More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“We are all more than the sum of our sins,” he said in an even voice. “You know that better than most people, Leila.”
“Your neck, his alias, this castle.” My dad’s tone hardened. “Is that the trouble you’re in? You saw some sick form of role-playing among rich foreigners that went too far?” “And now I’m struck with déjà vu,” an ironic voice said behind me.
“I am Vladislav Basarab Dracul, born 1431 as a mortal, but reborn in 1462 as a vampire,” Vlad stated, staring into my father’s eyes. “And I am but one out of millions of vampires, ghouls, ghosts, and demons that live in secret among you.”
Piling the drama on a little thick, aren’t you? I thought. Then a thud made my gaze swing to the right. My sister had fainted.
“You can’t kill someone for how he looks at me. That’s crazy.” I thought I heard, “I can if he keeps it up,” but I wasn’t sure,
“Maximus and Shrapnel?” That made Szilagyi pause, but not in fear. In obvious delight. Clearly I’d just added a cherry to the already yummy sundae of my situation.
It came as no surprise that his chosen nickname implied violence. No wannabe badass would choose a moniker like Petal.
Watch it, for God’s sake! You’ll get us killed!” “No, I’ll get me killed. You’re already dead,” I corrected.
“Know the difference between dying nobly and dying because you’re stupid?” I replied, ignoring his question. “Nothing, you’re dead either way.
“Could you just let me handle it next time?” I hissed to cover how worried I’d been. Marty rolled his eyes. “Please. I was fighting to the death before your grandparents were born. Now, let’s finish this.”
realizing that in my moment of panic, I’d said a prayer to a god I didn’t believe in. Strange.
For a second while watching him, I was so stunned that I forgot to breathe.
Maximus’s voice was unrecognizable from the silver harpoon still embedded in his throat, and he was so covered in dried blood that it took me a moment to realize that was all he had on.
“What are you doing here?” I let out a harsh imitation of a laugh. “Oh, you know. I was in the neighborhood.”
I’d been nothing but a pawn to him. Now that pawn had killed three of his people, led Vlad to his hideout, and freed two men who’d risked their lives trying to protect me from Szilagyi’s latest attack.
Be careful what you wish for! rang through my mind.
I didn’t say any of the cliché things that sprang to my mind, like You don’t want to do this (yes he did), or We can talk (we were way past the talking stage).
“I must admit, I’m surprised. You chose to protect her instead of strike out at me. How unexpectedly soft of you.”
“Yes, but you are still only human.” I laughed, the sound of it drowned out by the crunch of rocks as the mountain continued to shudder as though in the throes of birth pangs. “So was Van Helsing, yet in every movie, he beat the vampire in the end. Never underestimate the power of humanity.”
