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With one sharp er into Kristal’s chest Her scream was stifled as she choked on her own blood Both my and Jake’s yells echoed around the kitchen as she bled to death in front of us

"Now," the witch said, letting go of Kristal’s hair "Let this be a lesson to all of you Stellan Have your men collect her blood"

Chapter 25: Rose

I oken the nextby another knock atat Caleb’s harp I supposed he’d thought it would giveto do while I was alone in esture Then my eyes settled on the floor beside the instrument A tray full of food Not oatmeal Real breakfast food I pulled the harp into my bedroom Then I returned to scoop up the tray and put it on rily French toast had never tasted so good toup in less than five ot this food? I witnessed for myself how bare the kitchen was

Once I’d finished, I took a shower and got dressed

I headed up the stairs toward Caleb’s room I knocked on the door and waited He answered it after a couple ofat the door fully dressed, no trace of the scars froht left visible

"I, uh I wondered if you’dme for a walk? Outside, I mean I haven’t had any proper exercise in days"

He stared down atacross his face, followed by indecision I thought he was about to say no, but then he nodded

"All right," he said "Wait here"

He returned a few seconds later wearing shoes and holding a scarf in his hands

I eyed the scarf as he stepped out of the room and shut the door behind him

"I didn’t know vampires needed…"

He handed it toout there"

"Oh Cheers" I took it and wrapped it around estured toward the stairs and I followed hi his eyes straight ahead, he nodded slightly

We descended the stairs in silence When we reached the main door, he pulled a key fro with both hands, he heaved the doors open The force of the icy wind that cah the doorway knocked

"Yes," I said ih a bit of ithout his help

Holding onto the door for support-- to water froe of the wide stone doorstep and, rather too brashly, placed one slippered foot onto the icy ground It started sliding as soon as I made contact with it