Enchanted

By Shannon Simpson

I didn't want this life. I was content being a witch.

When I fell in love with Aidan I told him I didn't want to be like him; a vampire. I was dying. To save me he did what he had to do. Life as a vampire has to be better than no life

• Language: English
• Publisher: Words Matter Publishing
• Release date: Oct 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781949809749

Shannon Simpson

As a child, I wanted to be a teacher. I realized around the beginning of my teenage years I didn't have the temperament to be a teacher. My first vampire book was Forever and the Night by Linda Lael Miller. I loved it! Over time I read every vampire book I could. A few years back a dear friend recommended Twilight. Just because I'm older doesn't mean I can't dive into a YA novel ever now and then. I'd seen the movie but didn't know it was based on a book. The thrift store I worked at got in one of the mass market copies of Twilight with the movie cover. I took it as a sign. I read it and was hooked. Thankfully it was after all the books had been released. Patience isn't one of my virtues. I loved them! That was the only copy of that particular edition of Twilight to be donated during the time I was at that job. Witches have always appealed to me. I can't say what it is about them, the powers, or the spells; maybe it's the flying. Whatever the reason I decided to give a short story about witches a try. Nothing overly complicated. It was a little fantasy about an ordinary girl hiding the fact she was a witch and the boy next door. I loved writing it. I took a chance and combined my love of vampires and witches and suddenly the Spellbound Saga was born. This journey has barely begun, but I can't wait to see where it goes. I hope you'll come along for the ride.

Book preview

Dedication

For Brian:

ALWAYS

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my family for reading my stories through the years and offering encouragement. Thank you, Brian for being the voice that I hear when times get tough. No matter where I am this one word will remind me of you... Always. 

Thank you, Alicia Branon for loving my book. No matter how many book signings I have, I will remember meeting you at the first one. I hope you like the character named after you. 

Thank you Christa Gettys for being there to research obscure places in New Zealand and for being there to talk to when the characters get minds of their own. 

Thank you, Nada Hill for being the one to get me to stop procrastinating and write Spellbound. For encouraging me to enter the writing contest in the first place. 

Thank you, Sandra van Stigt for loving my books so much you got the first Spellbound tattoo ever.

Thank you to Tammy Koelling for believing in me and loving Spellbound the way I do. When I was ready to give up, I was led to you. I can never thank you enough for all you are doing for me.

To the Readers who are just now discovering the Spellbound Saga, thank you! Thank you for going on this crazy ride with me and enjoying my wacky little family of witches. Life is full of magic if you believe. 

Most importantly, thank you to my Heavenly Father for the gift to share my stories with the world and guiding me to the publisher I needed.

Chapter One

Ashlie

Can you hear her? Ericka looked at me questioningly.

No, not me. Stephenie. She couldn’t be looking at me. I was in the basement. It felt like me, but it wasn’t me. I was seeing and hearing Ericka through Stephenie. Did she know I was in her head?

I do now. Let me deal with Ericka and then you and I will talk.

I have nothing to say to you!

She sighed but ignored me. Sometimes, she told Ericka.

Where is she? Is Aidan with her? Can I see her? Ericka asked hopefully.

I had no idea when I moved to South Carolina my life would be changed forever. I met Aidan Crane shortly after arriving in town. Having spent most of my 189 years avoiding making friends and my teenage years avoiding falling in love, I fought my attraction to him. But a girl can only fight so long before her heart gives in. When I realized the one thing that could kill his kind was fire, I pushed him away. I had to keep him safe and away from me. Witches with powers like mine were dangerous to him. Unfortunately, my heart hadn’t listened. I knew the dangers of having a vampire for a boyfriend. The dangers for him.

A few days ago, I cut my hand while with Aidan in Enchanted Willows, a magical place hidden in the forest of the little podunk town of Townville I currently called home. Aidan had freaked out and taken me home. It was then he and my mind reading ghost best friend, Stephenie, had told me I was dying. It turned out I didn’t know all the risks of dating a vampire. Venom coated their teeth. Every time Aidan and I kissed, venom had made its way inside my body. Venom was deadly to my kind. Had I known would I have kept my distance?

Knowing you are dying changes how you look at everything. Ericka, my niece seven times removed, pleaded with me to let Aidan turn me. I refused. I thought everyone understood my feelings on it, but as I struggled to draw my last breath my BFF told the vampire I loved I had changed my mind and wanted him to turn me. That is when Aidan bit me!

