Page 143 of Halfblood Deceived

“Hello, Aella!” Greeted the handsome vampire behind the counter. They were tall, with dark skin, braided hair, and cat spectacles. Dressed as usual in fine linen pants, a dress shirt, and a waistcoat.

“Hi, Em!” she grinned. “Has my package arrived?”

Em nodded. “Yes, indeed. I have it right here for you.”

Aella all but squealed, trying to peer under the counter.

Em tutted and waved a finger at her. “Now, I know you’re addicted to this saga, but you should check out your favorite section. There are some new arrivals that I think you might like. And we both know you’ll be useless if I let you get your hands on these bad boys.” They patted a brown paper-wrapped bundle.

Aella sighed, but stepped back. “Fine. Be right back.”

Em shook their head at her, giving her an amused smile.

Aella headed toward the young adult fantasy section.

It had become her favorite over the last month. An excellent palate cleanser for all the history books she’d read as part of her syllabus. She would take the test to get her high school degree in two months and had a lot to learn. Natural sciences were easy, except for human anatomy, something she’d never been allowed to learn. History and language were a challenge because there were many books she’d never even heard of before. Some she had recognized as books the church had forbidden for its sinful content. She had enjoyed those the most. Almost as much as she enjoyed the few, definitely sinful fantasy romance sagas she’d read lately.

Some had intimate scenes that made her cheeks heat. She felt as if she were doing something very naughty indeed when she read those scenes, even though no one would berate her for it. All the aspects of romance in books were delightful to her, and bizarre as well, based on her experience.

Aella shook off the thoughts before they took form, navigating the tall shelves with utter familiarity. Her tension melted away like it rarely did as she entered her favorite aisle.

She breathed in the smell of new books, and located the new arrivals at the Young Adult section. One was an urban fantasy romance about two vampire girls of different social classes falling in love a la Romeo and Juliet. The other had a girl with curly hair and brown skin holding a sword that promised non-stop action. She grabbed both, hoping they would help her ease the book hangover she was sure to get after finishing the two books Em had saved for her.

The bell rang, announcing the entrance of more people.

Warmth slid down Aella’s back and curled around her belly.

Her eyes widened.

She looked out the window, confirming what she already knew. The sun was just sinking on the horizon. Its last orange-pink rays illuminated the streets despite the white-gray blanket of clouds. Diana had explained that vampires didn’t turn to ash under the sun, but it was uncomfortable. Apparently, twilight was a perfect time for vampires to be out, visiting bookstores.

Lower lip trapped between her teeth, Aella peered from the cover of the shelf… and found herself face-to-face with Andreas, Luce at his side.

Zeydan, Lex, Evan, and Gabby were a few paces behind.

Aella sheepishly stepped away from Andreas and the shelf. “Um, hi.”

All the adults, but Andreas, greeted back.

“Aella!” Luce chirped, sending her arms around Aella’s waist.

Aella froze for a second at the sight of Luce’s brown, braided pigtails. Her chest squeezed as she remembered Aiko, but then she returned the embrace, noticing that Luce was holding a familiar stuffed frog under one arm.

Luce pulled back, showing her frog to Aella, brown eyes sparkling. “Thank you for sending him to me with Kamilla.”

“You are very welcome,” Aella said with a smile.

“She already had another,” Andreas said, his dark brown eyes intense on Aella. “So it was rather unnecessary.”

Luce scowled at her father. “Well, this one is my favorite.”

Gabby sighed and approached, giving Aella a kiss on the cheek. “Just ignore him.”

Easier said than done, Aella mused, smiling at Gabby and returning the vampiress’ half hug. Gabby’s belly was barely more pronounced. She looked radiant in a long blue tunic, leggings, and boots.

“We all ignore him when he’s being an arse,” Lex agreed.

“Which happens to be 99% of the time,” Evan said.

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