Page 344 of Halfblood Deceived

“I’ve been a blend of both since birth,” Aiko said softly. Aella immediately focused on her, and the child continued. “I can shift as you did. My skin gets harder but not as much as a gargoyle’s. I can eat some things, but not wheat. I need blood every day, but I prefer animal blood or…” She gulped. “My dad used to feed me when I got headaches and felt weak. Vampire mothers usually take care of feeding their children but Mom’s blood was not good for me.” She chewed on her lip. “You never had any signs?”

Aella started to shake her head but then she remembered—she always loved medium rare steaks and the lingering taste of blood. Her mouth watered at the scent of spiced sheep blood. And the way her body had reacted to drinking Zeydan’s blood…

“I think there were a few,” Aella confessed. “But I didn’t connect the dots.” She covered Aiko’s small hand with hers. “Thank you for explaining.”

Aiko’s lips tilted in a small smile. “You are welcome. I bet you’re confused.”

Aella huffed ruefully. “Very. I can’t help but wonder if there’s more I don’t know about myself.”

“If there is, we’ll figure it out together,” Zeydan promised, giving a warm look loaded with gratitude to their friends. “All of us.”

“We will, indeed,” Kamilla agreed.

Her friends gave her smiles or nods of silent support that made her feel as if her chest were too tight and someone was cutting onions.

Aella swallowed hard. “Thank you.”

“Anytime, darling,” Kerian said with uncharacteristic seriousness. “You are one of us now. You’ve been for a long time. And we take care of our own.”

Aella felt like hiding under the table. A confusing mix of happiness, embarrassment, and love for her friends made her throat feel tight.

Zeydan rubbed soothing circles on the inside of her wrist.

Evan clapped his hands. “Who wants cake?”

“Who doesn’t?” Lex asked.

Andreas frowned. “You baked a cake?”

Evan beamed. “No, I baked two cakes. One with blood, one without. In honor of the safe return of our girls, of course.” He gave Aella and Aiko a wink and stood. “And if you don’t behave, you’re not having cake, Andreas.”

Andreas imitated Evan.

Luce rolled her eyes at her father.

Lex got on his feet. “Need a hand, mate?”

Evan beamed. “Yes.”

The werewolf twins left the room, talking excitedly about baking.

Aella chuckled quietly. She doubted Evan and Lex’s baking obsession would ever get old.

Zeydan tilted his head toward the half-full thermos. “If you finish it, you might tolerate a slice of cake.”

Aella obligingly drained the rest of the warm, delicious blood.

Zeydan reached out and caught a tiny drop from the corner of her mouth. He licked his thumb without breaking eye contact.

Aella swallowed hard as her mind happily provided her with a memory of Zeydan doing that in other, er, circumstances.

She cleared her throat and reached for her glass of water, trying to look innocent.

Zeydan laughed quietly.

Aella kicked him under the table.

Conversations broke out among her friends again.

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