Page 76 of Bitten Vampire

“She went into their territory without permission,” James pipes up again.

“She didn’t know,” Simone tuts, elbowing him.

I start to explain the visions—how it all began—but something stops me. I pause.

I can’t.

My instincts scream at me to keep the visions between Valdarr and me. So I shut my mouth—mid-sentence. He raises an eyebrow. I shake my head. He probably won’t like my keeping this from the clan, yet I have to trust my power, and right now it isn’t happy.

Maybe it’s the clan.

Maybe it’s James.

Maybe it’s something else entirely.

I don’t know. But I do know one thing—I can’t tell them about the visions. Not yet.

“Why bother saving the girl?” Simone asks, leaning forward. She sips her drink, chin in hand, eyes intent.

“Because it was the right thing to do. Not helping her felt wrong.”

She nods.

“You all believe this crap?” James sneers.

Harrison ignores him and presses on. “And then?”

“I drove Crystal home and made sure she was safe, but aClan Nocturna vampire started shouting that I had bitten her. I told him to check the wound—it wasn’t mine. I’d rescued her, not attacked her. He wouldn’t listen. I threw a knock-out spell at him. The other vampires blocked my car, chased me, and that’s when some shifters stepped in and saved me.”

They all stare at me.

Ah, right.

“Shifters?” James scoffs. “So now we’ve got shifters in the mix as well. Any other derivatives you’ve forgotten to mention? Did you stab them too?”

“No, I did not,” I snap, reaching for my glass. My mouth is dry, so I take a gulp of blood—then grimace at what I’ve done.

To my surprise, it doesn’t taste awful. The blood has no taste of chemicals; this is different, fresher. Some spell must keep it that way. Whatever it is, it works—it’s… pleasant. I hum into the glass, then set it down. No point guzzling while everyone looks at me as though I’m the biggest monster in the room.

“So… the shifters were kind,” I continue. “They let me go. Their Alpha’s mate removed a spell Clan Nocturna had thrown at me, and I went home. Then I learned there was a warrant for my arrest. They had declared me rogue and told everyone to watch for me. And then… assassins attacked.”

“And you killed them,” James says sharply.

“No. The—” I stop; I can’t say Beryl’s name. “The wizard’s house stopped them,” I say at last. “The house… killed them.” Mentally, I apologise to House.

“She’s lying,” James snarls.

I raise my hands. “Fine. House didn’t kill them, andneither did I. But I’m not telling you who did. I promised. Valdarr knows. You’ll have to trust him—it wasn’tme. Even if it had been, they were assassins.”

“Lying, bitc?—”

“James. I will not tell you again.” Harrison growls.

“Yes, leave her alone,” Simone says. “Whether she stabbed them or not is hardly the point, is it? Gods, you are such a dick.”

I clear my throat. “The following morning, the Ministry of Magic attacked House. Valdarr rescued Baylor and me from the humans, and now I’m here. You all know what happened today.”

Silence settles over the room. “I can leave, if you would prefer,” I add more quietly. “If you think I’m unsafe to be around, I understand.”