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A woman in a knee length black dress stared back at her. The heart-shaped neckline that extenuated her usually covered cleavage looked incredibly sexy, contrasting the elegant way her dress fanned out below her waist.
I’m beautiful,Eva thought, unable to take her eyes away from the unfamiliar image in front of her.I think I can get used to this.
Eva couldn’t remember the last time she dressed up. In fact, she couldn’t remember thefirst. It had nothing to do with her being against dressing up, and everything to do with never having the opportunity to do so before.
She always adored the people that dressed up for Miami’s nightlife. One of Eva’s hobbies was people watching in downtown Miami. She admired those who took time out of their day to put themselves together for a night out with their loved ones. She always dreamed of one day experiencing similar enjoyments in life. More importantly, she dreamed of being able to share those enjoyments withothers. Shewanteda reason to dress up. Shewantedsomeone to dress up for. But for so long no one came along.
Tonight, she would be able to share her happiness with someone whodidcome along. Someone who not only came along, but someone who held her heart in all the right ways.
Feeling a bit like a Disney Princess right about now.She laughed into the mirror, happiness radiating off her. Tonight, her dreams were literally coming true.
Tonight, she promised herself that she would take in each and every blissful moment. She would remember tonight for as long as she lived - no matter how short that time may be.
“Get your ass out here. We need to apply some makeup, stat.” Kelly chimed in.
“Honestly, do you think this dress is appropriate attire?” Eva admittedly loved what she was wearing, but she was very aware of the fact that she couldn’t safely leave Castle Brannack’s boundaries. So, what the hell could Darius have planned that called for a dress?
Eva heard one of the girls groan a second before the bathroom door burst open, startling Eva. Kelly stood on the other side, hands on her hips. “It absolutely is. You have to trust us. We both know what he has planned for you. You’re wearing that dress, don’t question it. Besides, it needs to be worn. Annabelle gave that dress to me a while back and I never wore it. She’ll be so happy to see it being put to good use.” Kelly brought up the sweet vampire that lived here.
Eva nodded. “Thanks for the dress, by the way.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Kelly gave her a pat on the back as she escorted her out of the bathroom, leading Eva into her guestroom.
Eva’s eyes glossed over the bed she and Darius shared and she frowned. Since learning about Eva’s inevitable fate, Darius refused to get intimate with her. He claimed he didn’t want to weaken her. Whatever his reasoning may have been, she really hoped tonight would be different. The possibility of the two of them getting physical sent thrilling shivers down her spine.
“Wait until my brother sees this!” Karina excitedly clasped her hands together.
Eva certainly couldn’t wait. She had high expectations with this dress on. She really hoped he found it as sexy as she did. If he did, he didn’t stand a chance.
“Alright, let’s figure out your makeup. I don’t have much, but I took some from Annabelle. She loves makeup, and she loves to share.” Kelly bounced to the dresser Karina was standing beside. Together, they shuffled through the makeup that sat atop the dress, bantering over what went best with Eva’s dress. Eva faded the sounds of their voices out, confident in their combined ability to figure out what would make her look best.
Their words becoming nothing but a distant blur, Eva walked over to the deck that protruded from this room. A cool breeze greeted her the second she opened the sliding glass door and walked out into the chilly night. She scanned the ominous forest that surrounded this place. A low fog snaked around the trees, visibly drifting deep into the forest until darkness devoured it.
Castle Brannack may be peaceful, but it was far too remote and far too quiet for Eva’s taste. Eva’s apartment back in Miami might be dilapidated, but it was not this dark. Flickering streetlights and buzzing neon signs made sure of that.
She took a few steps forward, resting her hands on the wooden railing that encircled the deck. The crisp breeze blew her natural curls over her face, distorting her view of the eerie scene in front of her. But between strands of hair that twisted in front of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of something in the fog shifting between the trees.
Eva swallowed, her anxiety spiking. She brushed her hair behind her ear with a shaking hand, peering into the night to get a better look at the figure in the distance.
Then, the aimlessly wandering figure came to a stop. Eva believed it was the body of a woman. She wasn’t exactly sure until the figure looked her way, causing Eva to gasp. Eyes that glowed like embers looked straight at her, seeming to drill into her soul.
Eva took a step back, recognizing the woman who stood within the trees, radiant hair drifting down past her waist. When the woman lifted a finger, silently beckoning Eva to follow her, Eva hissed a curse.
It seemed her magical night with Darius wasn’t going to happen. Perhaps lifecouldbe that cruel.
When a tall, nearly translucent man appeared at the woman’s side, Eva’s stomach lurched forward, dread consuming her.
Hella and Artem in the flesh. Eva had no idea how the two of them managed to team up, but she wasn’t surprised. They were both absolutely horrible. It was fitting.
I die tonight.
Sweat began perspiring from Eva’s forehead, her nails digging into the railing.I’m not ready,she thought. But, despite her fear, she knew better than to walk away from this. Prolonging the inevitable would only put others in danger.
Eva risked a look back into the room. Karina and Kelly were so caught up in their dispute over their preferred makeup choices that they probably wouldn’t notice if Eva slipped away. Not until it was too late, at least.
Eva took in a deep breath, mustering up all the courage she could before turning back to look at the two beings who were probably going to end her life tonight. Only Hella remained in view, but Eva knew Artem wasn’t far.
Eva knew what she had to do. If she didn’t follow Hella, those two disgusting beings would attack Castle Brannack in search of her. If she didn’t follow Hella, everyone inside Castle Brannack would be in danger. The two beings in the forest were incredibly powerful, and they would stop at nothing to have Eva.
