Desired by Shadows

11. The uninvited guest

Owen Black

Vincent leaned back in his chair, his emerald eyes locked onto Owen's. "I'm just having a bit of fun, my friend. You should loosen up too."

Owen clenched his jaw, his patience wearing thin. "This is not the time for games, Vincent. Violet is not someone to be toyed with. I have plans, and you dare ruin them." His voice took on an ominous tone and he bared his fangs, their gleam visible.

Vincent's lips curled into a wicked smile. "But Owen, my boy, she's the most intriguing human I've come across in a long time. You can't deny that."

Owen's eyes flashed with a warning. "She's off-limits, Vincent. I brought her here for a reason, and it's not for your amusement."

Vincent chuckled, unfazed by Owen's stern demeanour. "You've always been the serious one, haven't you? But I know there's more to this story, Owen. What are you really hiding?"

Owen's gaze remained unwavering. "That's none of your concern, Vincent. Just remember why we're here and keep your games in check."

Vincent leaned forward, his tone filled with mischief. "Oh, I intend to, my friend. But I can't promise I won't be tempted by the lovely Violet. After all, we are men from another world, and we do love a good challenge."

As Vincent continued his relentlessness, Owen couldn't help but feel his carefully laid plans unravelling before his eyes. Tonight was supposed to be an opportunity to get closer to Violet, offering her his company and comfort while she navigated her fears, the reasons for which still eluded him.

Owen harboured a deep-seated belief that she held information about the Grimoire, knowledge that he needed to further his own goals.

To achieve that, he needed to gain her trust, to make a place for himself in her heart. But Vincent's intrusive presence threatened to tarnish his carefully crafted image and push Violet further away.

Owen clenched his fists under the table, torn between his loyalty to an old friend and his need to proceed with his plan.

Moreover, he didn't appreciate how Vincent was harassing Violet under the guise of flirting. Knowing Vincent, he could go to great lengths and wouldn't care that Violet was still a minor. Owen had a responsibility to protect Violet, and he wouldn't allow anyone, not even an old friend, to jeopardize her safety.

While Owen harboured a desire for revenge against Violet, he couldn't stand by and let a man take advantage of an innocent girl, putting her dignity at risk. That’s not what he intended to do with her.

Their conversation ended in an uneasy silence, both vampires aware that the night had taken an unexpected turn, and the stakes had never been higher.

"Vincent, you're insufferable. Why don't you find yourself a room upstairs? We have a business to attend to, but as you can see, I have a guest to take care of. We can deal with our issues in the morning."

"Sure, my friend, I see what's going on here. You desire Violet all to yourself. Fine! Let it be that way, then. Enjoy your night, brother." Vincent stretched and pretended to yawn, his fangs briefly flashing in the dim light as he winked at Owen and swiftly disappeared upstairs, his vampire speed leaving a subtle gust of wind in his wake.

"Why can't he just behave like a human when we're around others? I hope that i***t doesn't spill our secrets before I can execute my plan," Owen muttered angrily to himself, his eyes flashing a momentary crimson hue as he paced restlessly back and forth.

Violet was still away, and the craving for a shot of blood gnawed at him, exacerbated by the fact that he hadn't been able to feed on any human aura the whole day.

Just as Violet arrived, she took cautious steps and looked around as if trying to hide from someone, likely Vincent. Owen, lost in his restless thoughts, unknowingly paced into her path at her sudden arrival. She was startled and tripped over her own feet.

With a surprised gasp, Violet stumbled forward, but Owen's reflexes were quick. In a heartbeat, he reached out and caught her, his strong arms enveloping her as she fell, bringing her gently but firmly into his embrace. Their eyes locked, and in that fleeting instant, time seemed to stand still.

In that precious moment, as Owen held Violet in his arms, he couldn't help but be captivated by her innocence, and the sheer vulnerability in her eyes. Her lips, soft and inviting, seemed to beckon him, and the silky strands of her hair that brushed against his arms were like a gentle caress.

If Owen hadn't been burdened by the weight of his dark past and the looming memories of her evil father's deeds, he might have allowed himself to fall for Violet right then and there.

Her naivety and the genuine warmth in her eyes were like a beacon of light in his world of shadows, and in that fleeting embrace, he felt a connection that he couldn't deny.

Her heartbeat, a soft and steady rhythm, resonated against his chest, and he could almost feel life coursing through her veins.

It was a temptation he had to resist, a delicate balance he needed to maintain as he hid his true nature. As they pulled away from the unexpected encounter, Owen couldn't help but wonder if this connection would lead to the answers he sought or if it would only deepen the mysteries surrounding Violet.

But for now, he knew he had to keep his distance and stay focused on his mission, even though every fiber of his being yearned for something more.

However, he had to face the undeniable truth: that tender moment, he couldn't ignore the primal instincts that stirred within him. He could feel the blood coursing through her veins, inviting him with its irresistible allure. His vampire traits, hidden beneath a veneer of control, whispered to him, urging him to taste the sweetness of her skin.

Her timidness only fueled his desire, and he couldn't deny the strength of the connection between them.

He longed to protect her, to be her refuge in a world filled with darkness, and for a fleeting instant, the temptation to give in to his most primal desires was overwhelming.

But he was aware of the consequences of such an act, and he forced himself to stay away, his eyes filled with a mixture of longing and regret.

Violet quickly regained her balance, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I was just... keeping an eye out."

"I should have been more careful, it's not your fault entirely," Owen said, his tone tinged with a mix of concern and confusion about his feelings. "Why don't you settle down upstairs? Take a right turn and it's the third room. Make yourself at home. I have something to take care of, and I'll be up for a while. Oh, and about the dessert, I think you should finish it. Go ahead."

