Page 46 of Our Sins in Blood (Coven of Sin 1)

“That’s not fair,” he groaned. “Also that’s kinda fucked, Red.”

“Yeah well if you want me to be kinda fucked tonight you better spill the beans, Youngblood.”

Chapter twenty-three

The Monster Inside

Forthebriefestmoment,a flicker of conflict crossed the youngblood’s face. A second later, he recovered and nonchalantly shoved a fry in his mouth. “As much as I want to seat myself between those pretty thighs, this isn’t how I want it to happen. I can’t be spilling coven secrets all for the sake of getting my dick wet.”

I glared daggers at him. “Aren’t I in the coven now? Shouldn’t I be let in on all these secrets if I’m going to be the queen of the freakingvampires?”

“You’re not queen yet, Red.”

“Oh come on!”

“You should ask Sterling.”

“I’m not asking Sterling. I’m asking you.”

The skin around his eyes tightened with a grimace. “The guys don’t want me talking about it. We’re trying to keep it under wraps, so the other covens don’t use it as ammunition against us.”

“It’s not like I have the other covens on speed dial,” I snorted. “Even if I did, how would they use that info against you?”

“What happened… It’s not how anyone thought the vampire king would go out. Makes us look weak.”

I was burning with curiosity, but I decided not to push it any further. It didn’t matter anyway.

“Well, at least that’s more information than I’d be able to pry from Feral. This has been a really nice date, Corry.” I smiled at him. “Thank you. If my dad really did turn you just so I would feel more comfortable and at home, then it wasn’t in vain.”

And that was true. Without the youngblood, I wouldn’t have any means of escape.

My heart twisted in my chest when Corry sent me the warmest smile, the dimple on his left cheek popping up.

Bloody hell. Why was this so hard? Why was I dragging this out? I had the keys. All that was left was one final step, and it would be so easy.

While Vincent’s game was to taunt, mock, and play the part of the cruel monster that, for some stupid reason, made my lady parts melt in rebellion, Corry was going straight for my heart.

I couldn’t delay any longer.

“Hey.” I forced myself to perk up, snatching the empty paper cup that had held my Diet Coke. It had done nothing to sate the scratchy ache always lingering at the back of my throat. “Would you get me another refill?”

The youngblood perked right up as he took the cup, the fist around my heart squeezing tighter as our fingers brushed. “Sure, Red. Anything for you.”

By the cadence of his voice and the warmth in his blue gaze, I knew now that Corry wasn’t selling an act. This wasn’t some play for the throne.

He genuinely liked me. If he actually believed my dad had turned him just for my sake, it had to be a relief that we actually clicked. That he hadn’t lost his twin, his family, his future for nothing.

That thought made my heart freeze over with ice as I watched him stride into the restaurant.

Scrabbling up from the curb, I dug out the keys to the motorcycle, slapped myself onto the seat, and kicked up the stand. I stuck the keys into the ignition, and the engine roared to life. I didn’t bother to look back over my shoulder as I tore out of the parking lot.

I wouldn’t be able to stand the look of betrayal on Corry’s face should he have heard the rev of his bike.

I refused to feel guilty for putting myself first.

For the average girl forced to her own bedroom for two decades on the pretense of a deadly heart condition, driving a motorcycle at night at speeds fast enough to outrun a vampire should be terrifying. But I’ve never been average or normal. I’ve lusted for the kind of danger where I was the one in the driver’s seat, controlling the speed. If I wanted to die, that would be my prerogative. The point was, for the first time in my life, I was in control. And it felt fucking good. That is until it started to rain. It felt good at first, just another normal thing any living creature was given the courtesy of experiencing except for me.

My grip tightened around the handles as I zipped along Route Six toward Boston. Then, as if in tune with the turmoil of emotions inside me, the rain turned bitterly cold and started to pound on me without mercy.

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