Page 58 of Fang Fiction

Tess paused for a moment, then nodded. Callum’s instincts prickled again—he still had the distinct sense she wasn’t being entirely truthful.

“But who is writing these things about us?” Nantale asked, pointing to the cover of the book. “Who is August Lirio?”

“No one knows.” Tess shrugged. “It’s a pseudonym—we have no idea who the author really is.”

“Excuse me,” Sylvie butted in, “but can we focus? Whoever wrote those books, whatever they know and however they know it, we have a chance to save Callum’s life here. Don’t you think we should take it?”

“Yes,” Nantale answered. “Sylvie, you know the north best. I’ll give you a hunting party to gather the lilies, and we’ll increase security here in their absence. Tess, you’ll stay with Callum at all times to monitor his health and bring him anything he needs. I can’t spare anyone else to do it, I hope you understand.”

“Of course.” Tess nodded.

“Hold on,” Callum objected. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Yes you do, you can barely move,” Nantale said dismissively. “Tess, after all you have seen, you must be eager to leave this island, and I don’t blame you. But given what you know from these books—not just how to cure Callum, but potentially how we might all escape—I must require you to stay with our clan a little longer. Is that acceptable?”

Callum expected Tess to argue, but she just nodded, looking defeated. Strange—that wasn’t like her.

“Sylvie, come,” Nantale commanded. “We must move swiftly.”

Sylvie hurried out of the room. Nantale turned to follow, but then paused and picked up Tess’s copy of Blood Feud. As she held the book, her eyes glowed a deep and vivid scarlet—and suddenly, she was holding two copies instead of one. She handed the original book back to Tess and swept out of the room with the newly glamoured copy, leaving Callum and Tess alone for the first time since Callum had regained consciousness.

“So, um.” Tess folded her arms, uncomfortable. “Do you need anything?”

“Will you pass me that?” he asked, nodding toward the book. “I think I’d like to read.”

Chapter 14

Excerpt from Blood Feud

(book one, chapter eight)

by August Lirio

Callum heard a twig snap—he was certain someone was following him through the forest.

“Who’s there?” he snarled. “If you want to fight, don’t be a cowardly little shit about it. Show yourself.”

He was expecting to see Felix or one of his many henchmen, but instead, a girl Callum had never met peeked out from behind a nearby tree. She wore a simple white linen dress and looked to be in her early twenties, young and afraid—but Callum wasn’t stupid enough to judge any vampire based on appearances. Still, he found her wide eyes, rosy cheeks, and ample curves extremely appealing, so he strode toward her.

“Out for a walk, love?” He gave her a charming smile.

“I know who you are.” Her voice was light and breathy.

“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow. “Who am I?”

“You’re the most dangerous man on the Isle.” She took one step closer. “You’ve killed dozens of vampires, hundreds of humans. Felix says—”

She stopped talking. Callum narrowed his eyes.

“What does that jealous little prig say about me? Go on.”

She bit her lip, and Callum felt his desire building—he wanted to take that lip between his own teeth, to suck on it until it was bruised and purpled. He was a creature of voracious and insatiable appetites, and he had little inclination toward restraint.

“I shouldn’t say,” she whispered. “He told me not to.”

“Let me guess.” Callum closed the distance between them in half a moment. “He said I’m a vicious beast who can’t be trusted, who’ll rip you apart just to amuse myself—or toy with his mind.”

Her voice was strained and full of lust. “Something like that.”