Page 168 of Black Bird

Foster said that they drew blood from me to try and test it against my mother’s and close her case. When they realized it was different, they compared it to all my existing medical records. Apparently, my blood mutated over time. The reason that mine is different … is because my mom apparently had a fling with a vampire. I’m the result.

His brows relaxed and his face slackened. His hand had been half-raised to his mouth to draw from his cigarette but paused and slowly lowered to rest on the table.

You mean …

Sarah nodded, leaning back against the booth.

Yep. I’ve been part vampire all along. Foster and her team have been trying to protect me and keep everything quiet. The government was never after my blood to use it. They don’t want the word getting out that it can be used the way that Conrad wants to use it, either. She came here to make sure it doesn’t happen, and I just gave Brent the damn bag.

“Holy shit …” Athan muttered out loud. “She’s trying to prevent chaos.”

“Yeah …” Sarah flicked her ashes into an empty cup and took another drag. “I really hope that it doesn’t hurt anybody. I’m scared now of what it’s gonna do to Rhaena.”

It shouldn’t. Vampire blood doesn’t work like that.

Sarah was glad that he chose not to say that part out loud, at least.

So, if Brent gives it to his mother? Or the little girl Conrad was gonna test it on?

Athan shook his head, blinking slowly.

Our venom is lethal. Our blood isn’t. They’re two different things. You being half-human … I’ve only ever seen it heal. Revive. It’s remarkable.

“It makes so much sense now.” Sarah couldn’t hide her swelling emotion. “I’ve never been able to find a place that I belong. Not until you. Now I understand why.” She stubbed her cigarette out in the cup. Athanopened his mouth to say something else, but Sarah’s phone started ringing again. “For fuck’s sake!” She bit, picking it up off the seat.

“Who is it?”

“It’s fucking Brent. He’s called me three times.”

“Answer it. It might be something important.” He pointed the end of his cigarette at the phone.

“I don’t wanna talk to him. Hearing his voice is just gonna piss me off. I don’t wanna leave our bubble right now, Athan.”

“Just … make sure. And if he starts going on about shit, hang it up.”

She rolled her eyes, but agreed, sliding the call open. “What, Brent?”

“Hey … look, I know I’m the last person you wanna talk to right now.”

“That’s a fucking understatement. What do you want?”

“I don’t have much time. Can you come up to the children’s hospital? Like, right now?”

Sarah looked at Athan cautiously, and he leaned forward to hear. “What’s wrong?”

“Annie’s kinda pushed for time, Sarah. She doesn’t wanna take this … gift … without seeing you first. She wants to talk to you. Are you catching my drift?”

Athan nodded at her. Sarah loosed a heavy breath. “Is she dying?”

“Yeah, she is … and we’re also trying to figure out a way to administer this without anyone knowing about it.”

“I can do that. I’ve been working with blood for years. I know how to flush an IV.”

“Alright. So, you’ll come?”

Athan raised his keys, dangling them over the table. Sarah sighed. “Yes. Athan comes too. Keep your hands to your damn self.”

Brent was quiet for a moment, but finally replied,“You have my word.”

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