Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“And I thought gators on meth in Florida were bad,” Leo quips. “Demons on drugs…yeah, I think that’s worse.”
“So,” I start. “Will you help me?”
Chapter
Ten
My hand hovers over the doorknob, and for the life of me, I can’t get myself to grab it. I’m standing on the front porch, about to walk inside and see what kind of man—or monster—Devon has become. What are the chances he’ll be normal…just with vampire speed and strength? And that he’s not mad at me for not being able to stop Xavier from turning him?
I had my brothers drop me off at the end of the driveway, and I’ve been standing here for a good five minutes already. Jerking my hand back, I let out a heavy sigh and shake my head. I’m about to turn my face up to the sun and relent to avoid going inside altogether when Mabel’s voice comes from the video doorbell.
“Are you locked out? I can unlock the door for you.”
“Hey, Mabel. I’m not. I’m just…enjoying the sun.” I smile, realizing she can see me. “I’ll come in now.”
“Oh, goody! I missed you!”
Taking in a steadying breath, I push open the door and step inside. I don’t usually enter the house from the front, and the light vanishes behind me as the door closes, sealing me into the dark, vast foyer.
“Wren!” Mabel squeals and moves like a shadow through the dim light, throwing her arms around me. The knot in my chest loosens with her embrace, and I hug her back. A rush of emotions goes through me, and I want so badly to sit down and tell Mabel everything. But I can’t trauma dump, now that I know her backstory on how she became a vampire.
“You saved me!”
“You helped free yourself.”
She pulls back and shakes her head. “You saved me. And you did it without killing anyone.”
I open my mouth only to snap it shut, not sure what to say.
“Maybe that can be our new way,” she whispers. “People don’t have to die.”
“That would be nice.” I slide my hands from her shoulder down to her arms and look at her, face coming into focus as my eyes adjust to the dim light. “You’re okay?”
“I heal pretty fast.”
“Physically, you’re fine, I know. I meant mentally. How are you doing?”
“Okay. That wasn’t fun.”
“No, it wasn’t,” I chuckle and look past her through the dark house. “Where is everybody?”
“Xavier, Theo, and Zeke are in the office. Devon is sleeping. He’s one of us now.” Mabel takes my hands. Her skin is smooth and cool to the touch. “Are you okay with that?”
“I don’t know what other choice I have, right? Being a vampire doesn’t seem all too bad.”
“It has its perks, but I do miss the sun.” She smiles and leans in, smelling my hair. “I never knew the sun smelled so good when I was alive.”
“It’s like one of those things you don’t miss until it’s gone,” I reply. “How is he doing? I don’t really know the protocol on this. Is that even the right thing to ask?”
She giggles and takes my hand. We start walking into the parlor where she has another tea party set up. This time, there are several stuffed animals sitting around the table, and each one has a real cupcake.
“The transformation went fine. I shared my tea with him and then Xavier told him to rest. I think just so the others could talk.”
“Wait, if Xavier tells him to do something, he has to listen?”
Mabel nods and pours more tea—only, it’s blood. “Yep.” She takes a drink and dabs her mouth with a lacy napkin. “All makers can command their progeny.”
“That’s why Xavier has to be the one to turn everyone.”
“Mm-hm.” She nods and offers me an empty tea cup.
“I guess that’s one way for him to stay the head of the family.”
“It doesn’t work as well on Theo. I think because they’re roughly the same age, so over the years, he learned how to resist the compulsion.”
“Does it work like being held spellbound?”
“I don’t remember what being held spellbound is like,” she tells me and offers her tea to a purple octopus, leaving a tiny blood stain on the stuffed animal’s face. “I told you, it’s hot,” she whispers.
“I guess that’s good you don’t remember.”
“Being commanded doesn’t change the way you think. It’s more like being held back physically.”
“Interesting,” I say and pick up one of the cupcakes from a tiered tray in the middle of the table. Physically, I’m hungry and I know I need calories. A cupcake isn’t the healthiest option, but it’s better than nothing. “Are you really okay?” I press. “You were kidnapped.”
She shrugs. “I’m fine. All healed up!”
“You know that’s not what I mean.”
“Well, ain’t I a sap? I sure pulled a bonehead.”
“What happened?” I ask gently.