Page 1 of Blood that Burns

PROLOGUE

Sleep never came for those of us cursed to know the truth that vampires walk among us.

Most of my life, I lay in bed at night, staring at the ceiling, sending prayers to whoever was listening to keep my family safe. I prayed that the monsters wouldn’t hurt my sister and me if we somehow managed to drift off to sleep.

Exhaustion tried to pull me under, but I wouldn’t allow it. I couldn’t. I had to protect my sister Marina. Little did I know she was trying to do the same for me.

We both knew what stood at the foot of our beds, blanketed by the darkness. Their red eyes glowed brightly. Terrifyingly.

While I lost my mind and in turn lost my self-worth, Marina denied it all. I thought she was against me, but she was doing what she thought would save us both. I wanted it all to end. Prayed for it to.

Until the day everything changed and hope was born.

Through the darkness, I found my prince. My savior. He promised me a future. One where I wasn’t the crazy sister who tore her family apart. A life without being institutionalized.

He gave me hope that I might even find love.

I should’ve known that a normal life wasn’t in my cards. God—or whoever pulled the strings—had never seen fit to offer me grace.

No, that tiny glimpse of a glorious future was dashed in one afternoon. A plan was forged and set in motion, but at the final moment before redemption, it all came crashing down. My life of safety and love were ripped out from under me. Most would’ve given up.

I’m going to fight like hell to get that future back.