I barely had time to register Aidan betrayed me before he was carrying me into the darkest recesses of the basement. The pain was excruciating. It was like fire raced through my body. I had screamed as I’d tried to make the pain stop by any means. I had slapped at the burning places as if trying to put out the fire. Then it stopped. That’s when I heard Aidan call Phyllis, the vampire who had turned him and became a mother to him.

When she and his vampire sister, Katt, arrived a few minutes later with a coffin, the fire was once more crawling its way through my body. My last image as he placed me within the wooden interior was of Aidan’s face. For as long as I lived I would remember that look. Sadness. Regret. Love. Uncertainty. Fear.

You have eternity stretching before you. The torment Aidan was feeling shouldn’t be your most lasting impression.

Eternity. The thought caused me once more to think of Aidan’s betrayal.

Oh puleez! He saved your life. That has nothing to do with betrayal.

Saved me! Are you insane ? I am a blood craving monster! I. .. The painful burning moved up my arm, causing me to forget what I was saying.

He would have climbed in there with you if Phyllis hadn’t stopped him. The fact that this is the most painful day is the only reason he agreed not to.

The burning lessened somewhat. There is barely enough room for me in this. .. bed. I couldn’t bring myself to call my current location by its name.

It’s a coffin , Ashlie. You will be in it for a year. Deal with it. It’s better than being in it permanently!

A year in this box will drive me mad. I sighed. I can’t be stuck in a coffin for a year! I have to find the cousins , remember! Cousins I had no idea existed until a few weeks ago. My favorite friend from history, Alexander the Great, had dropped that bombshell on me. Along with some screwed up message from my not so dead mother about a prophecy I had to fulfill. My mind was still reeling from my mother’s resurrection and crazy talk. Not to mention the prophecy to deal with! I don’t need this now , Stephenie!

It wasn’t like we could wait! It was now or dead! How much time would you have had then ?

I couldn’t answer. Once more the burning crawled through my body. I screamed.

What was that? Ericka looked at me...Stephenie, her eyes wide. Was that... She broke off with a shake of her head; almost like she was trying to erase my scream from her mind. She’s in that much pain? Her voice filled with sadness as tears flooded her eyes. Maybe we should have let her die, she whispered.

NO! Ashlie wasn’t meant to die at nineteen! Stephenie snapped.

You weren’t meant to die at seventeen, but you did!

If I were capable of laughter I would have. Ericka 1. Stephenie 0.

GET OUT OF MY HEAD!

The burning was fading. Finally. I would be happy to , if I knew how.

The sun is setting. We can see Ashlie now.

Just like that, I was in my mind instead of Stephenie’s. The tight, dark space engulfed me. I hadn’t noticed while in Stephenie’s head. It was hard to breathe.

You’re dead , Ash , you don’t need to breathe anymore.

I didn’t acknowledge Stephenie’s snide remark as I struggled to take a deep breath. I was claustrophobic. Small dark spaces freaked me out. This was worse than the painful burning. I felt like I was suffocating. Tears filled my eyes. LET ME OUT! I pounded on the lid. AIDAN!

Suddenly, the darkness was filled with a blinding light. I barely had a chance to shield my sensitive eyes before strong arms were lifting me from my nightmarish confinement. I clung to him. He wasn’t cold anymore. His body wasn’t hard. I frowned. How...

You are a vampire now , Ashlie. You don’t feel the differences anymore. You are the same.

I’m not speaking to you!

Stephenie laughed. You won’t speak to me , but you will hug him. He’s the one who bit you.

You told him to! I was angry at her, but she was right. I pushed Aidan away, surprised when he slammed into the wall across the room. The manor shook. I looked at my hands like they belonged to someone else.

Ashlie? He looked at me uncertainly.

Stay away from me! I didn’t understand what was going on with my new body. I needed time to adjust.

Sadness filled his eyes. I’m sorry, Ashlie. I...

How could you? I told you I didn’t want this life! Why did you do this to me? I flew across the room with barely a thought and pounded on his chest. Why? Why? Why?

Aidan stood there letting me hit him again and again, making no move to protect himself. The manor shook each time I struck him.

ENOUGH ASHLIE!

Ericka’s voice startled me halting my assault. I heard her heart pounding in her chest, the blood pumping through her veins. My throat burned. I could smell her blood. It was the most mouthwatering smell. My mouth began to salivate. Need flared inside me.

Aidan stepped between us. Fight it, Ashlie. You don’t want to hurt Ericka.

