This Blood That Binds Us (This Blood That Binds Us, #1)

by S.L. Cokeley

I had to get away. I wanted to run. To do something about the utterly disastrous and dangerous path my life had taken. But I had Biology labs at four. So, I’d need to reschedule my mental collapse until after finals.

On a scale of one to dumb, I was the dumbest when it came to knowing what was going on because my brothers had only told me what I “needed to know.”

Something about this mystery girl made me want to reveal all my secrets.

I stood, watching her leave, before strolling up to the library. I couldn’t shake the notion that she may be the coolest person I’d ever met.

My options were standing alone in the kitchen or following the drunk vampire.

“Oh, no. They would kill me if they knew. I don’t wanna talk about them. This is all Zach’s and Luke’s fault. It sucks, but I’m trying to be okay. I’m doing it. Look at me. Don’t I look great? Don’t I look happy?”

But I was determined, drunk or not. Nothing was going to hurt her with me around.

“How did I end up in some angsty teenage novel?” She looked up at me through wet eyelashes. “This is not what I wanted to do today.”

“Now you’re just being gross. Hold still. I’m about to touch your arm, but it’s just a friendship touch. F-R-I-E-N-D.”

“Calem. That’s my real last name. Aaron Calem at your service. Let’s add that to our secrets list.”

Vampire or not, I did not like the guy.

“Are you sure you’re not just jealous you weren’t the only one to taste her?”

“Presley, if you’re quiet, I’ll get you a present tomorrow,” I said, without moving my head from the window. “Really?! Okay. I’ll be good, I’ll just hum.”

Aaron stopped to pluck a huge white peony. He brought it up to his nose to smell it before handing it to me. “You’re doomed to receive flowers from me now until the end of time since I know which is your favorite.”

I loved Aaron’s refusal to gaslight me despite the doubt in his eyes.

Our getaway. The butterflies were back.

“No matter what happens . . . if we have to leave, I promise that I’ll come back for you. I would never leave you here alone, and I won’t just leave without telling you. So, if I disappear because something happens to me, I just need you to know how important you are and that I wouldn’t abandon you.”

“Come on. Fight with me. I’m an idiot. Just tell me what I did, and I’ll fix it.” Aaron stayed by the flickering flames.

Zach, want to add?” “You’re an asshole, and you almost got us all killed,” Zach spat. Luke eyed him, waiting for him to say more. “Five-words-or-less apology.”

“Come alone” always means there’s someone waiting to kill or torture you.

“I’m sorry for everything. I really screwed your life up.” I smiled, wiping a few tears. “No. You didn’t. I’d do it all again. All the good. The bad. To meet you.”

out of one cult and into another,”

my Kimberly.

The joke was on him. My legs were completely numb, and I was about eighty percent sure I was about to lose consciousness.

My brothers were manipulated into joining a vampire cult.