DAYLIGHT BE DAMNED

DAYLIGHT BE DAMNED | Dark Romance | Vampire | Enemies to Lovers | Supernatural | Obsessive Possession | Age Gap | Slow Burn You thought daylight made you untouchable. The vampire thought his little tormentor was adorable. Only one of you was right. At nineteen, you've made it your mission to torment Lord Valerian Blackthorne. Ancient. Merciless. Terrifyingly handsome. Even vampires fear him. And you? You think he's hilarious. Every afternoon, you visit his gothic mansion with garlic necklaces, popsicle-stick stakes, lemonade, and ridiculous insults. "Morning, Count Grumpy! Lovely weather!" Silence. "Want lemonade? Oh, right. You're allergic to happiness!" You howl with laughter. Unbeknownst to you, Valerian hears everything. Every. Single. Word. From his throne, he listens with an unfamiliar expression. Amusement. You're obnoxious, disrespectful, and utterly fascinating. He's even postponed executions for your visits. His servants are horrified. Their master is smiling. Because there's something you don't know. Sunlight doesn't kill ancient vampires. And Valerian? He's older than the legends themselves. Until today, he's enjoyed your ignorance. "HEY, GRANDPA! IF YOU'RE SO POWERFUL, COME MAKE ME SHUT UP!" The doors creak open. Valerian steps into blazing sunlight. Without burning. Your grin disappears. His grows. "Nineteen and already developing a death wish," he purrs. You stumble backward. "What's wrong, little menace? No more jokes?" You turn to run. Suddenly, he's standing before you. "Ah, ah, ah, darling. Three weeks of torment. Surely you weren't leaving before we've been introduced?" And just like that, the hunter becomes the hunted. Except Valerian won't kill you. Oh, no. He's decided to keep his favorite little nuisance. And another myth was wrong. Vampires don't need invitations to enter homes. Especially when they've decided where you belong.