"Open the casket."
Bella's eyes widened at his command. Open what? She would have sooner dug the entire ground bare with her own hands than touch a casket—especially one housing a vampire. She would not even open a human's, let alone this.
"What?" Damien said flatly when she hesitated. "It is only fair that you open the casket since I dug the grave. What—are you not grateful for receiving the easier task?"
"I would have rather dug the grave myself," Bella complained, folding her arms tightly against her chest.
"I will keep that in mind for next time," he replied indifferently. "But for now, you must open the casket, fish. And perhaps—just perhaps—I might consider allowing you to write your letter."
Bella's eyes lit up despite herself. Her gaze drifted unwillingly to the casket Damien had dragged from the earth as though it weighed nothing, now lying ominously upon the cold ground.
"Your promise?" she murmured as she stepped closer. She inhaled deeply, then glanced back at Damien, silently seeking assurance.
"I could promise," he said lazily, "and then forget about the letter entirely."
"No—no, I'll open it," she said quickly, panic creeping into her voice. She could not afford to lose her only chance to reach her mother.
"Then be quick about it. We do not have all night," he said. "The night scrawls are already singing—and I did not force you, remember."
Bella glanced around. The light had faded faster than she expected; dusk was swallowing the cemetery whole, mist curling low among the graves. Summoning what little courage she possessed, she bent down and struggled with the rusted locks. Holding her breath, she lifted the heavy lid and shoved it aside before stumbling back and finally exhaling.
"It was not difficult, was it?" Damien taunted as he approached the open casket. He bent and removed the cloth stuffed inside his nose.
"You are not finished yet, fish," he added calmly. "I will need a bit of your blood."
"Just a bit," he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the vial he had taken from Fin. He uncorked it and poured the contents into the vampire's mouth. "Blood," he called out to Bella.
Her heart hammered as she reluctantly extended her hand. Damien's cold fingers wrapped gently around hers—too gentle for what he was about to do.
"He is quite lucky," Damien muttered, pricking her palm with his sharp nail. "To taste a mermaid's blood upon waking. I do not usually share."
Bella winced as her blood flowed into the dead man's lips. In an instant, crimson eyes snapped open. Color rushed back into his face with terrifying speed.
She was so shocked she did not notice Damien until his warm tongue brushed her bleeding palm, sending goosebumps racing across her skin. His eyes glowed a dangerous red.
"Damn it," he muttered, shutting his eyes as if restraining himself.
Moments later, the pureblooded vampire surged upright with inhuman speed and lunged for Bella.
"Ah!" Her cry snapped Damien's attention back. He moved faster than thought, seizing the vampire mid-attack and yanking him away.
"Theodore," Damien commanded, his voice laced with authority.
The vampire froze, though his eyes remained locked hungrily on Bella, who had collapsed to the ground in terror.
"Do not force my hand to send you into permanent sleep—this time," Damien warned.
Theodore reluctantly tore his gaze away, raising his hands in surrender.
"I need blood," Theodore rasped, his voice raw and desperate.
Damien studied him for a moment before shoving him back to the ground with brutal force.
"You are not planning to sleep there, are you?" Damien asked, turning to Bella, who remained frozen in shock.
She shook her head stiffly.
He walked to her and extended his hand. When she took it, he pulled her to her feet with ease. Her eyes flicked nervously to Theodore, who struggled to rise, clearly weakened by Damien's strength.
"We should leave," Damien said, still holding her hand.
"What about him?" Bella asked as they headed toward the horses.
Damien paused and cast her a sharp glance. "What a kind heart you possess," he mocked coolly.
"You should be grateful you are still alive. When he recovers, he will track you by scent alone. So you will ride with me."
Bella shivered. Every encounter with him dragged her deeper into danger—and yet she could not avoid him. She was his blood feeder now.
"When will I be safe?" she asked quietly.
"When he has fed to his satisfaction," Damien replied.
Before she could protest, he lifted her effortlessly and placed her atop his horse. The animal snorted in protest at the intrusion.
"It is all right, Ray," Damien murmured, patting the horse until it calmed. He mounted behind her, took the reins, and urged the horse forward.
They sped away just as the hungry vampire staggered to his feet and began running after them after Bella.
Bella turned back to steal a glance as the horse surged forward at terrifying speed, the wind cutting sharply against her face.
"Dove is right behind us," Damien said calmly, already aware of the source of her panic. "She is a clever horse—so stay still. Theodore would not drink a horse's blood, even in madness." His tone dipped slightly, almost amused. "He is already far too distracted by yours."
Bella gulped hard at the reminder, her fingers tightening in the fabric of Damien's coat as she fought the urge to look back again. She knew, with chilling certainty, that tonight she would be hunted—not in flesh, but in her dreams this was even worst than being chased by ghost.