Twisted

Hell, Tucker would live.

Shannon would not become a zombie.

The D and M ranch would not burn to the ground, and Brian would not die inside it.

Aden would not become a vampire. Junior would not be created.

Victoria would not become a human, would not lose her abilities.

Perhaps Eve and Julian would even return to him.

“I have to do this,” he said. “I can’t leave things like this.” As Mary Ann had said, what could be worse than this?

Do you really want to find out? Elijah asked.

I should be on board for this, Caleb said. I thought I would be. But something seems off. Wrong.

“You’re not usually the voice of reason. Don’t start trying to be now.”

“Aden, listen to me. Answer me.” Victoria shook her head, wet hair slapping at his cheeks, then shook him. “Go back to when?”

“To the beginning.”

Her eyes widened, the implications putting furious color in her cheeks. “Let’s talk about this. Think it through. If you go back, will Eve return to you? Will Julian? What about you? Your beast? Will you still be a vampire?”

“Probably. Maybe. I don’t know. Probably not. Definitely not. Maybe.”

“Your wards—”

“Will never have been applied.” He leaned over and pressed a soft kiss into her lips. “I love you. You know that, right?”

He should have done this a long time ago. Should have listened to everyone when they’d asked him to do it. Instead, he’d let fear and stubbornness rule him. And look where it had gotten him.

“Yes.” Blue eyes studied him, sad, almost defeated. “I love you, too. But there has to be another way to —”

“There’s not.” If things worked out the way he hoped they would, he and Victoria would never meet. Never get to know each other.

Never cause such a cataclysmic event.

He’d rather meet her and deal with this, but he wouldn’t. And that was love.

Like his parents had given him up, he was going to give Victoria up. Unlike his parents, he wasn’t doing it for himself but for her.

In the end, this was going to kill him. He could walk by her, and she would not know him, but he would know her.

“Aden, just give me a chance to—”

“This is the only way. I know that now.” He kissed her again, a deeper kiss than he’d ever given her. A soul- shattering kiss. Their last kiss. He let her feel all of his longing, all of his dreams. All of his regrets. All of his prayers for the future.

And when he pulled back, he was trembling. She was crying. He tasted those tears in his mouth, a little salty, a lot heartbreaking.

He wiped those tears away with an unsteady hand, and then he did what was necessary. He closed his eyes and imagined the day he’d first met Mary Ann….

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, died when the ranch burned down.

Brendal Fairy princess, sister to Thomas.

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

Chompers Demon beast that lives inside Victoria.

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. Morris Gray Mary Ann’s father.

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

Draven Vampire female, challenged Victoria for the right to Aden.

Edina Victoria’s mother.

Elijah A 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 burns vampire skin.

Jennifer A witch.

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

Lauren Vampire princess, Victoria’s sister.

Maddie Vampire female, sister to Draven.

Marie A witch.

Mary Ann Gray Human turned drainer. Repels the supernatural.

Maxwell Werewolf shape-shifter, Riley’s cursed brother.

Meg Reeves Dan’s wife.

Nathan Werewolf shape-shifter, Riley’s cursed brother.

Penny Parks Mary Ann’s best friend.

Riley Werewolf shape-shifter, guardian of Victoria.

RJ Former resident of the D and M.

Ryder Resident of the D and M.

Seth Resident of the D and M.

Shannon Ross Aden’s roommate at the D and M.

Sorin Vampire prince, Victoria’s older brother.

Stephanie Vampire princess, Victoria’s sister.

Teleport To move one’s body from one location to

another in an instant.

Terry Former resident of the D and M.

Thomas Fairy prince, ghost.

Tucker Harbor Mary Ann’s ex-boyfriend, part-demon illusionist.