Page 89 of On Wings of Blood

“Oh, you know.” I caught him shrugging. “Out for a moonlight stroll. It’s a beautiful night.” Then he grinned mischievously.

My heart sank. “You’re going to the party.”

He nodded. “Theo invited me.”

“Theo?” I shook my head. Just how many blightborns had Theo invited? “He invited me, too. Florence already left. Did you see her on your way down?”

He shook his head. “Why don’t you come back with me?” he suggested. “I wouldn’t mind some company.”

I shook my head emphatically. “No. I’m not going back there.” I hesitated. “To be honest, I wouldn’t suggest you go either, Vaughn. It’s all highbloods. The only mortals are...” I paused, trying to remember the word Florence had used. “Sellbloods?”

For a moment, his grin faltered slightly. Then he shrugged. “Sounds about right. I’m still going. Theo...” His voice trailed off. The moonlight wasn’t bright enough for me to actually see him blushing but somehow I knew he was.

“Oh,” I said at last. “So it’s like that.”

He shrugged sheepishly. “I mean, he’s Theo Drakharrow. He’s charming.”

“He is,” I agreed. I thought of how Theo had at least made Kiernan stop the thrallweave he was using on Florence. “Well, I suppose if you were going to fall for a highblood, you could do worse.”

“Thanks,” Vaughn replied, with a laugh. “I’m not sure I’ve fallen for him yet. But we’ll see how things go. Are you all right to walk back alone?”

I thought of the knife between my breasts. I tilted my head. “After I beat you in class, you still actually have the nerve to ask that?”

Vaughn laughed. “See you there tomorrow, Medra.”

I watched him disappear into the night. Should I have told him about what Blake had done to Kiernan? Would he still have gone?

Maybe Theo would tell him. I hoped Theo knew what he was doing...and that he’d keep Vaughn safe.

I strolled along the beach, walking closer to where the waves were crashing onto the shore.

I wanted to get back to Florence. But even after all that had transpired, I was still restless. I could practically feel the blood pounding in my veins. Longing for... what? Release?

For something. Something I couldn’t pinpoint.

I trailed my feet in the water. The chill feel of it against my skin was cold and bracing. I kicked at a crashing wave and the spray splashed back onto my bare arms and calves.

A sound from up ahead made me freeze. I looked along the beach.

There was another figure coming towards me.

At first I thought it was just another student on their way to the party.

Then I realized this was a much smaller form.

A child.

My brow furrowed. Even shrouded in darkness I could tell this was a young girl. Small and slender. She couldn’t have been more than nine or ten. Clearly she didn’t belong to the chaotic party I’d just left behind.

“Are you all right?” I called out, my voice carrying over the waves. I quickened my pace a little.

A child shouldn’t have been out here in the dead of night.

The girl didn’t answer.

The moon came out from behind the cloud that had been partially hiding it and answered for her.

The girl was a vampire. Her telltale hair was braided into a white crown around her head.

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