My eyes flashed angrily. I don’t want to hurt anyone! I turned away fighting the burning in my throat, taking a deep breath I immediately wished I hadn’t. The smell of her blood flooded my senses. Go away, Ericka, I said between clenched teeth. I couldn’t give in to this feeling; this need to taste it.

Ashlie needs to feed.

Aidan’s words sent a fresh wave of anger through me. I turned on him. "I will NOT feed. I will not kill so I can live!" Ericka’s blood called to me. I wasn’t sure I could resist the temptation. Why wouldn’t she leave? I could feel the last of my control slipping when a faint sound penetrated my mind. A softer thump than her heart. Ashlynne’s heartbeat. In the ultimate cliché, my seventeen-year-old equivalent of my niece had gotten knocked up on prom night. As if that weren’t bad enough her baby daddy was a witch hunter who had me in his sights.

Time stood still. I fought the immense thirst tearing through me. It was like I was two people. The witch and the vampire. War waged within me. The vampire told me to ease my thirst. Feed on Ericka. End the hunger. The thirst. The witch was appalled at the very thought. Ericka needed her blood to live. She needed it so Ashlynne could live. Ashlynne. The thought of that helpless unborn child eased the suffocating thirst. Hesitantly I inhaled letting the delicious aroma fill me. Grabbing Aidan’s arm, I dug my nails into him as I fought the craving. Having had a premonition of Ashlynne a while back, I pictured her sweet face as I once more breathed deep. Closing my eyes I pictured Ashlynne’s face, concentrating on every detail. Her head full of blonde hair. Her ten little fingers. Her ten little toes. Her violet eyes. My eyes. My father’s eyes. With each detail, the urge to attack Ericka faded. Slowly I focused on her as I stepped away from Aidan.

Aidan watched me warily.

Hesitantly, I took a step toward my beloved niece. Aidan blocked my way once more. I won’t hurt her, Aidan, I said somewhat convincingly.

He stood between us for a moment more before stepping aside.

I took another step. The smell was stronger. I paused, glancing at Aidan. Stay with me just in case. I wasn’t risking Ericka and Ashlynne.

Aidan moved behind me, his hands clamped down on my arms just above the elbows. If you have any doubts...

I don’t. You are just a precaution. Together we moved closer to Ericka. She was only an arms-length away. This was it. The ultimate test of my new life. Picturing Ashlynne’s sweet face once more, I breathed deep. The smell of blood washed over me. Venom salivated on my teeth. Need flared through me. The thirst was like fire in my throat. Violet eyes looked at me trustingly. The need faded. Ericka believed I wouldn’t hurt her. Her faith in me helped to ease the thirst

I waited one more minute just to make sure I had myself under control. I breathed deep a couple of more times before saying, You can let me go, Aidan. I’m fine. I felt a gentle squeeze before he released me. I was fine for now, but what about next time? The next person? How would I fight it when there was no Ashlynne to keep me from giving in?

Ericka stepped closer, her arms lifted as she prepared to hug me.

Alarm flooded me. I attempted to block her as I said, Ericka, I wouldn’t... I broke off as she wrapped her arms around me. Her smell teased my senses, but the urge to taste her blood wasn’t there. Hesitantly, I returned her hug. A vision of Ashlynne filled my mind. She was maybe two or three years old. She smiled at me and patted my face. Ashy, take me see Unca Aidan.

That’s enough, Ericka. You don’t want to push her, Aidan said.

The vision faded as Ericka moved away. She smiled at me with tears in her eyes. I knew you wouldn’t hurt me.

I put a hand on her stomach. If not for this little one I might have. Sadness filled my eyes. I still could.

Ericka shrugged my worries aside. You won’t. You aren’t a normal vampire, Ashlie. You’re half witch.

Was there such a thing as a normal vampire?

She’s right. You are a witch-vampire hybrid. Things will be different for you.

I turned on my so-called best friend. "Because of YOU! How could you do that? You of all people should have been against Aidan turning me! You knew my thoughts! You... I broke off with a frown. What was that sound? Heartbeats. Four heartbeats to be exact. A frown marred my brow. Ericka. Ashlynne. But who... My eyes widened as I really looked at Stephenie. She wasn’t transparent. Her cheeks were flushed with...blood. Her heart...her heart was beating! You’re alive! How?"

I wondered when you would notice. When you gave me your powers, my heart started beating.

