Page 53 of Blood Secret

Actual coffins.

They took their vampirism seriously.

I lost count after a little while—it was too dark, too difficult to make one coffin out from another once the shadows thickened.

It didn’t matter, anyway.

We didn’t have the time.

Where was Bradley? That was all I cared about. How would we ever know?

I walked quickly, quietly, examining the coffins. Which was his?

I looked at Vale, who shrugged.

I turned to the coffin in front of me. Well, I had to start somewhere.

I flipped open the lid to reveal a sleeping girl. Probably my age when she was turned, whenever that was. Blonde hair. Perfect face and body. Gorgeous. Probably great at reeling men in.

All this went through my head in a split second before her eyes opened and she screeched, claws extended, reaching for me.

That was when all hell broke loose.

Lids flew open in all directions, and the sound of howling filled the room.

This was a mistake. A big mistake.

I gaped in horror as I backed away from the blonde and looked around at the chaos.

“Great move!” Vale shouted over the screeching, stepping in front of me to shield me from them.

I was still looking for Bradley. Where was he?

In the one coffin whose lid hadn’t opened. I flew to it and pried it open—he had it locked from the inside, but he hadn’t counted on a newly-turned’s strength.

There he was, waiting, eyes already open and staring into mine. “You.”

“Me.” I reached in and closed my hands around the collar of his shirt, hauling him out and throwing him across the room with one smooth movement.

That was power.

I was strong, invincible, unstoppable. I was at his side as soon as he hit the floor and I picked him up again as he roared in surprise and rage.

This time, I threw him into the group of vampires charging at Vale. They fell like bowling pins.

“Hurry!” Vale yelled, claws out and slashing the air as one after another came at him and he cut them down.

I charged through the crowd, throwing bodies aside on my quest to get to my prize.

He got to all fours and shook his head like he was clearing the cobwebs.

I reached him before he got to his feet.

Our eyes met for just the length of time it took to blink.

I remembered his sneering face, the laughter as he brutalized me.

I remembered other things, too. Every time a man had made me feel small by harassing me. My boss at the office, that slimy bastard, feeling me up. He wasn’t just Bradley. He was all of them.

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