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The addictive nature of Avery’s blood is the only rationalization for these urges to protect her but it does nothing to change the way I feel I want to be near her so I may ensure her safety

It’s hours later when I feel her presence–and fear–as she enters the compound but I rejoice because she’s safe And so near I will allow nothing to har as I live Faster than the blink of an eye and it’s done without any thought for consequence I make a vow–the sa when he made an oath to protect Chansey at any cost

I look at the butterfly pendant dangling from my hand "I will never allow harm to come to Avery by me or any other"

Chapter One

Three months later

I hen I hear the first squeal–and then the second–of the newest residents at the Savannah compound James Grady and Anna Grace Brennan– their presence well-known

Wait a ? I wasn’t asleep I spent the day lying awake thinking of Avery just like I’ve done every day since her arrival threebabies–especially since they just arrived home for the first time

The last three days have been the worst The key to solving the h my hands The ansere so close I could taste them but Curry ended it all when he chose to kill Marsala before she could give us an explanation Without any hesitation at all, he snuffed outwhat I needed to know so I could keep Avery safe

I’m furious with Curry but I can never let him knoas a fool to tell hie control which ain–and soon–because he won’t wait long before he asks me to explain how I could possibly love a human

I walk to Curry and Chansey’s bedroom and find the door open That explains why I was able to hear the crying babies from their soundproof quarters I tap on their door without a response I assu over the shrill screaain a little harder "Coh their bedroom into the nursery and stop in the doorhen I see Avery Isurprised to see her but it’s a sham I already knew she was there because there’s never a time I don’t feel her presence

She’s so perfectly beautiful Nothing see one of the babies as she strokes his or her face It’s an instant re she’ll have one day when it’s safe for her to leave this cos she’ll share with another ht

She’s grinning when she looks up It’s the first smile she’s ever sent in my direction but I know it isn’t for me It’s a re but I’et it It’s incredibly beautiful and she does it far too little I wish I had the courage to tell her so

Her smile fades and I feel the tension that always arises whenever we are in the same room It always makes me want to leave–and I usually do–because I don’t want to cause her disco but happiness for her and if e

I turn to leave but Curry stopsup so early?" He has a confused looked on his face

He’s wrong His kids must have his brain muddled "It’s not early"

"Since when is noon not early for a vaot to be kidding me" I look in the direction of the nursery’s curtains but they’re closed

Curry walks over to the black and white print drapes and pulls one back an inch to show ht It’s a hazy day but I can easily see that it’s

I’ Anna Grace since I assu She places her daughter on her back on top of her legs and brings her tiny feet up to her h to wake sleeping vaers when they join forces but I wasn’t asleep when I heard the I seriously doubt they have the ability to wake the others"

Chansey never takes her eyes froood to know, isn’t it? We don’t want the other varurumpy" Am I?