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)
A few seconds of silence took by as we all think about just how fucked up the situation is.
“You know,” Devon starts, a smirk coming to his face. “You all thought I was a vampire when I pretended to be one.”
“Not me,” I remind him. “I could tell you weren’t a vampire the second you walked into the house.”
“But they didn’t.” He motions to Antonio. “A house full of well-trained hunters was convinced I was a vampire because I acted like one. I mean, I also came from this family and you were expecting a vampire to come to your house, so I see how that worked in my favor and I can’t take credit for having any award-winning acting skills, but…” His eyebrows go up. “If they want a vampire, I say we give them a vampire.”
I laugh and then realize he’s serious. I look at Antonio expecting to see similar amusement on his face. I’m taken aback to see that he’s actually considering it.
“That’s not a terrible idea,” he says.
“Right? You wouldn’t have to hide out here all the time.”
“Um, hello?” I interject. “You could get staked. You know what happened the last time someone thought I was with a vampire who wasn’t a vampire. You were there. Devon almost died!”
“He did die,” Mabel says in a singsong voice. “And he still is dead.”
“Exactly. Don’t think the same won’t happen to you,” I tell Antonio. “I already made a deal to bring you back once.”
“How about I just don’t get staked?” Antonio says. “I mean, that’s the preferred plan anyway, right?”
“That’s always my plan,” Devon says, and they both laugh. In another life, I would have loved so much to sit here and see my brother and my brother-in-law getting along and joking like this. But man, things are messed up right now.
My phone dings with a text and I immediately pick it up. I’ve never been particularly glued to my phone, even though I loved to waste a good hour doomscrolling. But right now, I am desperately waiting for an update from Leo. The text is from Delphi, not him.
Delphi: I heard you guys are coming to the benefit tonight. I’ll be there! My clinic is a donor.
Me: Benefit?
Delphi: It’s for the NC Young heritage committee. They’re big political donors.
Delphi: Maybe you haven’t heard yet, and I don’t know if I should be the one to spill the tea…
Me: Well, not you have to.
Delphi: The mayor is going to step down and officially announced his endorsement for Xavier
“The fuck?” I ask that loud and everybody looks at me.
“What’s going on?” Antonio asks.
“I’m not sure. I think I need to talk to my husband.”
“God, it’s so weird hearing you say that.”
“It’s kind of weird saying it still,” I admit and hold up my left hand. “Do you know how long it took me to get used to this thing? I scratched myself several times before I did.” I stand up, stretching my arms out in front of me before I leave the parlor. I meet Xavier halfway through the house.
“You’re being nominated for mayor?” I ask and he looks a little surprised. “Delphi just texted me. Her clinic is a donor for the fundraiser benefit tonight.”
“Right, they are,” he says and puts both hands on my shoulders, slowly running his hands down my arms until he laces our fingers. “Yes, we’re going. All of us.” His lips curved up into a cocky smirk. “And I like Devon‘s idea. Tonight, Antonio is a vampire.”
I close my fingers around the gemstone and whisper the incantation Marie told me to say. Almost immediately, I feel a sense of clarity come over my mind. She told me that the same powers that enable me to sense what other people are thinking and feeling makes me at risk for opening my mind to anyone with similar abilities.
Like the demon.
So tonight, I can’t use my talent to suss out anyone for Xavier’s benefit, but we would rather not have the demon in my head.
I put the gemstone in my purse, and check my reflection one more time before I head downstairs. Antonio, Devon, and Zeke are all down there, dressed and coordinating but not matching suits.
“I have to admit,” I say, looking at Antonio standing next to the two vampires. “As long as you don’t breathe you obviously you kind of fit the part.”
“This is the most expensive thing I’ve ever been inside,” Antonio says motions to his suit.
“Even more expensive than those hookers you paid for in Chicago?” I reply with that missing a beat.
He makes a face and just rolls his eyes at me. “How many of these fancy benefits have you been to? They said you go all the time.”
“Honestly, I’ve lost count. Some of them are just more or less meetings I suppose.” Tonight, I’m wearing an emerald green, one shoulder dress. It’s floor length, with a slit all the way up to the top of my thigh on one side. My hair is down and soft waves, hanging around my face. I have on a pair of diamond earrings, and given my track record of hunting demons in evening gowns, I opted for some low, comfortable heels tonight.