Other parents give their children toys and party games for their birthday. My dad gave me and my siblings wooden stakes and flash grenades. To protect us from vampires.

From the moment he adopted us, he warned us about the dangers that lurk in the dark. Obviously, I thought he was crazy. Vampires aren’t real, and I was already enduring enough panic attacks without buying into dad’s insane ideas.

But then I met Talon.

Talon has fascinating scars and a mouth I want to kiss and a body I want to feel – and fangs.
Vampire fangs.

Suddenly, the weapons dad gave me start looking real useful.

Only I don’t want to fight Talon. I want to feel his teeth on my neck. I can’t explain it. He makes my knees go weak. I know it’s wrong, but it feels right.

It feels like destiny.

When Talon bites me, I forget everything, even that he is a monster. Even that I shouldn’t be falling for him.

Even that his coven wants me dead.