Page 22 of Blood and Hexes

Diana stiffened the moment he was gone. At first, she assumed she was bothered by his going without saying anything, but that wasn't it. Or not just it, anyway. Now that he was gone, Sylvan's entire demeanor had changed. He'd seemed laid-back, but right now, everything in her told her he was a threat. A real threat.

She was so tired of this endless night.

"What do you want?" she asked with a sigh.

"I think the real question is what do you want, Diana?" he countered smoothly. "What are you doing here?"

She held his gaze. "I'm here to see my brother. I'm in my home. If you have a problem with that, don't let the door hit you on the way out."

His smile was cold this time. "Fine. So long as that's all, you and I won't have a problem. But make no mistake. Night Hill is a family. If you're here to hurt any of us, you won't get out of Oldcrest in one piece. And your brother will help tear you apart." With those parting words, he followed Mikar out of the kitchen.

Her jaw set, she remained where she was, more hurt than she would have thought possible. Because he was probably right. Alexius would take their side against her, if push came to shove.

"Don't make a long face."

Diana's spine became steel. Chloe Eirikrson was standing where Sylvan had been.

"I heard that, despite the music," Chloe told her. "My hearing's a little better than most."

Diana didn't know what to say.

"Sylvan means well. He's very protective. All of us are, truly. He's right; we're a family here."

"And I'm an intruder." Diana threw the empty bottle in a recycling bin. "I get it."

"You aren't an intruder, Diana. You're a Helsing." Chloe shrugged. "That does make you family to Alexius. To Avani. To us." She lifted her chin. "If you want to be."

Diana was starting to feel hot under the collar, with Chloe's bright blue eyes boring into her very soul. She'd been wrong to assume this was just a girl. There was strength in her. She just chose not to use it. Much.

"I'm just here to see my brother," Diana reiterated. "I'll be out of your hair by Monday."

Chloe shrugged. "No one's chasing you away. If you want to stay, you're welcome to. It's your home."

Diana didn't know what to say. She didn't like how she felt around the girl. Vulnerable. Like prey with an open wound.

"I'm exhausted. I have to crash. But it was nice meeting you."

Chloe's fangs flashed as she inclined her head. "Likewise."

---