Page 20 of Twisted
Physical maladies go away when someone is turned into a vampire.Diseases can’t really affect you if you’re dead, I supposed.But mental health…that I don’t know about.An anxious human would probably make an anxious vampire.
I close my eyes in a long blink, remembering a conversation I overheard not too long ago.We were at another hunter-owned bar, but one with more non-Order members.They were talking about the very real ramifications of the Vampire Council—or the VC as it’s commonly called.The VC pushes for vampires to assimilate and conform to societal norms.The hunters were pissed about how it was working.The more “human” vampires appear, the more accepting the general population is.
And vampires marrying or just cohabitating with humans has been a big thing.Because if you can fall in love and live with each other, it makes it hard to paint all vampires as scary monsters we should want to stake.
The same feeling of anxiety starts to creep over me.“So I’m—we’re—we’re not—” I look at Devon, who just has a blank look on his face.I am so fucking glad I can’t be held spellbound.
“You are to conceive and carry my offspring,” Xavier tells me.He pushes his broad shoulders back and my god, that man could break me in half without even trying.The anger on his face isn’t directed at me, but it makes him even more intimidating and annoyingly attractive.His strong jaw is covered in stubble, and I find myself wondering how often vampires have to shave instead of thinking about what he’s actually telling me.
I’m going to marry him.Be his legal wife.Take his last name and be toted around ashis.And then his biological human brother is going to knock me up.
What.The.Fuck.
“Wait,” I say, rapidly shaking my head.“Tonight?”
“Yes, tonight,” he sighs.“The magistrate is coming over and then you will be fitted for a ring.”
Mable leans in, bumping her antique teacup full of blood over.Zeke moves with vampire speed and catches it before it spills.“Do you like diamonds?I’m more of a sapphire girl myself, but this little number’s the berries!”She shows me her left hand, wiggling her fingers.The light catches on a large diamond center stone, surrounded by little blue sapphires.
Mable and Zeek are a couple, I note.Interesting.
“I expect four carats,” I say without missing a beat.
“At least,” Xavier replies back, not fazed by my sassiness.“My wife only has the best.That goes for everything going forward.As soon as you take on the Malus name, you are part of this family and will be treated as such.”He picks up his goblet and takes a drink, staring at me the whole time.“And you will be expected to act like a member of this family.”
I pick up my fork.“So I have to act like a pretentious undead prick with a breeding fetish?”Before I have time to process what happens, Xavier is in front of me and the back of my chair hits the wall.
“You will respect me,” he growls.
“Respect has to be earned.”Also moving fast, I muster every bit of strength I have and stab my fork into his chest.Xavier just looks down, and a low grumble comes from his throat.
“I liked this shirt,” he says slowly and leans back.He pulls the fork out, stands up, and heavily puts it back on the table.“Enjoy your dinner and mind your manners.”
Focusing on my breath seems almost pointless.I know everyone in this room besides Devon can hear how fast my heart is racing right now.
“I like this one,” Mable loudly whispers to Zeek.“She has much more spunk than Ellie.”
“Was Ellie the last brood mare?”I ask, surprised at the strength of my voice.Xavier is back in his spot and I can see Devon looking at me out of the corner of my eye.He clears his throat and elbows me.
“You should eat,” he says quietly.
I pick up the other fork laid out at my place setting and pick at my food.
“Theo, can you pass me the sugar?”Mabel asks the remaining unnamed vampire.He also has a crystal goblet of blood in front of him, as does Zeek.Smiling at her, Theo picks up a pink and gold sugar bowl that matches Mabel’s teacup.I take a bite of my rice as I watch her pretend to add sugar to her blood “tea” and then take a drink.
“Father said he saw Cary Grant at brunch today.I don’t believe it, do you?”
Zeek takes her hand and gives it a squeeze.“He is filming a new movie, according to the papers.”
I silently watch, trying to learn everything I can about this fucked up family.Theo and Xavier have similar mannerisms, on top of looking alike.They could pass for real brothers, if not close cousins.Knowing the weird desire to carry on the family line, maybe they’re brothersandcousins.
Zeke has a family resemblance, for sure.None of my biological siblings looked that crazy alike, and Gia honestly looked more like me than Larissa.Thinking about my hunter family causes pain to wash over me, and unwelcome tears burn in the corners of my eyes.
“Oh my goodness,” Mabel quips after a few minutes have ticked by.“I forgot introductions!I am Mabel Davis, or at least I was in a former life.Now I’m Mabel Malus but the M-Ms sound like candy, dontcha’ think?But I don’t melt and I’m not chocolate.”She giggles and takes a loud slurping sip of blood from her fancy tea cup.“And this is my Ezekiel, but you can call him Zeke.That’s Theo, Xavier, and you’ve met Devon.Sometimes, his blood tastes like strawberries.”
I turn slightly, just enough to see Devon cast his eyes down.So his family who supposedly loves and respects him uses him for food?
“So, uh, how did you all meet?”I ask, flicking my eyes up at Xavier.I’m a good bullshitter and have been able to talk myself out of a lot of situations.This, however, isn’t going to be one of them.Because in a few short hours, I will legally become Mrs.Xavier Malus.
