Page 18 of This Blood that Bonds Us

“What does that have to—”

Presley shot across the room to bring the floral ceramic bear holding a dipper stick. In less than a second, he was back at the table.

Mom’s hand shot over her mouth, and she gasped in a ragged breath.

“We’re okay. I know it seems scary, but we’re actually better than before because . . .” Presley motioned for me.

“Because we’re immortal, technically. And we can’t get sick, and we don’t get hurt easily, so if that’s what you’re afraid of, then don’t worry. We’re okay, Mom.”

Her eyes were wide as the silence settled between us.

“I was just changed . . . and I can confirm. It’s better than being human. Safer,” Kimberly said.

“This has something to do with your brothers, doesn’t it?” There was sadness in my mother’s eyes when she looked at me. “This is the secret.”

“Yeah. It’s a long story. But we don’t sleep, so we can tell you if you’re not too tired.”

“Let me make some coffee.” She placed both hands on the table to keep her steady as she stood up.

But Presley shot up after her. “Let me help.”

I wondered what my mom thought of me. Would she look at me the same? Was I the same person she knew? She had to know I was scared, because she squeezed my shoulder on her way to the coffee pot.

We told her everything from start to finish. The journey to Blackheart when our brothers changed us, joining the frat, meeting Kimberly, then meeting The Legion. She noddedthrough most of it but cried when we told her about Sarah. I knew it would be hard to say it out loud, but telling her made it finally feel real.

These two separate parts of my life had collided, and we were left in the wreckage. Nothing was familiar anymore without my brothers. Every minute was new territory for all of us. There was no more Brooklyn and no more Blackheart.

We moved to the living room so Presley could pull Mom close to him and hand her tissues. The fire cracked in front of us as a few logs tumbled and fell into the ash.

“You believe us?” I asked.

“I always knew there was something. And as far-fetched as it is, somehow, your brothers joining a vampire cult makes sense. As much sense as it can for tonight. And Sarah . . . ugh, my sweet girl. Luke must have been devastated, and he never told me.” She wiped another tear.

“He couldn’t, Mom. He didn’t know immediately. I think they were scared,” I said.

I was scared too. I’d seen firsthand what The Family was capable of. Every day, I replayed that day in the burning forest again. I didn’t want to think of what would have happened if we’d all been captured. I also didn’t have it in me to imagine where my brothers were. My chest ached again, so I leaned into Kimberly for comfort, and she grabbed my hand.

“I can’t believe I let this happen.” Mom’s voice broke.

“You didn’t do this,” I said. If anyone should feel guilty, it should be me. If I’d made different decisions, maybe they wouldn’t have felt like they had to do everything alone. My whole life I’d let them shoulder all the responsibility.

“Luke didn’t say anything to you? About what we do now?” I asked.

I still had hope there was more to this story. That somehow my brother had prepared for our inevitable separation too. Maybehe had a secret way to contact him or a way we could find each other again.

“Luke left you a note. I have it here.” She pulled a tattered letter from her cardigan and handed it to me. The envelope was inked with Luke’s handwriting—Aaron.

“A note?” I swallowed. The familiar ache tore at my insides, which leaped with hopeful anticipation.

“Just for Aaron?” Presley said next to her.

Kimberly squeezed my leg, and I carefully grabbed the letter, overly aware of how worn the paper was.

Aaron,

If you’re reading this, that means we succeeded. You’re finally safe and reunited with Mom. Sorry in advance about the cold. But I needed it to be somewhere secluded. Plus, I know Mom really likes the snow. This was the best I could do on short notice. Things didn’t exactly work out the way I wanted them to. I wish we could all be together. I want you to know that.

I have a lot to apologize for. I’m sure you’ll be mad at me. But try to remember the good times we did have. Try to remember the people we were. No one can take that away from us.