I couldn’t believe it. I threw my arms around her. You’re alive! That is all that matters!

And you are dead. That snide comment was my subconscious’ way of reminding me I was angry with Stephenie. I pulled away.

Stephenie sighed. "Get over it, Ashlie! I would rather you were a vampire than dead! I did know your thoughts on it and I still told Aidan to turn you. I knew you’d be angry, but I thought you would realize I only did it because I love you. It’s your destiny. Your mother..."

My eyes flashed. What does my mother have to do with anything? Lightning flashed outside. Was that Stephenie or me?

It’s you. I’m calm.

I glared at her. I gave you my powers! As I lay dying, I attempted a final spell to give my powers to Stephenie. My mother had told me to as I was nearing the end. Thinking there was a reason for it, I didn’t hesitate. Even when it required having Aidan dig her body up.

Trust me you still have them. How else were you able to Ghost me ?

My brow creased. Ghost you?

Your new power.

You have a new power? Ericka frowned. I thought you gave Stephenie your powers.

Stephenie rolled her eyes. I have my powers. Ashlie has hers. I don’t know why. Obviously when Ashlie did the spell I became human. Becoming a vampire gave Ashlie a new power, Ghosting. Basically, it means she can link with my mind and see through my eyes.

She sounded as if she were reading someone’s notes on our lives. There was an annoyed quality to her voice.

If I’m annoyed it’s because of your thoughts!

Stay out of my head and you won’t hear them!

If only I could! I’ve been trying for nearly 190 years to do so and had no luck yet!

What? Ericka looked at me in awe. Ghosting sounds cool and creepy. She looked at Stephenie. Do you know when she’s there?

Stephenie shook her head. Not unless she makes me hear her thoughts.

Is this new power limited to you? Aidan looked from Stephenie to me. His eyes had a touch of hope within their depths.

Looking at him I wished I could Ghost his mind. Maybe then I could understand why he went against my wishes.

Ask him. He will tell you.

Butt out!

Stephenie rolled her eyes. That I don’t know, Aidan. I have heard of Ghosting, but until I have time to research it I only know the basics.

His eyes turned sad.

Stephenie took Ericka’s hand. Let’s go find Cayden. Talk to him.

I said BUTT OUT!

She rolled her eyes at me. Whatever! You two need to talk. She left pulling Ericka behind her.

I sighed. The basement had never felt as small as it did with him there. My vampire body was very aware of how close Aidan was.

You should feed, Ashlie.

His words angered me once more. I stormed up the stairs faster than I ever had. Damn this vampire body!

Aidan followed me. Ashlie...

I turned on him beating my fists against his chest. How could you do this to me? I told you... I broke off as my emotions overpowered me. One minute I was beating on his chest, the next he was on fire. I stumbled back in shock. What had I done?

AIDAN!

I barely heard Stephenie’s voice through my shocked state. I stared at Cayden, Ericka’s baby daddy, as he threw a blanket around Aidan extinguishing the flames.

Stephenie turned on me. What the hell were you thinking?

Mutely I shook my head. I turned away unable to look at Aidan and his scorched clothes. I could have killed him. That thought kept going through my head. My powers were controlled by my emotions I should have known things could get out of hand. I had to calm down.

I knew you’d be angry , but I never imagined you would try to kill him.

I didn’t mean to. It was an accident.

Was it ?

Deep down I was afraid Stephenie was right. Unable to be around anyone, I did what I always did. I ran. I heard Aidan calling after me, but I didn’t stop. I had to escape what I had done.

Minutes later I found myself at the Tree of Hearts. Staring at the heart my father carved for my mother many years ago brought tears to my eyes, I reached out to trace the fresh heart Aidan had carved for me the last time I had been here. I’d been hours from dying when he held me and carved it. My heart ached. The peacefulness of the Willows did little to soothe my tortured soul. I kept seeing Aidan engulfed in flames. Falling to my knees I covered my face with my hands. Was this what I had become?

Ashlie, he spoke softly as his arms went around me.

I stiffened. Don’t, Aidan. After what I did, how can you...

I love you.

His softly spoken words brought tears to my eyes. How could he love me after what I’d done?

Aidan pulled me to his chest and held me. No more words were spoken for which I was grateful.

Time passed. If I’d been normal I would have gotten tired of staying in that position. With my new vampire body, I could stay this way indefinitely. I didn’t feel the ground beneath my knees. All I felt was warmth from the arms around my waist, the chest against my back. Warmth where once had been cold.

