Page 69 of This Blood that Bonds Us
I wasn’t. There was a weird protectiveness that came with having a sister too.
“I’m glad you’re coming. I have a good feeling about everything.”
I cringed at the thought of her being around Kilian, but I trusted Aaron’s judgment when keeping her safe. Sometimes, I couldn’t stop imagining Kilian wrapping his boney little fingersaround Kimberly’s neck and squeezing the life out of her right before he locked her up to use for his stupid ritual.
Why couldn’t vampirism be a fun random thing that happens sometimes? The fact there were cults and blood ritual things made it objectively less fun.
My phone vibrated.
“What’s that?” Kimberly asked, but her eyes stayed glued to the screen.
“Oh. I have a timer. I have to do something for Mom. I’ll be right back.”
I jetted into my room. Luckily, the wall heater was on in accompaniment with the TV, so she likely couldn’t hear me.
I flipped up my phone and brought it to my ear. “Why are you calling me?”
“Just confirming our location for the meeting.”
“I told you to just text me.”
“Yeah, but I have to be thorough and make sure I’m still talking to you.”
I sighed and picked at the flaking paint on my nightstand. “As opposed to?”
“It’s my job to make sure to give you this stuff. You’re not going to bring anyone else, are you? Because that would be a bad idea.”
“Are you threatening me? Because that won’t have the effect you think it does. I just won’t show up.”
“I have what you need. You’ll show up. And as long as you come alone, you have nothing to worry about.”
“I don’t know. I’m starting to wonder if this is a good idea.”
“Having second thoughts?”
I said nothing. I had no idea what I was doing.
“I asked about your brothers.”
“What? Asked who?”
“I don’t know him. Name’s Henderson. But he knew your brothers.”
He was probably lying, but my body buzzed with the news.
“He said Zach was an asshole, but he’s a good fighter.” It was real. That wasmyasshole brother, all right. “And that Luke was growing on him. He told me they’re always together. Annoyingly so.”
“Where do you want me to meet?” I asked.
“I have a place in mind. It’s public, don’t worry. I’ll text you the address. I’ll see you on Friday.”
I didn’t know what The Family wanted from me, but they knew where my brothers were. This guy held the key to seeing them again, and soon, I’d know what that was.
Twenty-Nine
Kimberly
The light of day had dimmed by time I found Vera outside. There wasn’t much out there except for snow, but there was a covering for the stack of lumber and a stump for splitting wood. In one swing, she axed through a stump with graceful ease.Hard-working was an understatement, as she’d just gotten home from her shift and was still in her scrubs and a thick coat.
