Page 44

“I thought I’d feel, I don’t know, guilty? But all I felt was relief.” I twisted my engagement ring. “Is that wrong?”

“No way.” Morgan answered with no uncertainty. “That’s survival. That’s justice. Not court justice, or street justice, butvampire justice.” She paused, then added. “That’s what she deserved. She could’ve kept her human ass in Bloomington. She came here and got the business. After everything she did, she didn’t deserve to be a badass vampire living forever and never aging.”

“She’s dead now and when Teresa realizes she’s missing, we have to be ready for her.”

Morgan leaned back in her chair. “My maker grabbed her, and you took her out. That’s the kind of payback I’m trying to serve to that bitch that threw me off a balcony.”

I wanted to tell her how sorry I was, but I didn’t want to sound like a broken record. “Is he here, Harlen?” I asked, because I hadn’t seen him all night.

“Yeah, he’s either with Zand or Natasha. Harlen’s been teaching me about how things work around here. Who’s running this and that?” She gestured vaguely with one hand. “Harlen’s been sleeping here at The Castle and I’m thinking of staying here with him.”

“Why?”

“He doesn’t feel safe at the apartments alone. Not with Teresa and her people still out there. I don’t want him to be alone and he wants me around so he can keep an eye on me.”

I consider this information. “You’re going to stay with him?” I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral. But I didn’t want to lose my friend.

Morgan affirmed. “For now. He’s teaching me control and how to be what I am now.”

“I understand. I’m going to miss you.” I whined.

“I’m still going to see you. You gotta fiancé now. Y’all need some time alone.”

“Alone with the vampire security guards!” I belted. There was always a vamp somewhere near me. I guess I should be grateful for all the protection.

“Josh and Matt are damn near family.”

She was right. “Yeah, I’m just complaining for no reason.”

“I’ve been doing the same.” She said, gesturing to her transformed body. “I’m done mourning what I’ve lost. I didn’t choose to be a vampire, but I’m choosing to embrace it.”

Her words were exactly how I was feeling at the crematorium. I wanted to embrace this stronger version of myself. I was done with the scared me. Like Morgan, it was time for us to just accept the life we had now, and the women that we had become.

“I think that’s brave.” I told her honestly. “Embracing change instead of fighting it.”

Morgan’s lips curved into a grin. “It’s not bravery. It’s practicality. I can’t go back to what I was, so I might as well make the most of what I am.” She leaned forward. “Besides, there are perks.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t get cramps, or a period anymore.”

“Girl, you stupid.”

“My stupid vampire ass can wear white anytime I want to, and not worry about having an accident. And all the money I’m going to save not buying tampons, diva cups and pads with wings. I don’t envy you.”

“You never ever wear white.” I reminded her.

“That’s true. But the new me is going to start wearing white.”

“I’m going to have to see it to believe it.”

“I want Teresa to pay for what she did.” She changed the subject back to our nemesis. “I want her to suffer.”

The vehemence in her words should have frightened me. After this morning, after pushing that red button, I understood it all too well. I tasted the hunger for retribution and the need to see justice served, no matter what.

“It’s going to happen.” I said quietly.

“I know Zand runs everything around here. I’m going to ask him to let me have a chance to take her out.” She confided in me.