Page 35 of Vampires Don't Give Hickeys

“That’s a tad judgmental for the likes of a demon, don’t you think?” I grinded out, holding my sides together as I stumbled to my feet.

A grimace pinched his crispy mouth. “I call it like I see it. His Majesty won’t be happy.”

“Well... Give him this for me.” I threw a punch at his demonic face.

He toppled into the hell portal, and it sealed up after him.

I swayed on my feet and blinked down at the solid ground. Had that really just happened? Had I really just successfully rejected the devil for good?

“And that, ladies and gentleman, is how it’sdone,” a familiar voice said from behind me.

Jacek.

I turned and stared at my three vamps striding through the graveyard toward me. They were a gorgeous sight, especially since I thought I might fall over.

Jacek came to stand next to me, close enough that I could lean on him for support. He slid one arm protectively around my back and crossed his other in front of him to take my hand.

Sawyer came around to my other side and gripped my other one, his dark curls fluttering out from behind his ears in a sudden breeze. “We were standing as close as we could. We saw the whole thing. You did fantastic.”

Eddie stepped up in front of me, his glasses pinched up on his nose with a look of concern as he looked around the cemetery, probably for Paul. He was here, but not too close. I could sense it, though not with the regular five.

Jacek grinned. “Are you ready to slay?”

“Well...first, I might need a couple new ribs because I don’t have insurance,” I said, wincing. They would heal quickly, but still. I didn’t even have dental.

I gazed at each of my vamps’ faces while I stood there like a lunatic, too overcome with relief and gratitude to do anything else. Tears trickled down my cheeks, and I let them.

“I don’t regret my decision to turn down the devil,” I finally choked out. “I choose to continue being the slayer, no matter what. And I choose the three of you.” I looked to Eddie. “I wish I had three hands, one for each of you to hold.”

“Someone has to carry your duffel bag and seraph knife, and I’m a pretty good carrier.” Eddie leaned in for a quick kiss, a frown still cupping his perfect mouth. “He’s here, isn’t he? Paul? The air feels...off.”

I nodded. “He’s close. Probably strategizing a new plan. I could really use all of your help with him.”

“Of course.” Jacek said with a smile. “That’s a given.”

“The first step in defeating a monster is to become the monster.” Sawyer glanced at me, his gaze hard and full of the memories that haunted him.

Jacek leaned down to whisper, his lips tickling my ear. “But first, a birthday celebration. I hear there’s cake.”

I could get behind cake. Always.

Jacek and Sawyer squeezed my hands as Eddie retrieved my duffel bag, and we followed him out of the cemetery toward our new future. Together. No matter what it might bring.

And itwouldbring my next birthday, despite the fact that no other slayer had reached the age of twenty-one.

With the help of my vampires, I could defend my body, mind, and soul night after night for a whole year. Icouldbecome the monster that could defeat a monster.

Game on, Paul.

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The End of Book 1