Page 17 of Seph

The end of the phrase wouldn’t come.

I want to kill them, that’s what I’m supposed to say.

Her eyes lingered on the little boy in his grandfather’s arms as his mother handed him a morsel of fudge and a piece of popcorn.

Happy family. Look at how his family loves him. Protects him. I bet his “monster” parents would never starve him, or tellhim he can’t go to the doctor when he’s hurt, or tell him his only home is his “work.”

I bet he’ll always be loved and safe, with people who would do anything to protect him.

“My dear? Are you unwell?” Mr. Minegold passed J.J. back to his father to take her arm.

I want to be with them. I want a family.

I want to know someone loves me, not someone who just wanted me to carry on a job.

“I didn’t eat today. Forgot. I’m just picking up some stuff to make dinner, and I’ll be fine,” she told a half-truth with a stiff smile.

“Good heavens! Jesse—”

“I’m on it! I’ll go to the Jade Forest now. You like Chinese?” The younger man with his dark curls and intense eyes was already turning, handing J.J. to his wife’s outstretched arms.

“I love Chinese,” Emily managed to say before she choked down a sob.

“Oh, God, sweetie.” Sophie hugged her with one arm while balancing the toddler on the other hip.

“Here, now. Are you worried ‘cause of the Van Helsing thing?” Jesse turned back and smiled at her. His voice dropped. “We’re on the same side.”

“Yes. If evil ones of our kind venture into this town, we dispatch them. You are among friends, my dear.” Mr. Minegold put a guiding hand behind her back. “Come, we will walk you home. Jesse will fetch you something solid.”

“Babe, get her some wonton soup. It’s the perfect comfort food.”

“Wonton soup and some beef and broccoli and scallion pancakes and sesame chicken.” Jesse raced off.

Belatedly, Emily made a squeak of protest. “Oh! No, that’s too much.”

Sophie patted her shoulder and smiled. “Leftovers!”

“Noodles, Mama?” J.J. reached over his mother’s shoulder toward his father.

“I’ll text Daddy and ask him to get you noodles, baby.”

Emily found herself ushered away. This should be her worst nightmare. A gang of vampires invading her home!

She felt safer than she had in years.

And a little, tiny part of her wished Simeon was the one rushing off to get her Chinese.

Chapter Seven

New York, September, 2024

“Before you say no, hear me out.” Simeon stuck his foot through her door and the box of donuts in her face.

Emily backed up, biting her lip. “Are those the maple glazed donuts from The Pine Loft?”

“Georgie’s finest.”

Emily took the box. Six donuts. She stopped, hand on the lid. “I... I’ve gained ten pounds since I moved here,” she whispered.

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