Page 85 of Our Sins in Blood (Coven of Sin 1)

“Uh, hi there. What’s your name?” I wasn’t sure why I felt so awkward standing in front of the girl. It’s not like I’d never seen a kid before. I mean, I’d seen them on TV, and sometimes I’d see the neighborhood kids playing outside my window back in Quincy. However, this was my first time actually meeting one. But of course, since she was here, she couldn’t be a normal child.

“My name is Lavinia,” she said with a sweeping flourish in her cadence as if she had an accent that had long since faded.

“Lavinia. It’s nice to meet you. I’m—”

“I’m well aware who you are, Princess Ruby,” she sniffed, appearing suddenly very bored.

“Right. Of course. Sorry, I don’t really know how to talk to kids.”

Lavinia scoffed and waved me away with a flick of her small hand. “I ammucholder than you.”

“You’re a vampire?”

“Obviously,” she sighed impatiently. “My whole village died of smallpox back in the seventeenth century. Before the disease completely claimed him, my father managed to bring me to the doctor here at the Knight Mansion. Since no one here had come down with the disease, my father thought the doctor must be an exceptional one. Of course, he was right. But not for the reason he surmised.”

I could barely believe my ears. This little girl was telling me this incredible story with all the enthusiasm of someone talking about the weather. To her, the tale of how she’d become a vampire was probably old hat. But to me, it was fascinating.

“Wait, so you’re Dr. Sharpe’s progeny? I remember him mentioning he had a thirteen-year-old daughter during one of his house calls forever ago, but—”

“I’m not what you pictured?” she finished for me with a wry smile.

I gave her a nervous smile. “Not at all.”

“Well, I’m not like any child you’ll ever meet. My master has taught me everything he knows. I could have had my doctorate ten times over by now if it wasn’t for the fact that children can’t attend medical school, especially at night. Whether I’ve got the piece of paper saying so or not, I am a master in the ways of mortal medicine.” Her golden-brown eyes gave me an appraising once-over.

“It’s been a while since I’ve provided medical care to anything but a cadaver.” She tilted her head and chewed on her lip in thought, her little fangs flashing. “Your beating heart fascinates me so. The human body is terribly delicate. If yours decides to give out, do let me know. I probably have control over my blood lust at this point. The last human I had on my surgery table didn’t end up getting put back together, poor fellow.” She sighed. “Then again, that was ages ago, and he was just a peasant. I would, of course, practice more restraint with our princess.”

“Um…”

Just then, a familiar face began to descend the stairs. Relief swept through me seeing Corry, his attention affixed to the little girl. “Lavinia, your master is looking for you. He needs your help with his surgery.”

Lavinia tossed me a fang-filled smile. “It was ever so interesting meeting you, Princess Ruby. I’ll be seeing you again.”

Corry and I watched Lavinia climb up the stairs, and I breathed a sigh of relief as soon as she was out of sight.

Corry let out a low whistle, followed by a laugh. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the banister. “So, you met Miss Lavinia Sharpe. That little girl gives me the creeps.”

“Yeah, no kidding. An immortal thirteen-year-old surgeon who may or may not eat her patients, depending on their social rank. Talk about freaky.”

We laughed together, but then the laughter fell away, and we were left with that tension of our unfinished business swirling around us. I shifted uncomfortably, my arms wrapping around myself as I felt Corry assessing me.

His nostrils twitched, and his chest rose as he inhaled. Then his blue eyes settled on my shoulder where the mark was as if he could see right through my shirt. “So. Eros is back.”

“Yeah. He’s back.” I braced myself for the storm, waiting for Corry to yell or go all caveman on me like Vincent had, but nothing came. He only nodded. “That’s probably good. We’re going to need Deathwish around. Boston Coven is up to something.”

“Wait, you’re not mad that he—” I swallowed thickly. “Marked me?”

The youngblood’s brows hitched. “No. Why would I be mad? Vin might get his dick all in a knot seeing his rival’s mark on you, but I don’t care, Red. The only thing that worries me is knowing what he’s into. But hey, after what happened at the gas station, I know you can take care of yourself.” Corry swept a hand through his spiked hair. “So it’s whatever.”

I let out a sigh, not realizing how worried I’d been about Corry’s reaction to my new mating bond. While I didn’t give two shits how pissed Vincent was at me, I didn’t like Corry being upset. It didn’t feel good on any level.

“Are you still mad at me?”

He rubbed the back of his neck and gave me a one-shouldered shrug. “Eh. Not really. I’ve cooled down. I thought about it, and you were just doing what you thought was best for you. Can’t blame my girl for trying to take care of herself.”

“Thanks, Corry. I really am sorry for acting kind of like a bitch, though. You were just looking out for me. And aside from all the fucked-up shit that happened, the date itself was pretty damn perfect.”

He flashed me a dazzling, panty-melting grin. “Hell yeah, it was. Seeing you rip off Mal’s head was fucking hot. Scary, but hot.”

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