Page 9 of Blood Moon
“And the reason you still fuck these arrogant Banner cousins?” she pressed.
I pursed my lips, not wanting to talk about this shit anymore.
“Because when they drink your blood, it turns you and them the fuck on,” she answered for me, the room falling silent as she was gut-punching us in the most vulnerable spot. “Am I right? Humans fall victim to vamps drinking their blood, get hornier than hell, and get fucked as athank you. It’s how we work and why their blood tastes more delicious than vamp blood.”
“You’ve made your point. The sex shit isn’t what it was before,” Zac said. “That’s because Aria’s using our bond and the power it created to advance her powers.”
“Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! To think, I’ve only had to explain this in eleven different ways now,” Val said snidely. “Now, for the final question to prove you’re all screwed. Would any of you care to admit how rapidly this shit is taking place even as the little angel naps? Tell me, who smells the lifeblood coursing in her veins?”
I glanced around at the guys. Nothing.
“Shit.” Val seemed shocked herself. “That was actually a fucking joke. Okay, Ariareallyhas to leave, then. I will bring her somewhere safe and bring in someone to help jumpstart what you dipshits once had.”
“You smell the lifeblood in her?” I softly asked.
“Hell, yes,” she answered. “And once these fuckers catch on, shit’s going to get taboo pretty damn quick. I know all of you would never imagine drinking from her, so let’s not let nature try to change your mind.”
“Fine,” Cole growled. He looked at me. “There’s no fucking way we’re going to stay this course. Aria will be protected.” He stalked toward the gorgeous vamp, “Valwillmake sure Aria is taken care of, hidden well, and do whatever the fuck it takes to make sure we can sleep at night, knowing she’s no longer under our protection.”
Val rolled her eyes. “Of course, asshole.” She sighed, “Aria will need protection from all ofyouif I don’t get her out of here. I will have an enchantress come down and help get all of you back on track. Once you all start feeling the damn bond again, I suggest you start working your asses off to get back in the game.”
I looked around at the guys, hating the fact that I knew what we had to do, and I couldn’t drag it out. I could see on all their faces that this was the last thing any of them wanted.
“Well? Will all of you pull your shit together and make the right decision? Either you let me take her so she can grow into her powers naturally, or she stays here and literally fucks up the only chance we have at beating the goddamn devil. Your choice,” Val said.
“We have to do what’s right by Aria,” Logan said, bringing me into his arms. “We’re going to miss the hell out of her, but she’s got to grow into her powers correctly, and we need ours back. Keeping her here puts her in harm’s way, and that’s not something any of us would dare to do. She needs her strength, and we need ours. We have to be ready for this battle.”
“He’s right,” Zac backed his closest friend and cousin up. “It’s bad enough we have to unite with Enzo and kiss our long-time enemy’s ass, not to mention our brains falling out of our head and our bloodlust, driving all of us to do some fucked up shit.”
“You all honestly think you could do that to our girl? Drink from her?” I asked, seriously disgusted that could be a possibility.
“They won’t see her as family,” Val said. “They’ll not be able to see past anything but feeding off thewronglifeblood.”
“I don’t think I can say goodbye,” I said.
Zane shockingly took my hand in his. Lately, he and I had become like two people who’d fucked up one night, and I got pregnant as a result, and now we were just raising a kid together. He offered a smile and a nod. “We have to think of Aria, Elle,” he stated. “She needs her mom to give her the best send-off in all of this. You need to start seeing this as something exciting for Aria—a new adventure. The last thing I want for our daughter is to be hurt in this fucked up life that we’re starting to feel we’re in.”
“You’re right,” I said. “Let’s go get her, and we’ll make this sound amazing for her.”
“She’s always loved Val,” Logan said, obviously bringing up how they raised her up in that holding place while they were all fucking dead. “She’ll naturally be thrilled to go with her Aunt Val.”
“Of course, she will,” Val winked at me, “I’m one of the best things she’s got in her life.” She smirked. “She’ll be in good hands. I’ve already been in the schooling systems, and I’ll demand that I stay with her.”
“No schools,” Braden said. “Get a goddamn tutor for her. Until she can protect herself, I don’t want her near any fucking supe who can scent that blood in her veins. The fact that we’re not scenting it shows me how weak we are right now. Find an asshole who will help her, just like the fucker you’re bringing in to help us.”
“Got it. Well, then, your rich asses are buying the dream home of my choice.” She glanced around the beachfront mansion we lived in, “I’m not one for a sunny beach, but I am a sucker for the hustle and bustle of the big city. I think being in New York during the holidays would be a delight for Aria and me.”
“You’re lucky that having her in an infested, human-populated area is a good idea,” Cole said. “It’ll make her more hidden from anyone who might go sniffing around for her.”
“Then, get an agent on the phone, and I’ll get my personal contact on the phone.” She looked at me, “Go say your goodbyes, but do excite her about the thrills of Christmas in New York.”
“I don’t know shit about that,” I snapped.
“Make something up. There’s nothing more festive than Central Park at Christmas time, sweetheart.” Her red lips flashed a smile.
It was easy to see Val was in the process of giving Aria the best life possible—the life we should be giving her but couldn’t because we had a looming battle ahead of us. We had to stay focused on that. I would make sure that Aria would be given all she needed. I knew the vamps had money like they printed it themselves—they practically owned half of the globe in high-dollar real estate, so money wasn’t an issue. I just hoped that in this messed-up case, moneycouldbuy her happiness.
6
