Fanged
Page 16
Chapter Nine
We let the troll go. Not only was he the lone survivor among Uncle Devin’s men, but he also won’t be able to scent us and track our trail.
And we all agreed that someone should tell our father what happened. That I killed Uncle Devin. That we’ve made allies of Huntsmen.
We drive Madelyn and Damian back to the Falkner house where Mrs. Falkner, Mary, is waiting to welcome us. She still seems a little uneasy around me and Damian, but she gushes over Madelyn and makes sure she gets some proper clothes.
I’m still a bit apprehensive about the Falkners, but I don’t see how we have much of a choice and they seem alright now.
Once I’ve changed clothes, Chase and I drive back to the motel and pick up the bags. I’m aware of him staring at me as I take the blood pouches out of the refrigerator, but neither of us says anything.
We return to the Falkner house sometime later in the evening. Madelyn and Damian are already up in their room when I arrive. I help Chase, Seth, and Luke—who turns out to be Seth’s little brother—dowse everything in wolfsbane before going up to check on them.
I find the door to the cozy guest room wide open and Madelyn asleep in a knitted cardigan, curled up like a kitten in the crook of Damian’s arm while he watches her sleep with a soft smile on his face. His fingertips softly caress the side of her face as though she’s a priceless treasure. The sight brings a bittersweet feeling to life inside me and I leave them alone without even letting him know I was there.
On my way back toward the stairs, I run into Chase. We exchange apologies and I’m about to move past him, when he stops me.
“Hadassah.”
I think that just might be the first time he’s used my name. Though, it’s been such a busy day, I could just be forgetting. I consider telling him that all my friends call me Haddie, but I don’t want to risk him thinking he’s been granted the rank of friend.
“I might’ve saved your life. Twice. But don’t think that means I trust you or that we’re friends or that I won’t be watching you.”
He did save my life, didn’t he? Twice, now that I think about it. I feel a prickle of annoyance that he had to bring it up. Pompous jerk.
I plaster a honeyed smile across my lips. “I didn’t think for a moment it did,” I coolly responded. “And right back attcha, buddy.” If Chase or any of the other Huntsmen plan to make a move against Damian or Madelyn, they can start making funeral arrangements now. I wink at Chase once before sweeping past him down the hall.
My father will not be thrilled when he hears about what I did to Uncle Devin. I’m not thrilled with what I did. But I think I can live with it. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I know there are going to be problems, creatures my father will doubtless send after my brother, Madelyn, and me.
There will probably be plenty of assassins meant for the Falkners, too. And I know that when it happens, that will involve me, Damian, and Madelyn now that we seem to be living under the same roof. Though, things may not stay that way for long. Just one more issue we may or may not have to worry about.
Right now, Madelyn and Damian are safe upstairs in a quiet room and no one’s trying to kill me, either. Right now, we’re far, far away from our father and his minions.
Right now, we’ve won.
Suddenly, I’m the closest I’ve been to happiness in a year.
Click here!
Hadassah, Damian, Madelyn, and Chase will be back in the next installment of the Fanged series out now!
Living with a family of Huntsmen is a bit awkward, but it beats the alternative. Especially considering the vampire king’s enforcers have a standing “shoot on sight” order for Haddie. It isn’t a permanent solution, but after hiding out with the Faulkners for a few weeks, Haddie’s biggest problem is grocery shopping with Madelyn.
When a surprise attack ends their reprieve, Haddie’s not so sure their dad is the only one after them. With reluctant new friends and mysterious new enemies, it’s set to be a battle over Damian and the human girl who stole his heart.
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About the Author
Elisabeth Wheatley began what would be her first novel at eleven and hasn’t stopped writing since. When she’s not daydreaming of elves, vampires, and/or princes in need of rescuing, she can be found wasting time on the internet, fangirling over her latest obsession, and pretending to be a functional citizen.
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Other works by
Elisabeth Wheatley
Fanged: A Novella Series
Fanged
Fanged Outcast
and
Fanged Kindred
Coming 2016
Argetallam Saga
The Key of Amatahns
The Secrets of the Vanmars
The Chalice of Malvron
and
The Temple of Tarkoth
Coming 2017