Empire of the Vampire (Empire of the Vampire, #1)

by Jay Kristoff

Gabriel tapped an empty leather pouch at his belt. “Behold the purse in which I keep my fucks for what you think of me.”

“This is not the way stories are told, Silversaint.” “I know. But I’m hoping the suspense will kill you.”

“See, I never understood that. Why pride is looked on as an evil. You work hard at something you’re not born good at? Damn right you should be fucking proud.

“I broke the rules.” The vampire’s eyes widened in alarm. “Scandalous.” “Mock if you will.” “Merci, I believe I shall.”

Because I miss them, like a piece of me is missing. And I love them, like love is all I was. And there is nothing I’d not do, no depth to which I’d not sink, no price I wouldn’t pay to have them back and here with me. Because they were my all and my everything. “‘But they’re gone.

“I looked at this girl beside me. My hill to die on. My shoulder to cry on. I’d no clue what I believed, save only that I believed in her.