Page 19 of Wanted 3

I took a deep breath, relief flooding me that our little family was finally solid, but when the whiff of Jeremy's blood hit, I nearly choked. My fangs protruded and I panicked, pulling back.

"Vlad," I said, my eyes wild, my nails digging into the kitchen countertop, creating deep wedges in the marble.

He noticed my distress, as did Leonard. As Leonard placed himself protectively between me and Jeremy, Vlad used his speed to dash to the fridge and pull out a bottle of wine. When he uncorked it and poured it into a glass, I nearly expired right then and there. It smelled incredible. Now, I knew what the strange wine he’d always drank was. Blood.

The shadows around Jeremy had become agitated, forming a protective circle. “Don’t worry,” he cooed to them soothingly. "She won't hurt me, guys. It's okay."

I loved that he had such confidence in me, but right now, I didn't have it in myself. I needed blood. Badly.

The instant Vlad handed me a glass, I yanked it from his hand and chugged it down, letting the smooth, viscous liquid slide over my tongue and down my throat. The relief was instant. With the extra boost of energy, my senses heightened even more as my body relaxed, vanquishing the dryness in the back of my throat. Once I drained the glass, Vlad refilled it, and I continued drinking until the bottle was empty.

Then, I slumped against his chest, tears burning my eyes as my fingers shook. What if… what if… He brushed my hair back from my face as I struggled with emotions threatening to overwhelm me. "What if… " My throat caught.

Vlad’s arms tightened, offering me silent support. "I wouldn't have let it happen. And it will get easier. Give it time."

It would get easier. That made sense. Vlad didn't walk around acting like a drug addict desperate for his next fix. But he'd been a vampire forever. "How long?"

"Quickly. It doesn't take long to adapt as long as you stay fed in the first few weeks. And I will make sure you stay fed." He paused. "And… if we feed on each other, you’ll find you need less and less human blood."

His words inspired a wave of naughty imaginings that involved us naked, biting each other while exploring each other's bodies.

Just as I was about to find an excuse to drag him to the bedroom to satiate all my hungers, the red blinking ‘Breaking News’ banner on the laptop caught my attention.

"Jeremy, turn up the volume on your computer," I said, before realizing I didn’t actually need him to. I could hear so much now, and yet, it didn't feel overwhelming. It was easy to 'turn up' or 'down' anything I wanted.

As 'Breaking News' continued to flash across the screen, the local newscaster began reporting on two women who had been found murdered in their own homes. In the same neighborhood my dad lived.

"The police haven't released the details of the crime, but early reports indicate it was a brutal attack. The women's throats were violently ripped out and their hearts appear to be missing."

Shit.

We all knew what it meant.

Vlad and I exchanged knowing glances as several shadows curled into little balls at Jeremy's feet. I really hoped his new little friends could protect him against this threat. A danger even Vlad seemed worried about.

"Did Dad do that?" Jeremy asked, his voice small.

"That's not Dad anymore," I told him. "It's something evil. A monster that wants to hurt us. It's not him."

It was a weak argument, and we both knew it. Our father had always been a monster who wanted to hurt us. Now, this version had more power to do so. But the damage he'd already done to our hearts was worse than anything this creature could do to our bodies.

Vlad's body stiffened beside me, and he shifted his head slightly.

I was about to ask him what he’d heard when I heard it myself.

A cry, like a howl, followed by an unholy hiss coming from somewhere outside.

The creature had arrived.

6

“Ishall return," Vlad said as he grabbed the crossbow from the counter and turned to leave.

“I’m going with you,” I announced. I felt strong. Powerful. Unstoppable. And I wouldn't let him fight my enemies alone.

He drew an admiring breath. “Come.” He held out his hand. “But if you find him, you will not take him by yourself.”

“I promise.”