Page 10 of Blood Sings (Beyond the Gloom #1)

I stepped into Father’s office, and his scent—labdanum and cedarwood—crashed over me like a giant wave. Nine decades, and it still clung to every surface. In the stacks of books on his desk, which Elena insisted be dusted but not disturbed. In the half-closed tome on top with his silver-and-black fountain pen peeking out from the yellowed pages.

My gaze drifted to the ripped armchair, angled just as he’d left it. The Persian rug beneath my feet whispered tales of his Solanthian expedition. Every shelf, every corner, held a piece of him.

I hugged my waist, trying to hold myself together as his scent tore through my shattered nerves. Tears burst from my eyes with a vengeance. I thought I was done crying. That I’d reached my limit for the century after tonight’s cursed dinner.

But never when I came here. Never when I thought about him.

I missed him. Sweet Dark Father, I missed him like a drowning woman misses air. And it was at times like this that I truly needed him, his guidance.

Stumbling to his desk, I glared up at his oil portrait. “Why?” I croaked. “Why did you leave me?”

His fierce eyes, rimmed with bright vermillion, bore into me with solemn intensity. Father had always possessed the vigilance of a lion, and missed nothing. If he were still with us, those five poor mortals would still be breathing. The Wurdulaks wouldn’t have dared defy Aurelius’ decree under his watch. Father would’ve snapped their necks before they could even think of spilling innocent blood in his house.

At his daughter’s birthday, no less. Bastards.

He was supposed to be untouchable. Invincible. Vlad ‘the Impaler’ Tepes, felled in some pissant ambush like a mere foot soldier. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair.

I swiped at my face, willing the tears to stop as I shuffled to the window. One tug on the lamp cord, and soft light flooded the room. How many nights had I curled up in his lap right here, on this armchair, listening to stories of far-off lands while the weight of the Republic waited outside?

“Come back,” I whispered to the emptiness. “Save Elena from her darkness. Save me from this plagued alliance. Please. I need you to fix this.”

But only silence answered, heavy with his absence.

“Happy Centenary, my betrothed,” Lev’s gravelly voice slithered through the room like tar. Speak of the devil, and the bastard appears.

I swallowed the vomit welling up inside me and turned to face the man I despised with every fiber of my being.

There he stood on the doorstep, tall, four inches over six feet, with a swimmer’s build: narrow waist, wide shoulders, long legs. His features were sharp with high cheekbones and a firm jawline, his brow strong, and his nose slightly upturned, more pronounced since he had shaved off one side of his head. Onyx hair flowed down his back like a horse’s mane. He only needed a bone throne and a horde of sycophants, and he’d be the spitting image of Derzelas ruling over the Underworld.

“Get out,” I snarled, fists clenching in my skirts.

The haughty smirk died on his lips. Arrogance and ancient power emanated from him in spades. Gone was the boy who’d smelled like ripe cherries, who’d chased me through moonlit orchards and shared laughter.

Lev Wurdulak was pure poison now.

“I gather you didn’t like my present.” He sauntered in, defiling Father’s sanctuary. Darklings writhed around him, lashing out, blending with his pretentious black suit.

Rage set my blood on fire.

“Stay back, or so help me—”

“Rory, Rory,” he sneered, brushing off my threat like lint. “My patience is running dry. Fifty years I’ve waited for you to see the halfbloods for the vermin they are.”

Icy shadows slithered up my bare legs. I refused to shiver.

He cocked his head, as if truly trying to understand. “Why this obsession with them? Trying to get under my skin?”

I backed up, bumping my leg into the armchair. He lunged, arm clamping around my waist like a vise. Air fled my lungs as he spun and slammed me against the bookshelf.

Lev leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear. “Soon, you’ll be mine, little Rory,” he purred. “I’ll make you forget all about your pathetic pets.”

The world narrowed to a single point. I thrashed, fists pummeling his chest. “Let go, you monster! I’ll never marry you, not after what you’ve done. Never!”

Darklings swarmed around him, slowing my blows as if I were hitting through molasses. A scream tore from my throat as I channeled all my anger and fear into a single strike, my palm cracking against his chin with a satisfying crunch.

