Page 12 of This Blood That Binds Us
“It’s your funeral.” He smiled with a carefree chuckle.
“I won’t be alone. I’ll be in a public place in the middle of the day. Who is going to take me in broad daylight?”
“The big, bad, scary vampire mob. OOOOOooo.” Presley laughed.
“Yeah, and I doubt they’ll even think to look for me in a library on a random college campus in California. I think we have some time.”
The Family. My brothers’ secret had a name but no explanation. Some kind of gang or cult they were a part of. Presley liked to joke that it was like the mafia. They were the ones hunting us, but I didn’t know why. I also had no idea what they looked like or how many of them there were, but I did know they were dangerous. Only because my older brothers told me so.
Most of the time, I tried not to think about it. I couldn’t do anything, and I didn’t know what would even happen should they find us. It was all one big, irritating mystery.
I glanced at my phone again. Any more talking, and I was going to be late.
“I’m going and I don’t want you to follow me. Can you keep your mouth shut for at least an hour?”
“Your secrets are safe with me.” Presley gave me a wicked smile.
“Whatever. I’ll see you later.” I turned to leave, and guilt stirred in my stomach. I was about to do something insanely reckless.
“It was nice knowing ya!” Presley yelled behind me. “I call dibs on your PlayStation.”
I ignored him, picking up my pace and glancing behind one more time to make sure he was out of sight. The library was huge and, thankfully, surrounded by a plethora of trees. Right before entering the library, I turned left and made a beeline for the fountain.
There were two fountains on campus. I assumed she was talking about the biggest one located in the garden. My guess was correct, and it didn’t take me long to spot her pacing on the cobblestone. The sunlight danced on the strands of her hair, and the florals blew in the breeze around her in an assortment of colors.
“You’re late.” She stared at me, unimpressed, arms crossed, foot tapping.
I glanced at my phone to confirm. One minute late. “Sorry about that. If you knew how hard it was to ditch my brothers...”
She may be the most intimidating woman I’d ever met. Her blazing hair matched the sense of fire she emitted. It engulfed me, stealing the breath from my lungs. Thankfully, I didn’t need to breathe.
She spoke with strength, and her eyes narrowed. “Did you tell anyone you were coming?”
“Not a word.” I ran my fingers over my lips, zipping them shut.
Her cool, blue eyes looked right through me, practically tearing into my soul. That’s when I noticed police officers talking and laughing, with coffee in hand, not far from where we stood.
She came prepared. Of course she did. She was a fighter. Nestled between her white knuckles was a can of pepper spray.
My brain took it all in simultaneously. The Thing inside me assessed all possible threats without a second passing. Good thing I had the power to shut it up.
“Are you going to spray me with that? I promise that won’t be necessary.” Everything came out awkwardly, like the awkward way people sing “Happy Birthday to You.”
A strange pause lingered as she looked me up and down. I could sense her fear. It was weird. Definitely not a power superheroes have, as if I needed another reminder.
She didn’t look scared, though. From the look on her face, she could kick my ass and eat me for breakfast. I liked that in a woman. But I shut that thought down quickly.
She finally spoke. “You talk. I listen. You’ll answer my questions when I ask you, and I will decide if you are telling the truth.”
I had no idea how that was possible, but I agreed. I couldn’t hold back my urge to know one question. “Wait...can you at least tell me your name?”
“No.”
Damn.
“Okay, what do you want to know? I’m an open book.”
We stood like statues on the cobblestone path. Her arms were crossed, and she shifted her weight from one foot to the next. I guessed we probably looked like a bickering couple, since people mostly steered clear of us and the nearby solid granite fountain.
