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"I’m fine," I insisted, and after he stared at me for several seconds, we continued The sultry, thick air tinged with brine hung like a ravestones; sticks crackled as they were tossed into the fire near the river; beer tabs popped, brew fizzed, laughter rose We had to hurry

You were meant to be mine, Riley Poe You cannot resist me I’ve watched you in the dreams and felt your tremors of ecstasy I made you come more than once Do you remember?

I didn’t answer him I wanted to, but I didn’t

It doesn’t ht And while you et hiue Forever I know you burn for me I’ve watched you

Just then, chaos erupted around us From the trees and crypts at the river, the hoodie boys leapt and swung and descended upon the group partying by the fire The smell of pot wafted on a breeze My insides froze as no fewer than fifteen kids , and I knew that Seth was one of theuys at the fire swore; one threw a can of beer The kids--newlings--advanced, slowly now Toyed with the oak branch and dropped into the circle of partiers With strength that caught uy and yanked his drop fro face contorted, and he sank the partier

Then the screaot to move now," Eli said He looked at roup of partiers tried to flee, newlings leapt and chased, and behind thes to the river, another far across the fire to a crypt Josie fought a younger hoodie--I soh I couldn’t see his face Phin rushed three hoodies at once, and behind him, I saw Eli He ht like a madman and threw three hoodies like rapid-fire rockets I saw some of Preacher’s kin step in; Gilles and Elise, as well It was all so surreal, unbelievable; htened

Coht now I’ht, across the stones You can end the killing if you come to ht I hoped and prayed that Eli would forgiveinnocent kids to be slaughtered because of what they beca way

All at once, Eli, Luc, Phin, and Josie ran forward, into the mix of hoodies and pot s ato wait another second Not for the Gullah, or for Eli He didn’t realize that I no longer needed to cutforthe bloodbath It was up to me In one fluid rasped it I continued to ht Co for you

I ran then, where I didn’t know, but screa there, torlanced behind s continued their rabid attack Screa metallic scent of blood tainted the briny air, and bones snapped God, I’d been too late We’d all been too late I stu dirt path that ledsomewhere I didn’t know anys away from the mortals, and Victorian would be the one to help me Victorian, and my blood I knew Eli and his faure e oak I stopped in ainst rasped the blade and yanked hard I hissed as pain shot throughfroravestone I stood by But aze becas would get a whiff of my blood and come after me

"I knew you would coht Like in the drea: dark breeches laced up the front, a billohite shirt, and tall black boots, and his dark hair was pulled back in a loose queue Moonlight spilled a hazed glow across the ce face--flawless, pale, just like in the dream I felt catatonic, awed He smiled, and his face became even more exquisite He seemed a lot older than twenty-one

"Let us leave," he said, and held out his hand

"No," I said,to find my voice "You said you could stop this My brother--the others?"

"Your Duprés have it under control All will be well; I vow it Now, let us move Ifvoice said from behind me He was so close, his voice racked my insides

I turned quickly and faced another alh Dark hair, dark eyes, pale skin, but different all the same Harsher Merciless That I could tell immediately Silently, I screamed for Eli Thankfully, he heard

"Riley!" Eli’s voice shouted from the river I knew, even as fast as he was, he’d never aze suddenly shifted, his eyes rolled back, and he inhaled the air I to keep this pet for your own, Tory?" he asked his brother Two sharp fangs dropped fro opaque, boring into me "He never did like to share"

"No!" Victorian shouted, and lunged at his brother

Too late, Valerian had ht Victorian pushed hiainst a headstone Before I could blink, he was up and advancing toward me, eyes pure white, no pupils I reached for the blade jammed into rabbed asped The blade dropped, and pain grippedstars to flicker behind my lids I had no time to move or shift; he had complete power over ainst s pierced my skin, I screamed They sank deep into me; I felt every inch, and my body convulsed He sucked hard for all of three seconds

Suddenly, Valerian was off ofhi "Leave her," he cohed and transfored and silver skinned, he lookedhideous, not even hued at hiainst a crypt; he was up and had Valerian by the throat in under a second