Page 59 of Blood Secret

Isobel snorted. “Please. I only want to help you live more comfortably. And, frankly, to get you away from any remaining vampires who might be aware of you. Killing the leader only works on their progeny. He might have others who he didn’t turn, still looking for vengeance.”

That got through to Janna. “What should we do?”

“The coven provides for my needs. I would be happy to help you. I live on Long Island—there’s a converted barn on my property. I would be happy to host you both there until you decide where to settle.”

“You would do that?” Janna whispered, eyes wide.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because… you don’t owe us anything. We’re not like you. I thought you didn’t get along with—”

Isobel held up her hands. “Stop. I don’t want to hear anything more about it. You’re my daughter. I would never have let Serena punish you for who you are.” She turned to me. “I know you feel how sincerely I mean it.”

“I do.” And I knew she was still uneasy, too.

She wasn’t the only one. But she was willing to take the first step toward building a relationship, even if it meant going against the grain.

“Maybe the High Council’s laws aren’t the only things that need a little loosening up,” she decided. “This animosity between witches and vampires should end, too. At least, between our two groups. We know each other. We’re not strangers. There’s no sense in disliking each other out of hand.”

“Very progressive,” I observed.

“As long as it won’t put you in any uncomfortable spots,” Janna fretted.

“It won’t. Besides, I can get you all the synthetic blood you need. And you’ll need a lot of it in these early days, I guess.”

“Oh, you had to go and say that, didn’t you?” Janna’s eyes went red, and Isobel took a step away from her.

“I left the supply at the hotel,” I realized, dismayed.

“No, no, I already collected it for you.” Isobel pulled the backpack from the closet with a sheepish look. “I wanted to be prepared. I have my ways.”

I didn’t want to ask what those ways were, and I didn’t have the time.

Janna fed greedily, gulping down blood as fast as she could.

Her mother turned away, frowning. She was still troubled. I could imagine why, especially since it was her blood being sucked down.

“I’m sorry,” Janna gasped when she finished.

“You don’t have to apologize,” I murmured.

“He’s right,” Isobel agreed. “And, as you can see, you’re going to need some help. I can get you everything you need. And, as long as I’m being honest, it will be nice to have you nearby. I would like to get to know you, if possible.”

Janna offered a tentative smile. “I would like that.”

Isobel reached out slowly to slide her fingers over Janna’s hair. “You really are beautiful. I’m so proud to have such a beautiful daughter. And so talented, too.”

Janna’s smile lit up the room. She finally had everything she never knew she wanted, which gave me everything I had never considered before meeting her.

Seeing her happiness was enough to make me happier than I ever thought possible.

“I’ll give you two a minute to get yourselves together, but we really should get moving. I know I’ll feel better once you’re away from here.” She stepped out into the hall, leaving the door cracked slightly. A typical mother.

Janna turned to me. “What do you think? You’ve been awfully quiet. It’s not like you to let things go without an opinion.”

“My opinion?” I placed my hands on her waist. “I would go anywhere with you. Even if it means living on Long Island for a while.”

“Oh, Vale.” She took my face in her hands. “Don’t you know I was already falling for you before you turned me? And when you pushed me away, I couldn’t believe how much it hurt. I barely knew you, but you already had the power to hurt me. I think… I think we were meant to be from the beginning. I know it sounds silly and romantic, but it’s true.”

“It’s not silly.” I stroked her hair, then took the back of her head in my hand to pull her in for a deep kiss.

It wasn’t silly at all. I was the one who had turned her based solely on the short amount of time we’d spent together.

I knew even then that I couldn’t live in a world without her, even when I didn’t know if she would ever feel the same about me. It was enough to know she would live. If that wasn’t love, I didn’t know what was.

“I’m afraid you’re stuck with me for… eternity,” she whispered with a shaky laugh when we pulled away, both of us breathless.

“I’m willing to take a chance,” I whispered back before kissing her again.

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