Page 75 of The Rebirth
“How are you feeling about all this?” I asked.
He whisked a hand through his hair before wrapping his arms around me. “I’m so fucking relieved that you’re alive. I’ve been a nutcase.” He felt my face and arms, then examined me from head to toe. “My mind is blown.” He kissed everywhere, sighing heavily.
I could only imagine what he’d been through. I knew if the roles were reversed, I would’ve been jumping off a bridge or curled up in a corner for years.
“I’m sorry, Sam,” I said, holding on to him for dear life. “I should’ve run from Rianne. I thought I could use my mind control, but she was wicked fast, and before I could do anything, I was fighting her off me.”
He cupped my face. “It’s not your fault.”
“I’m just praying that I don’t turn feral.”
If fate had a way of fucking us, it would be with something like that. I had to agree with Dane. If my sister was my maker, then the zombie apocalypse would commence.
27
LAYLA
It was approaching noon the following day, and I’d risen from the dead only fourteen hours prior. I was flabbergasted that I was a vampire. I wondered if my change was fate’s way of punishing me or rewarding me. After all, I’d killed bloodsuckers for years.
Were the vampire gods trying to give me a taste of my own medicine by me becoming an immortal to experience how it felt to be hunted? Or was it my destiny to spend eternity with Sam? Or maybe my transformation was all part of the plan to help humanity.
I was leaning toward the reward option and trying to stay positive that I wouldn’t become a monster. If not, that meant I wouldn’t grow old while Sam and my children lived on.
I was sitting on a barstool across from Dr. Vieira as he typed data into his computer. “You don’t think my children will be in danger from me as a new vampire?”
Dr. Vieira had barred all doors from anyone entering after Sam had returned with clothes for me last night. Since then, I’d kept Dr. Vieira company as he ran lab tests, asked him questions about being a vampire, and paced like a madwoman. He’d almost given me a sedative because I’d made him nervous. But as the night went on, my adrenaline started to dissipate.
He kept his attention on his task. “Do you feel the need to attack me?”
“No. You smell normal,” I said.
He chuckled. “Your children are vampire witches. They’re not human, which means you’ll be fine around them.”
“Jordyn and Agnes will be another story,” I mumbled.
“For sure.” He stopped banging on keys and opened a drawer on his side of the lab bench. “These should help control your bloodthirst when you need to.” He handed me a bag of candy.
“Fang Fizzlers.” I giggled. “Funny name.”
“A friend of mine developed those candies about two years ago,” Dr. Vieira said proudly. “They’re quite good. The insides are filled with blood. You can carry them in your purse or pocket for emergencies.”
I opened the bag, unwrapped the hard candy, and popped one in my mouth. I jolted in surprise at how delicious the raspberry treat tasted. I crunched until it broke, and the gooey filling inside slid down my throat, cooling that mild burn that came with hunger.
“Huh, they’re tasty.”
He rubbed his temples and tossed a Fang Fizzler into his mouth. “I go through a bag quickly.” Then he sighed. “Are you ready for the results?”
I looked at him like he was nuts as I wiped my sweaty hands on my yoga pants. “Of course.” My heart was pounding as fast as I was chewing the candy to pieces.
I still hadn’t shown any signs of red eyes, claws, or facial disfiguration. Dr. Vieira was almost certain I wouldn’t become Rianne.
“Well, I can say for sure that Rianne’s bite isn’t the cause of your change.”
“I won’t turn feral, then?” I asked, just to be sure I was hearing him correctly.
“You are a hundred percent a vampire,” he said with excitement in his voice.
I cried and laughed at the same time. “That’s great news.” Relief flooded my veins. “How?”