I’m sorry, Ashlie, he finally spoke.

I tensed, but I didn’t pull away. I didn’t want this...existence, Aidan. You knew that. I could still hear Stephenie telling him to turn me. That I wanted him to I just couldn’t say the words. I had trusted her to say what I was thinking as I was too weak to speak. I hadn’t been able to contradict her as she waited until I was drawing my last breath to tell him I wanted him to turn me. How could you believe Stephenie?

"I needed to believe her. His voice was filled with anguish. I couldn’t lose you. Watching you suffer the last few days was the worst experience of my life. Becoming a vampire was nothing compared to that. Suddenly, Aidan was on his knees in front of me, my face clasped in his hands. When faced with actually losing you...forever, I couldn’t. I would rather have you hate me as a vampire than love me as a corpse."

Those words washed over me. I couldn’t speak. Looking in his eyes I understood. If I were facing eternity without him I would have done anything within my power to hold onto him. Even if it meant doing what I knew he didn’t want, what he had asked me not to do. I don’t hate you, Aidan. I could never hate you. I can’t forgive you. Maybe in time...

Aidan nodded sadly, a hint of relief shined in his eyes. That’s all I ask. He touched his forehead to mine.

I allowed him to pull me into his arms as he leaned against the tree. How different am I? I was afraid of his answer, but I had to know.

Aidan’s arms tightened for a moment. The changes are gradual. The strength, speed and hard body occur right away. As the venom spreads it will harden each organ until your heart stops and your eyes change.

I closed my eyes as tears threatened. My eyes would eventually be as silver as his. My eyes... I had never gotten a chance to know my father. All I had was a picture of him and his eye color. I took a deep breath. I know it sounds silly, but my eyes are all I have from my father. A tear slipped down my cheek.

It’s not silly, Ashlie. All your life the one link you had to your father was your eyes. He cupped my cheek. You have more than your father’s eyes. His DNA flows through every fiber of your being. That will never change.

What he said made sense. I knew that deep down. It didn’t ease my sadness at the loss of my eye color. I closed my eyes against the threatening tears. I saw him, my dad, right before you bit me. He was there, waiting for me. As I drew my last breath, I saw a white light. Within that light was my father. I was so close to him when the pain began to rip through me from the bite. It pulled me back, taking me away from him.

Ashlie, I...

I shook my head as more tears slipped out. Losing the only thing that will connect me to him... I broke off. I couldn’t express the agony I felt.

Aidan placed a kiss on each eyelid. I will miss them as well.

I looked at him questioningly.

Your unusual violet eyes were what drew me to you in the beginning.

Really?

Aidan smiled. You sound shocked.

I am. I thought my witchy glow was what caught your attention. Thanks to a curse put on witches years ago, supernatural beings could see a glow around my kind. Humans couldn’t see it except witch hunters.

He laughed. I noticed that after I saw your eyes.

For a moment as I looked in his eyes I forgot what he’d done. I saw his love for me and felt mine for him. I nearly lost him forever. I kissed him.

When his fingers splayed across my stomach beneath my blue t-shirt reality returned. I was lying beneath him, his black shirt was half unbuttoned. I pushed him away, startling him. We can’t!

He looked confused. Ashlie, I...

I got to my feet and moved to stand by the brook. Closing my eyes, I fought for control of my wayward body. I’m mad at you, Aidan! That certainly didn’t describe what I felt at the moment. I wanted nothing more than to kiss him and take up where we left off.

Aidan’s hands closed around me, pulling me back against his chest. The contact sent all thought from my mind. I turned in his arms and pressed my lips to his. My fingers curled in his hair as I pulled him closer.

My ringing phone broke us apart. We were no longer by the water. My back was against the Tree of Hearts. My shirt and his at our feet. One of my legs was wrapped around his waist. If possible I would have blushed.

Aidan stared at me making no move to step away. I couldn’t look away from the look in his eyes. Mine no doubt had a similar look. Hunger. Need.

I forced myself to close my eyes, leaning my head on his bare chest. We can’t, Aidan. Sex was the last thing our messed up relationship needed. Silence stretched around us. After what seemed like forever he moved away. I grabbed my shirt and pulled it over my head realizing as I did that the scars from the wolf attack were gone. No doubt because of my recent transformation. I looked at him, then coward that I am, ran.

