Page 130 of Burn Falls

“She woke up a few minutes later, and I think she finally fell asleep about ten minutes ago,” I clarified.

“While I don’t want to break up the family reunion. We have our own in the backyard, D.” Athan started to walk toward the door that led to the back deck.

“Right.” Draven stood, and then all three of us dashed toward the backyard. Draven stopped before we got outside. “Stay in the house.”

“I’m not staying in the house, Draven.”

“Please?”

“No. You two aren’t going out there alone. You need my help. Remember what Selene told me? She said I’ll be strong enough to kill him.”

“I know that’s what she said, but I’d rather you stay inside just in case it isn’t true.”

“Will you two stop arguing? Renzo can wake up at any moment.”

I didn’t let Draven plead for me to stay behind again. Instead, I darted out the door. As we stood, staring at the barrel, the top flew off, and Renzo stood, seething and glaring at us.

“You didn’t nail it down?” Draven asked, referring to the top of the barrel.

“I did,” Athan stated.

Renzo roared with an evil laugh. “You should have burned me when you had the chance.”

I didn’t know how killing a vampire worked, but it couldn’t be that easy, right? Break their necks to make them pass out and then just burn them?

“Trust me, I would have if you didn’t snap my neck,” Draven hissed.

I sensed the other vampires before they appeared out of the trees that surrounded Draven’s property.

“So, we’re back to this,” Athan said dryly. “I won’t hesitate this time to burn you after we take out your mob.”

Renzo jumped out of the barrel and leaned against it as though he wasn’t worried at all. “Tell me, Athan. Why’d you choose to leave with Draven? You never fought your transition like he did. You never once back talked me, and I got the impression you were happy to be a part of arealfamily.”

A real family? Athan had mentioned that he’d one day tell me his story. That has yet to happen.

“I don’t need to tell you shit,” Athan hissed.

Renzo laughed again. “I already know, but does Draven?”

My gaze flicked back and forth between the three men. Athan looked to Draven, and then back to Renzo. I tried to listen to Athan’s thoughts so I could hear the truth, but he was blocking them. I really needed to learn that ability.

“Answer me,” Renzo spat. “Or I will tell him.”

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t anymore.”

“Don’t what anymore?” Draven asked.

But I knew. I didn’t see it coming because Athan had never let on that he did, but it all made sense now why Athan would do whatever Draven asked.

“Nothing,” Athan answered, not looking at Draven and keeping his gaze on Renzo.

“Last chance before I do it,” Renzo stated. “He deserves to know before he dies. Before you all die.”

I moved to stand closer to Draven, grabbing his hand. I wasn’t sure how he’d react to the revelation, and I wanted him to know that I was here for him even if we all died right now like Renzo was threatening.

“Why do you care?” Athan spat.

“I’ve lived a long time, and you know I love drama. Plus, why do you think I made you two room together in the compound?”