Free Embrace The Dawning (The Covenant Series Book 1) by Betty Shreffler

else.” Kayci displayed her left hand. The engraving that had been burned into her skin had vanished. Her hand revealed fresh, new smooth skin, as if no damage had been done.
    Rosemary took Kayci’s hand into hers and examined it. “Uh-huh,” she said as she gave Kayci’s hand back to her.
    Kayci continued. “I am unusually strong for a woman, well, for a person. If I am in the sun too long, I blister heavily. I really cake on the sunblock. Even carry SPF 100 around in my purse,” she admitted.
    “Sometimes my senses are heightened. At least that seems to be a new one these days, as well as unusual hunger pains.”
    Rosemary raised her eyebrows and tilted her head in thought.
    “Well, it’s not every day that an old witch like me is stunned, but today is one of those days. Kayci, the first test I conducted checked to see if your blood indeed has vampire blood in it, like I thought it might, and it does.”
    Kayci stared at Rosemary in shock. “How is that possible?!” she asked, jumping up and nearly tipping the wooden chair over. Kayci’s hand extended quickly, gripping the chair to stabilize it.
    Rosemary’s eyes followed Kayci’s swift reflexes and then returned to meet her expectant gaze.
    “You seem to have grown up with the vampire blood in your system. I have a theory of how that happened, but without knowing the actual facts of the event, it is only a theory.”
    “A theory is better than nothing.”
    “Through the years, I have heard tales of humans and vampires using spells in efforts to consummate a child. Many have tried and failed miserably to the point of their deaths, but you, Kayci, may be the first successful creation of both a human and vampire . Again, this is just a theory, but the evidence is suggesting that you’re a hybrid of the two.”
    Rosemary stared at Kayci differently than she did moments ago, her expression showing a newfound fascination of her. Rosemary must have realized she was staring, and adjusted her gaze.
    “Sorry, dear. It’s the first time I’ve ever met a half-breed vampire.”
    Kayci sat down in the wooden chair with a thump. She put her head in between her hands. Her emotions took off in different directions, leaving her unsure of how to react. Was Rosemary right or not? Was this positive or negative news? An immense amount of pressure rested on her chest and pounded between her temples. As she sat there quietly processing the information, Rosemary left the room. Kayci heard the bells of the front door jingle, then a click of a lock. Rosemary returned moments later and quietly sat across from Kayci.
    Kayci slowly lifted her head and met Rosemary’s gaze. “As strange as it is, it is almost a relief to have an explanation for my healing and strength, along with the answer to the question I’ve been asking for twenty-seven years: Why was I put up for adoption by my father? My parents told me that all they knew was that my mother had died giving birth to me and that my father was unable to care for me.”
    “If your father was a vampire, he may still be alive.”
    “Then why didn’t he ever come find me?” The tears welled up in her eyes.
    “That leads me to the next detail you need to know. Kayci, my dear, you can’t tell anyone what you are.”
    Kayci could hear the concern in Rosemary’s tone. Kayci stared at her.
    “Your father likely put you up for adoption with humans so you would stay hidden. The Covenant cannot find out you exist. They are very strict about vampires being created. If the Covenant found out about you, you could be in danger. I imagine that is why your father never came back for you.”
    “Why would the Covenant care about a half-breed vampire? I’m nobody important.”
    “You’re a new threat to them. You’re something they don’t understand, that they can’t control, and you send a message that other vampires can produce offspring. There would be an influx of vampires trying to have vampire children, by force if they deemed