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Darius rubbed the back of his throbbing head, his world spinning, as Artem let go of his petrified sister and stepped in his direction. “I’ve had a sudden change of heart. You will no longer be granted the opportunity to choose between life or death. In fact, death will not come fast for either of you. You will not see death for a very long time.”
“Whatever you’re planning, do it to me. Don’t hurt her. She did nothing to deserve this.”
“Neither did you, correct?” Artem bent down until he was at eye level with Darius, a sinister smile enveloping his features. “No onegets what they deservein life. You see, the strong get what they fight for, and the weak fall. Maybe you’ll learn this lesson one day. Iamgiving you plenty of time to one day become as strong and powerful as me.”
“I’ll never be anything like you.”
“Only if you’re smart you will.” Artem grinned, revealing two exceptionally large teeth that seemed sharp enough to rip through just about anything.
He’s a monster.
Darius refused to show his fear. Ignoring those intimidating teeth he said, “If intelligence will turn me into a monster like you, I don’t want it.”
“We’ll see about that,” Artem said just before driving his head down, his teeth tearing into Darius’ neck and drawing the blood from his body. Darius didn’t have time to comprehend what was happening before he became incredibly cold, his sight slowly fading.
The last thing he saw was Karina looking at him with a horrified expression. In that moment he decided if he lived, he would spend the rest of his life rectifying his wrongs. He vowed that as long as he had any say in the matter, Karina would never see another day of suffering.
And though he never truly lived again, he was given the opportunity to become as smart as Artem hoped he would become.
And smart he became.
Chapter Two
Darius Fischer
Present Day
“Artem calls for you,” a meek voice spoke through trembling lips. Darius didn’t have to look over to know one of Artem’s unwilling servants was speaking to him.
Darius found the term hilarious.Servants.In other words,slaves.Despite Artem’s lack of giving a shit aboutanythingin life, he needed to be politically correct. Apparently, the wordservantwas a much better use of language than the wordslave, despite the fact that it was entirely inaccurate.
If anyone knew how horribly Artem treated his servants, it was Darius. He and his sister had been slaves to Artem for over two hundred years - the first two hundred years of their demoralizing immortal lives. Starved from blood and unable to die, they somehow managed to build castles for that man.
Thank the gods they broke free from that wretched life.
The fortress they currently lived in was built off the backs of vampires much like Darius and his sister. Of course, no one would ever believe that Darius - the Voivod’s greatest warrior and Artem’s closest confidant - had begun his immortal life as a slave.
It was best if everyone remained ignorant of Darius’ past. He didn’t need anyone pitying him.
“And what does the Voivod’s great leader want today?” Darius asked the servant, unamused, as he swung his sword at his longtime friend, Gedeon Varga, their swords meeting with a clang.
“You won’t get me just yet, friend.” Gedeon smiled, the scar that ran down his left lip stretching, his dark curls blowing with the mountain’s wind.
“Don’t be so quick to speak,” Darius warned, maneuvering his sword so it sliced through Gedeon’s shirt, grazing his hardened stomach. “What does Artem want?” Darius called to the servant.
Feigning shock, Gedeon pressed a hand against the little bit of blood that trickled from his stomach. “You almost struck me.”
“Are you surprised?” Darius asked as he returned his sword to his sheath, brushing back his slick black hair.
Darius won every time the two dueled, injuring Gedeon countless times. Of course, Darius always refrained from killing his friend. He would never attempt to behead him - the only way a vampire could die.
Darius admittedly didn’t like just about everyone he met in life, but Gedeon was one of the few he actually did. He had no plans to kill the bastard anytime soon, no matter how irritating he often became.
Gedeon’s lips curled into a grin. “Surprised? I’m only surprised that youalmoststuck me.” He patted his hand against the already dried blood on his skin, waving a bloodless hand in the air. “C’mon, I would’ve expected you to have dug your sword alittledeeper. Is it possible that I’m close to besting the Voivod’s most skilled swordsman?” Gedeon grinned, too often finding amusement in taunting Darius.
“Perhaps, if you will yourself to dream so in your sleep.”
Gedeon broke out in laughter, slapping his own thigh. “One day, my friend.”
