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“I’m a purebred Most vampires born at the turn of the twentieth century are”

Jade had no idea She said, “Your parents were both vampires then?”

“Yes We co to is —Darien,” she corrected for Jade’s benefit, “built the castle and needed an assistant, I didn’tmy family because so many demons from his alliance intended to settle close by and within the castle walls I’ve told you before, I prefer company”

“Interestingly, I’ve been enjoying it et too close to anyone after my parents died”

She stopped abruptly They’d reached a road cut through the forest Jade glanced over her shoulder, back toward the direction fro and they’d ended up at the one place she’d avoided for fifteen years

“What’s wrong?” Sheena asked, alar What is it, Jade?”

Her insides tightened and her breathing picked up a few notches “This is where ht us here”

She turned to the woods they’d just exited, bewildered

Sheena asked, “This isn’t your normal route?”

“Not at all I haven’t been here since…” Her voice trailed off

She walked back to the edge of the trees Her stomach coile

d With a shake of her head, she said, “I hid right over there” She pointed to a thick patch of tall pines Nausea suddenly welled inside her, but she fought it “My parents took this road to a neighboring village one night I was supposed to stay behind, with Michael’s family”

Sheena instantly appeared by her side “Of course, you didn’t do as you were told”

“Of course not I followed the I was far enough away froh that they wouldn’t send me back, when tolves came out of the forest on the opposite side of the road I crouched down, shrouded by foliage”

Unable to stop the flow ofday when she’d witnessed her parents’ brutal murders