Love Sucks! Read Online Free Page B

into the vampire, they become a perfect mix of the two beings.”
    Aunt Doreen paused and looked directly into Ryan’s eyes. I had never seen her so serious before.
    â€œThe Serpentines werena always bad. They were allies of the Frieceadans. We trusted them. It’s always been best if the magical folk stick together. And it was all well and good until they became power hungry. That’s when the runes and the scrolls were hidden. To keep them safe from the evil that had taken over.”
    â€œAnd that’s when the Frieceadans went into hiding?” I asked.
    â€œPrecisely. As soon as the documents were hidden, the new people in charge of the clan killed everyone involved. Including their families. They came after the Frieceadans, and they managed to kill off a good number of our people before we escaped.”
    â€œWhy do you think this demon is part Serpentine?” Oz asked.
    â€œBecause it wants to take AJ back to the clan,” Ryan answered.
    Oz’s eyes widened.
    â€œDon’t worry, kiddo. I’m not going anywhere,” I said. “What makes the Bborim so dangerous, Aunt D? Why isit different from just a normal vamp?”
    â€œOne thing is, they dinna have to feed often. They’re sturdy and dangerous creatures because they are difficult to sense.”
    â€œExcept for that awful sweet smell,” I said with a shudder. “That was like candy-store overload.”
    â€œWhat smell?” Rayden asked.
    â€œYou didn’t smell its super-sweet breath?” I asked.
    Everyone shook their heads no.
    â€œWell, I wouldn’t recommend getting close enough to smell it, because it is nasty .”
    â€œThe Serpentines are slime. We should do to them what they tried to do to us,” Ryan spat.
    I flinched with every venom-tinged word.
    â€œI’m sorry,” he said when he realized how hateful he’d sounded. “I don’t mean y’all. But that extended family of yours is bad with a capital B.”
    â€œRyan!” Rick said. “The Frieceadans protect and defend. That’s our place in this world. We don’t bring harm to others.”
    Ryan stood and walked to the doorway, unable to hide the sadness on his face. “I know that, Dad. I do. I love our family and I know that the girls would never do anything intentionally to hurt us. But what if . . .” His voice trailed off.
    â€œWhat if what?” I asked softly.
    He looked at me and my breath hitched. “The Bborim was convinced you’d find your way home to the Serpentines. What if it was right? What if that’s your destiny?” His voice was almost a whisper. “What if . . .?”
    He didn’t finish the thought; he just turned away from us and walked out the door. Aunt Doreen sat next to me, hugging me close to her. “Dinna fash yerself over that lad, dearie. He’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders, as do you. In the end, family will stick together. Ye’ll see.”
    Wasn’t that exactly what Ryan was worried about? Was it possible that I might one day decide the Serpentines were my real family?

Chapter 4
    I spent the night dreaming of soulful brown eyes and big demon baddies. I spent the morning trying to get Tave out of my head. Now that she knew Mr. Charles was back, it seemed I couldn’t get rid of her. When I finally managed to reroute my emotions, my cell phone rang.
    â€œHoney, I know it isn’t fair that I’m so tapped into you, but I can’t help you protect the family if you don’t help me.”
    â€œI know you mean well, Auntie Tave, but this isn’t about the demon. Please, could you try to stay out of my head? It would be very helpful to my teenage state of mind if you didn’t know every time I looked at Ryan andwished things were different.”
    Okay, so that was me fudging things a bit. I didn’t want her worrying about how much I was worrying, so I