Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“Is that place a hole in the ground?”
“Bottom of a pond this time.”
“It really should be concerning how much that turns me on.”
He lets out a guttural growl and kisses me again and we both get out of the car. Theo opens the door for me, but he’s not being polite. Instead, he wants me out of the way as fast as possible. I go in, take off my shoes, and find Mabel in the kitchen.
“I brought you food from the bar!” She motions to several takeout containers on the counter. “I was going to heat some things up, but I don’t know which food is supposed to be served hot. Like this one. It’s mac and cheese but it’s covered in something called Flaming Hot Cheerios maybe and I know those come in a box and shouldn’t be served warm.”
“Cheetos,” I tell her. “And you’re right. They’re typically room temp, but if you top it on mac and cheese, the whole thing would be served warm. Also, it smells delicious.”
“I can microwave it for you.”
“Not in a metal container.”
“Why not?” Mabel holds up the rectangular dish.
“Metal and microwaves don’t mix and I’m just now realizing that microwaves weren’t around when you were human and since you’ve been turned, you’ve had zero reason to use one. You’ve never used a bidet either.”
“I actually have.” She zooms over and gets a bowl from the cabinet. “I wanted to see what it felt like. The water was warm.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Eating is such a bonding human experience. I don’t miss food, but I do miss sitting around a table with my family or friends. We used to stop at as many diners as we could when we were out hunting monsters.”
I get a spoon and dish half the spicy mac and cheese into the bowl. “Thirty seconds should be good, then I’ll mix it and zap it again,” I tell her. “Thank you for bringing food back. I would say preventing a vampire-werewolf battle always makes me hungry, but that was my first time doing so.”
“I didn’t hunt the same way you did,” Mabel starts as I put the food in the microwave. “And sometimes my mind likes to pick itself up and go for a walk without me. I don’t remember everything from my human life, but I remember enough to know that if demons are gathering in one area, jumping from body to body, it’s for a reason.”
“I forget you have some Order knowledge.”
“It comes and goes, and I think I told you, back then women weren’t allowed to know as much as the men.”
“It was like a hundred years ago and it still irritates me.” I shake my head. “Don’t worry. I’m figuring out what’s going on, and I’m going to stop it.”
“If anyone can, it’s you.”
“Yeah,” I agree, not wanting to sound doubtful in any way.
“Want to watch the reel I just edited?”
“Of course,” I tell her, getting a drink to go with my food. We sit together at the counter while I eat, and Mabel shows me all the pictures and videos she edited to post on her feed tomorrow. Once I’m done eating, I go upstairs to change into sweats.
Devon’s in the parlor, sitting in the dark, and almost startles me when I walk by. I blink, eyes adjusting to the dark.
“I heard you told the wolves Xavier sees you as an equal partner,” Devon says, standing up without a sound. “You’re not.” I laugh and wait for his face to light up so I know he’s joking, but it doesn’t. “You can’t be his equal. I just thought you should know.”
“Okay,” I say slowly, not liking the darkness in his eyes.
“You’re human.”
“I’m aware.”
“You can’t be equal to us. We’re stronger. Faster. I see things with so much more clarity now than I did before. My mind is so much better. I was so naive to think I was worthy to even be in their presence before.”
“I’m starting to think you’re not worthy to be in mine right now. You’re being a dick.”
“I’m being honest.”
“There’s a way to go about it, and whatever this is, isn’t it. Being an arrogant asshole isn’t flattering for anyone.”
“Funny, that’s what you like about him.” He laughs, flashing his fangs. “I get it. I was weak. Pathetic. You suggested running away and then never did because deep down, you know you’re weak too.”
“What is wrong with you?” I lean back, abhorrence on my face and then shake my head. “You’ve been a vampire for like two days. You’re adjusting and not thinking clearly because the Devon I knew wouldn't say these things.”
“I’m realizing my true potential.”
“Okay, Andrew Tate. We can talk again when you’re feeling more like yourself.” I extend my hand, fingers touching his forehead. “Somnum,” I say, casting the sleep spell. He slumps to the ground, head hitting the coffee table on the way down. I wince, glad he’s a fast healer now.