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CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHANEL

M y hands trembled as I paced the worn hardwood floors of my old apartment. The secrets I had carried for so long felt like a physical weight on my shoulders. I had to tell Morgan the truth about Lonzo, about what really happened to Craig. I waited long enough. Morgan already had her suspicions. She deserved to know, even if it meant reliving the pain and terror of that awful night.

I drew in a shaky breath, smoothing my dress with unsteady fingers. Get it together, Chanel. You can do this. You have to do this. For Morgan. For yourself. I needed to finally be free of the lies and the guilt.

The click of the door lock startled me from my racing thoughts. I turned to see Morgan stride into the apartment, her black leather jacket hugging her curves, her sandy colored hair tumbling over her shoulders. She flashed me a confident grin, but I could see the uncertainty in her stormy gray eyes, the tension in her jaw. Something was bothering her.

“Hey girl,” Morgan greeted me, dropping her bag on the floor with a thud. “Sorry I’m a little late. You would not believe the traffic.”

“No worries,” I replied, forcing a smile. “I’m just glad you’re here.”

Morgan cocked her head, studying me intently. “You okay, Chanel? You’re acting strange.”

I wrapped my arms around myself. My body did a little shiver despite the warmth of the apartment. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just,” I trailed off.

Morgan took a step closer, concern etching her features. “What is it? Are you mad about me and Harlen? Yes, I was out with him. It’s not that deep.”

“No. It’s not that.”

“What’s up? You know you can tell me anything.”

I nodded. Morgan was more than just my best friend— she was my sister. If I couldn’t trust her, I couldn’t trust anyone.

“I know. And I will. But first,” I gestured to the couch. “Why don’t you sit down and tell me what’s on your mind? Why Harlen? I don’t understand. He’s not your type. This isn’t like you.” I don’t know why, but I chickened out. I needed her to talk first.

Morgan hesitated. A glimmer of vulnerability crossed her face before she quickly masked it with a shrug. “It’s nothing. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Harlen.”

She sank onto the couch, crossing her long legs. I settled beside her. Morgan had been through so much. Losing Craig couldn’t be easy. I hated seeing her hid her pain, especially when I knew I was partly to blame.

“You can tell me no matter what?” I said softly.

Morgan was silent for a long moment, staring down at her French manicured nails.

“I’m not going crazy. Sure, I don’t know what I’m doing with Harlen. With any of it. Being in Minnesota is too much. Everything there reminds me of Craig.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Oh Morgan, if you only knew the secrets I’ve kept from you. The lies I’ve told.

Taking a deep breath, I removed my hand from her knee and placed it in my lap. It was time to reveal the truth, no matter how much it hurt. Morgan deserved that much. We both did.

“Morgan, there’s something I need to tell you.”

My heart raced as I gathered the courage to unburden myself. The weight of my secrets threatened to crush me. Morgan’s hand tightened in mine, her gray eyes searching my face with a mixture of concern and apprehension.

“What is it, Chanel? You’re scaring me.” Her voice faltered.

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “It’s about Craig, and Lonzo.” The names felt like shards of glass on my tongue.

Morgan’s body stiffened. Her gaze hardened. “What about them?” Her tone was guarded and defensive.

I closed my eyes briefly, toughening myself for the impact of my words. “Lonzo, he’s the one who killed Craig. And I, I knew he did it. I’ve known for a while now.”

“What?”

The thick silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sharp intake of Morgan’s breath. She stood abruptly, pacing my small living room like a caged animal.

I didn’t want to repeat it but— “Lonzo killed Craig.”

She stopped in her tracks and whirled around to face me. “What do you mean, you knew?” Her ashen eyes blazed with a mix of disbelief and betrayal. “How could you keep something like that from me?”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I rose to meet her, my hands outstretched in a plea for understanding. “I wanted to protect you, Morgan. I thought, I thought I was doing the right thing. I didn’t want to add to your grief.”

Morgan scoffed. “You didn’t even warn me. He could’ve tried to kill me next.” Her voice was raw with pain.

“When I finally knew for sure it was him, you were no longer in danger. I wanted to protect you from everything.”

“Protect me? By lying to me? By letting me think Craig’s death was just some random road rage car accident?”

I flinched at the accusation, knowing she was right. “I’m so sorry, Morgan. I never meant to hurt you. I was just, I was scared.”

