Page 227 of Blood & Betrayals

Connor squeezes me tight before pulling back. He slides his hand into mine and says, “Let’s go.”

Fear slithers through me when we near where I found the girl’s body. The snow is fresh, and the only footprints other than ours are the ones Connor made on his way to the house. I keep expecting to see where mine veered off course when I heard that voice, but there is nothing but fresh, white snow.

The pendant grows warm, a phantom reminder of what happened. I turn my head to the left, looking at the path I would have taken. The forest is as dark as always, the trees unassuming. Do they still feel her death?

“Babe?”

I blink, looking at Connor, and realize I have stopped walking. “Huh?”

Connor frowns. “You okay?”

“I—”

“She’s fine. Right, Sum?” Alice interrupts, sliding her arm through mine and giving me a knowing look.

I nod and pull my face into a smile before looking up at Connor. His gaze is concerned, but it eases when we start walking again. Alice leads the conversation about Drãculea, and I take the opportunity to look back over my shoulder. There is nothing to see except the faintest sway of the tree branches. I swallow and snap my head back around.

Fuck.

The Morningstar House is as bright as if we are approaching an actual star. Alice holds her hands up to cover her eyes. “This is way too much fucking light after just getting back from two weeks of gray.”

I chuckle and squeeze her arm.

“Do you like it?” Connor asks me, and the hope in his voice makes me melt. He’s done this for me. He wants me to feel the magic of Christmas and knows I’ve never had a family to celebrate the holiday with. I need to make the most of this with him. He does so much for me. The least I can do is enjoy every second. I take a moment to shove away my fear and thoughts of the dead girl, focusing on the present and this man who loves me.

“I love it, Con.”

“Well, my retinas don’t, and she’s lying,” Alice grumbles.

I shove Alice playfully and pull Connor to the front of the house. “Take a photo of us, Al.”

Alice pulls out her phone and snaps a photo. “You can barely see you two past the lights. It’s like you’re standing on the sun.”

I pull Connor in for a kiss, and Alice snaps another photo.

“I love you,” I say.

“I love you, too,” Connor says, starting to glow. “Let’s go inside. It’s freezing out here!”

I nod, and we all head inside. I’m immediately hit with the smell of cinnamon and apples. The whole house is decorated, and ornaments adorn every surface. The tree in the window is so large it nearly touches the ceiling. It’s expertly decorated with ornaments and draped with red and green ribbons. On top, a gold star shines proudly.

“This is fucking insane,” Alice says, completely awestruck. “Where is everyone?”

“I came back early. Mom was still cooking, but I wanted to get back to see you guys.” Connor drops my hand and walks tothe couch, where there is a pile of folded sweaters. He holds one up. “Put these on!” I blink at the design. It’s baby blue and has white wings embroidered on the front. There is a large M in the middle of the chest.

“But, my dress…”

“Just for a picture of the three of us. My mom and dad will love it.” He hands me a sweater and then gives one to Alice. “You’re honorary Morningstars.”

I sigh and pull on the jumper. “Just for you.”

Alice grumbles but yanks hers on.

Connor grins as he pulls the sweater on over his head and then ushers Alice and me to the tree. He sets the phone up on the sofa and then runs back to stand between us. He wraps his arm around us, and we all smile as the camera flashes.

“Wait, another one!” I say, setting the camera up again. I run back and pull Connor’s face to mine at the last moment, kissing him just as the photo is taken.

I check the images and laugh when I see that Alice put two fingers up behind Connor’s head in the second one, giving him bunny ears. When I turn around, Alice has already pulled the sweater off and draped it over the back of the couch. I look at the joy on Connor’s face and opt to keep mine on.

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