Page 58 of My Neighbor, the Vampire

I plate Jane’s food, garnishing it with sauce and a simple sprig of rosemary. “Brunch is served, sweet Jane.” I grab a bottle of cranberry juice out of the fridge and place it next to her meal.

When she’s comfortably seated at the bar and eating, I join Francis near the fireplace. Matthew follows behind me.

I cross my arms over my chest, lowering my voice so Jane can’t overhear. “What’s our next move? Are we staying here for a few months or moving the date up?”

Matt has contacts on the outside. Reputable people who know Rune and the most elite of the Night Order’s members. If there’s news about my disappearance, he’d have heard it by now.

Francis and Matt share a look. Matt clears his throat. “Actually, Sam, we’ve been taking and...” He runs his hand through his hair. “We think you should just change her.”

My cold, dead heart sinks, and my fingers curl into fists at my sides. “What did you just say?” The remaining warmth from Jane’s earlier embrace dissipates, leaving me with nothing but the chill of my bones.

Francis raises his palms in warning. “It’s just a suggestion. I’m thinking that if she’s like us, she’ll have a greater chance of escaping should Rune discover this location.”

I take a step toward them, my vision blurring with a red tinge. “He’s not going to find us.She doesn’t need to die.”

Matt stares at me, his face blanking. “Turning her isn’t the same as killing her, Sam.”

“Yes, it fucking is.” I turn my back to them. “Both of you can leave.”

Storming back into the kitchen, I busy myself with the mundane task of dishes. The front door opens and shuts, meaning Jane and I are alone again.

Killing her?It’s just something I can’t do.

In the beginning, when I chose to save her, I realized this possibility was on the table. But now? After knowing the beauty of her humanity?

How could I take that away from her?

If I turn Jane into a vampire, she’ll never have children, a legacy, or a life beneath the sun.

She’ll be cold, and inevitably, she will kill.

Jane will become like me. Lost.

I heave the pot into the sink and slump against the counter in exasperation, raking my fingers through my hair.

Jane’s voice is soft. “Is everything okay?”

I smile at her, my lips tight. “It will be.”

She stabs another ravioli and slides it between her pink lips. “You were arguing with your brothers again, weren’t you?”

Sighing, I approach the bar, bracing my elbows against the top as I lean toward her. “Yes. They think I’m being unreasonable, and I think they’re being overly rash.”

She chews her food carefully and then swallows, her throat bobbing. “Because they said you should turn me into a vampire,” she declares.

A flash of fear chars my stomach. “Did you hear us?”

Her lip quirks up on one side. “You aren’t as silent as you think, especially when you get angry.”

Shit.

“I won’t do it.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. I shake my head with vehemence, unwilling to entertain the idea further.

She purses her lips together, her forehead creasing as she studies me carefully. “Why not?”

“Because it’s not fair to you,” I say, my tone firm. “You deserve a life, a future, and a chance to live it on your own terms.”

Jane sets her fork down and takes my hand in hers. Her touch is gentle, her eyes warming as she stares into mine. “Samuel, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but you don’t have to protect me from everything. I can make my own decisions.”

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