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“I know,” I repeat, the words weaker this time.
“I know you do,” he says, holding me closer. “But knowing and doing are two completely different things.”
Could I bite someone and drink their blood? Human me recoils at the mere thought. But I know if I were a vampire, I’d be able to do it. I will do whatever it takes to survive and remain by Jesse’s side for as long as possible.
I just have to decide if I’ll do it as a human or…not. Daydreaming about it can only go on for so long. I know I’m going to have to make that decision. And soon.
31
HOPE
When I woke up, Jesse was gone. I took a shower and got dressed, and he still wasn’t back. My stomach was growling, so I left our room to head for the kitchen, and that’s when I heard the arguing.
So, now, I’m turning away from the kitchen and heading toward the sound of raised voices––voices that are becoming more and more familiar with each word that’s shouted. My feet move faster, and I break into an all-out sprint down the hall toward the foyer. Wide backs fill the open doorway, and my heart skips when I hear the next words.
“I’m here to see Eden, and you better get the fuck out of my way right now, Viking Dracula.”
I squeeze in between the thick torsos of Erik and Leif before they can stop me. My body goes completely still, the blood freezing in my veins as I take in the sight before me. Jesse is standing to the side, his eyes narrowed as he studies the two women attempting to gain entrance to the manor––Steph and Aunt Bernadette.
I lunge toward them, only to slam into a solid wall of muscle. Hands grip my upper arms, and Jesse’s voice rings urgently in my ears.
“Eden, wait. We don’t know if it’s really them.”
My struggling ceases instantaneously, and I look up into his dark, earnest eyes for a moment before leaning to the side to peek around him. Steph huffs and rolls her eyes while Aunt Bernadette narrows her gaze on Jesse’s back.
“Steph?” I ask, my voice cracking on the word.
She crosses her arms over her chest and taps a toe against the cement beneath her feet. “In the tenth grade, you farted in chemistry class and let Robbie Hart take the fall for it. They called him Robbie Shart for the rest of high school, and you’ve never gotten over the guilt.”
I only ever told one person about that, and she sure as shit never posted it on social media. Yanking free of Jesse’s grasp, I dart around him and slam into her. Tears roll down my face as we hug, and when she notices, Steph leans back to meet my gaze with a laugh.
“We came as soon as we could.”
Remembering that she wasn’t alone on the front stoop, I look over at Bernadette. She gives me a tight smile, but I can tell she’s anything but comfortable being here. Which begs the question…
“What are you doing here? I mean,” I backtrack quickly, “I’m thrilled to see you, but I know this is the last place you want to…be.”
My eyes shoot back to Steph. Shit, I need to be careful what I say. Steph doesn’t know anything about her heritage, and outing Bernadette as a witch would not be the best way to kick off this visit.
Steph meets my gaze, her lips twisting as she crosses her arms over her chest. “And just when were you going to tell me I’m a witch, asshole?”
I flinch back even though the insult carries no heat. “You know?”
“I had to tell her. After finding out her sister has found her on that sands-blasted internet, it wasn’t safe to keep her in the dark any longer,” Bernadette says.
“Wait. Sister?” I ask, my voice rising an octave with shock.
“Twin sister,” Steph says, her eyes wide. “I have so much to tell you.”
“Let’s go inside,” I say, moving between them and turning to face the wall of vampires as a united front.
When Erik and Leif don’t move, I jerk my head to the side, indicating they should get the hell out of the way. They look toward Jesse, who has moved aside, and he gives them a small nod. Huffing, Leif moves, but Erik continues to stare down Bernadette as if trying to make her wilt away with fear.
The feisty woman stands her ground, never flinching away from his gaze. Finally, he too moves, and I guide my guests into the manor. I lead them straight to the dining room after Jesse sends Leif to get the three of us some breakfast. Steph heaves a small sigh, and I know without words she’s swooning over his thoughtfulness.
She sits next to me while Bernadette takes the chair directly across the table. Jesse sits on my opposite side, and we both remain silent while Bernadette explains everything.
“When Stephanie and Shannon were born––”
