Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Me? I guessed I got my wish. The town was safe, especially given our new vampire deputies, and the community was prospering. Things almost felt normal. I even helped the city council put together the business plan to make Leiper’s Fork the hot destination it was today. Everyone was happy.
Except that I missed him.
More than I should.
But not enough to go chasing after the man. I guessed I feared rocking the boat because everything was so perfect. Mamma and Daddy were living together again, trying to navigate extremely difficult waters as different species. Maybell was still as clueless as ever but dating. Uncle Jimmie finally got to have his retirement party but still came by every night to check on things. Mostly, he liked playing the jukebox and mingling with the customers while showing off Barney.
Everyone was happy in this strange new world. Everyone except me, who worried about the risks of involving myself with an ancient, deadly vampire.
The irony was that I finally believed he truly loved me.
Why else would Stark stay away this long? He’d put me first and left Leiper’s Fork, just like he’d promised.
I just wished…I wished we could start over. Things were so different now. I was different now. I no longer feared vampires.
Honestly, it was the humans I worried about most now. Some people were simply born with hate in their hearts. They’d never accept the fact that they weren’t in control or rulers of the galaxy. It literally pained them to see people living happily, free, and making their own choices about vampires. Every other day, there were protests where these so-called “liberation” groups demanded our government crack down on vampires or on humans who chose to mingle with them.
The way I saw it, there was risk in everything in life, even stepping out your door. It wasn’t up to me to tell anyone how to live, and I certainly wouldn’t tell others what to do. As long as they let me do me, I was good. They could scream all they liked.
I went into the kitchen to grab an order of vampire fingers for table ten. They were really just extra-long chicken nuggets rolled in chopped pistachios with catsup. People loved them.
“Masie, there’s someone out back to see you,” called out our line cook, Bobby.
“Thanks. Be right there.”
Thomas had finally left Lizzy and kept coming around to see me. I felt sorry for the man, but he’d always be Sheriff Idiot to me. Something about blaming my big breasts for his cheating ways stuck with me. Also, he gave bad legal advice.
I walked outside, pushing past the screen door. “Thomas, I told you to stop…”
My voice faded as my eyes drank in a face I’d never dreamed of seeing again. My stomach flipped, and I felt like I was about to be sick. “Lazlo?”
He strolled up, a smug smile on his pale face. “Hello, wife.”
I took two steps back. “No.”
He stopped inches in front of me. “Word to the wise, never dump a charred vampire in the swamp. It’s got far too many snacks.”
Oh Lord. Just like in the movies. This was one myth they’d left out of the guide.
I turned to run, but he caught me by the neck, jerking me to the ground with a hard thump.
He straddled my body and lowered his face to mine, displaying a set of sharp incisors. “I told you, Masie. Never forget what I’m capable of.” He lunged his head, pushing his fangs into my neck.
“Lazlo, save some for me, and don’t forget you promised to let me turn her.” Fiona’s wicked face peeked out from behind Lazlo.
No, dear Lord. Fiona wanted to be my maker.
I tried to scream, but it was no use. I could hardly breathe.
Within seconds, the memories of our wedding night returned. My vision got fuzzy, my limbs felt numb, and my mind was fading.
Fiona’s mouth clamped down on my wrist, and she began sucking, too.
No, no, no… My heart began beating erratically.
My limbs flailed, and I struck him hard, but each punch sent pain through my fist. He was rock solid.
Tears streamed from the corners of my eyes. I didn’t want this.
“You are almost there, my love,” said Lazlo. “Just a few more seconds.”
Fiona shoved her finger into my mouth. The taste of sour copper washed over my tongue. Her blood.
“This is taking too long.” She pinched my nose and covered my mouth. She was trying to suffocate me.
Oh God. I had to be between death and life in order to transform.
“No…” I mumbled against her palm.
The view around them faded to a one-inch ball of light.
Suddenly, Lazlo was off me, and I could breathe again. I heard the faint noise of a struggle, followed by the crunching of bones.
“Masie!” Stark hovered over me, his eyes dark. He scooped me into his arms as I drew a shallow breath.