Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 126570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
“Your pulse hasn’t slowed once since you’ve set eyes on me,” he says with open suspicion.
The accusation only causes my heart to beat harder and faster.
Bracing his arm against the wall, his face lowers until he’s nearly kissing me. “Combined with your scent… it’s maddening.”
Pushing my head against the wall, I try to shrink away from him, but there’s nowhere to go unless I find a way to go through him.
His eyes narrow. “You know what I am now, yes. But you’ve known the entire time.”
Dreading the conclusion he’s reaching, I can only stare at him, hoping he won’t completely figure it out.
Lifting a brow in expectation, Nikolaos asks, “How?”
I can’t reveal that I know he’s a vampire because he doesn’t have a heartbeat. There’s no way a human would know it by simply looking at him. I don’t even know why I can tell, and I can’t think of a logical or believable way to explain it.
Growing impatient, he commands, “How, Chloe?”
Sensing the tug to obey, I know I must answer him.
There is no other choice.
Blurting out the first thing that pops into my head, I say, “You’re very pale.”
He pulls back a little and repeats incredulously, “I’m very pale?”
Continuing to fake it until it gets me killed, I nod my head slowly and say innocently, “Yes. You’re very pale. So pale, you’re practically glowing.”
Nikolaos’s eyes widen and his disbelief borders on shock.
Then he tips his head back and laughs. “Oh, that’s a good one…”
His laughter stops abruptly and his face appears in front of my face so quickly it’s obvious he’s trying to catch me by surprise. “What’s the real reason, Chloe?”
I jump a little, unnerved by his unnatural speed, and exclaim, “You’re very pale!”
Nikolaos slowly shakes his head. “Do you want to try again?”
My stomach drops to my feet. I have no other answer to give him…
“You’re very pale...” I whisper, withering under his intense stare. “And you’re dressed very nice.”
Annoyance flashes in his eyes. Eyes that seemingly don’t blink as they bore into me.
Then those unblinking eyes drop to my chest.
“Very well.” Nikolaos sighs, resigned. “If you insist on playing this game, I suppose I have no choice but to—”
Loud, banging knocks on the front door cut him off.
For a heartbeat, more annoyance flashes in his eyes at the interruption. Then Nikolaos shakes his head and pushes away from the wall.
Grabbing me roughly by the hand, he tugs me toward the front door, forcing me to follow him.
Blowing out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding, I stumble behind him for a couple of steps before I realize this is it.
This is my chance to save us.
If I’m quick and strong enough, I can put an end to this.
I let Nikolaos drag me to the door, pretending I can’t quite keep up with his long strides, while I work on slowly and carefully sliding my hand out of his grip.
He doesn’t seem to notice until we reach the door and he’s pulling it open.
Glancing back at me, his hand tightens around mine before he jerks me into him.
I have a split-second to decide whether I should continue with my plan and put myself at risk or abandon it.
Knowing it could very well cause my death but feeling I have no other choice if I want to save Charity, I use the momentum of his yank to throw myself at him.
Caught by surprise, Nikolaos grunts and stumbles across the threshold.
“I revoke your invitation!” I cry out as I crash into him, his arms coming around me as if to catch me.
“Fuck!” I hear him growl next to my ear.
Then I’m promptly slammed up next to the door with his hand squeezing around my throat.
His face a mask of animalistic rage, Nikolaos bares his fangs and snaps them in front of my face.
Seeing evil, true evil in the contortions of his features, my life flashes in front of my eyes.
Vampires are the spawns of Hell. The Devil’s creations. Walking abominations that masquerade as men.
I’ve always known this, yet seeing is truly believing…
Convinced I’m about to be torn to pieces, I screw my eyes shut, silently pray for strength, and focus on not humiliating myself by letting go of my bladder in these last seconds.
“Nikolaos… I don’t know what the fuck is going on… but for some reason I’d like you to stop…” a deep, male voice says from somewhere close by.
“Goddammit,” Nikolaos rasps, his breath hitting my nose.
Flinching at the touch and expecting a bite, I try to lean back, but once again, there’s nowhere to go.
“Nikolaos, I’m serious,” the stranger warns. “I don’t know why but if you don’t stop I’m going to fight you.”
I sense Nikolaos pulling away, but I don’t dare open my eyes to watch him.
“I know, Knox,” Nikolaos growls before he clears his throat. “Trust me, I fucking know. I want to kick my own ass for what I’ve done.”