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“We did. And all this time, Zand was a vampire. He was hiding it from me. He knew all along who I was.” I reached out and grasped her hand tightly in my own. “I know this shit sounds Kanye crazy. But I swear on the life of my dead mama, what I say is true. You are my best friend. I wanted you to know. I’m the only person who knows and I have nobody to talk to. You have to believe me.”

She squeezed my hand in return. “I’m here for you, Coco. No matter what.”

“But do you believe me?”

“Of course I do. You are literally the sane-ness person I know. Who the fuck would lie about something like that? Zand is nice and all, but he’s too mysterious and weird. And Harlen is his brother, but they don’t look anything alike. Plus, he’s just as mysterious and weird. Harlen isn’t scary. He’s just acts different. And both of y’all was freaking out because I was fucking Harlen like he was some kind of monster that was going to eat me or something. I’m not slow. I could tell something was going on.”

I felt a wave of relief wash over me, the weight of my secrets finally lifting from my shoulders. “Me and Zand were upset because Harlen is a vampire too. I don’t know him well and I didn’t want you around him. They drink blood just like in the movies. Some of them kill people. I just found this out recently, so I don’t know all of their rules. I just know Zand told Harlen not to bite you and he probably told him not to harm you. They are really strong. I don’t know much. I just know he threatened Harlen when it came to you.”

We sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of my revelation hanging heavy in the air between us.

Then Morgan spoke. “Fuck a duck. This is a lot to take in. I believe you, but where’s the proof?”

I nodded, my mind already racing. “Ah, I say the fangs. I saw the superhuman strength. I’ve seen Zand drink blood.”

Morgan’s eyes widened. “Harlen? What about him? Does he do all those things?”

“They all do.”

“So, vampires are real?”

“Yep.”

“The nightclub, The Castle. I know some of those people in there are vampires.”

“Some are.” My heart was beating fast. I didn’t know if I was even allowed to share this with Morgan. “I know it’s a lot to take in. But you have to understand, Harlen is dangerous. He’s unpredictable, and he has a way of getting into trouble.”

“You don’t think I can handle myself?” Morgan’s tone was defensive, her jaw clenched as she rested her eyes on me.

“That’s not what I’m saying,” I reassured her, my voice gentle but firm. “I just want you to be careful. Harlen may seem charming, but he’s not to be trusted.”

Morgan was silent for a moment, her gaze distant as she processed my words. Finally, she spoke. “I just don’t want to lose anyone else, Chanel. I can’t go through that again.”

My heart broke at the pain in her voice, and I pulled her into a tight embrace. “You won’t lose me, Morgan. I promise. We’re in this together, no matter what. We have this secret that bonds us forever.”

As we held each other, the weight of our shared secrets glued us together like that chick that put Gorilla Glue in her weave. We were stuck with each other now. We were two women that knew about vampires, so we were locked in tight.

“Thank you, Chanel. For being honest with me.” She drew in a shaky breath, her loyalty unwavering despite the shock of the revelations. “I know it couldn’t have been easy to tell me whathappened to Craig, or what Zand and Harlen are. But I’m glad you did.”

I nodded. “I should have told you sooner. I’m sorry I kept it from you for so long, but it was so hard for me to wrap my head around the things I had witnessed with my own eyes.”

Morgan shook her head. “No, I understand. But from now on, no more secrets.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Child, you are the only person I can talk to. You don’t know it yet, but they are everywhere.”

“Seriously?”

“Girl, there are vampires all around us.”

“Damn, they must be just blending into society like the rest of us.”

“Yes, the bartender with the purple hair and tattoos at The Castle.” I tilted my head.

“Damn, he’s a vampire?”

“Yep.”

“What about that tall Charlize Theron looking chick that came and got us the first time we went to that club?”