Page 33

“She filled our time together with questions. She wanted to know everything about the hidden magical world around her. I thought it was because she wanted to understand, but it was because she was plotting.”

Mila looked horrified. “Plotting what?”

“To sell me to a tooth-puller,” Gio said.

“Tooth-puller?”

“Originally, tooth-pullers were called vampire hunters,” Carter explained.

“But that was back when they were organized by the church. After the crusades, they went into business for themselves. Vampire parts are in high demand by blood mages, underworld witches, and many others. They would’ve used Gio’s skin, blood, and organs to do all kinds of powerful spells.

Tooth-pullers can make nearly a million dollars from one kill.

The only thing the hunters don’t sell are the fangs. They keep those as a trophy.”

“That’s barbaric!” Mila gasped.

Gio tried to smile, but it probably looked more like a grimace. “Thankfully, tooth-pullers don’t tend to live long. We vampires are hard to subdue and even harder to kill.”

Mila nodded her head in understanding. “They can’t use the sun, right? That would risk destroying the very body they want to sell.”

Gio admired her quick mind. “Exactly.”

“You’re safe now,” Carter reminded him. “I’m here, and no tooth-puller is getting past me.”

Mila glanced at her knives hanging on a magnetic strip on the wall. “Same here. I might look like I couldn’t hold my own, but I know how to butcher a hog.”

Her statement made Gio bark out a laugh. “I’ll work very hard never to piss you off again.”

“Don’t keep any secrets from me and it won’t be an issue,” she said. “What happened with Coraline and the tooth-puller?”

“Despite the way she acted, I never suspected a thing.” God, that was hard to admit. “She led me into a trap like a lamb to slaughter. She told me we were going to a new speakeasy.”

“A speakeasy was a secret bar,” Carter explained. “You know, because alcohol was illegal during the 1920s.”

Mila shot Carter a slightly annoyed look. “I know what prohibition was. I might not have gone to college, but I paid attention in high school and watched documentaries.”

Carter ducked his head. “I wasn’t implying you were dumb. I didn’t know what it was when Gio first told me. I didn’t want you to feel confused, like I did.”

“Sorry,” Mila said. “I might be a little sensitive. I shouldn’t have jumped down your throat.”

Carter gave her a smile, like all was forgiven. “It’s okay, I get it.”

Mila looked back to Gio. “I’m guessing it wasn’t a speakeasy.”

“No, it was a condemned building with three tooth-pullers,” Gio said.

It was hard, but he forced the words out past his tight throat.

“I don’t remember the fight. I don’t remember anything after that.

When I came back to myself the next night, I was covered in blood and there were four bodies around me. ”

“Four?” Mila asked. “You killed Coraline too?”

“Yes,” Gio said. “I didn’t only kill her; I ripped her limb from limb. The others died of broken necks, or I drained them, but not her. I–I…” his voice trailed off.

“You’re not a monster,” Carter said, holding Gio tight. Carter’s words and embrace helped, even if it wasn’t true.

Gio wanted to believe him, but the images of Coraline’s desecrated body were too vivid.

“Gio?”

He looked up to find that Mila had stepped around the island. She wasn’t touching him, but she was close.

“I’ll understand if you don’t want to be near me any longer," Gio whispered. “It wasn’t only that I was betrayed. I don’t even remember destroying the woman I loved. I’m capable of horrific violence.”

“No,” Mila said firmly. She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. “No, you can’t think that. I mean, yes, you were violent. But you were reacting, not initiating. It's like when people beat dogs and then are shocked when the dog defends itself.”

Gio felt his mouth drop open. “Did you just compare an apex predator to a pet dog?”

Carter snorted, and Mila bit her lip as if to keep from smiling.

“I didn’t call you a dog,” Mila said. “Only that everyone has the right to defend themselves, even animals.”

Geo sighed. “That’s the problem, I didn’t simply defend myself. I went further, I desecrated her body.”

Mila tilted her head. “But you don’t remember doing it, right?”

Gio nodded.

“Have you ever done anything like that again?” she asked.

Carter spoke up. “Death and killing are common in our world, Mila. We’ll shield you from it. But it’s important to know that not all vampires are good, like Gio. Some of them are pure evil.”

Mila didn’t look scared, only curious. “I’m not surprised. If vampires are humans that were turned, then that would mean they could be good or evil. Unless turning changes everything about your personality.”

“No, we are mostly the same person,” Gio said.

Mila pinned him with her gaze. “I’m still upset you didn’t tell me, but I understand why.”

Relief made Gio feel dizzy. “You’re not scared? You won’t leave?”

Gio was startled by the look of pure anger that tightened Mila’s features.

“I know I’m just some hick from South Dakota and not a sophisticated and smart city girl like Coraline was,” she said. He could tell she was deliberately making her Midwestern accent thick, almost sounding Canadian. “But I’m smart enough to know when I’m in danger.”

“Not always,” Carter grumbled.

Mila turned rage filled eyes on Carter. “I don’t want to hear anything from you, Mr. I-Tried-To-Get-Myself-Killed! The girls told me all about Faith being a knitter. Harper admitted that if Faith had to spend the night, then you were probably close to death!”

Carter blinked, probably as surprised as Gio by Mila’s forceful tone. “I had you and Gio feeding me,” Carter said. “I wasn’t going to die.”

Mila shook her head slowly. “What would've happened if I hadn’t decided to drive back to Joy because I was hoping to talk to you more? Those men in the alley would’ve killed you!”

“The magic drew you to where you needed to be,” Carter said. “That’s how it works.”

Gio could tell Mila didn’t like that answer. “You will never do anything so stupid again.” She poked him in the chest. “Ever!”

“Yes, Mila,” Carter agreed obediently.

She turned her sparking eyes on him. “You will stop feeling guilty for Coraline’s death. The bitch deserved what she got.”

“You’re honestly not scared of me,” Gio marveled, overjoyed at Mila’s anger. If she’d been faking her affections, she’d probably pretend she was happy and not raging at them.

Mila huffed. “Of course not! You’ve had plenty of opportunities to do horrible things to me, but you’ve been nothing but wonderful. I love you both, but you’re not forgiven yet. It’s going to take some groveling.”

Gio grinned at her. “I’ll buy knee pads, and we’ll grovel until you're satisfied."

Mila giggled. “Good!” She looked back and forth between him and Carter. “Can I see the real Gio and Carter?”

Gio could feel Carter vibrating with eagerness.

“Yes!” Then he stood up, tossed Gio over his shoulder, and strode out of the kitchen. “We need more room for this!”