“Goodbye,” he said.
Before she could unglue her tongue, he leftthe room. Stunned into immobility, Aida tried to call him back, butwhat would happen then? She was leaving tomorrow. She couldn’t stayhere, and he didn’t want to come with her. Besides, what would theydo, become a couple? And what if things didn’t work out betweenthem and she lost him?
Tears burned her eyes; she couldn’t standlosing him. He meant so much to her. But what if thingsdidwork out? Would she become a vampire? Did he think she was hismate? Or was this his goodbye?
Again, these were all questions she shouldhave askedhimwhen he was still here, but only now was hertongue starting to work again. She took a step to follow him butfroze when she recalled her half-packed suitcase.
Damn it!She had a feeling thisdiscussion might take a little time, and she couldn’t leave herthings unpacked. Turning back, she took the stuff she’d neatlystacked within before and started tossing them inside.
She hadnoidea what she’d say to him,but she couldn’t leave things like this between them. When shefinished shoving her things inside, she had to sit on her suitcaseto shut it. It closed perfectly before, but now she was sweatingand cursing by the time she got the zipper all the way around.
A sense of urgency filled her as she finallygot it closed and rushed downstairs, only to be waylaid by Mollieand a stack of pancakes. Aida’s single-minded determination to findJulian eased when she realized the source of the delicious aromafilling the house.
“Remember when we used to do pancake Sundayswith Mom?” Mollie asked as she waved the plate under Aida’snose.
Her stomach rumbled in response, and thoughher gaze went longingly toward the door, she couldn’t bolt out ofhere and leave Mollie behind. Not when her sister had that hopefullook on her face while Mike stood behind her mouthing, “I’msorry,” to Aida.
Aida smiled at him as she pulled out a chair.“It’s not as much fun when it’s justmeeating them.”
Mollie set down another plate and sat acrossfrom her. “I’m joining you.”
“You’re eating pancakes?”
Mollie grinned at her as she shoved a forkfulinto her mouth. “I did consider using blood instead of maple syrup,but I’ll make do.”
“Gross,” Aida told her, and Mollielaughed.
She glanced at the door again but dug intoher breakfast as Mike joined them. Aida smiled while she listenedto Mollie prattle on about their flight tomorrow. She’d tried toconvince her sister she didn’t have to go all the way to Arizonawith her, but Mollie insisted on seeing the college, and Mike wasalong for the ride. Mollie also insisted on making sure Aida wassettled and comfortable staying before they left.
Every time she caught Mike’s eye, he wouldmouth, “I’m sorry,” to her.
On the third time, Mollie caught him andkicked him under the table. “Ow,” he said as he rubbed his shin andgrinned at her.
Aida laughed and choked, causing pancake toshoot out of her mouth. It was an unusual family, but it was hers,and she loved everything about it. Mike made Mollie happier thanAida had ever seen her. He was a wonderful guy, and he loved hertoo, just as she loved him.
She got caught up in the kitchen for longerthan she anticipated, and by the time she left, it was almost noon.She searched the property for Julian but couldn’t find himanywhere, and no one knew where he’d gone.
Settling in at their favorite place, sheleaned against the large boulder on the shoreline and watched thewaves rolling across the shore while she waited for him toreturn.
He never did.
CHAPTER 1
Four and a half years later.
Julian shoved his hands in his pockets to ward offthe chill of the April night as he strode down the busy Bostonstreets. Since reaching maturity six months ago, he’d avoided beingaround humans as much as possible, but there was no avoiding themnow. With every step, he detected the alluring beat of theirhearts.
Walking the fine line between control andcompletely losing it, his fangs were constantly on the verge ofdescending. He’d known blood and death would be his weakness whenhe fully matured, but now that it had happened, the constant battlehe waged to keep from killing was tearing him apart.
It wouldn’t be long before he gave in to hisdepravity, which was why he was braving a city he’d prefer toavoid. He’d come to see Kyle and Cassidy before heading to Maineand the rest of his family. It had been over four years since he’dseen any of them, and it was time.
He couldn’t keep this battle with himself upforever; he had to say goodbye before it was too late and he nevergot the chance.
There was someone else in the city he couldsee…
He shut the thought down before it went toofar. Even if he saw her, he’d made up his mind to set her free, andhe would continue to give her the freedom she needed.
Besides, she might have a boyfriend or beengaged. He’d heard enough about her over the years to know sheleft Arizona two years ago. She moved in with Kyle and Cassidywhile she finished college. After high school, the twins decided totry city living. His mother hoped they’d return home soon, butthey’d been here for two years and loved it.
