Page 42 of The Nightblood Prince

The vampires came in the dark of the night, followed by ear-splintering screams and the stench of fresh blood.

“Run!” Mother cried, pushing Fangyun and me through the window just as the door was kicked open. A large man with bloodred eyes crept into view. I could see Father’s limp, bloodless body in the background, impossibly pale, his eyes empty. “Run!” she cried one last time, and I obeyed.

Hand in hand, Fangyun and I ran into the forest. Snowy terrain stretched as far as our eyes could see. Pine needles and sharp stones bit at our bare feet; we didn’t stop.

Help. We have to get help.

Manic laughter echoed behind us. Footsteps. The vampires were coming. They—

From the shadows, a beast pounced on my sister.

“Fei!” She cried my name just as he wrapped both hands around her throat, and—

Snap.

“Fangyun!”

Slow steps. The beast walked out from the shadows, until finally, I saw his beautiful, porcelain face.

Lan Yexue.

I stumbled back. His eyes were red, and in place of teeth, he had fangs like the tiger that almost killed us a year ago.

“It’s been a long time, Fei,” he purred.

I tried to run, but he was faster. I tried to fight, but he was stronger.

Before long, he had his hand around my throat, a wicked smile on his lips.

“Miss me?”

I jerked awake just as his fangs came down on my throat.