pauses, staring at me a little closer, but never steps off the curb into the road. “Do...I mean, have we met?”
“No, we are new to the town. Just on a walk,” I find myself saying, my voice surprisingly neutral even when it hurts so much. Even when every inch of me wants to run to my mum’s arms and hold her tightly and never once let go.
But she doesn’t know me. She smiles and shakes her head of curls. “Never mind. Well, see you both around. Have a lovely night!”
I watch my mum walk into her house before the first tear falls, and then so many follow it. My past is gone, wiped away into dust. I hardly notice as Ren steps in front of me, his hands cupping my cheeks and his thumbs wiping away my tears. “Who is the real monster? How can the angels be good when they do this? When they take so much?”
Maybe Ren is right...this world isn’t black and white. Somewhere in the grey, I need to find someone to fight for.
And would it be the worst thing in the world if that someone was closer than I thought possible?
Chapter 38
“Welcome to vampire defence, Miss Lightson, my name is Mr. Evetide,” the snooty, thin man states as he stands in front of me. His arms are held behind his back, and his green suit looks like something out of the seventies, made out of pure velvet. “You are quite behind, but our coven leader demanded you learn defence set out for vampires, so here we are.”
“Yep,” I answer as I watch vampires jump from one ledge to another in the air. Each jump is perfect and in sync with the other vampires until they make one perfect moving circle. On the other side of the room are angels in a line, their chains clipped to the wall so they can’t move. I recognise Bonnie and Jessica in the group, though they are both napping against the wall, looking pale and nothing like the feisty and bitchy people I used to know.
Everything has changed.
“Miss Lightson, I would like for you to run the circuit with the other vampires. Go ahead,” he says, waving a hand at the pillars. I look at him with wide eyes, wondering if he has lost his goddamn mind. He sighs when I don’t move, stepping closer. “You are half vampire, and I have been told you are from an old vampire bloodline. This should be child’s play for you.”
“Sir, poor Katy is new and stupid. I’m afraid she won’t be able to do this.” I cringe at Miranda’s annoying high-pitched voice as she walks over. Wearing little to nothing bright pink shorts and a tank top, she smiles at me. “Why our master loves her, I will never understand. Soon he will stop pining over you and climb into my bed. I will show him things you never could even think of.”
“I agree,” I say, crossing my arms and smiling. “Anyone could climb into your bed as it’s just that easy. Maybe Ren likes a challenge? Maybe being easy is just...not what he or anyone decent ever wants.”
“You bitch,” she growls, stepping into my face. “I could rip you to pieces where you stand.”
I laugh, stepping that inch closer. “You could try and see where it gets you.”
“Girls—” Mr. Evetide says, but I hardly hear him until he shoves in the middle of us. “Miranda, leave my classroom at once if you cannot be nice. As it stands, Miss Lightson is with our king and that merits her our respect. We are all aware of their mating, and once the mating is final, Miss Lightson will be our queen. Do not make it impossible for you to stay in this coven. Ren is not forgiving in nature, and I would know; I’ve known him since he was born.”
I look around, noticing everyone is watching and all the vamps are gathered around. For the first time, I notice how young some of the vamps in the room are. One girl, about eight with fiery red hair, narrows her eyes at me, and I look away. I can’t be on the wrong side. Angels are good...I believe that.
But why does my gut tell me something else? Something I’ve never thought of.
Turning to me, he narrows his eyes. “Miss Lightson, while you might not be happy to be here or want to learn about our people, you are still young and need lessons.