“If you ever say that at court again,” he said, glaring down at Zane, “I will personally send you to the sun.”
“Noted.” Zane climbed to his feet with a grin that said he was going to do it again the first chance he got.
With a strangled sound, Casimir stormed out of the room, muttering under his breath. The door slammed behind him, the sound echoing through the suddenly quiet room.
“So,” I said after a moment, looking between Koa, still hiccupping with laughter on the floor, and Zane, straightening his rumpled “Due to personal reasons, I’m evil now” t-shirt. “Um, what were you guys actually arguing about?”
Zane and Koa exchanged a look.
“Nothing important,” Zane said a bit too quickly.
“Yeah.” Koa nodded a bit too vigorously. “Just brother stuff.”
“You know I don’t believe that for a second, right?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Oh, would you look at the time?” Zane made a show of checking a watch he wasn’t wearing. “I promised to help Brum-Brum with his… wolf… things.”
“Brummy’s with Addison right now. They’re playing tag in the orchard—”
Before I could finish, he darted out of the room, leaving me alone with Koa, who was suddenly very interested in reorganizing the papers scattered across the floor.
“Koko?” I prompted, raising an eyebrow.
He looked up at me with an expression of such exaggerated innocence that I almost laughed.
“Yes, beloved?”
“You’re hiding something from me.”
“We’re dhampirs, sweet girl. We hide many things. It’s kind of our brand.”
I sighed, letting that one go because I had more pressing questions now.
“So,” I said, sitting cross-legged on the floor beside him, “are there other vampire swear words I should know about? You know, so I don’t accidentally commit blasphemy at the next family dinner?”
Koa’s answering grin was mischievous and slightly terrifying.
“Oh, Serafina, you have no idea what you’re asking for.”
I didn’t, but as he began explaining vampire profanities with gleeful enthusiasm, I realized I wouldn’t trade this life, or my three ridiculous monsters, for anything in the world.
15. Ready for Screaming
Amabel
I pushed open the front door of the farmhouse and immediately sensed something was off. The house felt emptier somehow, the silence different, and I realized it was because I couldn’t sense any of Eluned’s energy.
Before I could call out for her, a shadow detached itself from the hallway. Foster Collins, all six-foot-five of him, loomed before me with his arms crossed over his chest, muscles bulging beneath his black t-shirt.
“Where did Wild Thing run off to?”
My smile turned brittle at the edges. I didn’t like his insinuation that I should know Eluned’s whereabouts at all times. I thought she’d made it perfectly clear that she was tired of coddling.
“She should be around here somewhere. It’s a big house. Did you check your pants?”
“Don’t play games, little girl.” He ignored my jab and crossed the room, eyes narrowing. “Where is she?”
“Well, let’s see… Whatdidshe tell me? Hmm… Oh, that’s right.Nothing.” I shot him a sour look and raised my chin.
