The Darkest Crown (The Eternal Darkness Duet #2)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I was home.

I spent the last two nights running, wondering what I would say to Allie when I saw her again. How would she react when she saw what I’d become?

When I approached the house and saw her sitting on the back porch, emotions flooded through me. Love, happiness, doubt, fear. Was coming home a mistake? Would she be terrified of me? What if I lost control and hurt her?

Allie stood as I crossed the lawn, her eyes wide with disbelief. I wanted to run to her, but feared I’d move too fast and frighten her. So I forced myself to maintain a steady human pace. I stopped at the bottom of the steps and her face crumpled. She launched herself at me and I caught her easily, holding her tight to me as she sobbed. The lump in my throat nearly choked me as I fought to control my emotions. I wanted to weep with her, but blood tears were the last thing I needed right then.

I held her until she cried herself out. When she finally pulled back to look at me, her face was red and puffy, but she’d never looked more beautiful to me. I smoothed her hair back from her face and she grabbed my hand and held it against her cheek.

“I thought you were dead,” she whispered. “Where have you been?”

I’d practiced over and over what I would say, but in that moment words failed me.

Her brow creased as she frowned. “Where have you been, Sarah? They said you were dead.”

The more she spoke, the more panicked I felt. I should never have come back. I stared at her, fighting the urge to turn and run.

“I thought you were dead !” she cried, releasing my hand. She took a step back, and glared at me. “Say something!” she shouted. “I thought you were dead!”

“I am,” I whispered, finally letting my tears fall. Allie froze, her eyes wide. “I’m not who I used to be,” I said shakily. I drew in a deep breath and held it, preparing to run if she screamed.

Instead, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me again. I quickly wiped my cheeks with my hands, not wanting my tears to fall on her.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

She squeezed me tighter. “All that matters is that you're home.”

I told Allie everything as we set up a space for me in the basement, where the sunlight wouldn’t reach me. We carried down the mattress and blankets from my old room, and Allie brought down a lamp, even though I told her I wouldn’t need it.

We sat on the mattress and continued to talk for the rest of the night. I was amazed by how easily she accepted that vampires were real, and even more amazed that she wasn’t the slightest bit scared of me. She assured me that everything would be okay, now that we were together again.

I told her about Adam, and Julian, and she held me when I cried again. When I felt dawn approaching, I told her I needed to sleep, but she refused to leave me. Instead, she lay down on the small mattress beside me and held my hand while I drifted off.

T he smell of coffee woke me. I opened my eyes and saw a lawn chair beside the mattress, with an open book laying on the seat. I smiled at the thought of Allie sitting by my side, quietly reading while I slept. I sat up and inhaled deeply, relishing the smell of coffee, then I froze. There was another scent in the air.

I leapt up and tore up the basement stairs. I threw open the door and skidded to a halt when I saw Julian leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms casually crossed in front of him.

“As dramatic as always,” he drawled.

“Where’s my sister?” I tried to sound strong, but my voice shook with fear for Allie.

Julian’s eyes bore into mine. The silence stretched on, the tension in the room rising with every passing second.

I felt my fangs descend. “Where's my sister?”

He uncrossed his arms, and I tensed at his movement. “She’s safe.”

“Why have you come here?”

“You know why.” He spoke softly, but a shiver of fear ran through me. “You belong to me Sarah. No matter how far you run, no matter where you hide, I will always find you.”

His words made me tremble. “Why can’t you just let me go?”

His face hardened, finally showing the fury behind his casual facade. “I will never let you go.”

I clenched my hands into fists and felt my nails dig into my palms.

“Are you sorry it's me?” he asked, his voice deceptively calm. “Do you wish it was Adam standing here?”

Adam. “What happened to him?” I asked, my voice cracking.

“He was recaptured, of course.” My heart stopped beating, and Julian laughed coldly. “Did you really think he’d beat me?” He shook his head, smiling at me mockingly. “They won’t give him time to escape a second time. He’s probably dead already.”

I screamed and flew across the room at him, but he was too fast. In a blur of motion he caught me by the throat, spun me around and slammed me against the wall.

I clawed at his hand, desperate for air. His eyes narrowed, and he tightened his grip a fraction more. He meant to kill me!

Then he released me, and I fell to the floor, gasping for air.

He stared down at me, his face blank. “Get up. We’re going home.”

Still trying to catch my breath, I pushed myself into a sitting position. “Where’s my sister?”

“She’s already on the plane.”

“What?” I cried, shoving myself to my feet. “Julian, please! Let her go and I promise I’ll never run from you again!” I grabbed the front of his shirt, fisting my hands in the fabric. “She won't tell anyone! No one would believe her anyway!”

He shook his head. “This one’s on you Sarah. Her fate was sealed the moment you revealed yourself to her.”

“Please!” I begged, looking up at him through the red haze of tears. “I’ll do anything you say!”

His lips slowly curved into a cruel smile. “Yes, you will.”