A Shade of Vampire (A Shade of Vampire, #1)

by Bella Forrest

Don’t you dare deceive yourself into believing that you’re the victim, Sofia Claremont.”

She was the most beautiful to behold—not because her appearance drew me in above and beyond the others. No. She was beautiful because, at a time when she had every right to be terrified, she managed to show comfort to another person who needed it.

“You can control yourself. Don’t do this to me,” I whispered into his ear.

“I know an excuse when I hear one. Don’t you dare deceive yourself into believing that you’re the victim, Derek Novak.”

What happens to the living dead once they pass away? I shuddered. It was strange that the undead could be so afraid of death, and yet it was true. I’d been afraid to die, so I’d gone to sleep instead.

I was death, and I’d been looking her right in the eye. She’d looked right back, barely flinching.

If he trusted me enough to not take his life just then, perhaps I should trust him enough to believe that he won’t take mine.

“I see irony is lost on you.” Lucas rolled his eyes. “In The Shade, it is the living who reside within The Catacombs.”

With Sofia, it felt like I’d finally found my compass. As long as I had her, I had someone to keep me grounded, someone to direct my way.

“From the moment I got here, all I’ve wanted to do is escape and go back home, but Derek…” She leaned toward me and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek. “You’ve begun to feel like home.”

At some point during all those nights I’d spent with her, I’d become hers.