"Ah, thanks, Owen. I think I'll pass on dessert," Violet hesitated for a moment, "Your friend..."

"Don't worry about him; I already took care of it," Owen assured her.

As Owen watched Violet ascend the staircase, her footsteps echoing in the empty mansion, a mixture of emotions swirled within him.

Owen couldn't hold back any longer, his innate urges overpowering his restraint. With vampire speed, he closed the distance between them in an instant, silently appearing behind her even before she reached the room.

His presence enveloped her, his cool breath grazing her neck as he whispered softly, "Violet..."

Owen felt a whirlwind of emotions churning within him. He had come dangerously close to succumbing to his raw desires, to the insatiable hunger that lurked beneath his facade of civility. The taste of her, the warmth of her skin, was an intoxicating temptation that he had almost given in to.

Owen watched as Violet froze, her heart racing in response to his sudden proximity. She turned to face him, her eyes reflecting both surprise and vulnerability. Their gazes locked, and in that brief, suspended moment, the air grew thick with unspoken tension, enveloping them in its embrace.

With a gentle, cool touch, Owen's hand rose to sweep away a loose strand of hair from Violet's face. She shuddered at his sudden touch and took a step back.

He pulled her in closer, her bosom brushing against his chest, and her hand involuntarily resting over his. The air seemed to crackle with an unspoken tension, his urge to relish her getting stronger.

Their faces inched closer, the anticipation of a kiss hanging heavy in the air, both tantalizing and forbidden. Violet's hand went to her chest as if feeling her racing heart, and Owen's eyes grew more intense with each passing second.

In that fragile instant, the lines that separated them blurred, and the simmering desire beneath the surface threatened to ignite.

But just as their lips were on the verge of meeting, Owen pulled away, a conflicted expression clouding his eyes. He took a step back, his hands trembling slightly as he fought to regain his composure.

As Owen grappled with his internal battle, his body succumbed to the overpowering hunger that stemmed from his vampire nature. In a moment of weakness, he involuntarily drew in her aura, using it to replenish his waning strength.

His eyes darkened as he struggled to resist the urge to take more, to delve deeper into the wellspring of her life force. The sweet, intoxicating scent of her essence filled his senses, making it increasingly difficult to control the primal instincts that threatened to consume him.

Violet, still reeling from the near-kiss, watched him with a mixture of confusion and concern. She sensed something had changed in the air, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. Owen's behaviour had shifted, his demeanour now tinged with a subtle hint of danger.

Violet fought to maintain her balance, her strength waning as if some invisible force was sapping her energy. Her eyelids grew heavy, threatening to close, but she fought to keep them open, trying not to succumb to the overwhelming sensation of weakness that had washed over her.

With great effort, Owen managed to pull away from the allure of her aura though his eyes still held a hunger for more. He stepped back, distancing himself from the temptation that had momentarily overwhelmed him.

"I... I'm sorry, Violet," he stammered, his voice filled with regret. "I shouldn't have... I need to go."

Before she could respond, he turned and practically fled away from her, leaving her alone in the midst of her racing thoughts and the undeniable awareness of the forbidden connection that had sparked between them.

As Owen retreated, he couldn't help but feel a gnawing sense of concern for Violet's safety. He watched from a distance, his own weakness making him apprehensive.

To his dismay, he saw her struggling to take each step, her movements faltering. What troubled him even more was that she entered the wrong room—the one where Vincent was.

It was evident that Vincent had taken a liking to Violet, and that realization struck him like a bolt of lightning, filling him with a growing sense of unease.

Violet was at risk, and he couldn't afford to let any harm befall her.

Owen's heightened senses went into overdrive as he strained to hear what was transpiring in the room where Vincent and Violet were. His keen hearing picked up on their voices, though they were muffled by the walls.

He could sense Violet's nervousness and discomfort in her tone, a stark contrast to Vincent's suave and predatory words.

Owen wished he could be there to protect her, but his weakened state made him feel utterly powerless. He desperately tried to reach Violet before anything untoward could happen, but before that, he had to replenish his energy.

With a sense of urgency, Owen staggered towards the bar counter, his movements slowed by his weakened state. His speed, which usually allowed him to move like a fleeting shadow, was compromised.

As he reached the top of the cupboard, he struggled to open it swiftly, his trembling hands fumbling with the latch.

He finally opened the mini-fridge hidden inside the cupboard and grabbed a vial of fresh, crimson blood that he had stored for such emergencies. The cool glass felt reassuring in his hand as he quickly downed the blood, letting the rich, metallic taste invigorate his senses.

The rejuvenating effect was almost immediate. Energy surged through his veins, revitalizing his weakened body. Owen knew he didn't have much time, and he couldn't afford to waste another moment.

With newfound strength, he resumed his silent dash towards the room where Vincent and Violet were, determined to intervene.

Just then, Owen’s heightened senses allowed him to hear what he dreaded the most at that moment, “Wow! You’re wild, aren’t you? Exploring uncharted territory in your pyjamas. You know, I can make tonight even more thrilling and delightful for you. After all, you're the one who wandered into my bedroom and ended up in my arms."

Vincent's words stirred Owen's anger and concern. He couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness over Violet, who was now alone with this unpredictable vampire. As he hurried to Violet's aid, Owen's thoughts raced, trying to anticipate what Vincent might do next.

He knew that tonight, everything was on the line—his quest for the Grimoire, his growing feelings for Violet, and the dangerous secrets he and Vincent shared.

The shadows of the past loomed large, and the darkness of the night concealed more than it revealed. With a heavy sigh, Owen couldn't shake the feeling that the night held even greater surprises and challenges ahead, threatening to unravel the fragile threads of his carefully laid plans.