I felt as if someone like her had no business talking about love. I was sickened by the way she was acting.

“Love who?” I practically spat the words out. Instead, the look on her eyes was soft and pensive-practically moist with tears. I glared at her, expecting to see the same glint of manic glee in her eyes-the same look she always gave me when she held me captive at The Shade. She reached out for me and I flinched when her fingers brushed over my shoulder. I sat up on the bed and backed away from her. Just hatred, hatred the likes of which I’d never felt for anyone or anything before. I was expecting to feel fear and dread over what she was going to put me through, but there was none of that. I thought that I would be terrified at the sight of her. When I opened my eyes, my stomach turned, because I was sprawled on a large bed, with Claudia looking down at me. Of course, I was no match for the vampires’ speed and agility, so I didn’t get far before they hit me on the back of my head and forced me unconscious. Thus, with one vampire down and the other still in shock that a human would dare fight back, I made a run for it. The only way I knew how to kill one without a stake or a UV gun was to rip their hearts out, but I doubted I had enough strength to do it. Summoning all my strength, I managed to tackle him to the ground. I wasn’t going to be handed to Claudia on a silver platter. That’s when an adrenaline rush took over. One guard had already grabbed me by the arm. I gritted my teeth as I fought to stay conscious. The guard hit me on the face, making my surroundings dim and blur.

A castle of sand by bella forrest