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  I blink at him. “Come again?”

  He sighs, dropping his hand to his side. “I know it’s probably a little weird to trust a vampire, but I promise Mia is trustworthy. And her crypt is the perfect place to lock up a werewolf. Plus, she knows a lot of things and might know what’s wrong with him. And honestly, I can’t think of anywhere else. So, unless you can …” He shrugs.

  While I’m not thrilled at the idea of chilling with a vampire, I know very little people or creatures in this area, so …“Okay, let’s go to Mia’s.”

  Nodding, he stands up.

  I move, too, a soft giggle slipping from my lips.

  Great. The giggling is back. And I left the bag of fey magicae back in the forest somewhere.

  “Oh yeah, I’m glad you did that,” Thad says, sticking his hand into his pocket.

  “Well, I’m glad I’m entertaining you,” I joke, scratching my glittery pink skin. It’s starting to tickle, which can’t be a good sign. Honestly, this whole night has been one big not-good sign. But then Thad pulls out the bag of fey magicae from his pocket and a glimmer of positivity shines down from the stars.

  “You dropped this before you took off,” he explains. “I picked it up before I chased you guys down. Figured we’d probably never find it again if I didn’t.”

  Smiling, I take the bag from him. “Thad, you’re seriously my superhero.”

  He massages the back of his neck, a flush creeping across his cheeks. “It’s really not a big deal.”

  “Not a big deal? That was totally quick thinking.” I open the bag and peer inside at the glittery dust. “And you saved my ass from turning into a sprite. Well, temporarily anyway.”

  He watches me as I stick my hand into the bag. “Do you have any idea of how we can track down the pixie who bit you?”

  I grab a handful of dust. “I don’t have a set plan, but I have an idea of where to start.” Taking a deep breath, I move the handful of glitter toward the bite.

  Here goes nothing.

  “Where?” Thad asks as he watches me wipe the fey magicae onto the bite.

  “Well, the pixies said the princess sent them to the academy.” Once the bite is covered in glitter, I lower my hand and wait. For what, I’m not sure, but I’m hoping my arms will return to normal.

  Thad gapes at me. “Wait … You want to try to track down the fey princess?”

  I breathe out in relief as the glittery pink color slowly fades from my skin. And the need to constantly giggle dims right along with it. Feeling like myself again, my confidence grows.

  I dust my hands off and stick the bag of fey magicae into my pocket. “Not try, Thad. I’m going to track her down. And it’s not going to be that hard since I’m pretty sure I know who she is.”

  I expect him to ask who, but he just scratches his neck nervously.

  I assess him with suspicion. “Do you know who she is?”

  He huffs out a breath and lowers his hand. “I do.”

  “Okay.” I pause. “How?”

  He lifts a shoulder. “Dash figured it out and told me.”

  “Really?” I cross my arms and stare him down. “And how long has Dash known?”

  He shrugs again. “I’m not sure, but I can ask him when I …” He trails off, pulling a whoopsie face.

  I inch toward him. “When you what?”

  He shakes his head. “I can’t tell you, and please, please don’t push this.”

  A loud sigh leaves my lips. “Fine, I won’t.”

  “I can ask him if he knows where she is, though, when I see him.”

  “How would Dash know where the fey princess is?”

  All he does is press his lips together and give me a pleading look.

  I sigh again. “Fine, I won’t ask.”

  He exhales. “Thanks, Alana. You really are a good person.”

  Yeah, I’m not sure if he’d be saying that if he knew all the crap I’ve done over the years. Not that I think I’m a terrible person, but I’ve done some iffy stuff that’s gotten me in some trouble. And look at me now—still getting in trouble. I wonder if there will ever be a day when I won’t be in trouble.

  I nearly laugh at the thought. Yeah, right. Even with a pixie bite and a werewolf bite marking me, the idea of living a normal life seems way too boring.

  I internally sigh. I really do have some issues, don’t I?

  Jax lets out a soft growl, drawing my attention to him.

  “We should probably get him locked up.” My fingers unconsciously drift toward the bites on my neck. The skin briefly tingles in the strangest way.

