Page 42 of This Blood That Binds Us

“From what? From them? I don’t even know who they are because you won’t tell me a single thing about them. I’m starting to wonder if they’re even dangerous.”

“They are,” Luke said, his words cutting me. “The less you know about all of it, the better.”

“How does that protect me from anything?” I scoffed.

The familiar anger swelled, and I was already eyeing my escape route.

“Not just from them...but from me. I’m not the person you think I am. I’m a lot worse,” Luke said.

“You’re the best person I know. You’ve been my go-to hero for all my essays since kindergarten.”

He shook his head. “Not anymore. I’m no one’s hero.”

“I’d say you’re doing pretty good. We’re all alive. Mom is safe, at least. All this other stuff is just.. .growing pains.”

It wasn’t enough. I wished he trusted me more to tell me, but it was the most real talk Luke and I had in months. It felt good.

He nudged me. “When did you get so mature? I can’t believe you’re trying to makemefeel better.”

I couldn’t believe it, either.

Kimberly shot into my mind, with her reassuring smile and her grace. She was undoubtedly the most patient, understanding person I’d ever met. The least I could do was to pass on some of her magic sorcery to my brother.

“What are brothers for?” I said, laying back on the bed to stare at the ceiling.

He smiled half-heartedly, but he didn’t say another word.

I knew it wasn’t that simple. We were brothers. But he and Zach had been much more to me. My only stable male figures, mashed together, made up a pretty good dad. Because of that, I’d never be able to be there for him the way he was for me. There would always be things he’d want to keep from me.

“Can I ask you something that’s kind of random? And you can’t ask me why I’m asking.”

I proceeded with caution. If I was going to get any information, it would be from Luke.

He nodded.

“How would one...identify other vampires around? Like, say someone in our frat was a vampire, could you tell?”

His eyes narrowed. “Well, you wouldn’t. It’s easy to hide. Unless you can catch them not breathing, but it’s rare. Now, I don’t think I’d need to tell you that if you suspect someone you should come out and say it. Vampires around isn’t a good thing. It’s not like the movies, where they are everywhere and anyone can change into whoever they want. Vampires are few and far between. They come from...places of power. I’m not even sure you could turn someone if you wanted to.”

“What? Why not?”

“I’m not one hundred percent sure, but...to put it simply, the blood that changed me was powerful, and then you took mine. My blood wasn’t as powerful as the last, and yours won’t be as powerful as mine.”

I started thinking out loud, trying to understand. “You’re saying this isn’t like Twilight, where there are little covens all over the place?”

Finally, a wide smile returned to his face. “Twilight?”

“Presley made me watch it!” I chuckled, remembering that time.

Presley made me watch a week-long marathon of vampire movies and TV shows when we were first turned. It felt like torture at the time, but admittedly, it was kinda helpful.

Our conversation didn’t ease any of my worries. Kimberly was definitely bitten by a vampire, which meant whoever it was could be the big bad. There were so many questions I wanted to ask him, but I had to pick my words carefully.

“So, you haven’t suspected anything, then . . . about vampires in the area?”

Luke hesitated, watching my expressions like a hawk. “I haven’t. Have you heard anything...seen anything?”

“No—”