He wanted the shroud back.
Then there was silence. Calm. They came, but they didn’t last. In the distance, he heard a roar. No, not in the distance. Louder…louder…closer…so close. Inside him. The roar was inside him, filling him up, nearly ripping from his pores. At least the chatter stopped. Hot…he was hotter than before. Burning, blistering, smoldering to ash. Reforming, weaving back together, harder, heavier, still hotter.
“Aden.”
Where was the cold? He wanted the cold to return.
“Aden, please.” The voice blended with the roar. “Open your eyes.”
His mouth was as dry as cotton, his gums and tongue swollen, his lips bruised. His muscles and bones felt like they’d gotten up close and personal with a baseball bat.
“Aden!”
His lids popped open of their own volition. He was panting, still sweating. A wan Victoria loomed over him, her dark hair falling like a curtain around his face. There were circles under her eyes, eyes that were glazed with pain, and she was clutching at her ears, cringing.
Was this a dream? Or had he died and gone to heaven? No, he couldn’t have gone to heaven. He still heard that godawful roar, still felt as if he were on fire, battered and bruised.
“Aden,” she moaned.
He jolted upright. Dizziness hit, then subsided. Pain hit, and remained. “What’s wrong?” The words were slurred, pushed through teeth he didn’t recognize. Through…fangs? He flicked his incisors with his tongue—no, no fangs. He wasn’t sure what that meant. Wasn’t sure what was wrong with him or what had happened.
Oh, he knew Victoria had given him some of her blood. Knew she’d tried to turn him from human to vampire in order to save his life. He hadn’t forgotten the conversation he’d heard. But he didn’t know any more than that. How was he alive if the change hadn’t succeeded?
He wanted to ask.
“The souls,” she said before he could. “I have the souls. Inside me. Talking. Why won’t they stop? And you…you, I think you have my beast.” As if she’d managed to maintain her strength only long enough to issue her confession, she collapsed, falling into his arms.
Unable to process what he’d heard, Aden gathered her close, held her tight. His brain hadn’t sparked back to life yet, his thoughts fragmenting quickly, fatigue beating through him. He eased to his back, taking Victoria with him.
They were alive. That thought was clear. Whatever had happened to them, they were alive. The rest could be figured out later. And whatever changes they’d experienced, whatever they would next need to do, they would triumph; he had no doubt. They’d defeated the witches and the death curse. They could get through this, too. They had each other, and that was all that mattered.
“Don’t let go,” Victoria said against his chest.
He was surprised she had roused, surprised but glad. “I won’t. I’ll never you let go.”
Yes, they had each other, would always have each other. They could handle what came next.
He hoped.
Glossary of Characters and Terms
Blood-slaveshumans addicted to a vampire’s bite
Bloody Maryqueen of a vampire faction that’s rival to Vlad’s
Brianresident of the D and M
Brianna Buchannanfriend of Mary Ann’s, sister of Brittany
Brittany Buchannanfriend of Mary Ann’s, sister of Brianna
Caleba soul trapped inside Aden’s head. Can possess other bodies
D and M Rancha halfway house for wayward teens
Dan Reevesowner of the D and M Ranch
Dmitrideceased betrothed of Victoria
Dr. HennessyAden’s new therapist
Dr. Morris GrayMary Ann’s father
Drainera human who feeds from and ultimately destroys those with supernatural abilities
Dravenvampire female, chosen to date Aden
Elijahsoul trapped inside Aden’s head. Can predict the future
Evea soul formerly trapped inside Aden’s head. A time-traveler
Fairiesprotectors of mankind, enemies to vampires
Goblinssmall, flesh-hungry creatures
Haden Stoneknown as Aden. A human who attracts the supernatural and has three humans souls trapped in his head
je la nunea poisonous liquid that can be fatal to vampires
Jennifera witch
Juliansoul trapped inside Aden’s head. Can raise the dead
Laurenvampire princess, Victoria’s older sister
Mariea witch
Mary Ann Grayhuman. Repels the supernatural
Maxwellwerewolf shape-shifter, Riley’s cursed brother
Meg ReevesDan’s wife
Ms. Brendalfairy princess, sister to Mr. Thomas
Mr. HaywardCrossroads High Anatomy teacher
Mr. KlienCrossroads High Chemistry teacher
Mr. Thomasfairy prince, ghost
Nathanwerewolf shape-shifter, Riley’s cursed brother
Ozziedeceased former resident of the D and M
Penny ParksMary Ann’s best friend
Rileywerewolf shape-shifter, guardian of Victoria
RJresident of the D and M
Ryderresident of the D and M
Sethresident of the D and M
Shane Westonhuman teenager, friend of Tucker
Shannon RossAden’s roommate
Stephanievampire princess, Victoria’s older sister
Terryresident of the D and M
Tucker HarborMary Ann’s ex-boyfriend, part-demon illusionist
Vampiresthose who live off human blood, and have a beast trapped inside them
Victoriavampire princess
Vlad the Impalerformer king of Romanian vampire faction
Witchesspell-weavers, magic producers