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"Holy crap, Ree Why didn’t you tell hast

"Probably because I didn’t want anyone to look at ured it could all be chalked up to Tristan, and I’d end up in a psych ward somewhere" She looked down at her feet "In so in the psych ward for a ould be a lot better than having to fight vahtened her arm around Rees’ shoulder "Don’t think that way, Ree We’re going to kick some vampire butt and then live it up"

"Yeah, I’ the complainer that I a ireat perks"

"Ree" Paden’s voice was soft

She looked over at hi on with hi new or so you think we should know, you have to tell us You aren’t in this by yourself We’re all in this together," Paden said

"Well, you will be when Melanie gets here, anyway" Sophie walked back through the door, closing her cell phone "Her grandmother has already spoken to herin to them"

Paden asked, "So, some people do know about this stuff?"

"Yes, there are ht into our corandroup before Just like Ree started to experience syift, as well Elizabeth has helped those people learn their gifts"

"Is there a directory? A secret handshake or code word?" Everyone turned to look at Weylin "What? Shouldn’t we know in case of an eency?"

"Weylin? Be quiet" Ree shook her head He really was not handling this very well His sarcastic gauge was set on high, and she would say he looked angry if she didn’t know hi was fear and frustration with no clear outlet "No one is really excited about any of this"

"Sorry, I’uiltily Ree loved Weylin to death, and seeing hi to find their footing But e for everyone Maybe Weylin could avoid all of this and not be turned She tucked that away in her mind for later She would ask him what he wanted to do; let him make the decision

"Don’t worry It s will make sense eventually And iifted with strength, speed, and eternal youth, but you’re taken care of by the gods You will never want for anything" Sophie laid out the benefits as if she were selling a car

"Okay, we get paid to live forever and kick vaotta be drawbacks What’s the downside?" Bryce had a good point

Sophie was quiet for aRee tried to stay focused on the topic and not dwell on the fact that she wasn’t i to be theall of this Her friends would outlive her and have lives she would never know about

"You will live forever, if you can e to not be injured to point that you cannot heal" Sophie stopped and looked at each of them "But your friends and family will not They will all die and you will be left with nothing but memories of thehed on their shoulders Ree stared at the ground, and was glad to know she wouldn’t have to watch her friends die When she looked up, her gaze met Paden’s His expression was dark and full of pain Her mouth opened just a little bit in shock and her heart skipped a beat He didn’t look away fro toabout her When he finally looked down at the floor, she breathed in through her nose and looked around the room

"What about Ree?" Weylin asked He looked like he was feeling sick "She won’t live forever Are the gods going to take care of her as well?"

Sophie smiled at Ree "She and her family are fully under their protection They will never want for a thing And if we all survive this, then she will get to lead a happy, charmed life I’ve seen it happen"

Ree smiled at them and tried to put on a brave face

"Will we be allowed to see Ree once this is all over?" Paden asked quietly

Sophie looked away fro her eyes "Yes You will have to be careful, because it is best not to arouse suspicion Since you will not age, her fa at Ree, and she felt herself blushing She wasn’t really sure what any of the on the fact that she would eventually die After all, it could beto be here?" She looked out theand saw that the sun was getting lower in the sky Only another couple of hours until sunset

"I’ the closed sign Melanie should be here soon, and I want us on the island before dusk"

Chapter 15

Melanie arrived in a flurry of excite on the phone to her grand up the phone she srabbed the bag from the floor and raised his eyebrow at her "What did you pack in here? Bricks?" He shook the bag and it"Gras with me" She pulled out some pots and bottles "It’s stuff for potions and spells You kno she is, but I figured why not? I mean, she knew more than I ever did And look where we are now Oh, Ree This is for you!" She pulled a necklace out of the bag that had a round, dark silver ball dangling from the chain

"It’s heativity" Ree looked at the stone and smiled It was beautiful, and felt wonderful in her hand Like a little ball of happy sunshine

"Thanks I love it Tell her for me?"

"Yep Will do She said to wear it all the tie She coughed and waved her hand in front of her face when all of the dust rushed up to circle her head

"Good, you’re here! Let’s head back to the island You guys follow me in the SUV The other cars will be fine here" As they left, Ree watched Sophie wave her hand in front of the door; a faint green light shi back into the wood

"What was that?"