The Fangs of Bloodhaven by Cheree Alsop Read Free Book Online Page A

eyes. He was taller than her by a few inches, but somehow he felt smaller when she looked at him like that, as if she was trying to see what was inside instead of outside. The thought made him uneasy. He looked away.
    “It was the paintings,” he admitted.
    “What?” she asked.
    “The paintings in your apartment.”
    Her voice was quiet when she said, “What about them?”
    Everett let out a slow breath. He thought of the faces. “Everyone was smiling and happy. The details you used showed how much you cared about each picture.” He hesitated to say the rest.
    “And?” she asked.
    He heard it in her voice. She knew what he was going to say. He braced himself and told her, “And yet you were always on the outside looking in. You weren’t a part of those scenes. You’re just a spectator.”
    Adrielle turned and began to walk again. She didn’t storm away, but Everett could tell by the way her shoulders bowed that his guess had been accurate. The sound of her single footsteps tore at his heart. He hated himself for causing her pain.
    “Elle, I’m sorry,” he said.
    Her head raised and she looked back at him with a curious expression. “What did you call me?”
    “Uh, Elle,” he replied with a bit of hesitation when he reached her.
    A little half-smile lifted one corner of her mouth. “I like that. I’ve never had a nickname before.”
    He chuckled. “It’s better than Evy.”
    “I don’t know,” she replied. “I think that’s kind-of cute.” Her cheeks turned red and she looked away.
    They started walking again. After a few minutes, Adrielle asked, “What happened to Annie and Bran?”
    Everett glanced down a dark alley. “They were born with genetic defects. It’s in my mom and dad’s genes. That’s why the rest of us are adopted.”
    “All of you?” Adrielle asked in surprise.
    Everett nodded. “Mom always knew she wanted more kids, but when Annie and Bran both had the same condition, they were told it wouldn’t be safe to have any more children of their own, so they decided to adopt.”
    “So that’s why you’re a vampire and the others aren’t,” Adrielle said.
    Everett glanced at her. “Vampirism surfaces when puberty hits. My teeth came in the same time that I got really sick. There aren’t many vampires out there.” He fell silent for a few steps, then said, “When they realized what I was, they could have given me back. In the research I’ve done, I found out most vampire children are discovered after being adopted. They’re given back to the government, and they aren’t heard from again.”
    “Ever?” Adrielle asked, appalled.
    Everett shook his head. “Vampires are becoming very scarce. Mom and Dad probably saved my life by keeping me around.”
    “They seem to be very caring people,” Adrielle replied.
    Everett had to agree. “I don’t imagine most parents would be too thrilled to find out their adopted child needs blood to survive. Monsters generally don’t come from happy families.”
    Adrielle nodded but didn’t say anything.
    Everett searched for a change of subject. “So you liked my brothers and sisters?”
    “I like all of them,” Adrielle replied. “They’re wonderful. I love Annie’s smile, and I knew Bran was laughing. Celeste was so sweet about my hair.” She paused and looked at Everett. “Hey.”
    “Hey, what?” Everett asked with a smile at her tone.
    “I figured it out,” she said. Her eyes creased with her smile. “Annie and Bran are the oldest, followed by Celeste, then I’m guessing Donavan?”
    Everett laughed. “Yeah, you got it. Then me, Finch, Gabe, Hadley...”
    “And Izzy,” Adrielle finished with a grin. “Your parents named you in alphabetical order.”
    “The best way to keep track of us,” Everett told her. “We always tease Mom that the next kid they adopt will have to be named Jack or Jill.”
    Adrielle laughed. “Or Jadwiga.”
    “You made that up,” Everett accused.
    She shook her head. “I didn’t,