Page 68 of When Night Falls

Everything seems to stand still for a few moments as we look each other in the eyes. The sounds around us simmer down to that of just her heartbeat. The only light that seems noticeable is the one that shines from the glow in her eyes, illuminated by the moon. The only air I allow myself to feel is the one coming out in soft pants from her pink lips.

I hate that I have to do what I intend with her. In any other circumstance, things would be different. I wouldn't have asecond thought about giving her the chance she deserves to truly be with me.

I can feel her nervousness start to eat at her. She put the ball in my court and she's waiting for me to make a move. Will I agree to this madness and entertain the idea that I can have both my revenge and an epic love? Or will I keep leading her on only to seek out my selfish needs and stab her in the back in the end.

"Show me, Rivian." Her sincere words bring me back to the moment where the sounds of water and wind mix in a charming dance against the Earth, and I finally let the cold evening air back into my lungs.

"Show you," I repeat back to her.

She sucks in her bottom lip and rises her shoulders to indicate her own inhale.

"Yes," she whispers.

I stand from the bench and straighten my suit jacket before reaching my hand out to grab hers.

"Very well, little one. Right this way."

23

trace of our souls

Lucynda

Rivian walks with me on a stone path between the trees in the outer forest of the castle. From this view, I can really take in the smaller details of the forest and I get the feel of just how powerful the Hollows Traces grounds are. Weaved between large, dark trees are at least twelve more smaller castle-like buildings on either side of the main home.

My stomach twists with nerves. I feel safe walking with Rivian yet fear grips the tendrils of my heart as it beats rapidly in my chest.

The time I'd spent sitting at the gazebo for the few hours I waited for Rivian had left me alone with my thoughts, which normally isn't a good thing. But I think given all the highs and lows I've been feeling, it served me some good. I know I've been flakey in my own mind about all of this but at the end of the day, I want a family. I want love. I want to be a part of something.

Even still though, I'm scared.

I allowed him a piece of my vulnerability and fell victim to my own heart. It’s new. I feel like for once, there's a chance for hope to commence after all.

"These are all the housing quarters of the other Nocturnes of Hollows. The castle only houses the royal family and the maids, guards, or servants we require." He explains as he points out to some of the other gray-bricked buildings. Smaller, sure, but still just as terrifyingly charming.

"Who else, besides you, Troy and Travois are of royal blood?" I ask, not feeling like I might get scolded for my curiosity anymore.

"We are it. Typically, each Society or kingdom is only made up of one royal family." I try to keep up with his long strides as we walk down the path in the darkness. He seems to have a good sense of where to go despite the lack of light leading the way.

"And how many other vampires are there?"

"About a hundred of us live here in Shadow Creek. There are less and more in other societies," he tells me as we round a bend.

"So, where is everyone?" I voice my concern, noting that I haven't missed the lack of vampires for a town that claims to be crawling with them. But honestly, how would I even be able to spot them?

"Nocturnes can't go out in the daylight. They'll burn. Which means they are required to stay inside their compound quarters until curfew ends. Some of them will still remain inside if they wish, maybe in the castle in the specialty rooms. Others will be at the Gilded Hollow, the club that I own."

"That weird masquerade sex party you took me to? That's your club?" I should have known. That place was a fever dream if I ever had one.

A smirk crawls on Rivian's face.

"It wasn't a sex party, Lucynda. It was your engagement party . . . with nice views." He rubs his jawline with his pointer finger, giving me a look that says everything and nothing at all.

"Whatever you say." I shrug him off, looking ahead at the path leading deeper into the black forest.

"Otherwise, Nocturnes are free to roam wherever they please, so long as they don't step over the boundaries of another society uninvited, they can go virtually anywhere."

That's why I'd see so many people wandering at night on Mainstreet. It's all making sense now.