The Darkest Crown (The Eternal Darkness Duet #2)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I woke with a start, my eyes flying open as I shot upright in bed. My heart was racing from my dream. I couldn’t remember what it was about, but I knew it was bad. A feeling of dread still clung to me. I looked around, confused to find myself back in my old room, then it all came crashing back to me. Julian had found me and I was back in Spain. But where was Allie?

I called her name, hoping she was just in the bathroom. When there was no response I jumped out of bed and ran out of the room, not caring that my hair was a mess and I was still in my clothes from the day before.

I shouted her name as I ran down the hall, and again when I reached the top of the stairs. The sound of my voice echoed in the cavernous hall, startling a maid below. She yelped and dropped the packages she was holding, looking up at me with alarm.

“I believe she’s in the ballroom, Miss,” she said hesitantly, before bending to pick up the packages.

I hurried down the stairs to help her, but by the time I made it she had gathered it all back up.

“Thanks,” I said awkwardly, as I continued past her.

I hurried to the ballroom, and as I approached the open doors, I heard Allie’s voice from within. I sighed with relief, and slowed my steps to give myself time to regain my composure before entering. I ran my fingers through my hair, knowing I probably looked crazy, then pasted a smile on my face as I walked in.

Allie and Maria were standing in the middle of the room talking, and neither of them seemed to notice me.

“Hey,” I called, interrupting them.

They both turned towards me, and Allie grinned and threw her hands up in the air. “I mean, come on!” she exclaimed. “An actual ballroom?”

I chuckled as I crossed the room towards them. “Yeah, I know.”

Maria clasped her hands in front of her. “It’s good to have you home, Sarah.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah. Home sweet home.”

“Home sweet castle ,” Allie said, and we all laughed.

“I’ll leave you now,” Maria said, before turning to walk away.

“Bye!” Allie called after her. “Thanks for the tour!”

As soon as Maria left, Allie turned to me with wide eyes. “I can’t believe this place. I mean, you told me, but I can’t believe it. And why is every vampire gorgeous? Have you seen the guys outside?”

I laughed and held up my hands to stop her. “Easy, Allie. Remember, they’re not human. And to them you’re basically food.”

She wiggled her eyebrows at me. “I wish one of those guys would eat me.”

I burst out laughing, the sound echoing in the empty ballroom. “Jesus, Allie!” I gasped between laughs. “What happened to you?” My laughter died down, and I looked her over from head to toe. “You’re different from when I last saw you.”

Her expression sobered. “I thought I lost you, Sarah. First mom, then dad, and then you.” She reached out and took my hands in hers. “But now you're back. And you're immortal .” She squeezed my hands for emphasis. “I never have to worry about losing you again, and that makes me happier than I’ve ever been. And honestly, our lives were crap.”

I blinked at her bluntness. That was probably the first negative thing Allie had ever said to me.

“We were orphaned, and broke,” she continued. “You were about to be evicted, and who knows where I would have ended up once they took the house.”

I nodded. “I’m actually surprised you were still there when I got back. I half expected it to have been sold already.”

Allie waved a hand in the air. “Oh, I used your life insurance money to pay off the mortgage.” Then her eyes widened. “Will we have to give back the money now?”

I frowned. “I didn't have any life insurance.”

“Mom and dad must’ve got it for you. All I know, is that after the police declared you dead, a guy from the insurance company came by with a big fat check.”

I narrowed my eyes. “ How big?”

“A million dollars,” Allie said slowly.

I let out an exasperated sigh. “You didn’t think it was strange that I had a million dollar life insurance policy?”

“Well now I do!” she exclaimed, looking flustered. “But I wasn’t thinking straight then. I was hanging on by a thread, Sarah.”

I sighed and pulled her in for a hug. “I’m sorry,” I said, pressing a kiss to her hair.

She pulled away to look at me. “So then where did the money come from?”

Our eyes met and we both answered at the same time. “Julian.”

I turned away, struggling to hold back tears. Julian had taken care of my sister, without being asked, and he never sought praise or credit for it.

“Well look at us now,” Allie said, spreading her arms wide as she looked around the room again. “We never have to worry about bills or money again. We can live happily ever after in an actual castle. This is literally every girl's dream.”

“Except prince charming is a vampire,” I reminded her.

Allie shrugged. “So are you. Maybe I’ll be one too.”

“ What?” I exclaimed, horrified at the notion. “No!”

She frowned. “Why not? If I was a vampire, you wouldn’t have to worry about me being food.” Point taken. “And I’d never get sick, like mom.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. The idea of losing Allie was too much to bear.

“We don’t have to decide right away,” I told her. “You haven’t even been here 24 hours.”

She tilted her head. “True. I could wait a bit. At least ‘till after my birthday, which is right around the corner, in case you forgot.” She grinned at me. “A ball in my honor would be a nice gift.”

I laughed and linked my arm through hers. “Let me tell you what happened at the last ball we had here.”

We spent the rest of the night wandering through the castle, while I filled her in on vampire life. We went back to my room at one point, so I could finally shower and change out of my old clothes, and Allie sat on the edge of the sink chatting away the whole time. After my shower we went wandering again, and ran into Helen, who told us that Julian had ordered clothes for Allie, and they would be delivered the next day. Allie squealed with excitement at the thought of a designer wardrobe.

We walked through the gardens several times, so Allie could ogle the guards outside. All I could do was laugh. She was going to be trouble .

By two in the morning, Allie was starting to lag. She insisted she was fine, but I insisted she go to bed. She had plenty of time to adjust to a nocturnal schedule. She was given the room right next to mine, which pleased us both, and when she was snug in her bed I went back out to the gardens to think.

If the guards outside thought it was strange, seeing me for the fourth time that night, they didn’t let on. I wandered down the flower-lined paths pondering my situation, and my relationship with Julian.

I didn’t know where things stood between us. I ran from him because I was angry and hurt, but by the time I made it home to Allie I was already missing him. Hating him, but missing him.

Then he was so cruel when he found me. I hadn’t seen that side of him in so long, I’d all but forgotten it was there. I was terrified to see him standing in the kitchen, but a small part of me was thrilled just to be near him again.

He claimed he never lied, but in my book, purposefully hiding the truth was lying. I could never be with someone I couldn’t trust, but living with Julian and not being with him would be torture. Especially after learning he took care of Allie.

I finally gave up wandering and sat down on a bench that was nestled between two rows of roses. I sighed and lay back on the stone surface, letting my legs dangle off the side. I looked up at the sky, and was struck by its beauty. I wondered if I’d ever get used to the way the stars glittered now. I became lost in thought once more, and was surprised when I realized dawn was approaching.

I reluctantly pushed myself up from the bench and headed inside. I trudged upstairs to my room, stopping to check on Allie first. I peeked my head in and smiled when I saw her sprawled sideways across her bed in a tangle of blankets. I closed the door softly and went into my room.

The shutters came down over the windows just as I walked in, and I sighed, feeling suddenly exhausted. I stripped down as I walked to the bed, and climbed under the covers wearing my t-shirt and underwear. The second my head hit the pillow I was out.