Page 45

The ferocity in her words would’ve been foreign to the Morgan I knew before. She was the carefree party girl with the ready laugh and easy smile. This new Morgan spoke of vengeance with a conviction. Her eyes, those unnaturally bright gray eyes, flashed with a purpose that bordered on predatory.

“Morgan, I don’t want anything to happen to you. You’re a new vampire and Teresa has been one for some time. You changed and you have to get used to the new you.”

Morgan tilted her head and looked at me with that new intensity. “You’ve changed too, you know. The old Chanel would never have pushed that button.”

Her observation struck home. “Maybe we’re both becoming what we need to be to survive in this world.” I said.

“Maybe.” She agreed.

“I’m happy you’re still alive, and I want you to stay that way.” I said, the words inadequate against the enormity of what’s happened, “and I’m sorry that being my best friend has cost you so much.”

“It’s not your fault. This is basically just how life was supposed to turn out.”

“How can you say that?” I asked, searching her bright eyes for any sign of resentment. “You died, Morgan. You had your entire future ahead of you, and now?—”

“And now I have a different future.” She finished for me. “One with superhuman strength and a blood diet.” She attempted a smile. “I’m here. I’m different. I’m dealing with it.”

Her pragmatism surprised me, though perhaps it shouldn’t. Morgan had always been adaptable. She rolled with the punches in ways I never could. The fact that she applied that same resilience to her literal death and resurrection was both impressive and heartbreaking.

“By the way,” I said, shifting topics. “Donna has been calling me. She’s worried about you.”

Morgan winced. “I know. She’s left me about twenty voicemails. She’s so damn extra. I’ll call her back soon. I told her I was on an extended vacation. Some bullshit about needing time alone after Craig.”

“And she believed that?”

“Donna? Hell no.” Morgan laughed. “But she pretended to. That’s why her worrisome ass keeps calling you trying to see what I’m doing.”

“What about your family?” I asked carefully, knowing how close Morgan was to her parents and younger brother. “Have you talked to them?”

“I talked to them yesterday. Made up some story about my job, giving me more work, and I needed to stay here in Chicago to meet new clients.” Her finger traced the rim of her glass, a habit she carried over from her human life. “My mom was disappointed I didn’t come home to visit before my fake workload got heavy, but she understood.”

“When will you go see them?” I questioned.

“Not until Teresa is dead. It’s too dangerous for them and for me. I could be followed.” She looked down at her hands. “I’m still learning control. And what if Teresa follows me there to hurt them? I can’t go back now. Maybe a month or two and only after she’s dead.”

“I understand.”

“Besides,” she continued. “I’ll have to lie to them, make something up, and I need to be better at lying.”

“I don’t want us to change.” I blurted out. “I mean, I know everything has changed, but I don’t want us to change. You and me.”

“Coco, girl. We won’t.”

“How can you be so sure? You’re a vampire. I’m engaged to a vampire. Our lives are insane.”

“Because we’ve been through too much to let vampire bullshit come between us.” The curse word was refreshingly normal. It was a piece of the old Morgan shining through.

“Promise me something.” I said, turning my hand to clasp hers properly. “Promise we won’t let vampire business affect our friendship. No secrets, no hidden agendas.”

“I promise.” She said, quickly and reassuringly, “I will always have your back, Coco.”

“And I got yours.” I replied, feeling something settle within me. “Which means we tell each other everything we learn about these vampires. All the stuff, the politics, the secrets, all of it.”

“Deal. No more being kept in the dark. If I hear something from Harlen or the others, you’ll be the first to know. For real, you’re the only person I fully trust.”

“And if Zand tells me anything important, I’ll share it with you, too.” I promised.

The seriousness of our pact felt almost ceremonial, a covenant between friends who were moving into our new hot girl era.