Page 10 of Twisted
“She comes with me, or this house is marked,” the man threatens.
“Marked for what?”Antonio asks, eyes going from the man to his parents and back again.I can read him like a book, and his page is screamingwhat the fuckin all caps.
“Should you explain it, or should I?”the man asks Marco and only waits a beat before continuing.“Centuries ago, the Order made a deal with my family.We leave each other alone if, every twenty-five years, you give us a female.”
His words only confuse me more.His family?A deal?What?
“Dad,” Leo starts but Marco holds up his hand and silences him.Then he turns to me, and the look in his eyes is all I need to know.I don’t have a choice.I’m going with this man whether I want to or not.
“S-s-someone better explain,” I stammer.
“Xavier Malus doesn’t like to be kept waiting,” the man goes on.“You have three minutes to gather a few personal items.”
“What?”I say, not making sense of anything.Did I hear this guy correctly?What he’s saying makes no sense.Because I know who Xavier Malus is.
A vampire.
A very old, and very powerful vampire with a big vampire “family” if you will.We’ve been told they’re too dangerous, too connected to go after.They’re rumored to operate like a mafia, both underground with other vampires and demons, and with some of the most powerful human families in the country.
“And I’m getting hungry,” the man says and makes a face like he’s going to flash fangs.Wait a minute…does everyone think he’s a vampire?I blink a few times, trying to process it all—and make sure I’m not wrong.
Humans can’t sense energy or magic the way witches can.If this guy is really from the Malus family—no, he wouldn’t be.He’s human.All I know is that right now, something inside of me is saying don’t piss the guy off.Because if he was sent here as a representative of the Malus Family and what he’s saying is true, then there’s no way we’re getting out of this.
The Malus familyandthe Order will see it through.
Maybe it’s because I was never fully accepted into the Order that I never developed the trauma bond most members seem to have.The Order can threaten most hunters with isolation.But more than that, they can really fuck up your life.
Or kill you.
And that would be the kinder option.
“What is going on?”I ask, head slowly moving back and forth.I can sense Gia trying to creep out of her room.
“I’m so sorry, but it’s better if it’s you,” Vivian says softly.Larissa turns, eyes iced over.She’s always hated me, and now she’s found a way to get rid of me.
“Pack your stuff,” Marco demands, and I only turn to stop Gia from leaving her room.Eyes wide, I walk down the hall.
“Wren?What’s going on?”Gia asks.
“It’s okay,” I tell her.“Let’s get you back in bed and I’ll explain everything.”She nods, hazel eyes filled with worry.I usher her back to her room and pull her quilt over her.“I love you,” I tell her and smooth her hair back, bending over to kiss her forehead.“Somnum,” I whisper and my sister goes right to sleep.
Blinking back tears, I go into my room and pick up the bag from my last trip that I hadn’t unpacked yet.I don’t own much since we’re always traveling from job to job.I spend more time on the road than I do at home.
Feeling panicked, I grab the only framed photo I have of my birth parents, my makeup bag and toiletries, a small wooden jewelry box, my tarot cards, and my purse.I shove them into my duffel bag, change into a black t-shirt, dark jeans, and boots, and then go back downstairs.Leo and Antonio are talking to Marco in angry, hushed voices, and Larissa stands in the foyer, arms wrapped around herself.She has a smug look on her fucking face.
My eyes meet hers as I pass by, and I give her a telling look, one that lets her know this isn’t over.I stop just inches in front of the man and look up.He’s handsome, that’s for sure, and intimidating.But he is undeniably human.
“What is your name?”I ask, swallowing the fear that’s making my throat feel tight.
“Devon,” he tells me and gives me another look.“I’ll have the paperwork sent over in the morning.”He shifts his gaze back to Marco.“Pleasure doing business with you, as always.”
He grabs my arm but I don’t so much as flinch.If he’s pretending to be a vampire, then he has no idea I’m a witch.So for right now, I need to shut up and go along with it.
He marches me outside, takes my bag and puts it in the trunk of the BMW he arrived in.The driver is already inside, waiting for us.The security guard opens the door for me and I get in, fear starting to take over.
The car door closes with a deafening slam, shutting out the light and swallowing me in darkness.My heart is hammering away in my chest, and I slowly inhale, pressing my nails into the cold leather seats beneath me.Stay calm.It’ll be okay.Somehow, this nightmare will end.
Devon walks around to the other side of the car and I reach down, feeling for the silver-tipped dagger I have stuck in the ankle of my boot.Slowly, I pull it out, flicking my eyes to the driver.He’s human, and seems as if he’s been held spellbound so many times his brain is only capable of simple thinking.
