes glowing red like the depths of hell.
Turned out, when someone tried to kill you, it was remarkably hard to get the images out of your head. Despite the warmth of the room, a chill crawled over my skin.
Karson was a firstborn, I reminded myself. He could handle himself. He would be fine. I blew out a breath as I glanced at the clock; it was only ten p.m. One hour of sleep before yet another nightmare—that’s a new record. At least I didn’t scream this time.
My nightgown clung to my sweaty back and thirst clawed at my throat.
After nightmares, my mother would make hot chocolates and sit with me and read until I fell back to sleep. Reliving moments we shared was a way to keep her alive in my mind, if only for a few moments. I climbed out of bed, padding barefoot down the hallway.
“You are not taking her.” A deep, poison-laden voice slipping to the second floor halted my steps. A deep, familiar voice. The only voice I knew that didn’t need to shout to be heard. When he was annoyed, it was like an ice drill; it shuddered right through bones and was capable of freezing the entire room.
Karson.
The same voice sent a bolt of warmth through my chest.
He told me to remain in my room if ever I heard a commotion until he let me know it was safe. I should go back. He would be furious if he knew I was here. But they were talking about me. It would be foolish to ignore it. Besides, I was hidden behind the wall. I cocked my head and strained to listen.
