Page 66 of Blood Bound (Blood Mafia 3)

“Where were you guys? Where did she take you?”

“We should sit down,” Mom says, grabbing my Dad’s arm and dragging him toward the couch.

I take a spot on the chaise and look at her expectantly.

“I think we were in Hell.”

Okay, not exactly a surprise considering Evelyn mentioned the portal demon.

“Why did she take you there, though? I don’t understand why a vampire would go to Hell.”

Dad places his arm around Mom’s shoulder and pulls her into his side. She snuggles into him, eyes misting.

“I wasn’t sure we’d make it, Robbie.”

“I know, sugar, I know.” He kisses the top of her head. “This vampire took us to a home she had there.”

“Nix has a home in Hell?”

I’m picturing a yellowing lawn with a black picket fence. Surely there’s suburbia in Hell, right? I mean come on, suburbia on Earth is close enough to Hell for some people.

Mom pats my dad’s chest then lightly runs her hand over his shoulder. They’ve always been physically affectionate; seeing them take such comfort in being near one another, and being safe, makes my heart warm.

“She has a family.” Dad glances around, finally using a moment to take it all in.

Compared to my apartment, the one Blood Mafia gave me is a lavish affair. There are no water stains on the ceiling, and the windows and walls are mostly soundproof so the sounds of the city are faint.

I scrunch my nose. “Of demons?”

“More like specters.” Mom sighs. “A man and a young girl. It’s tragic really, imagine spending your waking hours in Hell with the fading image of the people you loved.”

Her husband and daughter went to Hell. Because they’re vampires or because of what they did once they were turned? I’m not entirely sure the Hell I learned about is the same as the Hell Mom and Dad experienced.

“I’m so sorry.” I look away from them. “This is all my fault.”

“Honey, how is this your fault?” Mom asks, scooting out from under my dad’s arm and taking a seat next to me on the chaise.

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes in preparation of giving them the truth. “I was attacked outside of a club. I killed a wolf in self-defense… which led to the Blood Mafia taking me to use as collateral, only when they found out something was special about my blood, they decided they wanted to keep me. Lexi came looking for me and almost died as a feeder. You were taken because of me and now X is in danger.” I blow out a hard breath. “I didn’t control myself. I fought and clawed my way through these past few months to survive and all it’s done is cause the people I love to get hurt.”

Dad’s frowning. “What did you say about Lexi being a feeder?”

I give them a quick and dirty explanation.

My mom clasps her hands in her lap. “I need to talk to Diane about that.”

“No, Mom, Grayson helped handle it. Lexi doesn’t remember a thing and she won’t go within two hundred feet of a vampire ever again. Diane knowing might make things worse, especially if she tries to lecture Lexi about fraternizing with vampires.”

She nods. “Okay, hun. If you think she’s okay.”

“She’s alive.”

I can’t say the same about Tyra.

“I’m sorry,” I say again, this time quieter. “I should have listened to you. I didn’t think before I acted… I… I’m the reason my friend Tyra is dead.”

Now that they’re here, every emotion I’ve kept bottled up inside is foaming up and creeping closer to the surface, warning me that they’re ready to explode out of me. All of my fears, self-doubt, regrets, and guilt.

“Oh, Demetria, whatever you did, no matter what you think you could have done differently, it’s not your fault.”

---