33. Selene
Chapter 33
Selene
I sit at my desk, angrily sipping on my blood, the metallic taste doing nothing to quell the fury bubbling inside me. How dare Liam show his face at school after what happened? The nerve!
The minutes tick by in a blur as I try to focus on the lesson, but my mind keeps drifting back to Liam and the tangled mess of emotions he stirs in me. Every glance in his little brother’s direction sends a jolt of anger coursing through me, and I can feel the tension building with each passing moment.
Finally, the bell rings, signaling the end of class, but there’s no relief in sight. Instead, Grayson approaches me, his expression somber and troubled. My heart sinks as he tells me he’s heading home and can’t be tutored today. Is it because of Liam? Did he warn his brother to stay away from me?
I nod solemnly, trying to push aside the worry gnawing at me. “Yeah, sure, Grayson. No problem. I have papers to grade anyway,” I say, forcing a smile that feels more like a grimace. “Take care of yourself.”
He gives me a sympathetic look before turning to leave, and I feel a pang of guilt for dragging him into this mess.
A bit desperately, I say, “I hope you know I wouldn’t hurt you.”
Grayson nods in understanding. “Liam knows, too.” His words send a thrill through me that I quickly suppress.
“Be careful, Grayson,” I tell him, forcing a smile. “See you tomorrow.” With that, I watch him go, my mind still swirling with thoughts of Liam and the complicated mess we’ve found ourselves in.
The classroom is eerily quiet as I finish grading papers. The empty chairs and deserted desks cast long shadows in the dim light. The air feels heavy with anticipation, and a sense of foreboding settles over me like a dark cloud.
I pick up the new phone I picked up just before work and contemplate setting it up.
I can do that at home, I think to myself. I want a shower and to rest after the day I just had.
I need the comfort of my familiar surroundings.
As I gather my things, the creak of a window catches my attention, making me start.
“Who’s there?” I call out, my voice echoing in the empty room. There’s no response, but the feeling of unease in the pit of my stomach only grows stronger. Hastily, I make my way to my car, the click of my heels echoing in the silent hallway.
As I reach my car and open the door, a figure slips inside and settles beside me, sending a surge of panic coursing through me.
I’m about to scream when I come face to face with my brother, Blake. Relief floods through me, quickly replaced by fear as he pulls me into a forced hug, his grip tight and unyielding.
“Hey, sis,” he says, his voice strained with false cheerfulness. “Long time, no see. How you been?”
I pull away from him, my heart racing as I struggle to regain my composure. “Blake, what are you doing here? How did you find me?”
He shrugs, a sly grin playing at the corners of his lips. “Oh, you know, just thought I’d surprise my little sis. And as for finding you, well, let’s just say I have my ways.”
I narrow my eyes at him, a sense of unease creeping over me. Blake has always been unpredictable and prone to reckless behavior and impulsive decisions. I can’t shake the feeling that his sudden appearance here is no coincidence.
“Blake, this isn’t a good idea,” I say warningly. “You shouldn’t be here.”
He laughs, a harsh sound that raises the hair on the back of my neck. “Come on, Selene, don’t be like that. I just wanted to catch up and see how my favorite sister is doing.”
I force a smile as I wrack my brain for ideas on how to get out of this situation. Blake may be my brother, but he’s also a loose cannon, unpredictable, and dangerous. I need to tread carefully and protect myself from whatever trouble he’s been dragged into.
“So, tell me, what have you been up to? Any exciting news? Any new friends?”
I hesitate, suspicious. Blake has always had a knack for sniffing out trouble, and I really don’t want to share my life’s recent events. But at the same time, I have a sinking feeling that he’s already involved, whether I like it or not.
“Not much,” I say evasively. “Just the usual. Work, school, you know.”
He raises an eyebrow, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Come on, Selene, you can’t fool me. I know something’s up. Spill the beans.”
Is he here on Levi’s bidding?
Fuck!
“I swear there’s nothing. And I am so sorry I missed our last meeting. I kind of lost my phone.”
He shrugs, rolling his eyes. “I know. Between all the blood you’re stealing and the wolves you’re tutoring, who would have the time?”