Her expression softened slightly. Her anger was giving way to a profound sadness. “Scared of what, Chanel? Of me? Did you think I was going to fight you or something? You were afraid of me.”

“No, never of you.” I shook my head vehemently. “I was scared of losing you. Of losing our friendship. I was afraid of dragging you into a world you didn’t understand. A world I barely understand myself.”

Morgan sank back onto the couch, her shoulders slumping under the weight of my revelation. “What world, Chanel? What are you talking about?”

I sat beside her once more, our knees touching as I leaned in close. “The underworld, Morgan.”

“What? The world of drugs and cartels and shit. I already know about that. It’s the reason you left Minnesota. And now it’s the reason my boyfriend is dead.”

“It’s all my fault. I’m the one who dated that asshole.”

“You didn’t know Lonzo was a criminal. I met him twice, and I didn’t even know he was a criminal. He didn’t have a sign on his forehead. He looked like a regular guy.”

“I know, but all this shit is my fault. I didn’t want you to have to think about any of it ever again.”

“Well, I have to think about it. Lonzo is still out there somewhere.”

“Well, not exactly. Lonzo is dead.” I admitted. I stood and did some pacing of my own.

“How do you know he’s dead? He could be in Mexico. You told me those detectives questioned you because he escaped his ankle monitor and he’s out here on the loose. He’s missing, right?”

“He’s not missing. He’s dead.” I stated bluntly.

“How the fuck would you know that?” She pressed. “How do you know for sure?”

“I saw his dead body.”

Morgan stood and closed the gap between us. Her anger had fallen from her face and was now replaced with curiousness.

“Tell me everything.”

“Lonzo came to Minnesota and attacked me in this apartment. He held my hostage and tried to rape me. I really think he was planning on killing me.”

“He found you?”

“Yeah, he was here, but Zand showed up at my apartment and took care of him.”

“Took care of him?”

“Yes.” The gruesome scene played over in my head in 4K. The images I pushed away were now back inside my brain in vivid colors.

“Did he shoot him?”

“No, but he killed him. He didn’t need a gun?”

“What? Did he stab him or something?” Morgan asked.

“No.” I thought about my words before I said them. “Morgan, I want to tell you everything.”

“Hell yeah, and you betta tell me everything. That muthafucka killed Craig. I’m your friend and I deserve the truth.”

“You do. I know you do.” I sighed and licked my lips. “There’s our world that we live in and there’s this criminal world that people like Lonzo live in.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“But there’s a third world, a secret world.”

“Look, you better not come at me talking about no illuminati bullshit.”

“No, the other world is supernatural. There are other people out here that are like magic. When I tell you this, you have to keep it a secret. You have to swear never to tell anyone what I’m telling you. Look at me. I’m not bullshitting you. This is a secret society that exists.”

“Coco, I swear I’m not going to say anything. Please tell me. I can see the fear in your eyes. Please, just tell me.”

“Here, in Chicago, there are vampires. A vampire killed Lonzo.”

Morgan’s eyes widened; a flicker of disbelief crossed her face before her features rested into a mask of curiosity. “Tell me everything, Chanel. No more secrets. No more lies. I need to know the truth.”

“Okay let’s sit.”

We both sat on the couch facing each other and this time I hoped we stayed seated. With a heavy heart, I was going to unravel the tangled web of my recent past. I prayed the strength of our friendship would be enough to see us through this convoluted dumpster-fire that was my life.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the painful memories I was about to revisit. “It all started when I met Lonzo. He was charming, mysterious, and he had this way of making me feel like I was the only person in the world who mattered. You know all of this already.”

Morgan leaned forward, listening intently. “Lonzo, he fooled all of us.”

I nodded, my throat tightening with emotion. “After I left, and he was arrested, I started living my life again. I knew I was going to have to come back and testify, but I felt safe in Chicago.”

“You seemed happy here.”

“I was. I started seeing Zand, and everything was going good until I was attacked in the parking lot. I never mentioned it to you because I didn’t want you to worry. Later, I found out it was Lonzo’s sister, Marisol. They jumped me and I couldn’t see any of their faces. I didn’t think it was Lonzo because he was still locked up and I’m practically in witness protection. I thought it was just random Chicago street violence and crime. Zand nursed me back to help and then I heard about what happened to Craig. I swear I thought it was just a car crash at first, but Zand didn’t think so. I later found out the detectives had lost Lonzo and were looking for him. Lonzo told me he killed Craig. He confirmed his sister jumped me in the parking lot. Lonzo wasn’t long gone, like we all thought. He broke into my apartment to kill me. I was the witness. Without me, he could get off for those murders. The state’s attorney had charges, but they were banking on a conviction for the triple murder charge that I was a witness to.”

