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“I knew that already, genius.”

“Well, she’s up to something, and I know exactly where she is.”

“And why do you have this information? Are you conspiring with her?”

“Of course not. I told you, after you left, she’s been a menace. Gillian and I have tried to steer clear of her. I don’t trust her.”

“That makes to of us.”

“Give me a chance to fix this,” Harlen said, his voice reeking of desperation. “Please.”

I sighed, knowing that despite everything, I still loved my brother and wanted to believe in him. But trust was something that had to be earned, and right now, it was hanging by a thread.

“Look, stay away from Morgan.”

“Why? I like her.” His pitch rose a note.

“What? No, you don’t.”

“I do. She’s funny. She’s beautiful. She smells good. I like her.”

“Morgan is Chanel’s best friend. Morgan’s boyfriend died recently. She’s not thinking straight.”

“I know. She told me.”

I didn’t expect that and didn’t know what to say. “She’s human.”

“We were once human. We’re not that different from them. We’re not aliens from another planet. Why is it okay for you to have a human and I can’t have one?”

“Because I said so.”

“Wait, what’s going on here?” He probed.

I could practically see the wheels turning in his head.

“Zand, does Chanel know you’re a vampire? Fuck! Does she know that I’m a vampire? Oh, shit!”

My face apparently gave away my answer.

“Zander, why, why, why would you tell a human our most precious secret?” Now he was scolding me. The nerve.

“She’s not just a human, and I didn’t have a choice.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means it’s none of your business.”

“It’s vampire business and I’m a vampire.”

“Look, there was a possible threat.”

“Teresa?”

“No, someone else.”

“Brother, please stop talking in riddles. Tell me what’s going on?”

I poured myself another blood drink in my empty glass and guzzled it down. “I want to make sure Morgan isn’t in danger.”