Page 18 of Blood Taken (Blood Mafia 2)
His scowl deepens and his eyes flash with anger. "Gerry asked you a question, why don't you stop deflecting and answer?"
I roll my eyes and look back at Gerry. "I'm Demi. I'm twenty-four. My mother abandoned me as a child. I only recently found out about my powers. Oh, and I'd kill for some orange chicken right about now."
I still haven't gotten the damn Chinese food I've been craving since the day I found Kevin cheating on me.
Gerry smiles. "How much do you know about your mother, Demi?"
Maria glances at me, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Nothing useful."
She averts her eyes, staring at her nails like they're suddenly fascinating.
"Maria left you, this is true, but she had her reasons. A very old vampire named Nix got it in her head that she'd kill all the Hunters. Your mother gave you a chance to live when her own survival was uncertain. I'm sure you can appreciate how difficult that must have been for her."
I don't remember any of this, of course, I was so young when she left. The most I recall is how utterly horrible I felt thinking I'd pushed her away somehow.
"Did my father die in a car accident?" I point the question to Maria, who nervously chews on her lip.
"No, he was attacked by vampires when he went out on a job."
"Great, more lies."
The guy who's got a stick up his ass scoffs. "Why is she allowed to ask questions? Shouldn't we be questioning her?"
Gerry pins him in place with one look, the older man's eyes are filled with so much authority. The guy shrinks in his seat and presses his lips together.
"Forgive Daniel. He's impatient. Do you have any other questions?"
The way he asks it makes me feel as though I shouldn't have any more questions, but I do.
"How did you survive Nix? If she was hunting you all, how did you survive? How did she even get the drop on you to begin with, aren't Hunters stronger than vampires?"
Nicole clears her throat. "Stronger doesn't always mean smarter. Nix was cunning and caught the vast majority of Hunters unaware. We were nearly hunted to extinction. We've slowly been rebuilding our numbers, within the safety of this enchanted compound."
"What happened to Nix?"
"She went off the grid when we caught on and started hunting her. She's been untraceable for the last fifteen or so years." Gerry rubs his chin. "Nix was good friends with Mateo, you know."
I blink, not reacting to his comment. I'm not sure how he expects me to respond, but he's searching for something. "Good for her." I finally say with a laugh.
Gerry tilts his head and studies my face. "It doesn't bother you to know he may have been a part of the massacre of your people?"
Ah, I see. He wants to gauge my allegiance.
I shrug. "Did he participate?"
"We have no evidence that he did," Maria says.
“Though we have reason to suspect he took part,” Gerry says. “Nix was his sire.”
“But you have no evidence?” I ask.
Maria shakes her head and Gerry sighs. He doesn't seem happy with her.
"Well, then. I guess I have nothing to be upset about in that regard. It sounds like this Nix was a real cunt."
This earns me a few laughs from the other Hunters.