I didn’t know where I was going, I just knew I needed time by myself. Eventually, I took to the sky. What was going to become of me? I was a vampire. I needed blood to survive. I frowned. I had yet to feed, yet my thirst was bearable. Aidan had thought I would need to feed immediately. Other than those few tense minutes with Ericka my thirst hadn’t been all-consuming. I was hungry...but not for blood. I wanted a cheeseburger. Why wasn’t I craving blood? As a newborn vampire, I should be. Yet the thought made me cringe. I wanted a huge juicy cheeseburger.

The thought was so unexpected I crashed into a tree. With my new body, the tree couldn’t survive the impact. It split in half. Helplessly I watched as both sides slammed to the ground. A moment later I landed beside the split trunk with a thud. The earth shuddered. I would have to work on that. My landings had been effortless even as a child. It rankled a little having that changed.

What did this mean? I thought of how delicious Ericka had smelt. My stomach rolled. I felt sick. I heard an animal nearby. Taking a deep breath, I allowed the smell of the blood to flood my senses. I waited for the thirst to overpower me. Nothing happened. Venom didn’t salivate in my mouth the way it had when Ericka was near. Maybe it was because it was an animal instead of a human. A thought began to form, but I was afraid to hope. The only way to know for sure was a test. I bit my lip. I couldn’t put a defenseless human in danger. What if I was wrong?

Thoughtfully I chewed on my bottom lip. My razor-sharp teeth made a strange grinding noise against my hard skin. With a muttered curse I made a decision. I couldn’t harm a helpless human, but I knew of a couple that weren’t exactly helpless. They were a danger to me. What kind of danger I didn’t yet know, but I would prefer to risk their lives as opposed to someone else. Shortly after moving to Townville, I had stumbled upon a log cabin hidden in the woods not far from Mystic Manor. There I’d seen two people, though I wasn’t sure they actually were. Their rainbow tipped hair and gold-rimmed eyes made me suspect they were more supernatural than human. I had overheard them discussing Stephenie and I. They knew we were witches. Everything in me told me they were a danger to us. I had intended to learn more about them, but sort of dying had gotten in the way.

As I made my way toward the log cabin, I thought about my dying. I was above ground still walking and talking so technically I hadn’t died, but I was a vampire so I was dead. It was very confusing.

Hiding amongst a grove of oak trees and overgrown bushes, I kept my distance so I didn’t alert them to my presence. I took a deep breath. A metallic smell hit me. I’d smelled it once many years ago when living in Omagh, County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. There was a factory in town that made gold jewelry. A frown marred my brow. Why would the cabin reek of gold? I heard heartbeats. I knew someone was inside. Yet I smelled nothing to indicate they were human. More proof they were supernatural beings. But what?

Confused, I headed for home. I would tell Aidan my theory and with his help find a way to test it. As for the metallic-smelling cabin and its gold-eyed occupants, Stephenie and I would discuss them when I was speaking to her again.

Aidan was waiting for me on the porch. Judging by the indention in the wood he’d been pacing since he’d returned.

When he found you weren’t here he wanted to search for you. He said something happened in the Willows and. .. OH!

I showed her what happened. Why hide it? The smile on her face only infuriated me. Before I could throw something at her, Aidan spoke.

Ashlie, I... He broke off.

Forget it! The last thing I wanted was another apology from him.

Can you ?

I glared at Stephenie.

She threw her hands up defensively. If that had been me I wouldn’t be able to.

Good thing it wasn’t you! I snapped.

Stephenie sighed. I refuse to listen to any more of your nonsense. You’re mad at me. Get over it!

How am I supposed to get over being a blood-sucking monster? Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aidan flinch. I ignored him.

Stephenie saw it too. She put her hands on her hips. Monster? You told Aidan he wasn’t a monster. Did you lie?

I knew why she was bringing Aidan into our argument. She wanted to distract me, the way her comment about my mother had earlier. Not that she’d explained that comment; something she was good at. Nice try, but I’m not letting you sidetrack me again.

Stephenie moved to stand toe to toe with me. You are a vampire. You will live forever with Aidan, the boy you love. Instead of being mad, you should be thanking me.

Thank you? Are you crazy? You took away everything that made me who I am.

Stephenie rolled her eyes. You are the same, Ashlie. The only difference in you today from yesterday is that you are alive!

Alive! ALIVE! I yelled the word at her. I am a member of the undead! That isn’t the same as being alive!

Your heart still beats, therefore you are alive!

She had me there. When I’d heard her heart, I’d heard mine. At the time I had failed to realize mine shouldn’t still be