“This is so fucked up. They didn’t protect you at all.”

“No, they didn’t. He was too dangerous to even get a bond. Lonzo broke into my place through the sliding balcony door in my bedroom. He beat me and tried to rape me. Zand knew something was up and he came into my apartment, and he took care of Lonzo.”

“He killed him?”

“Yes, Zand is not human. He’s a vampire. That’s a secret I’ve been holding from you.”

“What?” Morgan gasped. “You look serious.”

“Because I am. I’m not crazy. I’m not making something up to shock you.”

Morgan’s eyes glistened. “I can’t believe this. We wrote silly letters and slid them under his basement door.”

“We did. And all this time, Zand was a vampire. He was hiding it from me. He knew all along who I was.” I reached out and grasped her hand tightly in my own. “I know this shit sounds Kanye crazy. But I swear on the life of my dead mama, what I say is true. You are my best friend. I wanted you to know. I’m the only person who knows and I have nobody to talk to. You have to believe me.”

She squeezed my hand in return. “I’m here for you, Coco. No matter what.”

“But do you believe me?”

“Of course I do. You are literally the sane-ness person I know. Who the fuck would lie about something like that? Zand is nice and all, but he’s too mysterious and weird. And Harlen is his brother, but they don’t look anything alike. Plus, he’s just as mysterious and weird. Harlen isn’t scary. He’s just acts different. And both of y’all was freaking out because I was fucking Harlen like he was some kind of monster that was going to eat me or something. I’m not slow. I could tell something was going on.”

I felt a wave of relief wash over me, the weight of my secrets finally lifting from my shoulders. “Me and Zand were upset because Harlen is a vampire too. I don’t know him well and I didn’t want you around him. They drink blood just like in the movies. Some of them kill people. I just found this out recently, so I don’t know all of their rules. I just know Zand told Harlen not to bite you and he probably told him not to harm you. They are really strong. I don’t know much. I just know he threatened Harlen when it came to you.”

We sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of my revelation hanging heavy in the air between us.

Then Morgan spoke. “Fuck a duck. This is a lot to take in. I believe you, but where’s the proof?”

I nodded, my mind already racing. “Ah, I say the fangs. I saw the superhuman strength. I’ve seen Zand drink blood.”

Morgan’s eyes widened. “Harlen? What about him? Does he do all those things?”

“They all do.”

“So, vampires are real?”

“Yep.”

“The nightclub, The Castle. I know some of those people in there are vampires.”

“Some are.” My heart was beating fast. I didn’t know if I was even allowed to share this with Morgan. “I know it’s a lot to take in. But you have to understand, Harlen is dangerous. He’s unpredictable, and he has a way of getting into trouble.”

“You don’t think I can handle myself?” Morgan’s tone was defensive, her jaw clenched as she rested her eyes on me.

“That’s not what I’m saying,” I reassured her, my voice gentle but firm. “I just want you to be careful. Harlen may seem charming, but he’s not to be trusted.”

Morgan was silent for a moment, her gaze distant as she processed my words. Finally, she spoke. “I just don’t want to lose anyone else, Chanel. I can’t go through that again.”

My heart broke at the pain in her voice, and I pulled her into a tight embrace. “You won’t lose me, Morgan. I promise. We’re in this together, no matter what. We have this secret that bonds us forever.”

As we held each other, the weight of our shared secrets glued us together like that chick that put Gorilla Glue in her weave. We were stuck with each other now. We were two women that knew about vampires, so we were locked in tight.

“Thank you, Chanel. For being honest with me.” She drew in a shaky breath, her loyalty unwavering despite the shock of the revelations. “I know it couldn’t have been easy to tell me what happened to Craig, or what Zand and Harlen are. But I’m glad you did.”

I nodded. “I should have told you sooner. I’m sorry I kept it from you for so long, but it was so hard for me to wrap my head around the things I had witnessed with my own eyes.”

