Page 32 of Crimson Devotion
I look away from my sister for a moment, looking at Faith. She’s intrigued, slowly sitting up in bed. The sheets and the duvet are wrapped around her body tightly, her hair messy, sticking in every which way. The sight is adorable, and for a moment, I debate whether to kick Aurelia out, and deal with it later.
“Get dressed,’’ I instruct Faith. She raises an eyebrow but complies, getting out of the bed, grabbing some of my clothes — yet again, and heading to the bathroom to change.
“Now, you.’’ I turn back to Aurelia. “Speak.’’
She’s always the one causing mischief. Although she’s known to be just as reckless as Juliana, Aurelia has some common sense and knows when she’s in danger. She knows when to stop and when not to push her luck. So seeing her straighten up, and a serious look cross over her features isn’t a surprise, but it does enhance the worry I’m feeling already.
“The reason I wasn’t calling, or why you couldn’t track me, was because I found out something and went to find out what exactly is happening.’’
“Go on,’’ I urge.
“Somewhere in America, there’s a clan of vampires.’’
“Not uncommon.’’
She nods. “Yes, but what’s odd is that they’re all old. Like, a third or fourth generation of vampires. The ones we turned into vampires. Well, not you. But you get the point.’’
“Alright, what’s the problem?”
Aurelia takes a deep breath, just as Faith re-emerges fromthe bathroom. Momentarily, my attention shifts to my beautiful mate, my breath hitching in my throat. She picked out one of my dresses that I never got to wear because it’s too big for me. But on her it looks so fucking perfect.
Aurelia clears her throat, and my head snaps in her direction. She rolls her eyes as Faith takes a seat next to me, her scent filling my nostrils. Without thinking, my hand finds its way onto her thigh, and when she doesn’t push me off, the stupid heart in my chest skips a beat.
“Anywho,’’ Aurelia draws out, giving me a pointed look. “I overheard from some newbie vampires that the clan has one purpose — to kill us.’’
I can’t help the scoff that leaves me. “Kill us? It’s impossible.’’
“Well, they could toss us into open water and we’d perish. Or take away our magic jewelry.’’
“Yes, but neither of those is possible.’’
“Still, the size of the clan is worrisome. There’s at least seventy of them, from what I’ve heard. It’s led by two people, and they’re recruiting baby vampires, too. Apparently, they’re luring them by promising daylight jewelry. Meaning, they have a witch at hand.’’
“That’s impossible, though.’’ I sigh, feeling a sense of comfort wash over me when Faith leans her cheek against my shoulder. She’s silent, absorbing the words and keeping up with the conversation, quietly offering her support by placing her hand on mine, giving it a light squeeze. “Witches, most of them, hate vampires. So, one is either involved with a vampire so she’s helping them, or is there against her will.’’
“That was my thought process, too.’’
“Could it be Yvonne?” I ask, glancing down at Faith.
She lifts her head off my shoulder, and I want to whine at the loss of contact. She immediately shakes her head, eyes driftingbetween Aurelia and me.
“No, if anyone hates vampires, it’s Yvonne. There’s not a single scenario where she’d work for them, even if she were involved with a vampire.’’
“You sound so certain,’’ Aurelia presses.
“Because I am,’’ Faith says, voice full of confidence. “Yvonne’s the biggest protector of nature. Giving baby vampires the power to roam freely – more than they already do – would mean a lot of dead humans. She’d never do that. If anything, if she were aware of this, I’d bet that she’d kill the clan herself before allowing them to be out and about.’’
I mull over her words, biting the inside of my cheek.
“What else did you manage to find out, Aurie?”
“They want us all dead, but Juliana the most.’’
“Of course,’’ I groan, closing my eyes, and pinching the bridge of my nose. “What the hell did she do now?”
“What didn’t she do?” Aurelia scoffs. “But if the whispers and rumors are to be believed, they want her dead because she isn’t really one of us.’’
“Excuse me?”
