Unbound: The Cursed Trilogy, Book One by Betty Legend (small books to read .txt) 📕

is the first to leave the conversation, his tall stature and broad shoulders easily seen through the crowd as he walks away. Several gazes of women follow him as he passes their view. They’re right to stare. He’s uniquely and dangerously handsome, like a young CEO who’s blessed with confidence, riches, and beauty.

Susan turns to me and places her hands on my arms. “This is absolutely marvelous. I’ll have your collection packaged and sent to him immediately. You have made notable impressions thus far. I look forward to your next collection.”

With her heels tapping the tile floor, she veers off toward her staff.

“You shouldn’t go to his party.”

“Why not?”

Cyrus holds me close, worry etched in his tight brows.

“The stuff that goes on at his parties isn’t something you’ll enjoy.”

“Like what?”

“He’s a vampire.”

“I pieced that together, but unfortunately, he’s one of the elemental supernaturals I’m meant to bond with. I should at least try to get to know him.”

“Then I’m coming with you.”

My lids narrow. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? You seem to have a distaste for him.”

“Even so, I want to be there to protect you.”

“Will you be allowed in?”

His jaw ticks. “Probably not.”

“I can handle this.” Putting my hands on the folds of his jacket, I bring him closer to kiss him. “I’ll come over to your house after the party.”

“Selene, I’m not okay with this.”

“You’ll have to be.” My fingers brush through his hair. “Phoenix wants to bond. He’s not going to hurt me, right?”

“Don’t stay long.” Pulling me close, he kisses my forehead. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

Cyrus pulls away, and sadness envelopes me. My bonding with the other men is going to be the hardest for Cyrus, and it hurts me to see him hurting. Looking down at the card still in my hand, I read the gold writing. It’s an address with nothing else on it. No name, nothing.

After I’ve finished greeting admirers of my work and making plans with Susan, I step outside the gallery. I take a breath and pull my phone out of the clutch purse hanging from my wrist and order a car service.

The SUV takes me to a mansion house with four white pillars holding up the overhang of the porch. I’m going to get my exercise climbing the stairs to the lengthy porch and its fancy double doors. With Phoenix’s glamourous clothing and the money he has to spend on my entire collection, I expected to arrive at a modern, expensive condominium. I’m surprised to be arriving at a historic white mansion.

Nevertheless, I make my way out of the car and tip the driver. Climbing the stairs, my body tightens in response to the man stepping out the front door. The blue-and-gold jacket he’s wearing has a familiar pin I’ve seen before. As he passes, he glances at me with a grimace and obvious distaste in his dark, brown eyes. Looking over my shoulder at him as he descends the stairs, the memory flashes in my mind. It’s the same pin worn by the devil and the man with the whip from Ancor’s vision—the jacket and pin of the Holy Accolades. What in the hell is a Holy Accolade doing at a vampire’s home? Worry tightens the hand I have around the railing, then eases as I realize the man didn’t recognize me. That must mean the Holy Accolades don’t know what I look like or who I am. That knowledge is a massive relief.

Glancing back toward the front door, I take the last few steps and discover the front door has been left ajar. Nerves ball in my belly as I look back toward the road. The man is gone, but I don’t recall hearing a vehicle pull up. Something isn’t right. Magic tingles in my palms as I reach for the door handle.

For a party, it’s eerily silent. Then I hear it—groaning in the distance. I follow the sound through the richly decorated home and its dim lighting to the source. As I walk deeper into the home, blood covers the once shiny floor and its walls. Approaching a room in the back of the house, I discover an entertainment room with vampires slain across velvety furniture and glass tables. It’s a bloody massacre of severed heads, sparkling dresses, and colored suits.

My hand goes to my mouth to keep from vomiting as my eyes water from the horrid stench of burned bodies. Pulling my hand from my mouth, I release my fire magic in my palms as I ensure no one is still around to attack me. Putting my back close to the wall, I move around the room in search of the one who’s groaning.

Behind the couch lies the battered body of Phoenix. He’s rolling on the floor, his clothing torn, and half of his face burned. Relinquishing my magic, I drop to the bloody floor next to him.

“Phoenix, it’s me, Selene. How can I help you?”

Bloody palms suddenly grip my arms as recognition fills his one good eye.

“I need to feed from you.”

“I—”

My words are cut off as his strength overwhelms me, pulling me to his chest. With one quick swipe of his hand on my hair, my neck is bare, and sharp teeth forcefully pierce my skin. The painful sting of his fangs shocks me, and my palms instinctively push against his chest to get him off me, but he grips me tighter, my strength no match against his. Pushing me beneath him, he pins my body to the bloody floor as he continues to drink from me. My arms flail as I try to fight him off.

“Stop! Phoenix, you’re hurting me.”

There’s no sympathy or care from this vampire as I become dizzy and fatigued with every suck of his lips against my neck. I only have one choice. I release my magic, the turquoise glow filling my palms. Pushing my magic toward him, he’s thrown off my body into the wall. He lands gracefully on his feet, my blood dripping from