Papa’s aura became ash-grey as his confusion reached me.
Sean sighed loudly. “Everything must come to an end, and I need nourishment.”
I didn’t understand what his nourishment had to do with anything. “I expect an apology.”
He rose slowly, checking his pocket watch. “The sun is setting. I’m really sorry. Truly. I like you despite the fact that you’re quite boring.”
Papa stood up as well. “I don’t understand.”
Sean held up a hand, staring at his watch. “Now.”
The birds flew away.
A bang thundered from the hallway. Jones’s voice carried through the door. More thuds. A group of men barged into the dining room, wielding guns and knives. The one with a crooked nose ran his tongue over his yellowed teeth, grinning.
I scraped my chair backwards, standing up. “What is happening?”
Sean closed his pocket watch and turned towards me. His expression had never been warm or sweet, but now it radiatedpure evil. Even his aura burst into a smoky glow that absorbed the light as if it’d waited for this moment to reveal itself.
He moved like lightning and was next to me before I drew a breath. I stepped back. The thugs surrounded us. The one with yellow teeth picked up Papa’s glass of wine and drank it.
“Do you know what I enjoy the most?” Sean seized my hair hard and pulled my head down, ignoring my whimpers. “Fear and pain. I feed off them. They’re better than food, and you’re always so frightened that being close to you is a delight.”
He dragged me to the other side of the dining room. I struggled against his grip while trying to ease the pull on my scalp and see how Papa was faring. The thugs were smashing glasses and shoving the footmen around. Poor Jones lay on the floor.
“Papa!” I shouted, but he didn’t answer as he was shoved out of the room.
Sean inhaled deeply. “So sweet. Your fear is delicious.”
“Let me go!” A tremor began in my legs. Passing out because of a seizure was the last thing I needed.
I scratched his hand, punched him, and kicked him, but he didn’t seem to notice.
He tossed me onto the floor. I grimaced when pain burst in my back.
He towered over me. His aura was a pitch-black void of emotion. “That’s my wedding vow to you.”
I scampered backwards, kicking my heels, but he straddled me and blocked me, gripping my chin hard enough to make me cry.
He dipped his head to whisper, “You are not going to enjoy this.”
The thick silencesurrounded me like a dark cloak.
Moonlight shone off the shards of glass from the broken windows, and a chilly wind swept the room. But the cold didn’t bother me. My body was numb from pain and shock. My feelings were numb, too. I lay on the carpet, blood soaking my gown in many spots.
A green glow flashed, but I wasn’t sure if it was real or if my mind was playing tricks on me.
The sound of laughter receded. A sizzling noise rose from somewhere, and soon the smell of smoke slithered into the room. An orange glow flickered. I tried to get up, but my body wouldn’t obey me.
Each breath gurgled out of me, scratching my throat. Blood filled my lungs. I was drowning in it. I was dying. Fury burnt within me, shoving aside the numbness.
Sean had betrayed me. I’d never loved him, but I’d foolishly trusted him. And he’d been nothing but cruel to me. I’d never wished death on anyone, but there was a first time for everything, and I wished he were dead. I wished I’d killed him.
I wanted revenge.
I squinted as a blinding light filled my vision. The fire was about to claim me.
But instead of the flames, a beautiful woman appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. Her skin was translucent, glowing from within, and her eyes were the deepest black, but not disturbing. They gave me a sense of peace. White silk covered her slender body and floated around her as if ruffled by a breeze. Her long black hair formed a glossy sheet around her shoulders.