  “Yeah, let’s get out of here.” Thad bends down, scoops Jax up, and then slings him over his shoulder like he weighs nothing. Then he starts toward the trees.

  I trail after him, watching Jax’s head bob against Thad’s back, his eyelashes fluttering. I know Thad said the sleeping potion would knock Jax out for a couple of hours, but he looks like he’s already trying to wake up.

  “Please tell me Mia’s crypt isn’t very far,” I say as we veer left toward a narrow path that delves further into the trees.

  Thad shifts Jax higher onto his shoulder. “It’s only a couple of miles away … Why?”

  As Jax’s eyes flutter again, my worry increases.

  “Um, because there’s a chance that Jax might wake up before those two miles are up.”

  “That’s not possible,” Thad insists.

  But I’m highly aware of how he quickens his pace, taking such long strides that I have to jog to keep up.

  As I rush after Thad, I cross my fingers that Jax stays out until we can get him locked up, or we might end up with a very pissed off werewolf on our hands.

  Chapter 3

  Thankfully, Jax remains out of it during the walk to Mia’s crypt, which is located in a dark cemetery laced with fog and ancient headstones. Seriously, though, where else would it be located? It’s a crypt for hell’s sake!

  “So, which one is hers?” I ask after we enter through the iron-gated entrance.

  Thad lets out a grunt as he shifts Jax higher onto his shoulder. “The big one near the far left corner.”

  I elevate my brow at him. “There’s, like, six big ones back there.”

  “It’s the biggest one,” Thad explains, increasing his pace.

  Since all the crypts look pretty much the same to me, I decide to just follow him.

  “It seems too quiet here,” I whisper as I scan the tombstones and leafless trees. The air is laced with fog and silence, except for an owl hooting from one of the trees.

  “That’s because Mia had a witch charm the place so no unwelcomed creature can get in here,” Thad explains, coming to a stop in front of a crypt covered in dust and cobwebs. A door welded of iron bars secures the entrance. It’s too dark to see what’s on the inside, but I’m guessing it’s your typical cement slates, floors, and walls.

  “That seems smart,” I say. “But why? And how does she know a witch well enough to get her to do that? I was always under the impression that witches and vamps didn’t get along very well.”

  “They typically don’t, but only because most vamps are too bloodthirsty to make friends outside of their circle.” Thad lifts his free hand and taps his knuckles against the iron-barred door. “But Mia’s not like that.”

  I sure as hell hope he’s right, or I might have a fight on my hands soon. And while I like to think of myself as tough, I’m not sure I can take a vampire down on my own. And, what if she has company?

  Of course, all my worries go right down the pixie toilet when the door to the crypt creaks open and someone I know steps into the doorway.

  At first, I think I’m hallucinating, but after several blinks, I realize I’m not and my jaw about hits the dewy ground.

  “Jayse?”

  Chapter 4

  Maybe I could’ve convinced myself that he was here doing Keeper work, or that he made a connection with Mia for the sole purpose of work. Yeah, those probably would have been my first guesse
s as to why he was hanging out in a crypt with a vampire … if his lips weren’t stained crimson.

  Blood. His lips are stained with blood.

  His blond hair also appears paler, his eyes darker, and he’s dressed head-to-toe in black, which isn’t his typical style.

  “Alana …? What’re you doing here?” Jayse asks, his body as stiff as … well, the undead.

  I cross my arms and cock my brow. “I think I should be asking you that question. Or, better yet, maybe I should be asking you why you look like you’ve spent the last hour sipping on blood.”

  Jayse hastily wipes his arm across his lips, but it does no good. His lips remain stained with blood, a sign he’s probably been drinking a lot of it.

  Reality bitch-smacks me across the face.

  “You’re a vampire!” I shout, and Thad startles, nearly dropping Jax.

  Jayse’s lips part, but no sound comes out. Then he swallows hard and nods, making me feel as though I’ve been ninja-kicked in the chest by a pixie, something that happened recently, so I would know.

  “I am,” he finally confirms.

