An explosive c***k of thunder sent me jolting awake. My eyes were wide and alert as I glanced around the room wildly, confused. When lightning flashed by my window I jumped, my heart leaping into my throat. Immediately my gaze went to my bedside, but Vincent wasn't there. Anxiety crept over me as another crash rang through my room.
After a few moments of sitting up in bed, feeling the pounding of my heart, I decided I'd try to block the noise and fall back asleep. Pressing my hands over my ears as tightly as I could, I slipped under the covers and closed my eyes. It didn't help. The thunder was so loud it nearly shook the manor.
"You're kidding me," I muttered irately, emerging from my blankets again. "How many times must it storm here? I'm sick of it!"
My gaze was attracted back to the
