Emma could feel her eyebrows in her hairline, but she couldn't seem to get them to go back down as she examined the three of them.
"Because they were born of two vampires, Isabelle and Ethan, as well as their siblings, exhibit stronger abilities, especially for their young ages," Stefan continued.
"Amazing, just amazing," Mandy said again. "And you are immortal?"
"Yes," Ethan confirmed.
"Your blood, does it have healing capabilities?"
"It does," Isabelle said.
"Just imagine the possibilities," Mandy murmured.
"There are no possibilities," Stefan said gruffly. The malevolent look in his eyes made Emma's skin crawl and caused her to slide a little further back on the couch.
"Back off, Stefan," Ethan said in a low rumble that did nothing to lessen the unease growing inside her.
Isabelle rested her hand on Stefan's arm and pulled him back a step. Stefan relaxed visibly, but his eyes remained fixed on them. Isabelle shot a pointed look at Mandy. "No one is going to say anything, Stefan," Isabelle assured him.
"No, of course not," Mandy gushed. "It's just the scientist in me, the future doctor talking about the possibilities. I would never say or do anything about it though, I swear. It's just fascinating."
Emma stared defiantly at the three of them as she rested her hand on Mandy's arm and squeezed it reassuringly. "Of course you wouldn't say anything," she said soothingly. "The three of you don't kill, but do you feed on humans?"
"Some of us feed on them but don't hurt them," Ethan answered. "I prefer to use blood bags."
"Before Stefan, that was what I did too," Isabelle said.
"I feed on humans when it's necessary, but they're never aware of it," Stefan informed them.
"You're safe with us," Isabelle said reassuringly.
"You told me you could control people's minds and alter their memories. We've seen how fast you can be, is there anything else you can do?" Jill asked.
"Our hearing and eyesight are exceptional, better than a human's, and we're stronger than any human," Ethan told her.
"We've seen," Emma muttered. "Is the stake through the heart thing real?"
"It is, but to be fair, a stake through the heart would kill anything. Beheading and fire too. For some, sunlight is another way to go," Ethan continued.
"Good to know," Emma said as she curled a strand of hair around her finger and tried to digest this information. This world she’d never imagined could exist was all so strangely fascinating and bizarre.
"I don't like the idea of staying in the place where someone died, especially with that body still in here," Jill said.
"We'll take care of it first thing tomorrow morning," Stefan promised. "But going out there right now is not an option."
"You can come stay at our place. There's more room, and with Aiden and Ian arriving tomorrow, there will be more protection," Isabelle offered. "Ian and Aiden can share a room, that won't be new to them."
Mandy and Jill looked at her, but Emma didn't know what to think about the idea of sleeping in a home with five beings who could kill them with ease. However, she was sitting in this house with three creatures who could kill them and a dead body. She had to admit she preferred the five lethal beings and no dead guy over the three of them in a home where someone had been killed, and where everything had gone to shit in less than twenty-four hours.
But she didn't know about sharing a home with Ethan either. She didn't know if she could maintain her restraint and distance if they were put so closely together.
Her eyes drifted back to Ethan.
"I'll leave you be, Emma," he promised, as he seemed to sense where her thoughts were going.
Isabelle spun toward him, she opened her mouth to speak, but Ethan gave her a censuring look and shook his head. She closed her mouth. Her face remained scrunched in disapproval as she stared at her brother. Stefan squeezed Isabelle's shoulder.
"What is it?" Emma inquired. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Ethan assured her with a forced smile, but Emma didn't believe him. There was something he wasn't telling her, something upsetting Isabelle as she continued to stare helplessly at him. "I think it would be better if you came to our house, but that is entirely your decision to make."
Emma clasped Mandy and Jill's hands. "Can we have some time to talk?" she asked.
The three vampires exchanged a look before nodding. "We'll be in your room, scream if anything happens," Ethan told her.
She waited until she heard the click of the door closing before she turned to her friends. "What do you want to do?" she asked quietly.
"I think we should stay with them, Emma, look what happened tonight. There's no guarantee a human won't try something there too, but I've lost all interest in staying in this place," Jill said and shivered in disgust.
"Your whole trip is ruined because of me," Emma muttered.
"It was ruined because Tristan is a freaking psycho. Besides, judging by the looks of Ethan, I'm immensely curious about meeting these brothers of his," Jill said with a wink.
Emma laughed as Jill succeeded in easing some of her anxiety. "They're younger than him."
"Even better, fresh meat."
Emma couldn't stop laughing as she leaned against her friend's side. "Can you honestly believe this is our lives right now?"
"Not even a little bit," Mandy said. "Things will never be the same again."
Emma couldn't help but agree as she glanced at the hallway. She was curious about what else it was Isabelle and Ethan were keeping from her, but she didn't mention it to Jill and Mandy. They didn't like the idea of being here anymore, and they would be safer at the other house. Emma was far more concerned about their safety than whatever it was Ethan still wasn't telling her. She had a feeling she would find out eventually anyway, and nothing could be more astounding than what she'd already learned.
Emma dropped
