Page 52 of Hot Vampire Next Door: Season Three

“Things have been…wild,” I say.

“Yes. That might be an understatement.”

“I appreciate you not saying anything about what happened at the trial at the vampire court. This whole thing with my sister and Julian is—”

“Wrong,” she says.

I nod. “Yes. That.” I sit in one of the leather wingbacks. “So did you agree to help my sister against the Renshaw witches?”

“Not quite yet.” She sits down in the chair next to me. “How much did Bran tell you about his plan?”

“Not much. Only that he wanted to ally with you because you might be strong enough to stand against the Renshaws.”

She nods. “He also asked me to join Duval House as their personal witch.”

“He what?”

“I wanted to hear your opinion before I gave him an answer.”

“But…he…hold on.”

“I know it’s unprecedented, but I will admit, I like being a trailblazer.”

“So…you would leave your house and join Duval House? Would the Mulligans even let you do that?”

“Witches aren’t the same as wolves and vampires. We’re not territorial. My dad will hate it. My mom will love it.” She rolls her eyes at the mention of her mother. “The coven will really, really hate it. But like I said, they can’t force me to stay and they won’t want to stand up against the Duval brothers. Not when I came by choice.”

“But why would you do that?”

“You have to seize an opportunity when it comes to you even if it sounds potentially foolish.” She laughs to herself. “If I’m honest, Bran really sold me on you.”

“Me?”

“He told me you’re fae.”

I go still in the chair.

“So it’s true?” she asks.

With a sigh, I give her a nod.

“Then my decision is made.”

I snort. “Because I’m fae? There are plenty of fae in Midnight.”

“Yes, but why has your identity been hidden? And why is Julian so desperate to possess you and your sister?”

Leave it to Bianca to suss out the details in literally a few hours of possessing just a few pieces of the puzzle. She was always the smartest in school. She graduated Valedictorian of her class. She could have gone on to one of the ivy league schools if she’d wanted.

“Instinct has always been my driver,” Bianca goes on. “You have to listen to your gut, but more than that, you have to hone that skill so that when the time comes, you know exactly what decision to make based on nothing more than a feeling.” She sits forward and clasps her hands in front of her, elbows on her knees. “And my gut is telling me not only will you and your sister need me, but that whatever type of fae you are, I will want to be on your side because of it.”

My throat thickens and I swallow against it. “I’m no one special, Bee.”

Her red lips spread into a grin. “I don’t believe that, Jessie. And I suspect deep down, neither do you.”

A shiver races up my spine.

I don’t know what to say to that. Is there anything to say? My brain is telling me I’m no one special, but everything else—everyone else—is saying the opposite.

---