Lev’s head snapped back, shock flashing in his eyes as he staggered backward, his grip on me loosening. But the victory was fleeting. In an instant, he reclaimed control, forcing me against the shelves. My spine cracked, and the breath vanished from my lungs, stars bursting across my vision.

“You think you have a choice?” he snarled, his face mere inches from mine. Fetid breath washed over me, reeking of cyanide and blood. “I’ll break you, mind, body, and soul. You’ll be my perfect little bride, obedient and eager to please. With Dracula’s magic, we’ll take over the continent. Together. And you’ll relish every single death I’ll lay at your feet.” Lower, he whispered, “Including your precious animals you love so much.”

Revulsion churned in my gut. “Go to hell.”

I raked my nails down his face, splitting skin, drawing blood.

Lev roared, recoiling just enough for me to bring my knee up to his groin. He doubled over with a strangled grunt.

Seizing my chance, I bolted for the door, my heart jackhammering against my ribs. I had never wished for my Darklings like I did at this moment. The air grew dense with his cloying scent, sickly sweet, choking.

Lucian’s ancient magic, the Blood Link, responded to Lev’s summons and came rushing like a gale, a wave of power that nearly tripped me. Glancing back, I saw the red haze shimmering around him, like heat above a fire, and gasped when chains of hardened blood shot from his palms. They coiled around my ankles, and I crashed to the floor, pain exploding through my body.

Lev stalked toward me, fury burning in his gaze, blood dripping from the closed gouges on his cheek. “You’ll regret that, bitch,” he spat.

Two more crimson links whipped forward, binding my wrists and throat and lifting me into the air. The door slammed shut, its hard wood pressing into my back.

I bucked and writhed, fighting to break free, but the restraints squeezed tighter, cutting off my airflow. Black mist crept in on the fringes of my vision.

“No one defies me,” Lev bellowed, spittle flying from his lips. “I’ll drench the Republic in the blood of halfblood scum, starting with the wretch in your command.”

Asphyxiation clearly clouded my judgment, because the next thing I knew, I spat in his face, managing a weak, “Harm them, and I’ll kill you,” despite the frantic pounding of my heart. A promise I would be more than happy to fulfill.

He wiped his cheek with the back of his hand, his gaze darkening. “Good. Then you won’t mind if I have a little taste now, before you hate me for eternity.”

Panic seized me as he closed the gap between us, his heated breath scorching my skin. The noose around my neck loosened and dropped to my collarbones.

“You’re curious, too, aren’t you?” he murmured, tracing his nose along my pulse, sniffling my scent, my fear. “A small preview might be just what you need to change your perspective about our union.”

He wanted to share blood, to take advantage while I was defenseless. Lev Wurdulak was the last person on the continent I’d trust with my body and thoughts during a Blood Pact—let alone one under the Red Moon that would bind our souls for all time.

“Get off me, you sick bastard!” My fury crumbled, replaced by a stark terror that paralyzed my mind. I released the shriek building up in my throat, “Help! Someone, help me!”

Lev snarled, fangs bared. The blood chains shot upward, stretching my wrists above my head. They chafed my skin, but he pressed closer, pinning me with his body. “No one’s coming,” he growled. “Don’t fight it. It will only make it worse.”

“Lev, please don’t.” I panted, desperate. “I will never forgive you if you do this.”

His lips peeled back in a feral grin, eyes blazing with a wild, unquenchable thirst. With a vicious yank, Lev tore at my dress collar, exposing my neck and chest to his rapacious gaze.

I screamed, the sound raw and feral, but his Darklings devoured it, trapping my cries within the room.

He struck like a viper, fangs puncturing my jugular.

No!

White-hot agony ripped through me, my vision blurring, warping. Tears poured down my face, turning to blood as liquid fire flooded my veins. My head pounded, razors shredding my mind to ribbons.

“Stop, it-it hurts…” I slurred.

Lev wrenched away, blood splattering his face. “Stop crying and bite me back, you whore! Complete the bond,” he roared, eyes wild with bloodlust. He rutted against my hip, his arousal turning my stomach. “It’s your fault it hurts.”

“Please… stop…”

Speaking took monumental effort, and I gave up. He’ll tire eventually, I told myself through the haze of torment. He’ll leave me alone.

