Page 5 of Blood Lovers (American Vampires #1)

It’s like I want to get caught.

I don’t want to see a dying woman in my dreamwalk, I want to see my grandma the way she was. The way she used to be before her curse took her soul. So I am excited when the fog that floats up around me isn’t lavender, but purple.

The past?

I hope. But it could be the future because I’m not with my grandma, I’m in a winter forest. Large flakes of snow falling from the white sky like feathers from Heaven. I’m standing on the edge of the same clearing where I was earlier, except it can’t be the same clearing because that haze was lavender.

And aside from that, there is a man here now. He’s sitting on a fallen tree trunk in the center of the clearing and holding a baby wrapped in furs. He’s gazing down at it the way a man might look down on his own beautiful child.

I take a step forward, surprised that this one step comes with the sound of snow crunching under my boot. When he looks up, I realize my mistake. He is not a man.

He is a monster. Black wings unfurl from the furs covering his back. His eyes brighten to silver. His mouth opens, revealing fangs. His face is something evil, but I can’t look away. I’m drawn to him.

And he to me, apparently. Because he’s looking right into my eyes.

No. No, no, no. He can not see me. Not only can he not see me, I cannot see him. This is how it’s always been. This is how it always shall be.

But of course, that’s not how this ends, is it?

Grandma is dying and that means her protection of me is dying with her.

And I have just gotten my first look at the vampire Paul.

I get a sick feeling in my stomach.

Is this my future? Is that my baby? Does this mean I get caught?

I sit upright in bed, breathing hard, the purple dream over.

A noise outside startles me and I quickly get out of bed, suddenly remembering who I am and what I’m doing.

I’m endangering myself. Just being here is a huge risk.

It’s like I want to get caught.

There is more noise on the other side of the door. Partiers, probably. But when I press my ear against the wood, I detect whispering. Then footsteps.

Just as I’m about to sigh out a breath of relief, the doorknob turns and the door crashes open.