Indulge Read Online Free PDF

idea that I could get lost in the maze of hedges. In fact, maybe some night I might do just that.
    “I knew you’d like it.” After so long in silence, Arrick’s voice almost startled me. I had been lost in my thoughts and almost forgot he was even there.
    “I love it.”
    I ran my fingers across the leaves, allowing the sense of nature to relax me. This night was just about to begin and I needed to be calm and collected. I was meeting my real parents tonight. There was no excitement, no nerves; was this what real peace was like? After tonight I might finally be whole and fill the missing void that has lingered inside me for eighteen years.
    Tall iron doors glowed from the entrance of the Château, the frosted glass allowing the interior lights to flow through. I didn’t allow myself to hesitate as I watched Arrick grasp the cold metal and pull the doors open toward me. I stepped in first, the orange radiance of candle light hugging my skin as it covered me. I walked confidently further into the entry. Candelabras stood along the walls of the foyer, their hot wax dripping to already cooled mounds on the stone floor.
    “Welcome home,” Arrick whispered into my ear as he grabbed the bag from off my back.
    It didn’t feel like home. I felt like we had snuck into someone’s house and any moment they would come screaming out that intruders had entered, but there was only silence.
    “Where is everyone? I thought you said they knew we were coming.” I folded my arms and planted my weight firmly atop the Persian rug near the entrance.
    “They are probably waiting in the throne room. They are usually always in there first thing in the evening to get all the day’s reports.”
    It made sense, but I was a little disappointed and pissed that I wasn’t getting the homecoming I was secretly hoping for. Kidnapped as a baby, their daughter was finally returning home after all these years, and they weren’t waiting at the front door on pins and needles? Was that really too much to expect? Apparently so.
    “Well, let’s go to the throne room then,” I huffed. I knew I was more disappointed than I was angry.
    Either ignoring or completely oblivious of my mood, Arrick made a quick left and headed through a dimly lit sitting room. I took a moment to collect myself and glanced around the entry once more before following in his footsteps.
    I had not taken but three steps before I sensed someone nearby and a fragmented moment of shock that had coursed through Arrick. My vampire instincts kicked in instantly and I flew to Arrick’s side. It felt exhilarating to release the caged beast inside me.
    In a fraction of a second, I was in front of Arrick. I bared my fangs and hissed at the figure like an angry cat, my stance ready to pounce at any sudden movement. I wasn’t sure what had come over me.
    The figure gasped and stumbled backward, falling hard onto the floor. They tried to crawl away in fear, and a victorious surge went through me, when a firm grip clasped tightly around my neck.
    “That’s enough!” Arrick’s voice was deep and commanding.
    I squirmed in his grip for a moment, his fingers growing more secure until the rage finally dissipated. He focused on my face, feeling the slowing of my breath through his fingertips and then deep into my eyes.
    “Let go,” I gasped angrily.
    He held me in the air, like a rag doll, for a few seconds longer before lowering me to the floor. My hands flew to my throat, rubbing away the sensation of his death grip on me.
    “I was only trying to protect you!” I spat angrily at him. The urge to shove him across the room was tickling the back of my mind.
    “I don’t need protecting, Claire! Especially not from her.” He pointed to the cowering figure on the floor. Arrick walked over to her, cooing softly at her. “I won’t let her hurt you.” He offered a hand and she took it, her legs wobbling.
    I stepped forward to get a better look at the figure, but Arrick brought his hand up