Page 57

Lost for words and feeling like a fish with my mouth opening and closing silently, I tried to process what she was saying.

“Putting a pin in that for a moment. Let’s think about Julian logically,” she offered, setting her spoon down and scooting closer. “What did he do that made you hate him so much?”

I thought back, trying to get past the strong emotions. We’d just made love in a way that I never opened myself up enough to do with anyone else. “Well, he asked me to run away with him. I’d already said no, but I said it again. I’d never leave you and Mama like Dad did.”

“Okay, so that’s something, but hardly something to hate him for. It’s not like he forced you.”

“Yeah, but then he crushed your charm,” I reminded her.

“When you refused to run?” Zoe shoved her bowl aside and reached for my arm. “Then he must have glamoured you to hate him because he knew something—something that would happen if you continued your relationship here on the island.”

I thought harder. “He kept calling himself a monster and saying he didn’t deserve me, which really pissed me off. I made an innocent comment and his whole attitude changed…”

“What was it?” she pressed.

Squinting, I tried to recall. “I said something about still being human, I think.”

“Hmm.” Zoe sat back and pulled her bowl over to spoon some half-melted ice cream. “What’s different around here that might’ve freaked him out? Other than Dad, obviously. And what tie does Julian have to it?”

“Maybe Silas? No. He is Julian’s sire and can force him do anything, but…” I shake my head, digging back into my own sugar feast.

Zoe froze with her spoon in her mouth, eyes bugging out.

“That can’t be it,” I argued. “I trust Silas.” I paused, then amended, “He’s changed. Silas wouldn’t do anything horrible like before.” Damn, my head hurt.

“What do you mean like before?” Zoe asked, and I could tell she was trying to stay calm like when we were kids and she needed me to give her the whole story even when she was mad.

“Well, it was lifetimes ago. I saw a vision of him and Julian when Julian was first turned. Silas killed his sister and ordered Julian to bring me to him. When Julian got to me, I’d committed suicide. Or, at least, that’s Julian’s claim. So silly of me to do that when obviously Silas is trustworthy, and I’d have had nothing to worry about.”

Zoe gaped at me, food forgotten.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m sure there was a reason he killed Julian’s sister.”

“Holy shit. I’m going to kill that son of a bitch,” Zoe said, smacking the heel of her hand to her forehead.

“Who?” I asked, taking another bite.

“Julian!”

“Finally, you see my point.” I smiled, throwing my hands in the air.

“He left you unprotected with the most dangerous person possible.”

“Who’s that?” I asked, perplexed.

“Silas. Don’t you see? Without your charm, he glamoured you to trust him. That much is clear. Shit, what else did he glamour you to do?” Zoe tapped the table with her fingernails then halted. “Dad’s machine. Didn’t you say Lydia wanted to turn you but couldn’t say why?” She stood.

“Yeah. Why?”

“Can a vampire glamour another vampire?”

I shrugged, struggling to recall something that was at the tip of my memory.

“He must’ve somehow. Lydia is trying to protect you from wearing that horrible helmet and being turned into a psychic vampire. I’m sure of it.”

“That’s ridiculous!” I laughed at the absurdity of it.

“We have to break Silas’s glamour. What’s stronger than vampire glamour?”