Page 69 of Tainted Souls
“Men,” Ivy sighs dramatically, her hand fluttering to her forehead. “Always so mysterious about the most mundane things.”
The table erupts in laughter and conversation, the tension of the moment dissolving into the usual banter. I catch Haden’s eye, and he gives me a subtle nod of approval. This is exactly what we all needed. A night of normal, light-hearted drama, friendships and flirtations that have nothing to do with vampire politics or life-and-death situations.
“Haden,” Evan says, grinning wickedly. “Truth or drain: what’s so great about Marcus?”
The color drains from Haden’s face as everyone turns to stare at him. I bite back a laugh, remembering our earlier conversation in the tunnels.
Jaxon clears his throat with an exaggerated cough before slouching forward, narrowing his eyes and pursing his lips in a perfect imitation of Haden’s thoughtful pout. “He’s not just aeuphoria chaser like the others,” he says in a deep, gravelly voice that sounds almost too close to the real thing. “He’s different.”
Haden slumps back with a muffled curse, an arm draping over his head.
Evan snorts, dragging a hand down his own chin. “He’s not just some random NPC in our world.”
The table turns into a chorus of hyperbolic gamer nerd analysis.
“Level one, but somehow maxed out in charisma.” I lift a finger with mock gravitas.“I need a spreadsheet just to track all his special stats.”
Ivy joins my posture, her shoulder snug to mine. “Oh, stat sheet looks promising. Curious to see if he’s multiplayer-compatible.”
“I hate you all,” Haden mutters, then drains his glass in one long pull instead of answering.
“Coward!” Beth laughs, already moving to refill his glass.
The game continues, with questions ranging from secret desires to embarrassing childhood stories.
By the third round, the alcohol has completely loosened everyone up, and the truths become increasingly revealing.
“Ivy,” Kyla says, her words slightly slurred. “Truth or drain: who was your first crush?”
Ivy’s cheeks flush purple against her pale skin. She fidgets with her glass, clearly debating whether to answer or drink.
“Come on,” Kyla teases. “It’s now or never!”
With a defeated sigh, Ivy meets my eyes. “It was your brother, Saul.”
I nearly choke on my drink. “Excuse me?”
“I know, I know.” She raises her hands defensively. “This was years ago, before everything. He came to our school for a field day, and he just had that, like, you know…” She trails off, noting my expression. “Never mind.”
I force my face into something resembling neutrality, though I can’t quite suppress the grimace. “I’m here to listen, not judge.”
“He had that bad boy look, alright? If it helps, I’m over it,” Ivy says, her tone apologetic. “The whole ‘joining a murderous vampire cult’ has totally killed the appeal.”
“That’swhat killed the appeal?” My nose scrunches in a parody of surprise. “Not being sent to juvie at the age of nine?”
Saul was lucky to be a child, and luckier still that our father was able to pull some strings. Turning a human is pretty much murder. In Penn City, it is therefore considered a felony, about as illegal as it gets. They don’t just slap your wrist for that—they erase you. He only got five years, but he wasn’t the same after that.
It happened at school, of all places. They were stuck in detention until dark. Saul had sunk his fangs into Evan first, then Haden when he tried to pull Saul off, draining them both dry. Dying with vesia in their system made them transition.
Although Evan and Haden were his friends before they were mine, after that day, it was me they clung to. Somehow, we all carried that wound together.
Vending machines with blodas were installed in every school ever since.
“Juvenile delinquents are kind of hot,” Ivy shrugs.
Beth flings a pillow at her. I manage a laugh alongside everyone else, though the mention of Saul has brought all my worries rushing back.
While I’ve been shopping and drinking, my enemies have been planning and plotting. My brother’s still out there, still withthem. But as much as I hate him, I miss him, too.
