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Chapter 22

Alessandra turned the bracelet around and around as she’d done for most of the day. Sleeping was not an option. Not after what happened yesterday. Between Lawrence’s lunchtime chat and its implications for her father and the late-night encounter with Rowan . . .

Ignoring Kenton’s texts assuring her Rowan had left town, Alessandra attempted to keep herself busy. Key word, tried.

Taking a hot bath hadn’t helped. Or working on her syllabus. She’d tried those things, plus she’d gone on a long, punishing run, but nothing made her feel better. Nothing helped her forget. She’d resorted to walking aimlessly around town.

Toni had invited her to have lunch, with the stipulation that Tyler was going, and she just didn’t have the stomach to deal with him. Or anyone, really. She could have called Charlotte or another one of her friends, but to what end?

Hey, Charlotte. Feel like grabbing lunch? I discovered yesterday my vampire boyfriend, who wasn’t really my boyfriend, wanted to kill me. And then his brother actually tried to do just that. I could use some moral support.

Not so much.

Garrett hadn’t wanted to leave town, but after what Lawrence and Laria had told them, he’d felt confident they were both safe, and so he’d driven back to school. After all that transpired, however, she didn’t think he’d stay away for long. He’d even discussed finishing his coursework online if possible. She had to admit, she liked the prospect of having him around just now, especially after what happened with Rowan.

How the hell could she possibly go back to the way things were, to worry about lesson plans and syllabi, when she knew there was another side to history she could never share with her students? When Kenton was out there somewhere?

Laria had explained that, once they came into their abilities, some Cheld dedicated their lives to vampires. Some in a purely research context. Alessandra had to admit, spending her time detecting hidden history and the possibility of a secret archive of vampire knowledge did appeal. Others, Laria had explained, chose to help them blend in with human society. She had even told her there were some towns and villages around the world where Cheld and vampires coexisted, humans, aware of their presence, accepting them as a part of the community.

“Why don’t you live in one of these places?” she’d asked.

Laria, whom Alessandra now loved, simply shook her head. “We stay in them from time to time, but my brothers and I are committed to keeping our ancestors safe. Our job isn’t over.”

Basically, whenever a Cheld began to come into his or her power, when a vampire unknowingly triggers their arousal, the Derrickson family came to the rescue.

Just as they’d done for Alessandra and her brother.

The Morleys knew of the existence of these places, but they could never find them, even after all this time.

And now Alessandra knew why.

“We would happily share our secrets with them if they would agree to stop hunting you down . . . uh, sorry.”

But it wasn’t Laria’s fault.

It wasn’t even Kenton’s to some degree. He’d seen the worst of the Cheld, and both of his parents had paid the price. She could maybe even forgive him for what he’d intended to do—for what he’d done before to others—but Alessandra could not forgive him for lying to her.

He should have told her sooner.

And what would you have done if he had told you? Said, “No Worries. I completely understand why you would want me dead”?

Alessandra snorted aloud at her own joke. It was easier than breaking down in tears, something she refused to do.

She was a Cheld. Kick-ass and super strong. A woman who could take down a vampire. She’d tangled with one of the strongest, and if Kenton hadn’t stopped her . . .

She would never cry over another man again.

But she would wander the streets brooding over one, apparently. Somehow she managed to make it through the rest of the day. When Toni finally came home from work, she practically leapt on her.

“Thank God,” she said. “I’ve been going stir-crazy.”

Toni looked her up and down. “Girl, you are a mess. Go take a shower.”

“I already did.”

“Maybe concealer—”

She tried to swat her friend, but Toni ducked away too quickly.