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Chloe takes a breath, calming herself, and again I wonder why she’s doing it. Does she really need to breathe?

“Alena,” she says and grabs my hands, causing me to nearly jump out of my flesh. “You are family. We only want to protect you and take care of you.”

She doesn’t know it but calling mefamilyis probably the worst thing she could say to me.

I try to jerk my hands back, but she doesn’t let me. Her strength much greater than mine.

“Your suffering is our suffering, and you are suffering needlessly,” she says softer. “Let me help you.”

I open my mouth, ready to tell herno. I don’t trust her, despite what she says.

But then she begs, “Please,” like I actually have a choice.

I see no deception in her eyes, only her pleading with me. If she really wanted to, she could easily overpower me.

Every vampire in this house could overpower me, but so far none of them have tried to hurt me. They’ve done nothing but show me concern and courtesy.

When was the last time anyone did that for me? Not since Father McCall rescued me…

My heart has been racing so hard for so long, I fear I might vomit when I say, “Fine. How do I allow it?”

Chloe gives my hands a little squeeze and looks relieved. “When you feel the urge to resist, don’t. It’s that easy. I know it sounds weird, but I’ve done it myself.”

It sounds completely ridiculous to me, but I dip my chin in acknowledgement.

“Okay,” she says, as if she’s nervous. “I’m going to command you to be calm and not to fear us. If you give in, it should help you relax. Are you ready?”

I doubt whatever she wants to do is going to work, given how amped up I am, but I dip my chin again, regardless.

“Calm, Alena,” Chloe says somehow both firmly and gently. “Be at ease with us. You have no reason to fear us.”

I feel the hard tug behind my ribs and something inside me wants to resist. But I focus on my need for relief. I want to be calm. I want to be in control of my own emotions and body.

I don’t want to be pushed up against the wall like a scared crybaby without a fighting chance.

Giving into that want, a wave of warmth flows over me, almost like I was drugged again, but not quite…

Only the intense anxiety and fear vanishes. My muscles relax and my heartbeat slows.

Chloe grins at me, showing me her fangs. “It worked.”

I stare at her fangs, at the glistening white enamel and razor-sharp points, and oddly don’t feel even the slightest twinge of fear that she might bite me.

“It did,” I agree, enormously grateful to finally have some relief.

I can breathe. I can see clearly now. And most importantly, I canthink.

“Good.” Chloe giggles. “I wasn’t sure it would.”

That giggle of hers has me looking at her more closely.

How old is she?

It’s hard to tell, given how smooth and perfect her skin is, but I believe she might be around my age. She might even be a little younger.

Noticing my attention on her mouth, Chloe quickly presses her lips together.

“Sorry, I’ve only been a vampire for a few days,” she says shyly with only a hint of a fang.