Page 18 of Wanted 3

"And we'll be able to live there safely?"

He glanced down at me, a hint of sorrow in his eyes. "There is no true safety anywhere for creatures like us. But it does not hold the same perils as the human world."

"Why aren't you there?" I asked. "Not that I'm complaining."

"It is where Mary was murdered," he said.

"Shit. I'm so sorry." We walked in silence for a few moments before I spoke again. "We don't have to go back if it's too painful for you. We can make it work in this world somehow."

He paused and pulled me against his chest, holding me close as he spoke. "I would face anything to keep you and Jeremy safe. Memories cannot cause me harm. Not any longer. Not with you by my side."

We kissed deeply, but it was cut short by a shout coming from within the house.

I dashed in, my mind swirling frantically with worst case scenario thoughts. I slid to a stop at the kitchen door, Vlad by my side.

Jeremy stood at the island, laughing as a shadow 'fetched' a raw chicken leg to scurry back and drop it at his feet. The news played in the background on Jeremy's laptop, but no one was paying attention to the program.

"Very good," Leonard encouraged, a smile lighting up his face. "Now, give the command for him to eat it."

Jeremy closed his eyes but did not speak. Still, the shadow seemed to understand. With an audible poof, it surrounded the chicken, devouring it through smoke and mist until there was no trace left of meat or bone.

Leonard looked up at us, his glance landing on Vlad's. "He's quite powerful," he said. "Half of my clutch has bonded with him. I've never seen such a thing."

"Is this safe?" I asked, worry warring with my relief at seeing Jeremy so happy.

Vlad slipped an arm around my waist. "The shadows will protect him. He is safer with them than without, especially in this new world."

I could hear the words he didn’t speak. That I had chosen to become a vampire, but if Jeremy were merely human, my new life wouldn't be safe for him. Now, with the shadows, he would be.

Jeremy looked up finally, his face beaming. "Did you see, Kassy? He's a good boy."

The shadow, as if in understanding, stood taller and seemed to puff out its chest in pride, even though it didn't actually have any discernable bodily features.

"Make sure you listen to Leonard and do what he says." I tried to make my voice mom-like but I was too happy for him to sound very firm.

Still, he nodded, his face serious. "I will. Promise."

Then he looked more closely at me, and his eyes seemed to fill with shadows for a moment before his jaw dropped. "You're a vampire!"

Vlad and I glanced at each other and Leonard raised an eyebrow. I had planned to tell Jeremy as soon as I could, but I wasn't expecting him to notice on his own.

"How could you tell?" I asked, squatting down to eye level with him.

He shrugged. "They help me see better."

Okay then.

"How do you feel about it?" I asked.

"It's cool. And you look happier. I like it. But… " he frowned. "Does that mean you don't want me anymore?"

My heart broke at his words, and I pulled him into my arms. "I will always want you, buddy. You're mine. Mine and the Count's." I looked over to Vlad, who nodded and crouched on the kitchen floor, wrapping his arms around us both, as shadows danced around our legs like puppies.

Jeremy had tears in his eyes when we pulled away, and he looked up to Vlad. "You really want me too?"

Vlad nodded, and I swear even his dark eyes glistened. "Very much. If that is amendable to you?"

Jeremy's face split into a grin. "Very amendable."

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