Fireflies.

“No there must be some mistake. I have to get out of here.” I went to slide off the bed, and I felt the ache within my limbs. And the weakness in my muscles, it had been one hell of a beating in that ally.

“Estelle they’ve been tracking you from the moment you were born. I know your mother. Your Immortal born.” He said the words so calmly, I wanted to hit him.

I began packing my things, sliding my leather jacket on, I winced as it pulled at my sore shoulders. His words hit me though, I had a mother? No, no I didn’t this had to be some mistake.

“You’re wrong.” I hissed at him as I made my way to the door. He stopped me easily, his hand enclosing around my wrist.

“No, I’m not. Your name is Estelle Rosemary Hieros. Your human foster parents Nora and Peter Hieros where murdered at their home, and you found them with their throats torn out. From there you were taken to the academy, where you were trained under Adeline herself. From there you worked the streets before you took on sector three. One of the largest sectors in New York.”

“That doesn’t mean anythin-“ I broke in but he had pulled me to face him and he took a step closer, our bodies inches apart as his voice encircled around me once more.

“Your Immortal parents are Ms Melrose Sanguis. She took the family seat after she murdered her late husband and bond mate, Dejon Sanguis. An original and your father. You were forced into the system exactly three hours after your birth.” His words hit me like a physical slap. But he kept going.

“You were triggered when you tracked me just over three months ago. How you managed to find me, is beyond me. My very presence began the transition, for the first month you would have been stronger than you ever had been. Once you hit the three month mark though it was like a switch, you grew weak and you were then summoned.”

“Stop, this is bullshit.” My voice shook though, Melrose? The same Melrose that twisted the living shit out of my bike?

“Your father was an original which equals serious royalty in our world. He was the head of the seventh royal family, the Sanguis’s.”

“Stop!” I half screamed, my hands balling into fists as I glared at him my breathing hard. “Just stop.” I said a little softer.

“No,” he took a step closer, I took one back. “You can’t run away from this, like you do everything else.”

“I do not!” I almost screamed at him again, I was shaking this was all too much.

“You do.” He took another step and I felt the wall behind my back as I took another back. Shit.

“I don’t.” I hissed as he fixed me with his eyes, he was so close I could almost feel the power radiating off him.

“You’re on the verge of becoming one of the most powerful Immortals our world has ever seen. Your father Dejon was one of our strongest rulers. Your impending immortality was so strong even when you were human, the OV has never seen such a strong manifestation in an un-triggered immortal.” His voice enclosed around me in an intoxicating embrace, his breath washing across my skin. It was overwhelming.

“I don’t want this.” I half snarled, although it was shaky. His presence was getting to me.

He chuckled and I felt his hands on my hips as he stepped in closer, our bodies lightly touching as he looked down on me. “You can lie to your fellow Hunters, and even Alex. But you can’t lie to me.”

“I’m not lying.” I breathed, his touch sent shockwaves through my body.

“You’re a terrible liar, even for a hunter. Your crave power, your reckless with it. The games you play with your prey are power trips. You crave that power you have over the weak. You crave more. You crave justice. And your ruthless when it comes to protecting those you loved. You’re terrifying, and you above everything desire strength.” He had dipped his head, his face was hovering an inch above mine.

“Stop.” I breathed, “You don’t know me.”

I felt his right hand slide up to my waist, his warm hands sliding under my shirt. His bare fingers brushed my skin and I shuddered. My breathing hard as electricity moved through me.

“I can give you that strength, Estelle. I can give you what Alex can’t. I can show you a world you could only dream about. I can give you power you can’t only imagine.” His words low, dangerously seductive. His lips hovered just above mine. As his hand moved to my lower back, his fingers splayed along my spine.

“Eric.” I breathed, my words nothing more than a whisper. He was right, I wanted it. His words brought forth a desire I hadn’t realised I had. I wanted the power, I never wanted to feel weak again. I wanted the strength, I wanted him.

He understood, he lowered his lips to mine.

Electricity pounded through me, igniting every nerve. Heat ran through my veins as I kissed him back with every inch of emotion I felt, he answered it in return. His lips moved against mine, his hand shoving my body against his as he shoved me against the wall. I became lost in that kiss, I let out every piece of frustration, anger, rage and desire. I let him have it all, I didn’t hold back. Because he was right, he was stronger he could handle it.

Alex couldn’t.

It was like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over me. I broke away, and shoved against him. Shoving him away from me with a strength that surprised me.

“You bastard.” I snarled as I slapped him, hard.

He chuckled and rubbed his jaw, “You kissed me back.” His words just as intoxicating as before washed over me, his voice heated.

“Get away from me.” My voice shock, out of a mixture of fear and the desire that was still racing through me. I shoved past him, I needed to get out of here and for once he didn’t try and stop me.

“You can run my darling but you can’t hide, not from this. Make the right choice before it’s too late.” He called after me as I almost ran from the Court. What had I done?