Unraveled

“Aden.”

Where was the cold? He wanted the cold to return.

“Aden, please.” The voice blended with the roar. “Open your eyes.”

His mouth was as dry as cotton, his gums and tongue swollen, his lips bruised. His muscles and bones felt like they’d gotten up close and personal with a baseball bat.

“Aden!”

His lids popped open of their own volition. He was panting, still sweating. A wan Victoria loomed over him, her dark hair falling like a curtain around his face. There were circles under her eyes, eyes that were glazed with pain, and she was clutching at her ears, cringing.

Was this a dream? Or had he died and gone to heaven? No, he couldn’t have gone to heaven. He still heard that godawful roar, still felt as if he were on fire, battered and bruised.

“Aden,” she moaned.

He jolted upright. Dizziness hit, then subsided. Pain hit, and remained. “What’s wrong?” The words were slurred, pushed through teeth he didn’t recognize. Through…fangs? He flicked his incisors with his tongue—no, no fangs. He wasn’t sure what that meant. Wasn’t sure what was wrong with him or what had happened.

Oh, he knew Victoria had given him some of her blood. Knew she’d tried to turn him from human to vampire in order to save his life. He hadn’t forgotten the conversation he’d heard. But he didn’t know any more than that. How was he alive if the change hadn’t succeeded?

He wanted to ask.

“The souls,” she said before he could. “I have the souls. Inside me. Talking. Why won’t they stop? And you… you, I think you have my beast.” As if she’d managed to maintain her strength only long enough to issue her confession, she collapsed, falling into his arms.

Unable to process what he’d heard, Aden gathered her close, held her tight. His brain hadn’t sparked back to life yet, his thoughts fragmenting quickly, fatigue beating through him. He eased to his back, taking Victoria with him.

They were alive. That thought was clear. Whatever had happened to them, they were alive. The rest could be figured out later. And whatever changes they’d experienced, whatever they would next need to do, they would triumph; he had no doubt. They’d defeated the witches and the death curse. They could get through this, too. They had each other, and that was all that mattered.

“Don’t let go,” Victoria said against his chest.

He was surprised she had roused, surprised but glad. “I won’t. I’ll never you let go.”

Yes, they had each other, would always have each other. They could handle what came next.

He hoped.

Glossary of Characters and Terms

Blood-slaves humans addicted to a vampire’s bite

Bloody Mary queen of a vampire faction that’s rival to Vlad’s

Brian resident of the D and M

Brianna Buchannan friend of Mary Ann’s, sister of Brittany

Brittany Buchannan friend of Mary Ann’s, sister of Brianna

Caleb a soul trapped inside Aden’s head. Can possess other bodies

D and M Ranch a halfway house for wayward teens

Dan Reeves owner of the D and M Ranch

Dmitri deceased betrothed of Victoria

Dr. Hennessy Aden’s new therapist

Dr. Morris Gray Mary Ann’s father

Drainer a human who feeds from and ultimately destroys those with supernatural abilities

Draven vampire female, chosen to date Aden

Elijah soul trapped inside Aden’s head. Can predict the future

Eve a soul formerly trapped inside Aden’s head. A time- traveler

Fairies protectors of mankind, enemies to vampires

Goblins small, flesh-hungry creatures

Haden Stone known as Aden. A human who attracts the supernatural and has three humans souls trapped in his head

je la nune a poisonous liquid that can be fatal to vampires

Jennifer a witch

Julian soul trapped inside Aden’s head. Can raise the dead

Lauren vampire princess, Victoria’s older sister

Marie a witch

Mary Ann Gray human. Repels the supernatural

Maxwell werewolf shape-shifter, Riley’s cursed brother

Meg Reeves Dan’s wife

Ms. Brendal fairy princess, sister to Mr. Thomas