Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 73252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“Okay, so not the best news,” I say, “but also not the worst.”
“I guess that’s one way to put it,” Delphi says. “I don’t really know anything else, but it’s pretty clear this was supernatural. Right? I can hear the confusion in her voice.
“The exact cause is still to be determined,” I tell her, “but I’m pretty sure it has to do with that other thing we were dealing with.” I’m not sure whether I need to speak in code since she’s at work and who knows who might be around.
“It’ll be fine, right? As long as you’re okay,” she says.
“I mean, right now I am. But I know that isn’t very reassuring.”
“You’re going to give me a heart attack.” She laughs. “I don’t know how you haven’t had one yourself at this point.”
“I honestly don’t either.”
“What time is your pack meeting?” Xavier asks.
“Seven tonight,” she replies. “I’m sure you’ll be hearing from her soon.”
Xavier has been with me for the last half hour or so, so there’s a good chance Larkin has already called.
“We’re going to go downstairs and probably get another earful from Theo,” I say.
“I had to cancel my date,” Delphi says. “Which I think is a good thing. The guy was giving major creep vibes.”
“And why would you even entertain the idea of going out with him?” I ask.
“Because I’m old and my eggs are drying up, and I don’t know. It’s pretty desperate and sad, isn’t it?”
“Definitely not desperate and sad.”
I fully know Xavier is looking at me with one eyebrow raised. He doesn’t understand how we can switch subjects so easily. But hey, dating and love lives are important too.
“I have to get back to my patient,” Delphi says, “but please keep me posted, and I’ll keep you posted.”
“Of course.”
“Are we in danger?” Delphi asks before hanging up.
“Not any more danger than you were before, but also possibly yes, though maybe also no.”
My non-answer probably makes her feel worse. “I have no idea what you just implied, but I’m going to take that as everything’s fine and it’s all sunshine and rainbows.”
“That’s exactly what I meant. Talk to you later, girl.” I end the call and let out a breath. “I know we don’t want to agree with Theo that this is my fault,” I begin, “but it seems too targeted, doesn’t it?”
“Yes,” Xavier says. He knows better than anyone that Vaelric is inside Vivian’s body. The demon can sense her hatred toward me. Hearing the words out loud feels like a punch to the gut all over again. I just don’t understand how someone can pretend to be my mother, pretend to care about me, and not develop feelings in any way. How could she stand there and let the Order use me without having some sort of maternal instinct to intervene?
Not even as my fake mother. Just as a human being. I want to understand it because I think if I understand, it’ll hurt less. But there are some things I’ll never understand, and I know I’ll only drive myself crazy trying. The bottom line is that the Russos are terrible people, and the Order is an institution that needs to collapse.
I get up, get dressed, and then go back downstairs. The food has arrived. This time, Mabel ordered from an Indian restaurant. Everything smells delicious, and I load up a plate before heading into the family room and sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table.
Antonio and Devon are in here again, and this time Leo has joined them. Things were so dicey with Devon for a while, but he seems to be settling into his vampire life decently now.
The whole situation is still so wild.
I think if we weren’t battling one crisis after another, there would definitely be more animosity between him and my brothers. It’s because of them that he was turned. And though he says he likes being a vampire now, I still question it. There’s no going back, though, so he might as well make the most of it. Right?
Almost as soon as I sit down, Victoria bursts into the room. Zeke and Mabel follow behind her, and Victoria looks flustered as fuck.
She stops in the middle of the room and points at Leo. “Oh God. There are two of them now.”
“I told you about my family,” I say, tearing off a piece of naan and using it to scoop up butter paneer. “I have two brothers and two sisters.”
“Why is he here?” Victoria asks.
“Who is this chick? And how did she get here during the day?” Leo replies, instantly matching her annoying energy. Maybe his attitude will come in handy after all.
“I told you,” Zeke starts, looking at Victoria. “This probably isn’t the best time.”
Victoria just holds up a hand. “I work for Xavier,” she says, and I wish I could smack the smug smile off her face. “I’m Victoria, and I’m here to do damage control. Again.” She adds the last word pointedly. “Vampires can travel during the day as long as you have a light-proof car, obviously. You must be Leo.”