Page 33 of Blood Illusions

Justice gasped for air, and an ashen hue spread through his skin. The yellowish tint in his eyes made them look like glassy marbles. “I need…blood,” he rasped. “In the refrigerator…please.”

Damon grabbed my arm and yanked me away from him. “You’re not getting my sister’s.”

“I wasn’t…asking for hers.” He stared at me with his glossy eyes. “Blood in…the refrigerator. Please.”

I pushed on my brother’s hand. “Let go of me, Damon.”

He released me but kept his gaze trained on Justice. “What are you going to do?”

I tightened the belt around my robe. “I’m going to get him some blood.”

“Why do you want to save him?” He shot out each word like a machine gun.

“Because we need answers. If we kill him, we’ll be back to square one. Is that what you want?”

Damon released a pent-up breath. “Get the damn blood.” He pointed at Justice. “And you. Don’t move.”

Justice panted hard and closed his eyes. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I rushed down the hallway to the kitchen and slowed my steps, cursing my foolishness. What was I thinking? There could be more of those things, and I didn’t have a weapon.

I flicked on the kitchen light and chased away the shadows. I raced over to the refrigerator and found blood bags.

My forearm burned again.

Shit-shit-shit-shit.

I twirled around and froze.

Damon stepped from the shadows, but he wore a three-piece suit, and his eyes were black. He gave me an evil grin that froze my blood. “Hello, little sister.”

My brother never called me that. The truth was, I was born before he was. He was the youngest Grant.

The imposter stepped forward, blocking my escape.

CHAPTER TWELVE

My heart pounding frantically, I looked around desperately for a weapon and saw the steak knives that were out of arm’s reach.

The Damon imposter followed my gaze and chuckled. “You’ll never make it in time.”

I fumbled for a butcher knife, but I wasn’t quick enough.

The vampire clasped my wrist and held it up. I dropped the blood bag onto the floor. He opened his mouth, exposing razor-sharp teeth, and bent his head.

“Damon!” I screamed as I struggled, kicking as hard as I could.

The only thing I got from the attacker was a chuckle. He was strong. Damn strong.

Something silver flew through the air, and the vampire released an agonizing scream. His skin bubbled and sizzled as it dripped off his body, revealing a horrific creature that was part human, part gargoyle. Its face was gaunt with high cheekbones, its eyes dark and menacing, and its jagged teeth bared in a ferocious snarl.

My breath dried up. I stood frozen in shock as this monster emerged from what had been my handsome brother only moments before.

Damon stormed into the kitchen, his eyes blazing. He grabbed the creature by its shoulder and tossed it with force across the floor. With a swift slice from his machete, he severed its head and drove a butcher knife through the skull.

I coughed as I inhaled the sharp, acrid scent of an electric charge, mingled with the faint, chilling whisper of frost.

He spun to me and pulled me into his arms. He stroked my hair with his shaking hand, and I felt his heart racing as fast as mine. “Damn it, Sawyer. What the hell is going on?”

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