It helped that Agnes believed in me, as did my sister and husband. As far as Webb and Steven went, I believed they were enthusiastically cautious of my supernatural abilities, which I understood. If I had more time, that might not be the case. Tripp had seen what I was capable of, so he was more confident of my skills than Webb and Steven were.
“What about you, sis? How are you feeling about me as a vampire?”
She snorted. “I don’t know that the shock will wear off quickly, but I think it’s cool. You were worried about growing old while Sam would not. Now you can snuggle up to your man forever. Not to mention, you’ll be there every step of the way with my nieces and nephew. I’m really happy for you, Layla. I’m also pleasantly surprised you’re not wanting to suck my blood.”
I laughed, the sound echoing in the stairwell. “The Fang Fizzlers help a great deal. But Dr. Vieira believes that because I’ve been drinking blood since I’d gotten pregnant that I’m in more control than others might think.”
“Fang Fizzlers,” she said. “That’s such a goofy name.”
“Do you want to try one?” I teased.
“I think I’ll pass,” she said, tittering.
“So, how are you feeling?” I asked my sister. “You seem like you’re doing okay from your injuries.”
“My back is still bothering me, but it will take time,” she said.
“Know that whatever you need, I’m here for you.”
“I know. For now, I just want to relax and help with my nieces and nephew until I decide what I want to do long-term, if that’s okay with you.”
“God, sis. Of course. I love the help, but don’t feel like you have to be their full-time nanny.”
“I want to right now.”
I wasn’t about to argue with her. Frankly, Sam and I didn’t have time to find anyone, and I would prefer Jordyn and Agnes to care for them. My grandmother was already helping greatly.
The late August sun’s warmth washed over me the minute we stepped into the courtyard. The smell of fresh-cut grass hung in the air, reminding me of days when my dad would ride his John Deere lawn mower on our property in Montana.
Before long, winter would be here and the holidays too. I had yet to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with Sam, so I was looking forward to decorating the apartment with a tree and all the trimmings.
Jordyn and I were halfway across the courtyard when she said, “Not to change the subject, but I really like Agnes. She and I have chatted quite a bit.”
“I’m glad we’re both getting to know her,” I said.
“I really wish Mom was here.” Sadness colored her tone. “She would’ve loved the quadruplets.”
“I have no doubt Mom would’ve been a wonderful grandmother. But I’m not sure she would be accepting of who I’ve become—or rather, what I’ve become.”
My statement fell on deaf ears as we approached the prison guard. “Ladies, Petty Officer Peterson is waiting for you inside.”
The second I walked in, a musty odor stung my nostrils, and I wrinkled my nose.
Petty Officer Peterson climbed down the stairs. The crooked-nosed vampire grinned. “Good to see that you are one of us now, Layla. I was gutted when Rianne killed you.”
He’d been the guard who’d escorted Rianne to the infirmary. Regardless, icy fingers tiptoed down my spine. I wanted to erase any memory of the attack, but it was still too fresh, since it had only been two days.
“Carly and Noah are in cells in the basement,” Petty Officer Peterson said. “Once the metal doors to their cells open, there’s a two-foot-thick bulletproof glass separating you from the prisoners. Behind that glass are steel bars as an added layer of protection. You’ll be completely safe.”
I could hear Jordyn’s pulse racing as if it were my own, so I threaded my fingers through hers.
Several minutes later, Jordyn and I were outside Carly’s cell with Peterson nearby.
Déjà vu hit me as Carly rose from her bed, reminiscent of Rianne when I stood outside my sister’s glass barricade at the sheriff’s station in Maine. Now, I was the one whose pulse was ticking higher on the charts. Once I left here, I never wanted to see another prison cell again.
Carly came over and wrapped her fingers around the steel bars. “Layla. Jordyn. I never expected to see you again.”
Steven told me that Carly was reacting to the serum at a slower rate than Noah and Rianne. The last time I’d seen Noah was when he’d dragged me through the mountains in West Virginia that stormy day after he and Rianne had captured me. My cousin had morphed into something I’d never seen before—bright-red eyes, cheekbones protruding outward, canines, and nails curling around his fingertips.
