Page 120 of Demon Found

“You did it!” Naeve squeezes my arm. “And I’msureno one noticed your aether. They’ll blame your freaky skills on your second genus. On you being part vampire.Andyou’re able to take both genra? Goodness gracious goddesses, the gossips will have plenty to talk about. Your secret’s safe!”

No.

My brain goes blank. A deep void opens up inside. It’s not possible. I’m not . . .

“Can’t be. Vegetarian.”

“You might find that a slight issue going forward.” Farrell indicates my face and neck. “You have a little something . . .” Lazily he flicks his finger out, running it across the front of my shirt, bringing it away covered in blood. Seth’s blood.

Chano growls low in his throat, elbowing Farrell away. I shift so I can peer around his bulk, fixating on Farrell’s finger.

For a brief moment, everything stills and then my world crashes down.

I want that blood.

Fuck no. I wriggle out of Chano’s grip and bend over, retching again and again.

“But he’ll live?”

Zephyr rolls his eyes and pats my arm. “Seth will live. He won’t even scar, little vamp.”

I flinch at his crappy new endearment. It’s not funny. I nearly murdered Seth in a blood rage. One teeny tiny bit of Seth’s blood in my mouth and boom. Fangs. That damn medical-alert bracelet must have been the very last thing keeping my vamp side in check. Once it was gone . . .

Who the hell am I?

I’m no harpy. I don’t even have the same name as a year ago. WhoisLorelei Bal? Fuck. Coming to Fates Academy wasn’t meant to make me lose myself.

Glancing around the room I study my allegiance. They’re relaxed, chatting, utterly unfazed by the latest revelation in my car crash of a life. Naeve plays quietly with Zephyr’s hair while he and Farrell play a stupid game of slappies. Chano mooches in the corner, occasionally sending a blast of magic at Farrell, helping Zephyr win, cheating. They look . . . comfortable. Comfortable enough to let me sit in my own thoughts, giving me the space I need. Yet all of them are still keeping half an eye on me.

I slip over, snaking my arm around Chano’s waist. He pulls me tighter to him with a contented grunt, showering kisses on my head.

I have my Aeternum beside me, and my allegiance at my back.

It doesn’t fucking matter what I am. We’re together.

Epilogue: Two Days Later: Farrell

“YouknowwhatLoreleiis?” Naeve hops excitedly from foot to foot.

Its fucking 6 a.m. and she’s been in my room for half an hour already. I need to pack for going home but she’s like a little kid in a candy store.

“She’s part vampire.” She cackles, unable to give me time to answer.

“And?”

“Shealsohas aether, as a first element. And that pure white hair! So . . . ”

I straighten, sighing. I should have known Naeve wouldn’t take long to realize the potential implications. Potential. That’s all it is. But if she’s already thinking along these lines then my father will be too. And that’s far more dangerous.

“So, you need to keep your mouth shut, Naeve Naiades Nereirds Haliai.” I lower my voice. “What you are about to suggest is treason.”

“There hasn’t been a vampire with aether since the Royals! The Royal Aethers all had snow-white hair. Could she be . . .? She was hidden, wrapped up in all that suppression. That hair. Oooooh. It’s too exciting. I have to go do some research.”

“No.”

Naeve bolts out the door, leaving me scowling in her wake. I pass my hand over my face and sigh. She’s too hyped to pay attention. Naeve’s a royalist. I just assumed her loyalties would always lie with me.

Lorelei. Who are you?

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