Page 37 of Watch Me Turn
"I don't belong to anyone," Angel says, but his voice lacks conviction.
"Don't you?" Lazaro's smile widens. "My blood runs in your veins. My power sustains you. I am your maker, Angel. Your sire. And while I may be able to make requests, you still have choices." He pauses to let it sink in. "For example, if you wanted to kill your father, I would not stop you. You're strong enough now, aren't you? All grown up. His capo's bullets won't do anything to you. You could walk into his compound and tear him apart with your bare hands."
I watch Angel consider it. The rage and hurt and betrayal warring on his face.
"Perhaps that would be too easy," Lazaro muses. "Far too quick. Too clean. Better to let him watch you thrive without him. Watch you become powerful. Watch you serve the family he tried to destroy." He squeezes Angel's shoulders. "I've always enjoyed taking in strays, you see. Offering them love where others have failed. I love to create children. Always have. You're one of us now, Angel. You're special. One of a kind."
Special.One of a kind.
My stomach twists. What does he know?
But Lazaro's attention is still on Angel, studying him like a proud father. "I'm going to do great things with you beside me. Wonderful things. I can feel it."
I watch in equal parts fascination and horror. Desperate to get out of this place and back to safety. La Madre was right about these creatures. Nothing but evil. Nothing but greed. We don't belong with vampires like them.
I clear my throat. "My payment," I say, my voice sounding feeble in this room full of monsters. "You said one hundred thousand. I'd like to collect it and go."
Lazaro's head turns slowly toward me. His expression shifts, something cold sliding behind his eyes like a shadow.
"Ah, yes. Sophia." He releases Angel, walks toward me with small, menacing steps. "You've been wonderful. Truly. You kept him alive through the turning. Kept him safe. Kept him...entertained. You went above and beyond, and I can't thank you enough."
I shift my weight, crossing my bare arms across my chest. "It's no problem. It's my job."
"You did more than your job." Lazaro stops in front of me. Too close. "You made him comfortable. Made him happy. Made him..." He tilts his head, studying me. "Special."
My throat goes dry.
"But that's a problem for me, you see." Lazaro's voice drops. "Angel is my son now. My creation, and I will not share him."
I take a step back, raising my hands in surrender. "Hey, listen, I'm nobody. I'm just the hired help. I'll take my money, and I promise you'll never see me again?—"
"No," Lazaro says softly. "I don't think so."
The temperature in the room drops.
"What?" I breathe.
"You cannot live, Sophia Vijil." He says it so calmly. So matter-of-factly. "You're a liability. A weakness in my son that I cannot allow. Julian?—"
Julian steps forward, aiming a miniature crossbow in my direction.
"Wait—" I stumble backward. "We had a deal?—"
"Deals change." Lazaro doesn't even look at me. His eyes are on Angel, watching for his reaction. "End her."
Julian moves.
And then Angel is between us. His body blocks mine completely, arms spread wide like a shield.
"No."
The word cracks through the room like thunder.
Lazaro's eyebrows rise. "Excuse me?"
"I said no." Angel's voice is rough and defiant. "You want to kill her, you'll have to kill me too."
Julian hesitates, stake raised. The twins shift forward, but Lazaro holds up a hand, stopping them.