  A beat of silence stretches between us, and Thad glances between the two of us.

  “How do you guys know each other?” he finally asks.

  “This is … my cousin?” It sounds more like a question than an answer. I know I’m acting terrible, but shock has taken me over.

  Say something, Alana! Don’t just stand here like an idiot!

  Swallowing hard, I manage to get out a, “How?”

  He lowers his gaze to the ground as he mutters, “It was during a crypt raid … I accidentally got bit.”

  “How long ago?” I whisper.

  How can this be happening? Jayse, my best friend, is a vampire? A blood sucker? A killer? Is this even the Jayse I know standing in front of me? Or is it the demon that’s taken over his body?

  He shrugs, still avoiding my gaze. “Around the time you left for school.”

  I recall the incident back at his house when I heard the voice then passed out. It was around the time of my grandfather’s funeral, and I didn’t know what happened until I asked Jax. “That’s why you were using that Transition Re-programmer.”

  He elevates his gaze, surprise flickering in his expression. “You knew what that was?”

  I shrug. “I asked around and found out. I just didn’t know what you were transitioning into.”

  “Oh.” He hugs his arms around himself. “Look, I know you’re probably freaking out, and that’s completely understandable, but I promise you that this”—he uncrosses his arms and gestures at himself—“isn’t as bad as you’re thinking.” He lowers his arm to his side. “I’m not one of the bad vampires. I haven’t killed anyone … I've been getting help with controlling my bloodthirst … And I …” He rakes his fingers through his hair, making the blond strands go askew. “Please just don’t hate me. I don’t think I could handle it if you did.”

  The silent plea in his voice shatters any of my reservations about him. This is the Jayse I grew up with. I can hear it in his voice. Sure, he drinks blood now and is immortal, but really, who am I to judge when I’ve been slipping into the deads’ minds over the last couple of week and hanging out with werewolves and half-ogres?

  “I don’t hate you,” I assure him then throw my arms around him.

  He still smells like Jayse and feels like him, too, although his body temperature is way colder. That might take some getting used to, but I will get used to it—I’ll make sure I do. Because I’m not going to be that person, the one who ditches their BFF simply because they like to drink blood now and doesn’t have a heartbeat.

  He hugs me back. “I’ve missed you so much. There’s so much I’ve been wanting to tell you, but I was too afraid to.”

  “I’ve missed you, too.” I hug him for a moment longer then step back to look at him. “I want to hear everything, but first”—I gesture at Thad and Jax—“there wouldn’t, by chance, be a set of chains and cuffs in there, would there?”

  Jayse glances at Thad then looks back at me. “You got a little bit of a werewolf problem on your hands?”

  I nod. “Yep.”

  He smiles. “So, just another Tuesday for you then, right?”

  I can’t help laughing. “Honestly, werewolf problems are becoming the story of my life.” Then my smile fades as tree branches snap from nearby, reminding me of how much danger I could be in. “There’s so much I need to tell you, too, but I really want to get wolf boy taken care of first.”

  Nodding, Jayse moves to the side and motions for us to come in.

  I hurriedly step inside, crossing my fingers that this Mia vampire will be as trustworthy as I know Jayse is; otherwise, we might have even more problems on our hands, and I’m not quite sure how much more of those I take.

  Chapter 5

  Mia's place looks a lot homier than the crypts I've been in. Sure, the space is relatively small, but she does have a couple of leather sofas, a small table, and a bar in the far back corner. And the lantern lighting softens up the area.

  But Mia herself looks like your typical vampire: dark hair, shadowed eyes, crimson lips, and sporting an outdated-looking, floor-length, silk black dress. But her eyes don't convey as much bloodthirst as a typical vampire, so it’s a bit easier to trust her. I just hope that decision doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass.

  “I have some silver cuffs you can use,” Mia says as Thad I work to fasten Jax to the chains tucked away in the nook of the room.

  Luckily, Jax is still passed out as we hook the metal cuffs around his wrists and ankles. He’s also still naked. I have a feeling that, when he returns to his normal, cocky, un-possessed Jax self, that might make things a bit awkward between us. Then again, him biting me—twice—is probably already going to make things awkward for us.

