Once Bitten (Shadow Guild: The Rebel, #1)

by Linsey Hall

With a last, brief look back at my old home, I stared down at the alley. I was only one level up, and I could lower the ladder to get down. But that would make more noise. I should just jump it. “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming,” I whispered to myself.

Heh

The blonde dug into her own bag and shoved a Mars bar at me, then said apologetically, “It’s all I’ve got.” My throat tightened. Drunk girls in bathrooms were the best people on earth.

:)

I turned to her flat, which was tiny but charming as a hedgehog wearing a flowered hat.

:)

I laughed, low and surprised. “My life has turned insane.” “It’s always been insane. You just haven’t seen it.” “Good point.” It’s not like my ability to read objects was new. “Thanks, Mac.”

:)

the Council of Guilds demanded it. Their strict control of magic in the city was half of what made it possible for me to run my business. Smuggling boomed under strict law and governments. It was perfect for my particular talents.

Oo

a shiver of unease went through me. It wasn’t an entirely friendly smile, and when I looked at Mac, I realized that she had the same expression. They were friends, but… It was kind of a murdery friendship.

Oo

“Bound?” Was she talking about the Devil of Darkvale? “Like, Fated Mates?” Mac demanded. “Impossible.” “Yes, impossible,” the woman said. “Turned vampires do not have Fated Mates like born vampires do. But turned vampires like the Devil—the immortal ones—have Cursed Mates. Beware. It could cost you your life.” “What the heck?” Cursed mates?

Oo

I looked up at Mac. “Cursed mates?” “Never heard of it.” I shrugged

Well balance in all things?

“And do what, kill them?” Mac’s jaw dropped. “Uh, no.” “Whew. Because that is not my scene.” “No kidding. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be trying to prove yourself innocent of a murder.”

Oo

She choked. “You…what?” “Joking.” “I didn’t think vampires had a sense of humor.” I shrugged. “We are enigmas.” She huffed a dry laugh.

:)

“Untrusting?” “Very. Each guild has a motto. Theirs is, ‘We are the daughters of the witches you could not burn.’” “They got caught up in the witch burnings?” I nodded. “And they haven’t forgotten.”

Can't really blame them