nch Quarter, hosting an event we put together every month. It's our way of maintainin

ere have been close calls, but between our strength a

and the witches, we own New Orleans. But I try not to argue with him. He probably

d to build and furnish a Community Library," he announces, smiling and gesturing s

rry. Dance.

claps. If only they k

nd thanks to our healing, we always look younger than we are. Still, we're wild beings,

. The merge takes time, and the more we fight it, the harder and more painful it becomes.

oice says

d a young woma

respond w

yes w

es nervously. I study her with ne

" she says, s

w. "Hi, Franc

ing? Is sh

p of coffee som

t to send the wrong message.

I say carefully. "Not sure I want to

tually. My ex cheated o

the wall. "Sh

and she said n

smile. "That's on

she says. "How d

front of ou

e been humiliating

ten the mood, I say, "If you want, I could find you

er. "Oh my. Don't do t

round at the party. It's n

my earlier requ

, cur

. "I have a feeling you'll fall in love with

ing. "I'll gladly

thoughts drift to Addie. I don't even n

Bruin," Francia says,

," Rick greets,

obvious disappointment. I grit my teeth. She shifts h

in me. Ho

autiful, Mr. Brui

ouldn't wait. I'm pleased to let you know that you got the Community Library job. It'll be fully equipped. We just need yo

ch. I promise not to disapp

y brothers assist yo

ncia with whatever she need

htly, then nods. "If Francia

alks

tions, Fran

ou," she

e me,

, smiling politely, unti

ell was tha

hat the hell are you doing with that human?

to a nearby room. She follo

rag her back here? I've tried and tried. There's nothing more I can do

tled, briefly,

you to jump into someone's pants barely we

ing to calm myself.

ough for Adaline to stay. She left you, and you've never dealt with that. It broke my heart when she rejected me, b

y body trembling with

d you, you're an animal. Not like Rick. You're an abomination. A s

strike lik

a fight. One bite, and she'd be dead

am Ale

face twists into somethin

s muttering the old tongue, casting a

Alexandru. Try not to do

eak free. I've fought stro

o feel t

her arm. "You're hurtin

I fall to the floor, my body bu

u," she says coldly, "but

etter." My voice is low, cracked. "But look in the mirror,

door, and fin

d yourself from he

say. "I c

s coming. We need all

ill come for her, and when