  Thad flits a glance at me, question marks filling his eyes. “What do you think about using silver cuffs?”

  “Why’re you asking me?” I snap the last cuff into place. Then I stand and dust off my hands.

  Thad tugs on the chains, checking to make sure it’s secure. “I don’t know … I just think since you and Jax are so close, you might want to make the decision.”

  Jayse rubs his jawline. “Huh. I never thought I’d see the day that Alana Avery became close to a werewolf. And from what you’ve told me, a cocky one at that.”

  I blast Jayse with a dirty look. “I’m not close to Jax. He’s just been training me to become a guardian.”

  “Is it normal to have your own private coach at guardian academy?” Jayse wonders, a twinkle appearing in his dark eyes. “Because, from what I’ve heard, it’s not.”

  “It totally is,” I lie at the same time Thad says, “It’s not.”

  Jayse’s gaze dances between Thad and me, a smile tugging at his lips. “So, which one of you is the liar?” He looks at me and arches a brow. “My bet is you, bestie.”

  It’s nice to see him smiling and joking around. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him relaxed. In fact, it’s been weeks, ever since I got my guardian mark …

  And ever since he was bitten.

  Man, it must’ve been so hard for him to go through that. And I wasn’t there to help him.

  From now on, I will be, though. I promise I will.

  “No way.” I smile cheekily. “Thad’s a way bigger liar than me.”

  Jayse’s grin sparkles with amusement. “I can’t believe my best friend is friends with a werewolf. It’s blowing my mind.”

  “He’s not my friend,” I insist.

  No one seems to be buying it. Honestly, I’m not even buying it because, deep down, I know Jax and I are friends, even if he did try to bond me to him—twice.

  “Fine, whatever. He’s kind of my friend.” I slump down on the sofa. “And, as his friend, I need to find a way to fix him.”

  Jayse plops down onto the sofa beside me, while Thad and Mia sit down on the sofa across from us.

  “What exactly happened to him?
” Jayse asks, twisting to face me.

  Shit. I have no clue what to tell them. I mean, if it was just Jayse and me here, I might tell him the truth. But even then … I’m not sure I want to put him in danger by giving him the knowledge of the Electi.

  “He’s been marked,” Mia says, reaching for a silver, jewel-encrusted goblet that’s on the table.

  Jayse’s forehead furrows as he glances at her. “By what?”

  She takes a sip from the goblet, her bloodstained lips turning even more crimson. “By a very dangerous group of creatures.”

  “Which one?” Jayse rolls up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing a tattoo of symbols inked across his arm—the mark of immortality.

  So weird.

  This is going to take some time to get used to. But I’m going to get used to it. I promise I will.

  Instead of answering, Mia looks at me. “I think Alana might be able to explain it a bit better than I can. After all, she’s the one who ran into the group firsthand.”

  Thad and Jayse stare at me in confusion, while Mia takes another sip from her goblet.

  I remain silent, completely perplexed. How the hell does she know?

  When Mia notes my confusion, she sets the goblet down onto the table and smiles amusedly. “Let me guess. Thad didn’t mention I’m a foreseer?”

  Um …

  What?

  “No, he didn’t.” My gaze cuts to Thad.

  He gives a sheepish shrug. “I said she knew a lot of things. I thought you knew what I meant.”

  I gape at him. “How in the hell would I know that meant she’s a foreseer?”

  Thad lifts his bulky shoulder. “I thought you’d know, you know, since your grandpa is—was—a foreseer.” He offers me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Alana, I didn’t mean anything by that. I just …” He shakes his head and mutters, “God, I’m so awkward sometimes.”

  “You’re fine,” I assure him, although I really wish he’d flat-out told me what Mia was before we came here. I would’ve been more hesitant if I knew she could see a lot about me. But, just how much can she see? And why is she seeing anything about me at all. I mean, foreseers have to use foreseer crystal balls to view information about the past, present, and future, so why was Mia doing that?