He sank his fangs in again, deeper, more brutally.

Agony annihilated every nerve, every thought. My blood turned to lava, scorching my insides and charring my bones as he stole my essence. Copper flooded my mouth, mingling with the salt of my tears. A blinding light exploded behind my eyes, and I sagged against him.

Beyond the door, distant footsteps echoed like a dying heartbeat, but I was drowning, sinking, the glimmering surface slipping further and further away. I tumbled through the darkness.

Lev’s final savage thrust tore a ragged cry from my throat, my jugular snapping as he pulled back. “Fuck!” He groaned, licking around the weeping wound. “I’ve wanted to taste you since your magic matured—”

The approaching steps sounded louder, closer, mercifully dragging his focus away.

Lev dissolved the blood links into crimson smoke and grasped my chin, forcing me to meet his rabid gaze. “We’re far from finished,” he promised before melting into the shadows.

They whirled him out of the room, and I swayed, my mind fracturing, thoughts scattering like ashes on the wind. The floor lurched beneath me, and I dropped, darkness rising to claim me.

“Aurora? Derzelas, protect us!” Selena’s voice shook as she caught me in her arms. “What happened? Are you alright?”

My vocal cords failed, replaced by uncontrollable sobs. She smelled of jasmine, familiar and comforting, and it broke through my defenses. I clung to her, weeping, releasing the torrent of emotions and aches that wrecked me inside.

“Shh, don’t worry. I’m here now,” she murmured, wiping the blood from my face with gentle fingers. Her hand froze briefly as it grazed the scars below my jaw. “I’ve got you, my darling. I’ll protect you.”

The wound had closed, but the pain didn’t lessen. It lingered, sharp as a thousand burning needles piercing my skin. Shivers ran through me, making my teeth chatter. I couldn’t make sense of what I was feeling. Everything hurt. My insides were on fire, while my skin was freezing cold.

I felt… lost. In the sensations, in the fear.

“Who did this to you?” she asked, her dark eyes glossy with tears. “This… this is unforgivable. You must report it. It’s against our laws. Your brother—”

I shook my head, ignoring the stabbing pain in my temples. “No, Sel, you don’t understand. He won’t—he won’t intervene.” My voice broke as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. “Petru believes I belong to him .”

Selena’s brows furrowed. “What are you saying?” Then understanding flashed across her face, and her curses filled the room. “That bastard! How dare he lay a hand on you? We have to tell someone—your mother, the Council, anyone!” Without a word, Selena adjusted her strapless corset and marched toward the door. “That damn coward!” she growled. “I’m going to tear him apart!”

I caught her wrist before she could storm out. “Sel, wait,” I implored. “Lev has too much power, too much influence. It’s my word against his. We can’t accuse him without proof.” Another sob racked my body. “Please, don’t go. I couldn’t bear it if you got hurt because of me.”

She glanced at the door, conflicted, but pulled me into her arms, stroking my hair as I wept into her shoulder. “Nothing will happen to me. I swear it by Derzelas’ fangs. We’ll find a way to bring that bastard down, together, okay?”

I nodded, clinging to her. She was right—I couldn’t let Lev win, couldn’t let him get away with this. For the innocent lives he’d taken, for the outliers whose futures he threatened, for me , I had to stop him, make him pay.

This wasn’t a game of politics anymore; it was war.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled back, meeting her gaze. “We’ll need allies,” I said, my voice steadier now, “people we can trust. And a plan.”

A glint of mischief sparkled in her eyes. “Well then, it’s a good thing you have me. I’m excellent at scheming.” She tilted her head toward the exit, a soft smile playing on her lips. “What do you say, birthday girl? Want me to whip you up some Red Brownies?”

“With extra icing and blood flakes?” I sniffled.

Selena’s grin stretched to her ears. “Enough to clog your arteries and mend your soul. Just how you like them.”

Her attempt at humor didn’t quite land, but the promise of sweets dulled the storm raging within me.

“I need to scrub him off me,” I whispered, shuddering.

Selena squeezed my shoulder, then, leading us out of the office, she said, “Lavender bath first. Then, we indulge.”