Original Sin (The Order of Vampires 1)

“You’re lying.”

Adam blinked up at his twin brother wondering how he could make such an accusation. “I never lie.”

In that moment he felt Cain’s fear, a confirmation that he believed his words to be true. The significance was not lost in the silence as they both comprehended what this meant. Their kind didn’t dream. Only one time in a male’s life did such a phenomenon take place.

“It was so real, brother. I could smell and taste her. I could feel the wet grass underfoot and hear the wind rushing past my ears as I chased her.”

Dreams were said to be mystic visions sent by God, His way to call upon individuals and lead them to their destined mates. Tonight, he glimpsed his true mate, the female who would fill the other half of his soul.

Cain looked into his eyes. “How long will you have?”

Adam glanced at the window, noting how the sun had yet to fully rise. “I feel fine now. Tired, but otherwise fine. Yet, in the dream, the sun affected me differently. I couldn’t face the light.”

“You must find her quickly.”

The desire to hunt his mate called to him as surely as gravity kept him hemmed to the earth, but he had no idea where to begin. “I need more time. I couldn’t see her, yet I sensed her beauty.” Even now, desire to possess her gnawed at him.

“Adam, you can’t delay. If this is real...”

Both he and Cain turned their attention to the hall as footsteps approached. Adam shut his eyes to read the emotional grid. “It’s Gracie.” He gripped his brother’s arm and sent him a warning glance. “Not a word.”

Cain frowned. “She’ll know. She’ll read it in our thoughts.”

“Block your thoughts. This isn’t the time, Cain.”

“You need to tell them.”

“Not now,” he hissed, weary from his episode and struggling to hide his weakness. He forced himself to sit upright and gripped the bedpost. “It can wait until Mother’s feeling better. This was the first I’ve suffered any symptoms. I’m sure we have time.”

His brother’s worried eyes measured him. Adam silenced him with a stern glare, as Gracie entered the room. “How’s Mother?” he quickly asked, hoping to distract her notice.

She went into a familiar description of loss, one they all witnessed before. His mother would need a few days to mourn, and then several weeks to heal. Adam was well aware of the emotional jab that came every time her hand reflexively rested on her empty belly, her memory smarting with recalled loss each time.

A selfish part of him wondered if his circumstances could excuse him from suffering his parents’ grief under this roof, but honor commanded he look over them while they recovered. The time would come when he could no longer delay but for now, his presence was needed here.

Chapter Two

The Neshaminy Mall food court bustled with senior citizens. New moms showed off their fancy strollers and little ones, while teens loitered. No one fit the description of a man old enough to be her father.

That familiar feeling of looking for something that wasn’t there filled her chest and she fought off the memories, but they always came anyway. Her gaze dropped to the uneaten pizza she’d ordered so as not to appear a purposeless fool waiting alone in the food court, and her mind returned to her old home.

She could see herself paying the deliveryman, feel the heat from the pizza box in her hands and smell the Italian seasonings mixing with the steam. Her mom’s laughter echoed like a forgotten secret as they made a joke about being hungry enough to eat two pies.

Annalise blinked, her eyes suddenly blurred with unshed tears and the sounds of the food court returned. That had been the last time she remembered her mom being well. Shortly after that she’d been diagnosed with advanced stage lymphoma, and then life had stopped being carefree and started ticking like a time bomb.

Annalise was still reeling from the blast. Still feeling like parts of her world had been blown to pieces. And when the dust settled, she’d somehow become an adult when, in reality, she was only a child.

It was childish of her to sit here now, waiting for a man who wanted no part of her life to make yet another excuse for standing her up. She had to stop doing this to herself. He was never going to fill the void her mother left. He hadn’t wanted her then and he didn’t want her now.

Letting out a frustrated breath, she tossed the stupid Hallmark card on the table and stood, snatching her book bag off the empty chair. He wasn’t coming.

What an absolute, pathetic waste of fucking time. She was an idiot for believing he might show up. A few Facebook messages and an unanswered—but viewed—invitation to finally meet did not equal an interested parent.