Page 96 of Thicker than Water

“Well, who wants a drink?” Xia sighs, ducking under the bar and grabbing an open bottle of whiskey.

“Me, please!” Nova chirps, leaning against the bar.

“I’mgoing to ground!” Lexi says. “This night has been way too long, I need my beauty sleep.”

“I’m going to get Hallie to her coffin,” Amrita says, nodding toward my still-unconscious youngest sister.

“We’ll arrange a crypt for you, Rita,” Renata says. “We all need some rest, and then we can sort everything out tomorrow.”

She gives me a stressed look. I look around at everyone, battle-weary and tired. I could never have imagined being in this position. But here we are. And now that Tudor is gone, I’ve got to step up.

I raise my voice slightly, addressing Renata and Lexi. “Listen both of you, I want you to know…we’re going to make it through this. Tudor might have turned us, but we’re so much more than he is. Renata, you’re a brilliant CEO. You make this whole hotel run like clockwork. Lexi, you’re confident and strong. You could sell anything to anyone. And Hallie…well, I’ve never met a more optimistic vampire, or one who’s so willing to learn.”

Renata clicks her tongue, but can’t suppress a grin. “Took you long enough to notice!”

Lexi clasps her hands together. “Iknewyou had a heart buried deep inside there somewhere! Even if it doesn’t beat anymore.”

“Don’t go spreading that around!” I reply with a raised eyebrow. “I still need to be able to protect you, and everyone at the hotel. We’re going to need it.”

Everyone files out toward the elevators, Amrita going first with Hallie in her arms and her owl familiar hovering beside them.

Then it’s only Amara and I.

Her eyes are hazel again, and there’s a smudge of dirt across her cheek. She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me close.

“That’s sweet, what you said,” she whispers.

“I meant it. Now that Tudor is gone, someone needs to watch out for this place.”

“Well, you don’t need to do it alone.”

“Are you sure? It’s going to be dangerous.”

She laughs. “Danger? I eat danger for breakfast. Didn’t you know?I’m one of the most powerful witches in the northern region.”

Her smile is infectious. It erases all doubt from my mind. “You were incredible tonight.”

“You too.” She pulls me closer, her heartbeat steady and strong. But I can feel the pull of the dawn.

“Would you…like to join me tonight?”

“In your crypt?” she asks with a grin.

“Of course.”

She puts her lips to my cheek, and whispers in my ear.

“There’s nothing I’d rather do.”

THE NIGHT SKY

Amara

“I think you should do buttons,” Xia says confidently. “I hear that can help.”

“No, snaps!” Lexi counters. “Definitelysnaps. Seems less likely to rip, you know?”

“That’s a good point,” I add, refreshing Lexi’s glass of bloodwine.