My blood freezes.
Grayson.
“Blake…” I say.
He laughs as he lifts the lid off my small cooler and grabs a pint of blood, “Don’t worry. I’m not here to judge.”
I am shivering.
Liam was not wrong for asking his brother to stay away from me. This is bad.
If Blake knows all these things, then it means he has been watching me for a while.
What more does he know?
Oh God!
He takes a tentative sip directly from the blood bag before making a blech sound. “Seriously? I don’t get how you stand this stuff. It is all cold and yucky.”
Then, without any regard for splatter, he tosses it right back into the freezer.
I am holding my breath and looking around, hoping that no one saw him just drink from a blood bag.
Actually, I just hope no one is around.
I have no doubt that Blake would feed on them directly. I am well aware of just how much he enjoys following in our older brother’s footsteps.
I glance up and notice Blake’s sharp suit, which is a stark contrast to my casual long skirt and boots. His dark hair is neatly styled, and there are traces of blood splatters on his clothes, evidence of his recent feeding, and the blood bag he just mishandled. Despite the blood, he looks overly confident. Typical.
“So, anyway. I am here now. Let me catch you up. Alright, sis?”
Despite the shock coursing through me, I nod.
“You won’t believe what’s happening,” he begins excitedly. “The vampires, we’re finally uniting. We’re going to take down the Night family once and for all. Katya and Thomas are on board, you remember them? And let me tell you, they’re a riot. They know all the fun places and all the tastiest people. We are all so excited. It’s going to be epic.”
I try to mask the dread coiling in my stomach.
A vampire revolution doesn’t sound at all like anything I would want near me. Yes, this town has its issues, with their vengeful council, but do they deserve a blood bath, really?
I know the fight between the vampires and the other supernatural creatures will result in so many casualties.
It already has.
How many people will have to die for this?
I recoil, thinking of my fellow teachers. The sheriff. The students. Annie. Grayson.
Liam.
All of them are in danger.
Everyone is in danger.
“I don’t want any part of this, Blake,” I say firmly, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’ve moved on, started a new life.”
“What life? This? Living on a teacher’s salary? You do know we own a multimillion-dollar company, right?”
I shake my head. “I don’t want any part of this, Blake; I am serious. None of it.”
Blake raises an eyebrow, his tone mocking. “Come on, Selene. You’re a vampire. You should stick with your kind.”
I bristle at his words. “My kind? Is that what you call them? People who kill and feed off others?”
“Silly girl! Where do you think the blood you are still sipping on comes from, huh?
“Yes, and at least it’s given willingly.” I retort.
”Get off your high horse. They are food. Just because you interacted with them a few times doesn’t change that. The same way you have been feeding on Bambi and squirrels is the same way we feed. I don’t get why this is such an issue for you.”
“They are people, Blake. They have lives and dreams and futures.”
“Potato, po-tah-to, Selene. This is happening. I just thought I should give you the heads-up. I don’t want you to think we are keeping you out of the family’s plans. Once we take back what is rightfully ours, we will reunite the family just like Mom and Dad would have wanted.”
I want to say that Mom and Dad would not have wanted this, but I can’t. It isn’t true.
This is exactly what they would have wanted.
My fingers are still trembling as I watch him.
He waits for me to acquiesce, but when he sees that there is no way I am doing that, he rolls his eyes and runs his hands through his hair.
“See you soon, Selene.” He reaches for the car handle and then stops and turns to me. His eyes look darker and stormier.
“And make sure you wash your car and your hair. You smell like a dog. It must be the wolves you decided to hang with instead of choosing your family. Levi says ‘hey,’ by the way.”
And then he steps out of my car and is gone.
My stomach churns at the mention of Levi, another reminder of my past that I’d rather forget.
Alone in the car, I pick up my phone, feeling the urge to call someone.
Anyone.
Liam.
I need to warn him about the impending attack, but it feels like I’m betraying my own family.
If Levi knew I was conspiring with wolves, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill me himself.
If the wolves knew of my existence, they would stake me before I even had a chance to explain.
The conflicting emotions leave me trembling and unsure of what to do next.