Page 30 of Daring Her Vampires

“No,” I say.

“It doesn’t matter how old.” Luca glares. “We aren’t young anymore. The only thing stopping his death is his ability to disappear.”

“Killing him is one thing,” I start with a sigh. “When he gathers others who think the same, it becomes more difficult.”

“You came to the right place.” She smiles. “We can handle anything.”

“Is that a premonition?” Luca asks.

“It’s experience.” She shrugs. “It hasn’t been smooth sailing around here. Shit happens. We handle it.”

“We felt the power as we entered the town,” I say.

“Where is Allie?” she asks.

“Serenity offered to stay with her,” I answer.

“The vampires here aren’t afraid of much. Serenity will be a good one for her to confide in,” she says.

“Ryker’s power is similar to what I felt being around Fredrick. I’m thinking they are the same age,” Luca says.

“Ryker is over five hundred years old,” she informs us.

“I doubt Fredrick knows about all the vampires in this place,” Luca says, looking at me.

“He wouldn’t be so confident,” I agree. “He knows how old we are, but still doesn’t stop to face us.”

“He’s a bully,” Sally says, and Luca stares at her. “I don’t like bullies. He depended on his age to scare you years ago, but sinceyou’ve learned your power, he runs. He is scared that he can’t win once he is confronted. I’m sure he’s building his family of vampires out of fear that he will lose.”

“You could be right,” Luca mutters.

“I’m rarely wrong,” she teases.

“We don’t want to put you in danger,” I say. Fredrick will use her if he knew she was our mate.

“I don’t mind a little danger.” She smirks. “Makes life interesting.”

“We just found you,” Luca says. “I can’t see you hurt.”

“I won’t be,” she stresses.

“How do you know?” he asks.

“Fate wouldn’t be so cruel,” she states firmly. “I haven’t won our game.”

I laugh. “That would be a tragedy.”

“I’m sorry about your mom,” she whispers.

“It was sad, and we never dealt with her death at the time. Being a new vampire is confusing, and my emotions were enhanced, yet I was able to ignore her death. She was a good woman in a bad situation. I can’t remember all the good times now, it’s as if I pushed them away. She deserves to be remembered,” I say, running my hand through my hair.

“She loved to plant things,” Luca mumbles.

“What?” I turn to face him.

“I would sit outside with her while she planted seeds. Her hands would be covered in dirt, but she didn’t care.” He smiles softly. “She hummed as she dug holes. Her voice was beautiful. We didn’t talk, but she was looking at me and smiling. I remember her smile,” he whispers. “Her death rocked my world even more than turning into a vampire. She died outside, where she loved to be. It tainted all my memories.”

“Luca, you never told me that.” I cup the side of his neck.