Page 40 of The Monster's Desire

My car is still packed with shit back in the parking lot of Echo’s apartment.

Echo eyes me carefully. “I’ll carry you, it’ll be much quicker.”

“That’s not necessarily a good thing,” I grumble as he appears at my side.

The door quickly opens, and Echo quirks an eyebrow at me. “Come on.”

“I really should have worn pants today,” I mutter as he wraps an arm under my bottom and lifts me out of the vehicle.

“You’re perfect just the way you are, baby darkling,” Echo murmurs against my head as the trail begins to speed by too quickly for me to pick out any identifying landmarks.

“That’s so insulting,” I tell him, trying not to let the pace disorient me.

“What? Why? One of your ancestors definitely fucked a demon. You’ve got demon and witch blood.”

“Yeah, I do know that,” I grumble.

“Then there’s the fact that something about you smells very much like a vampire, even though you’re clearly not. I can hear your heart beating. At first, I assumed it was your blood magic, but I’m beginning to think that’s not the case. Tell me more about that,” he prompts. There’s no compulsion in his words, but for whatever reason, I still feel obligated to answer. Maybe it’s the connection between us. I’m not sure.

“I’m shadowborn, which is obvious. When I turned thirteen, my mother realized I was a blood witch and...” I blow out a heavy breath. “Tried to kill me? Actually succeeded? I have no clue. All I know is Uncle Jack found me and brought me back or managed to save me using his blood.”

“He’s a vampire.”

“He is,” I agree. I don’t know why I’m even telling him this story. It’s my most painful memory. Maybe it’s because he was vulnerable about his connection to Imogen. “He couldn’t subdue my mother. It got ugly and...” I snuggle into his shoulder as he guides us deeper into the forest. “She died that day instead of me.”

“Shit,” he says, nuzzling his cheek to the top of my head. “So, your uncle killed his sister? Can a witch or warlock be turned into a vampire?”

“Not to my knowledge. I mean, I guess, if you’re willing to take the risk. The higher the percentage of supernatural blood, the larger the chance of dying a painful death rather than being successfully turned. That’s what I was told. Anyway, Uncle Jack isn’t related to me. He was my mom’s friend? Boyfriend? Fuck buddy? Who knows. He was around a lot, but after that, he...” I pucker my lips and blow as I try to put it into words.

“He acted in the moment and felt guilty?” Echo offers.

“I think he resented me,” I admit. Shortly after that, Nan moved us to a different town. Eventually, we ended up in Haven, which incidentally, is where she grew up.

“It wasn’t your fault.” His tone is different, more sincere than I’ve ever heard from him.

“I know.” My gaze moves to our surroundings. It’s a mistake as my eyes register exactly how quickly we’re moving.

“Don’t worry, baby darkling. I’m fully capable of avoiding trees and keeping you safe.” Echo laughs. “Our souls are literally tethered. Isn’t immortality one of the benefits? I mean, outside of having an active vessel?”

My jaw falls. I hadn’t considered that. I honestly don’t know all the details. “But wouldn’t it go both ways? Maybe I could pull energy from you to survive a moderate wound, but if I died, then would you die too?”

“It’s not like they gave me a handbook of what to expect,” he mutters. “Just a very clear statement that, if you fail, we both die. If I fail to protect you, then I’ll cease to exist.”

Well, that’s not exactly comforting, now is it?

* * *

Several hours later, I’ve bled my fair share, and Echo has too.

Ridge has prowled the two peaks we’ve completed, but he hasn’t interfered.

“We should’ve started at the farthest mountaintop from the parking lot,” I grumble as Echo lifts me. “That way, when we’re done, we would have been closer to the car.”

“Yes, perhaps,” Echo agrees. “I didn’t realize you’d be worse than a desiccated vampire.”

“It’s not fun work. I learned that real quick. Nan is too honorable for her own good. She volunteered to replenish the ward in Haven. I wasn’t going to sit back and let her do it alone. That was a big mistake.” I’m pouting, but I know Octavia wouldn’t have put me in this situation if she knew what the outcome would be.

I yawn into his chest. He gave me his comfortable knit sweater a while ago because it really is chilly up here, but it’s not doing much, and my legs are freezing.

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