Page 2 of Blood Bought

My options were grey at best. Tell her the truth and break her heart, give her a reason to try to take on the entire Veresian vampire clan to save me... or lie and quietly sneak out tomorrow. Less goodbyes, less tears, less worry. The end result wouldn’t change, but it was the path of least resistance. “Just to give me an update about my mom,” I said quietly, forcing a smile. “Nothing you need to worry about.”

“Thank Brander,” she whispered. “Were they creepy? I felt something... weird in the air.”

Yeah, thank that asshole. Not like he’s the one doing this to me or anything.I fought an eye-roll and a sense of dread simultaneously, then nodded. “I’ve only seen Obsidians a couple of times in my life. They normally don’t travel this far south in Veresian, but they’ve all been creepy.”Creepy and gorgeous. “Finish your homework now, Ken.”

She seemed to have a million more questions on the tip of her tongue, but she nodded and returned to the table. Still, I could tell her attention was far away. Her curious nature was always one that got her into trouble, and in this case, the consequences could be dire.

I found myself just watching her and the tongue she kept pinched between her teeth as she struggled with long division. In ten years, she’d be older than I was now. Her soft features would be hardened with the life of a human in a world of supernatural creatures, her golden hair longer. She wouldn’t be my little sister anymore, and I knew I wouldn’t be the same person either.

Even if I survived, I had no way of knowing the damage it would do or if Kendall would ever be able to forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye. I just didn’t see any other option — not one that would keep her safe, anyway, and though we were only half-siblings... she was the only one I had.

I sat with her through her homework and made her dinner after without saying much, and when our dad and my step-mother came home, I nearly spilled my guts to them.

Nearly.

“How was the market?” I asked instead.

“Packed as always. There was an uneasiness lingering in town, don’t know why. What did you make for dinner?”

My step-mother checked on Kendall’s homework as she always did, giving us both an approving nod at the work we’d done. “It smells good at least,” she added, like she might not have complimented the dinner if she didn’t approve of our division.

“We didn’t have much, so I made some of the salted pork and fried a few peppers from the garden,” I said quietly, then wrapped my father up in a hug he didn’t understand. “I’m glad you’re back.”

Kendall, in her infinite wisdom and crusade to make my life harder, spilled the beans. “Addy got a visit from some vampires today. I wonder if that’s why the people at the market felt funny?”

I felt my father stiffen, pulling away from me like I’d burned him as he looked me over, and one look into his eyes told me he knew.Howhe knew, I wasn’t sure, but he knew. “I need to speak with you, Adalind. Come outside.”

He left without another word, so I kissed the top of Kendall’s head and told her not to worry as I ducked out after him. “Don’t, Dad. There’s nothing you can say or do to change it.”

“How much time do we have?” he rushed out, pacing the porch like it might reveal some sort of profound answer that could save me.

“Until morning. I lied to Kendall because I didn’t want to stress her out, but Dad... why didn’t you ever tell me?”

It was obvious my question made him feel cornered, but he also knew there wasn’t any time to lie or sugarcoat. “Your mother was strong. I thought... I didn’t think I’d ever have to tell you. You didn’t need to live with that guilt.”

“And I didn’t, so thank you for that,” I said softly. “I’ll make sure I don’t fail. They’ll never come for Kendall, okay? This started with me, apparently, and it’ll end with me, too. Just promise you won’t do anything stupid.” I reached out for his hand and squeezed gently, hoping he understood without me saying that fear and thoughts of retribution were worthless here. “Promise me.”

“Addy,” he whispered, giving me a look he’d given me since I was a little girl. “I promise. I thought your mother was strong enough, but I know you are.”

“It’s only ten years,” I agreed. “If she could do it for twenty, I can do it for ten. Just don’t give my room away, yeah?” I forced a smile and pulled him into another hug, a tighter one this time, and let him hold me. “I’ll be back one day.”

“I wo—”

“Finished, then?” Aerin interrupted as I stepped protectively in front of my father. “Why wait until morning when you’ve already said the only goodbye you’re going to make?”

Fucking vampires.

“You said morning,” I argued, panic overtaking me for the first time since they’d arrived. “I have one more night!”

Malik appeared from around the corner and grabbed my arm. “Not anymore, you don’t. Brander wants you. Say goodbye quickly, Miss Silk. Your life here ends now.”

I turned pleading, terrified eyes on my father, who wouldn’t even glance my way. His jaw was clenched and his fists were balled, but I knew he wouldn’t intervene even if I begged him to. He’d already lived through this once, and if he couldn’t save my mom, there was no way he could save me.

This was happening... now.

“I love you,” I whispered quickly as smooth hands dragged me back. “All of you. Please be safe.”

My father nodded once and slipped back into the house, cutting me off from my family in a single heartbeat, and somehow, even in that moment... I knew it was forever.

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