Demonic Vampires (Supernatural Shifter Academy #3) - G. Bailey Page 0,38

in my chest. “She’s been through hell these past few weeks. It’s not easy living in this world as a hybrid -- take it from me. My family has ties to the community.” There’s a pause, and his tone grows fond and soft. “Millie has done more for us than anyone,” he says.

“Mille, Millie, Millie…” Edith sighs, sounding like a put-upon parent. “When will you realise that the world doesn’t revolve around her?” There’s a moment of silence, followed by a shifting sound. “I just want you to remember that you have other options,” she says, so quietly that I have to strain to hear her. Her voice is like silk, and the sound makes my blood run cold. “I see you for what you are, Hunter.”

“I…” I can hear the confusion in his voice, the hesitation.

Don’t do it, I tell myself, clenching my fists so hard that my nails bite into my palms. Don’t do it, don’t do it…

“Come here,” Edith purrs to him.

I clear my throat loudly and walk to the doorway, already preparing some excuse about why I’m here. My words catch in my throat when I see what’s happening. Edith and Hunter are perched on her bed, and she has her hand on his thigh. Her delicate fingers are running through his scarlet hair, and I arrive just in time to see her lips brush against his. I blanch, speechless.

Hunter is the first to see me, and he quickly springs away from the witch shifter. “Boots!” he exclaims. “How long have you been…?” I can feel tears welling up in my eyes, despite my best efforts. “Long enough,” I reply quietly, and turn on my heel to escape before they can see me cry. I should have been expecting this, but it still hits me like a knife in the heart.

I can hear Hunter following me. “Millie, wait! Let me explain-”

But I don’t want to hear his explanations. I don’t want to listen to any more of Edith’s platitudes. My eyes have grown blurry with tears, and it’s all I can do to make it to my room and close the door behind me before I’m collapsing on the bed, my hands over my face. I can hear Edith and Hunter continuing to speak, but I can’t make out the words, and maybe that’s for the best. Their rapport is clear enough for my purposes.

I don’t know how long I sit on the bed, but Hunter doesn’t come, and I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse. My throat feels thick, and as ridiculous as this all is, I can’t help it. It’s like the house of cards has finally come falling down.

After what seems like forever, I hear a knock at the door. I’m about to tell whoever it is to go away when Landon’s voice comes through gently. “Boots? You in there?”

I sniffle and hurry to wipe away my tears. “Yeah,” I call.

Slowly the siren shifter enters the room, closing the door behind him. Wordlessly he takes a seat next to me on the bed, putting a comforting arm around my shoulders. “I take it you weren’t asleep for that,” I mumble.

“Resting my eyes,” he confirms, “but I think I got the gist.”

I shake my head, turning to look at him. “Am I crazy?” I ask him quietly. “Is this whole thing… I mean…” I sigh, trying to collect myself. “I thought we had something,” I whisper. “Something real.”

“You do,” Landon tells me quietly. “We do.”

“We?” Timidly, I look up at him, feeling my cheeks growing hot. For the first time ever, he seems to be at a loss for words. “I never thanked you properly for saving me yesterday,” I whisper.

“You don’t have to thank me,” Landon says, not meeting my eyes. “I’d follow you to the ends of the earth, Boots. We all would.”

I can feel my heart beginning to beat faster. “Do you mean that?”

Landon clears his throat. “I mean… Listen, Boots, I…” Finally, he meets my eyes with his own, and I can see the debate on his face. I only have to wonder for a split second before his mouth comes crashing into mine, and god, I don’t think I’ve ever felt this relieved in my life.

I sigh, leaning into the kiss as I allow my arms to snake around the siren shifter’s neck. He groans, shifting a little, as his hands move up to let my hair down so that he can run his hands