Total pages in book: 209
Estimated words: 196141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 981(@200wpm)___ 785(@250wpm)___ 654(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 981(@200wpm)___ 785(@250wpm)___ 654(@300wpm)
“He’s more like me,” explains Kyle. “Look at him. Human in appearance. No fangs or uncontrollable bloodlust.”
“That doesn’t mean he isn’t one of them! Loyal to them, to his own brother, Kyle. What the fuck?”
Kyle sighs. This is all going wrong. “He’s here to help us. We got to know each other a lot in a short period of time. He wants his own life now. We have a lot in common. He’s tired of being their bait, luring out humans for them.”
“That so?” Elias lowers his voice, brings his face right in front of Kyle’s. “Has it not occurred to you that he still might be playing the role of bait? And you’re just the latest fish with too big of a heart who’s taking the bite?” Kyle scoffs, indignant, then averts his gaze as an inkling of doubt creeps in. “And you brought him here,” Elias goes on, “to our home, this defenseless town, a fishbowl for a whole cave of monsters to take a dip in. This is exactly what we were trying to prevent.”
“No,” Kyle still insists. “No, he’s not … That isn’t …”
“Your boyfriend has a point,” says Drake from the window.
Everyone turns. Cade, Layna, and Jeremy, all still seated at the table full of spices and candles. Mikey, curled up on the couch in one of Elias’s old t-shirts and basketball shorts, hugging a loaf of bread and shoveling slices into his mouth. Elias and Kyle by the archway leading into the kitchen, turn to listen, silent.
Drake continues staring out the window as he speaks. “Just keeping it real with you guys. I love my brother Laz, my weirdo aunties and uncles at the cave … and while it’s true I don’t have an ulterior motive to lead my family here, I can’t exactly control what they might do …”
“Family,” says Elias. “He even calls those bastards his family.”
“They’re not any more or less evil than anyone else,” says Drake, rubbing his nose. “Sure, they’re unusual, reckless, a bit immoral, can be rude, but have you ever been to a frat party? Those polo-wearing dude-bros are downright demented …”
“No,” Elias cuts him off, shaking his head. “No, no, no. I don’t trust this guy. I don’t trust him one fucking bit. I want him out of here.”
“Elias,” sighs Kyle.
“And this dude?” Elias goes on, gesturing at Mikey on the couch, who looks up, mouth stuffed. “His vampire owner’s gonna come for him too, y’know. Lazarus and the perv vampire who owns him. Two enemies, you’ve made. Are you keeping count?”
“H-He’s not my owner,” says Mikey through his mouthful.
Kyle takes both of Elias’s hands, despite him trying to back away. “I know you’re afraid. You’re probably still mad I left. But I think it’s good I did. We need to know what’s out there. We can’t just keep our heads buried in the sand. Drake isn’t like them. And I couldn’t just leave Mikey there. They were torturing him.”
Elias leans in. “Kyle. You can’t save everyone in the world.”
“What kind of person would I be if I left him there?”
“You’ve known these guys for a day.”
“And I’ve known you for a month,” snaps Kyle, taking Elias aback. “What’s the difference in a day or a month? I’ll remind you that it’s an immortal vampire asking you that question.”
Elias’s eyes turn dark. “You’re not a vampire, Kyle.”
Kyle hardly noticed he used the term on himself. His gaze catches the trio at the table, Cade, Layna, Jeremy, all three of them watching their argument, frozen to the spot. Kyle looks away only to find Drake and Mikey staring back.
Drake cuts the tension by cheerily stating: “I have an idea.”
Elias eyes him. “No one asked.”
“My idea is that I leave,” finishes Drake, catching Elias by surprise. His lips curl with that cute, charming flair of his, tiny dimples popping out at a corner of his mouth. He combs his fingers through his pink hair, all the short and uneven strands flipping and resettling however they please. “I did say I was just an escort for you, Kyle, you and pet boy—sorry, bro, I’m just not vibing yet with ‘Mikey’, but I’ll get there—and if I go, then there’s no reason for them to come here. Maybe I can talk Salazo into keeping a real pet instead. Y’know, like a cute little ankle-biting Chihuahua. And even if he ends up eating it, what’s the harm? No one likes Chihuahuas anyway.” He puts up a peace sign, gives a thumbs up to Mikey, then winks at Kyle. “I’ll see you in another lifetime. Or maybe never would be better. I’m saying that with love, by the way. I’m not a grudge holder. Zero hard feelings, except for the ones in my pants.”
Then Drake slips out of the door, as easy as that.