Page 54 of Thicker than Water

I step into the dark alleyway. I want to tell her that I may understand more than she realizes…

But Xia was right. If she finds out, I’m dead. I’m worse than dead.

She turns her head with unnatural speed, her eyes trained on me.

I stopin my tracks. I’m trembling from head to foot.

“Go home, Amara.”

And she disappears, another shadow in the night.

When I get back to my apartment, I tumble into bed without turning on any lights or taking off my clothes.

And I cry.

Big, messy, stupid, embarrassing tears.

I feel strange and empty. I don’t understand why I’m so upset. Because Ireallyshouldn’t be.

All right, I had a little crush on a vampire. It happens. It happens to people all the time. Maybe not as often to witches, but I’m definitely not the first.

But something else rips a hole in my heart. Something so profoundly sad that I don’t even want to name it.

We were building a connection. A connection I didn’t even realize. Not until it was torn away.

I’ve spent two centuries being strong. Fighting battles to protect others. Alone in my power and ability.

And I thought that maybe she…maybe she could understand that.

But I was wrong.

She’s not the hero who can understand me.

She’s the monster I have to slay.

ANCIENT CARELESSNESS

Celine

“Tudor wants to see you,” Renata says with a frown. “He arrived an hour ago.”

“That was fast,” I reply, masking my voice with a casual lilt. It’s only been a few days since Cedric came to the club. Given Tudor’s preoccupation with his new teaching gig, I’m surprised he took the time to come. “Where is he?”

“In the club,” Renata replies, tapping the toe of her pointed heel on the floor. “He’s not happy with you.”

“He should be.”

“Youknowwhy he’s not.”

I wave a hand at her. “Let me handle this.”

She huffs as I turn to the elevators.

Despite my outward confidence, I steel myself as I enter the club. It’s a busy night, and the air is heavy with desire and conquest. I start to feel my hunger rise. After I deal with my Creator, maybe I’ll find myself some dinner.

I carefully avoid looking toward the bar as I make my way through the crowd.

Tudor is typically easy to spot. It has nothing to do with his appearance. His age gives him a heavy presence that can be felt by vampires and living humans alike. Both tend to give him a wide bearing.