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)
I go back inside once my coffee is done, bringing the Book of Shadows in with me after having left it outside all night. Ending the night with Xavier might have been a little distracting. I eat my omelet with a side of sourdough toast, and then get dressed and come back downstairs with my laptop and a notebook. I spread the files from the coroner’s office out on the floor in the parlor, keeping Mabel company while she sets up for another tea party.
“Hi.” Devon appears in the threshold of the parlor. He looks more like his old self today, yet the memory of him in here last night, saying things just to hurt my feelings haunts me. I don’t want to have to admit to myself that I might have to grieve for him after all. Being turned was a way to make it so he wasn’t really gone, but the man standing before me…isn’t a man anymore.
He’s a vampire.
“Hmph,” I grunt in response and go back to organizing the files.
“Still working on the demon-case?” Devon asks and I can feel Mabel looking at me. She knows Devon’s a loose cannon. She’s older and stronger and would step in if necessary. Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that.
“Yeah. I’m trying to make sense of it.”
“I can help,” Devon offers. “I might not remember whatever it was I found out that night, but I do remember working on this.”
“Maybe your new, sharper mind will see things my feeble female human brain can’t,” I snap.
“Wren,” he starts but then lets out a heavy sigh. “Do you want my help or not?”
“Gee, when you put it that way…” I look up and shake my head. “I’m fine, thanks.”
He stares at me for another few seconds and then walks away.
“Ellen doesn’t like that you guys aren’t friends anymore,” Mabel says.
“Well, sorry, Ellen.” I look up and see the doll in Mabel’s hands. She’s creepy as fuck and is probably close to a century old herself. “But Devon turned into an asshole. With really good hearing, so he knows that.”
“I’m not defending him,” Mabel starts. “But Ellen did remind me how hard the transition was for me. I woke up with my head just swimming in emotion. All the things I wanted to say when I was human just came rushing out. I wasn’t worried about hurting nobody’s feelings anymore.”
“So you’re saying Devon’s always thought I was less than the rest of the family because I’m human?”
“He felt less than because he was a human.”
I blink, hating that it kinda makes sense. “And he’s had a massive crush on you since the moment he saw you. You were supposed to be his and then Xavier took you.” She gives Ellen a shake. “You know what I mean. Ellen said I sounded antiquated there.”
“I get what you mean. Devon picked me. I was supposed to be his human plaything—” I cut off. Yeah, I was supposed to reproduce with Devon, but it was more than that to him. He’s been living here, feeling like an outsider and struggling with his own worth. Finally, he was going to have a human companion and, hopefully, someone to actually bond with.
Then I got picked instead of Larissa.
I couldn’t be held spellbound, forced to comply, and the rules changed. Even the marriage of convenience developed into something deeper that neither Xavier nor I expected.
“It’s still no excuse. I’ve had talks with Gia about the difference between being honest and being mean. She’s a kid and she gets it.”
“She is a kid.” Mabel whispers something to her doll. “Do you think she’d like Ellen?”
Now it’s my turn to practice honesty without being mean. “She’s not really the kind of girl who plays with dolls. Vivian traded her Barbies for a set of throwing knives two years ago.”
“Kids shouldn’t grow up in the Order.”
“No, they shouldn’t.” I shake my head and let out a breath. Mabel is really good at going off on tangents, and she can bring me along with her. “I see your point though. This isn’t easy for Devon. He’s a vampire but he’s still…”
“Not one of us,” Mabel finishes.
“Yeah. He fits in even less,” I say quietly. Shit, now I feel bad for him. “Fine. He can help. If he remembers anything from before, he should help. I don’t have all my regular resources and I’m starting from zero on what demon could be responsible for all this.”
“Could your brothers get you access to the Order archives?” she asks.
“I don’t know. They could get access.” I lean back, stretching my legs out in front of me. “It shouldn’t be this complicated, but it is. They can’t go to Order with a concern if the Order is involved. It’s probably best if they pretend they have no idea.”