Darkness Chapter 18: Morning After

**Nelly**

The following morning, I awoke to find Vincent's body wrapped around mine. With my eyes barely open, I gazed through my lashes. Our bodies were so intertwined that it was impossible to distinguish where he ended and I began. We resembled a tangled pretzel. This was not ideal. I could not allow myself to develop feelings for the enemy.

Vincent had been kind and tender the previous night. My encounters with Dylan were lackluster, and Brandon was satisfactory, but neither compared to the passion I experienced with Vincent. He made me feel wanted and desired in a way I had never felt before. However, I knew I could not allow myself to fall for him. He was the enemy, someone who could not be trusted. Or so I believed.

As time passed, I began to question everything I had been told. Perhaps I had been deceived all along. The realization was chilling and unsettling. The thought that my friends and I had all been manipulated was a sobering and frightening revelation.

Vincent gently caresses my hair and inquires, "What thoughts are swirling around in that beautiful mind of yours?"

I turn to face him, utterly captivated by his presence. How can one man exude such undeniable charm? It's almost surreal. Despite feeling like a complete mess, he makes me feel like the most alluring woman in the world. "Just pondering about food," I fib.

He rolls his eyes in amusement, seeing right through my facade. "Oh, of course you were," he teases. With a swift motion, he pulls me onto his lap. I can sense his desire building beneath me, a palpable tension that electrifies the air. His hands trail up my hips, sending shivers down my spine as he whispers my name, "Nelly..."

I can see he's struggling to find the words, but luckily, he's saved by a knock at the door. "Boss, the scouts are back," Alec says, his voice laced with concern. I don't like the sound of that. Can it be okay, right?

Vincent sighs heavily, "I will be right out." He pulls me close for a heart-stopping moment. "I have to deal with this. I'll see you later. Oh, and don't get any ideas just because your collar is off."

I had forgotten he had broken it off of me last night. I looked down at the floor where it lay in pieces. Running my fingers over where it used to sit, I traced my marks from when he fed on me. I knew that last night was meant to show his dominance over me and to assert to the others that I was his. He had fed earlier in the day, and I knew he could go days without feeding from what I heard the workers tell me.

He only pretended at the meeting to maintain appearances, and strangely, that held some significance for me. I am the sole uncollared pet in this place. Does he have faith in me? Should he? I made the decision to freshen up and dress, hoping to run into Tara and Brandon at breakfast. Tara was present, but her brother was nowhere to be found. "Where's your brother?" I inquired.

Tara shrugged, "I don't know. I haven't seen him since last night. Did he tell you he loves you?"

I sighed and nodded, "Yes, but I know he doesn't mean it. He just enjoys the idea of it. How can anyone love in a time of war?"

Tara shook her head. "I don't know, Nel. He's never said it to anyone but Mom and me."

I didn't want to dwell on it. Brandon and I could never be together. I wasn't even allowed to be alone with him. "So, did you and Alec... you know..." I raised an eyebrow, hinting at something more.

She blushed, revealing her true feelings for him. He was undeniably attractive, but my heart belonged to my own dark god now. My cheeks burned with embarrassment as she laughed at me.

"Looks like you and Vincent had a good time," she remarked, causing me to nod in agreement. She then noticed something missing. "Where's your collar?" she asked, shocked.

I couldn't help but smile. "He removed it last night," I admitted.

"Damn! He must either be testing your trust or seeking his own demise," she exclaimed.

Initially, I had wanted Vincent dead for his past crimes, but now I found myself questioning my desires. Not all vampires were monsters, but Peter might be an exception. "They have a gym here. Want to go work out?" I suggested, hoping to distract myself from thoughts of Vincent.