Bride of the vampire
Chapter eighteen

[ DAMIEN POV ]

Why can't I control myself around Crystal? The sudden urge for blood has never happened to me before. It's as if a primal instinct has taken over, overpowering my rational thoughts. Even if I were to bathe in blood, I would be able to maintain control. But her blood... it's different.

The scent of her blood is intoxicating, like a sweet nectar that beckons me closer. It's a temptation I can't resist, no matter how hard I try. Every time I see her, it's like I'm drawn to her, unable to tear myself away. It's as if I've become addicted to her very presence, her face haunting my thoughts day and night. What is she doing to me?

Delilah. The name sends a shiver down my spine. She was my ex-girlfriend, or rather, a witch who had deceived me. Her true intentions were to steal my powers, to drain me of everything I held dear. It was Liam who saved me from her clutches, risking his own life in the process. That's the only reason I haven't ended his life yet.

With lightning speed, I sprint out of the forest, heading towards my house.

I cautiously stepped into the dimly lit interior of my house, the air heavy with an eerie silence. Before I could even register my surroundings, a sharp object whizzed through the air, narrowly missing my head. Instinctively, I reached out and caught the dagger, looking around.

"Are you tired of living?." hissed, my voice laced with a mix of anger and frustration.

A figure emerged from the shadows, slowly revealing itself to be Max's father. His eyes gleamed with a sinister glint as he approached me, his steps were deliberate and calculated. I couldn't help but chuckle.

With a confident smirk, I lunged towards him, my fist aimed at his face. However, he effortlessly evaded my attack, using his forearm to block my blow.

In a split second, I adjusted my stance, swiftly

slipping to the side and using his own momentum against him. I pushed his elbow down and seized him by the throat, forcefully slamming him onto the ground. Straddling his back, I held his hands behind him, asserting my dominance. "Looks like you're growing old." I taunted, a smug grin spreading across my face.

He chuckled, his voice filled with a hint of amusement.

"Not really. I'm just letting you enjoy yourself first," he retorted, his words dripping with a mix of arrogance and confidence.

Suddenly, he exerted a tremendous amount of strength, rising to his feet and swiftly turning the tables on me. In a swift motion, he slammed my head onto the unforgiving ground, causing a searing pain to shoot through my skull. I growled in frustration, my determination only intensifying.

"Talking while fighting distracts people," he sneered, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes as he prepared to strike. But before he could land a blow, I vanished into thin air, reappearing behind him in a blink of an eye.

With a surge of power, I lifted him effortlessly off the ground, his body weightless in my grasp. With a resounding crash, I hurled him against the wall, the impact reverberating through the room. His growl of frustration echoed in my ears, fueling my determination to bring him down.

"Heartless bastard," he seethed, his voice filled with a mix of anger and defiance.

"I don't want you going home crying because you got beaten by me. That's why I'm going easy on you," I said, a smirk playing on my lips as I watched him struggle to keep up with my moves. The sweat glistened on his forehead, his frustration evident in his eyes.

"Since when can you vanish?." he asked, his voice filled with disbelief as I effortlessly disappeared from his sight, only to reappear a few feet away.

"Don't know. I got some new powers recently," I replied casually, my nonchalant attitude only adding to his bewilderment. I walked towards the small bar in my house, the clinking of glasses filling the silence between us. "Why are you here?." I asked, pouring myself a drink, my eyes fixed on him, waiting for his response.

"Can't I visit my best friend's son?" he answered, his voice tinged with a hint of guilt. I couldn't help but chuckle at his feeble attempt to hide his true intentions.

"We both know you don't visit unless you need help, so hit the nail on the head." I said, my tone commanding and assertive. I wasn't going to let him beat around the bush.

"I need you to help me abduct a man." he finally admitted, his voice filled with a mix of desperation and urgency.

"Is your son dead? Why can't you ask him to help?" I questioned, a hint of sarcasm lacing my words. The audacity of him seeking my assistance while neglecting his own flesh and blood was not lost on me.

"He can't do it." he responded, his voice tinged with sadness and regret.

"Oh, I see. You can't send your son on a dangerous mission, but you can ask me for help?" I retorted, my voice dripping with disdain.

"It's not like that. Are you gonna do it or not?." he snapped, his frustration getting the better of him.

"Don't you ever raise your voice at me, Lucas. I'm not your son. When talking to me, you talk with respect. Are we clear?" I threatened, my powerful tone leaving no room for negotiation. I stared at him down, my eyes piercing into his soul, demanding his submission.

He bowed slightly, barely noticeable, a sign of his begrudging acceptance of my authority.

"Send me the details, I will get it done by tomorrow night. Just so you know, max will be coming with me". Without waiting for his response I walked away

I will get his job done by tomorrow night. At least that will keep me busy from thinking about that stripper or going to see her.