Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
“Are runes how the myth started about vampires needing to be invited into a home?”
“No. That one’s true. But a human needs to live in the building. It must be someone’s home,” he says, tucking a strand of blond hair behind his ear. He has a number of piercings. “All these questions. Hasn’t Father told you anything?”
“Only bits and pieces.”
“Whatever created us ensured we had weaknesses,” he says. “Running about in the daylight will turn you toasty. We can’t enter a human’s home without invitation, but any other building is up for grabs. Silver stings to touch. But a stake through the heart will ruin your entire night.”
“What about crosses and garlic?”
“Bollocks. Complete nonsense. Once upon a time, a pope was being pressured to come up with a solution to us preying on his clergy. The next thing you know, we’re supposedly all super religious with a dislike of seasonings. Idiot.”
“Huh. Can Lucas sense where we are?” I ask. “I know he can do that tug thing where you feel him in the middle of your chest. You know, when he wants something. But can he actually tell where we are?”
“No. We can feel that tug, as you call it, from a distance. That’s him telling us he wants us to phone home or something. And he can compel us if we’re face to face. But it isn’t supernatural GPS. He can’t find us through the bond. Not still thinking of leaving, are you?” Henry tips his head. “I wasn’t lying when I said you don’t want to be on your own right now.”
“No.”
“Hm.” He sighs. “It can be a hard and lonely life, this one. Centuries pass and we remain unaltered. Human lives are bright but fleeting. Give the family a chance to grow on you, sweetie. You never know; you might quite like some of us.”
The way we’re being stared at is annoying. And I’ve had enough.
Henry grins. “Look at you with the power moves.”
“What?”
“You turned your back on them. It means you’re not afraid of them attacking you. Very girl boss. Don’t turn back around, you’ll ruin it.”
“I was just sick of them staring.” I shake my head. “Does everything have to mean something?”
“Immortals tend to overthink things. Thanks to all of that time on our hands.”
“Great.”
“Father is something of a legend among our kind. It makes them curious. He hasn’t made another vampire since me, and that was centuries ago,” he says. “They’re wondering what it means that he turned you. And they’re wondering how strong his blood has made you. I got challenged all the time for the first decade or so. Tedious as fuck.”
“You said he swore off making any more.”
He nods. “Yes. But that’s his story to tell. He wouldn’t appreciate me sharing. What you really need to understand, Skye, is that we’re his family. We’re both his strength and his weakness. He was alone for a long time. It takes a lot for a creature like him to embrace the concept of sharing his long life with others.”
“I highly doubt he cares about me one way or another,” I say. “Saving me from those vampires last night was just a show of strength, like he said. And making me was an act of guilt or pity, as you inferred.”
“Perhaps. Though, the blonde hair and green eyes wouldn’t have hurt.”
“That’s the second time you’ve mentioned that. Why is it important?”
“You found an outfit you liked?” asks Lucas, appearing beside me, holding a full wine glass. If he heard me talking smack about him, it doesn’t show.
He’s been in a meeting in a room on the lower floor for hours. No idea who with. The black pants, button-down shirt, and shoes he has on all look expensive. It sucks how well he wears them. The man has pretty privilege and then some.
I do not want to be attracted to him. However, my gaze strays and then sticks to the strong line of his neck and the way the top three undone buttons reveal a glimpse of his chest, and this is not okay. Crushing on sociopaths is never a good idea. It’s in bad taste on the part of my hormones to notice him in this way at all.
As for him being my sire, I have a father, and it is not him. Henry and Lucas can have whatever relationship they like. But we’re a family in the loosest terms possible, as far as I’m concerned.
“Um. Yes,” I say. “Thank you.”
Henry smiles. “She cleans up well. Doesn’t she, Father?”
Lucas nods and takes in my black designer velvet suit and heels. Henry convinced me not to wear a top beneath the jacket. But it’s not like it doesn’t button up to just below my bust. The bulk of me is covered, and no longer having to worry about gravity definitely has its perks. Four-inch heels are also easier to handle, given my vampire grace.