Page 36 of A Curse So Vile

Fiona’s face was twisted in worry, and it wasn’t hard to see why. Blood was dripping from her mouth.

She dragged the girl into her room and slammed the door shut.

“Where’s Cole?”

“Asleep, I didn’t want to worry him. Dorthea went to get food.”

Brenna pried the girl’s mouth opening and spied long pointed teeth. “You bit your tongue.”

Fiona nodded.

Brenna exhaled a long breath, so very tired, yet unable to rest.

“I thought you would have more time. These things usually happen slowly. Your fangs will grow and diminish for no real reason until you learn control.”

“I’m scared,” Fiona said, sobbing.

“Don’t worry, you’ll heal quickly. You’re going to have to watch your fingers as well. They’ll grow sharp, and if you’re not careful, you could very well cut yourself.”

Fiona looked confused, and she realized how foreign this must be to her. She grew up in the Den, where these things were normal and often joked about. When her changes came, she was given gloves to wear and a gag for her mouth to sleep in until she learned control.

Fiona was going into this with no guidance.

She sat the girl down on the bed, taking a place beside her.

“What is happening to me?” Fiona whined.

“I did something. It may not have been the right thing, but seeing you on your sickbed was heartbreaking. I wanted to help you, and I did so the only way I knew how.”

“What did you do to me?”

“I gave you gifts, though I know some would feel it a different kind of curse. I have the blood of old running through my veins, and I bestowed it upon you. I hope that one day you’ll look at it as a blessing, and if you cannot, I’m truly sorry.”

The door swung open and Cole charged in. “Fiona?”

Brenna glared. “It took you long enough.” She regretted her words when she saw how guilty he looked.

“I hadn’t slept well in days, and I’m used to Fiona being bedridden. I never expected she’d leave the room.”

His eyes widened when he saw the blood around Fiona’s mouth.

“She’s fine. There’s no need to worry,” Brenna rushed out.

“What happened?” he said, nostrils flaring.

“She bit her tongue.”

He bent to look at his sister, grabbing her jaw and forcing her mouth open. “Bit her tongue? Did she rip it clean off?” His gaze narrowed. “What in bloody hell did you do to her?”

“Look at me, Cole,” Brenna demanded. “Do I look so horrific? I told you there would be a difficult transition. This is part of it.”

A suspicious look crossed his handsome features. “What are you?”

“As I’d said before, I am of old blood. I know this must be hard, but—”

“Stop,” Cole said firmly. “There is no need to explain yourself. I don’t like what’s happening. I hate it even, but there are worse things, and now I no longer have to watch her waste away into nothing.”

She smiled, relieved she didn’t have to deal with his anger, but Fiona was concerning.