Morgan shook her head. “No, I understand. But from now on, no more secrets.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Child, you are the only person I can talk to. You don’t know it yet, but they are everywhere.”

“Seriously?”

“Girl, there are vampires all around us.”

“Damn, they must be just blending into society like the rest of us.”

“Yes, the bartender with the purple hair and tattoos at The Castle.” I tilted my head.

“Damn, he’s a vampire?”

“Yep.”

“What about that tall Charlize Theron looking chick that came and got us the first time we went to that club?”

“Uh-huh, Layla, she’s one of them.”

“Damn, they got bloodsuckas every fuckin’ where. Oh shit! Is bloodsucka a racial slur like the N-word?”

“I don’t think so. I don’t think they care about stuff like that, but I will ask Zand.”

“It doesn’t really matter. They aren’t supposed to know that I know. I should only call people by their names, even if I know they’re vampires.”

“Facts.”

“What about Harlen?” Morgan’s expression grew serious as her thoughts turned to him.

“What about him?”

“Am I supposed to act like I don’t know what he is?”

“Ah, you can just stop talking to him. You ghost his ass.”

“I’m not going to do that. I like him.”

“What? Morgan, is you cool? I just told you he was a vampire, and he is not one of the good ones from what I’ve been told.”

“I like him. His dick is amazing, so I’m not going anywhere.”

“You can find more amazing dicks.” She really could. She was what the men called exotic. Morgan was bright and White presenting and could live her life White passing if she wanted to. She didn’t have to go looking for more dicks. The dicks would line up and down the street for her.

“I don’t care about his vampire status. He’s what I’m doing right now. I told you. He’s not scary. He comes when I call him. He does what I tell him to do.”

I could tell she meant that shit, so I wasn’t about to argue with her. “I know you’re drawn to him, but you need to be careful. Harlen is unpredictable, and his intentions aren’t always clear.” My voice was soft but firm. I only repeated what Zand told me. I assumed it was all true.

Morgan’s eyes flashed with defiance. “You think I can’t handle myself around him?”

“I don’t know. I just want you to be safe.”

“I’m not some na?ve little girl, Coco. I know how to handle myself.”

With a vampire, girl please, I thought, but didn’t dare to say. “I mean, you grown.”

Chanel twirled a strand of her long, wavy hair. “You slept with Zand, and he didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“No, he didn’t.” I told her the truth, knowing it wasn’t going to matter either way.

I could tell the idea of Harlen being dangerous thrilled her biracial ass. It had to be Harlen’s vampire status that she loved because she wasn’t even the type to date White men. Craig was Black. The guy before Craig was Black. The real estate guy was Arab, and the old doctor guy was Nigerian African Black.

“I can’t just ignore what I feel for Harlen. There’s something between us, something I can’t explain. It was there before I knew he was a vampire.”

“I’m not asking you to ignore your feelings. I just want you to be aware of the risks and to be cautious. They can kill us easily. They can drink our blood and drain us to death.”

“But they can’t hypnotize us, right?” She asked.

“No, they can’t do that.” I clarified.

“Can they mind control you?”

“Ah, no. They can’t mind control you. They can basically kill you in many ways if they feel like it. Zand told me it goes against their normal rules. He said they want to just live amongst us, but in the shadows. He told me most of them just want to blend in with society without bringing any attention to themselves. He said they don’t have to kill humans to survive.”

Morgan blew out a breath of sheer relief. “Okay, well, that means what I’m feeling is real. Harlen didn’t glamour me like in True Blood or mind control me or anything. I had control of my mind and body, and I just wanted to be with him.”

Well, that was a way of looking at it. It was one hundred percent clear she was going to date, sleep with, and whatever else with Harlen, despite the danger.

A serene silence settled between us. I guess I was going to date a vampire and so was my best friend. While warning her, I realized I should have been warning myself. I loved Zand more than any man ever, but his lifestyle was different.

Was he going to live forever while my ass grew old and gray? Was he going to eventually leave me for another woman? What if that woman was a vampire? I couldn’t fight a vampire chick. Since I knew his secret, does that mean he would have to kill me if he wanted out? I couldn’t believe I was even thinking these things. I was really feeling insecure. Honestly, it didn’t matter. I loved my mister vampire, and he loved me. Now. Today. That’s all that mattered, the love we shared in the moment. I could dream that the moment lasted forever.