TWISTED FATES BOOK 1: THE FIRST TWIST by Jacklyn Rogers (read after TXT) 📕

a turkey on Thanksgiving. He studied me, and, realizing that I was no longer a threat, he finally released my hands from his firm grasp; but still held onto both of them within the confines of his own.

"I can't express to you how remorseful I feel about not protecting you, Samantha, and for concealing my true nature from you. All I wanted was to love you and perhaps one day, if you so desired, make you one with me and my kind. But fate was not letting you slip through its fingers without a fight, and I am not one to back down from a fight, Samantha. I could not let fate end your existence." He stood up and placed his hand tenderly on my shoulder while cupping my chin in his other hand. He tenderly began stroking my jaw with his thumb. "I know this whole scenario is overwhelming, and I promise that we will have a serious discussion. I vow to tell you everything you want to know. But for now, my love, you need to rest. Your body is still transitioning, and since you have fed, you need rest in order to heal completely."

"But- " I interjected, "I don't want to. I'm not that tired, and I have so many questions that need answering, Jareth." I knew I sounded like an insolent teenager, but I didn't even care. I wanted to know everything from start to finish about me, Jareth, Shay, Astrid, and even Maleyna.

"Samantha, I promise you will receive those answers, but it is imperative that you let your body recuperate. You need to rest first."

I shrugged my shoulders and huffed, biting my lower lip. Clearly, this was an argument I was not going to win, and honestly, I was beginning to feel the draw of sleep as my eyelids became impossible to keep open.

I rested my head back against the soft cradling pillows as my heavy eyelids fluttered closed.

"Fine," I whispered, "but Jareth...when I wake up, you got some serious 'splaining to do, mister."

I heard a slight chuckle at my childishness as the bedroom door was quietly opened then shut before I allowed myself to fall into a deep soothing slumber.

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Jareth's POV

The moment I stepped outside my bedroom, where I had left Samantha to rest, I was met by a pair of pale grey eyes. Maleyna was livid towards me, a surprise to none. I was well prepared to face her ire and indignation at my decision to turn Samantha.

"Jareth – "

I raised my hand to silence her.

"Before you begin, Maleyna, I would like to continue this conversation further down the hall so as not to disturb Samantha." She nodded in agreement, and we made our way towards the center of the long corridor beside the staircase. I motioned that this location was far enough and could proceed with whatever she had deemed necessary to convey.

She shook her head with a grim expression and sighed. "Jareth ... as you were made well aware, you were tasked to keep Samantha alive until midnight on her 25th birthday. An undertaking you were unable to bring to fruition. I sympathize with your plight Jareth. And I suppose some slight part of me appreciates the basis of why you elected to make such an extreme decision regarding siring Samantha. However, Jareth, your decision was not without consequences."

"I acknowledge your cautioning witch, but you know as well as I do that I have no trepidations regarding these consequences you speak. The decision to turn Samantha was made without remorse, save me doing so without her consent. Samantha is alive, and that is all that concerns me, Maleyna. So, to hell with fate." I scoffed as I dismissively waved my hand in the air.

Maleyna's eyes widened at my brash quip. Her face twisted into one of grave concern as she gently placed her pale age-spotted trembling hand atop mine.

"Jareth, you are a vampire that I hold in high regard, but your words and actions have only infuriated stronger forces than you could possibly conceive. You cheated fate its entitlement to Samantha by siring her. The scales have been tipped, and there is only one way now that can restore balance Jareth... a life for a life."

My lips curled into a slight sneer as I let out a cold-blooded laugh.

"We shall see about that witch."

Chapter 18

***SEXUAL CONTENT CONTAINED IN THIS CHAPTER - I WILL MARK BEGINNING AND END FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO SKIP THIS SECTION ��***

Sammie's POV

I awoke to feel oddly refreshed and energized. Even my wound was now completely healed. I also changed out of my bloodied attire and was currently wearing one of Jareth's button-down shirts. Damn, I guess there are some perks to being a vampire. Gotta love that super-fast healing.

Nice.

I carefully set myself upwards, resting my back against the pillows that lined the mahogany headboard, trying not to disturb Jareth's peaceful sleeping form. I wasn't sure how long I'd been out. I guess Jareth was right after all about my needing rest.

I glanced over to the shirtless Adonis lying next to me on his side, still cradling my hand in his. I didn't even feel him climb into bed with me, but then again, he's probably got some stealthy vampire abilities making it especially easy to sneak up on people. Now that I think about it, him being a vampire ultimately makes sense. I mean, he's uber pale, his skin feels colder than most, he's broody and mysterious. Also, his mannerisms are like someone from an older era, and the kicker ... he's super fucking hot. Reasonably sure, hotness is a prerequisite for being a vampire, in my opinion. Damn, how could I not know this man wasn't human? I giggled and shook my head at my obliviousness, which caused Jareth to stir.

His brilliant cobalt eyes stared back at me as a boyish grin