Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Chapter
Ten
Theo stops in the doorway, looking at Leo who is passed out on Antonio's bed. “While I support your having a hobby,” he starts, shifting his gaze to me. “I’m not a fan of collecting washed-up invalid hunters.”
“Hilarious,” I deadpan, rubbing my eyes. Antonio and I have been babysitting Leo since we got home several hours ago. I did give Xavier a heads up, but it doesn’t seem like he shared the info with his brother, probably so we could both see this reaction out of him right now. Xavier steps around him and comes into the room.
Stretching my arms out in front of me, I let Xavier pull me to my feet. I lean against him, burying my face against his firm chest. He’s still in his suit, looking impeccable. It’s not fair, really, how good he always looks. I haphazardly removed my makeup, but I know there is still some mascara smeared under just one eye. I’m in PJs, but my hair is still in the fancy up-do, only it’s super messy now. What a contrast we are.
Xavier’s hands run down my back, stopping on my waist. “Come to bed, darling. Theo can look after him,” he says seriously but is smiling at me.
“I’m not a fucking babysitter,” Theo snaps and lets out a dramatic huff before zooming away.
“I can do it,” Mabel says, appearing out of nowhere. “I like to watch humans sleep.”
Antonio, who’s been dozing on and off like me, sits up in the armchair that’s opposite the bed and eyes me. I give him a look back hoping he gets what I’m saying, which is basically: yes, it’s really weird, but yet not creepy when it’s Mabel.
“I got it,” Antonio says.
“Do you think having him wake up and see you is a good idea?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Mabel asks. “He’s your brother.”
“Well,” I start and let my hands rest against Xavier’s chest. “Vivian told a few hunters that Antonio is a vampire now. Which means he’s evil and she has to do the right thing and kill him.”
“They have no body,” Xavier notes.
“That’s exactly what I said,” Antonio says. “Do you know if anyone has been into the warehouse?”
“It’s been kept under police surveillance,” Xavier starts. “Though that doesn’t mean there isn’t someone on the Charlotte PD who would sell information.”
“Good point,” I say. “Even reporters can buy info. Were some of the bodies identified?” I ask because I actually don’t know.
“Yes,” Xavier tells me. “About half so far. Most had military-style dog tags that weren’t official military."
“Order issued,” Antonio says. “For literally this reason.”
“Right,” I echo. “Being maimed by monsters isn’t uncommon. Maybe I should wear one.”
Xavier glares at me, not liking my dark humor.
Mabel sits on the edge of the bed, holding her hand over Leo’s face so she can feel him breathing. “I don’t get it. Why would the Order say you’re a vampire?”
“The last time they saw me, I was dead,” Antonio tells her casually and then widens his eyes at words that just came out of his mouth. “In our line of work, you need to see a body to believe someone is actually dead. Plus, there’s a ritual we do for a hunter’s funeral.”
“Ohhh, and vampires turn to goo when they die.” Mabel slowly nods. “They could kill any vampire to get goo and no one would know the difference.”
“Exactly,” I tell her.
“And then what?” she asks.
“I don’t know,” I reply honestly and look up at Xavier. “They have a demon. It’s only a matter of time before they use it and come after us.” My throat suddenly feels thick and it’s hard to swallow. My heart speeds up and Xavier can sense it.
“By the amount of alcohol I can smell,” Xavier starts, “he’s not waking up for quite some time. Get some rest, and I will let you know when he wakes up.”
“Thank you,” I tell him.
“I’ll stay,” Mabel tells me. “I’m knitting jackets for the ducks that come to the pond sometimes.”
“Oh, cool,” I tell her without missing a beat. “You’ll have to show me when they’re done.” I cast my gaze to Antonio, silently telling him to just shut up and compliment whatever Mabel makes. “You should get some rest, too,” I tell him.
“I’m fine, actually,” he says, stretching his neck side to side. “Maybe we can keep the blinds open in this room?”
“I can make an adjustment on when they close,” Xavier says and gives Antonio a curt nod. Then he takes my hand and we go into our room.
“Morning, sunshine,” I say, sitting up in the armchair across from the bed. Leo groggily sits up, looking around. I hand him a glass of water and sit back down in the chair. “You’re safe, don’t worry.”
“Wren?”
“Yeah. It’s me. I take it you don’t remember much of last night?”