Free A Vampire's Touch (The Red Velvet Trilogy) by Mina J. Moore Page B

I got when I turned fifteen.  All the weird stuff had started after.  I was able to get rid of my glasses, vision was more than perfect.  My appetite changed completely.  I barely ate and my extra charcoal well done steak fetish went to barely dead meat oozing blood.  I t had all been blamed on hormones.
    “What other powers are we talking about here?” I cringed as I asked.
    “ The usual vampire stuff you’ve heard about; strength, speed, keen senses, compulsion . We can consume regular food but it’s not necessary.  The whole sunlight restriction starts to fade after about two centuries.”
    I gaped at him.  “That’s right. You were in my apartment in the middle of the day.”
    He smiled.  “Being old isn’t so bad.”  
    A part of me was actually relieved.  At least now I knew the purpose, far-fetched as it was.  The pain of not knowing my father was more poignant. Now more than ever, I needed him.  I wanted answers.  
    “I need to call my mother.  She has to know something. She… . ”
    He clasped my face in both o f his strong hands.  “Sienna, you aren’ t alone in this. I am right here.”
    The warmth in his touch comforted me but I was so lost and confused.  How could this be happening?  I swore I was going to wake up and get a good laugh any time now.  Then Cade and Onyx walked in and the enormity of the situation grew.  I looked at Onyx’s steely grey gaze so like my own and I knew.  She was just like me. 
    Her permanent grimace fell and the side of her mouth quirked up.  “Welcome to the club, Sienna.”
    I watched her walk over to the bar and take a swig of bourbon.  Her Goth style suited her personality as much as the black leather pants molding her tight body.  I liked her.  Onyx was honest and no nonsense. I could respect that.  It was better than the fake bullshit I was constantly surrounded with.  Even my life was one big lie. 
    How could my mother keep something like this from me?  I never considered her much of a parent anyway.  Reserved to the point of selfishness, growing up had happened without her help.  Her best friends were a pack of Marlboro lights and a glass of wine.  I remember her sitting out by the pool for hours while I did homework, zapped my dinner in the microwave and then put myself to bed without so much as a good night kiss from her.  I looked nothing like her except for my hair color, which at times I detested.
    Digging myself out of my lonely pity party, I managed a tight smile. 
    “I can’t say I’m glad to be here.  You understand?”
    Jax stood and strode toward his brother, giving us some space.  Onyx handed me a shot and sat down next to me.  “It is what it is. Just a matter of learning and adapting.  We’re all given shit to deal with in this fucked up life.  It’s how you deal that will determine whether you survive.  Questions?”
    I threw the shot back. How was I supposed to respond to that?

CHAPTER NINE
     
    Three shots later, I loosened up and was ready to talk.  Onyx sat by me, patiently waiting for me to get a grip.  I glanced at Jax who was pacing and running his hands through his hair.  Another bouncer entered, his eyes the same color as Jax and Cade’s.  Jax spoke to him quietly but by the facial expressions, it wasn’t a pleasant conversation. 
    “That’s Ronnie.  He was supposed to be watching you.  I bet Jax is giving it to him.”
    I strained to hear but they stopped talking when they saw me looking.  Ronnie walked to the other side of the room, clearly exasperated. 
    Crap.  I didn’t want anyone to get in trouble because I decided to get curious.  If I would have stayed in my seat none of this would have happen.  Then again, I would still be clueless.  No.  This had to happen and Ronnie shouldn’t be held accountable.  The man had been at my back in less than two seconds after I opened that door. 
    “Jax.”  I stood and walked toward the group.  Cade stepped back to where