Free Fallen by Stacy Claflin

love get in the way of that. I'd been working on this since before Tanner's grandparents were even born.
    He held the ring, flipping it around to see all angles. "What's so special about this ring?"
    I looked to the side, not wanting to see him as I lied to him yet again. "It'll protect you from a vampire using mind control on you. If one comes to town and tries to take advantage of you, they won't be able to."
    "Seriously?" he asked, sounding excited. "How does it work?"
    "A witch placed a blessing on it," I said. At least that much was the truth.
    He put it on and it was a perfect fit. "Thanks!"
    "Don't mention it," I muttered.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TEN
     
     
    I spent the next six months enjoying my time with Tanner, knowing that it was limited. I wanted to stay with him forever, but knew that wasn't a possibility. As much as I wanted to be with him, I knew that wasn't possible if I was going lead the vampire world. I kept a close eye on Alexis, waiting for her to show signs of beginning her transition into becoming a vampire. I was beginning to think that it was her dull life that was keeping it from starting.
    She would probably need something to happen to kick it into gear. Maybe being exposed to blood or someone tempting her anger. She appeared to be as even-keel as they came, but she was born a vampire and vampires have violent tempers, especially during the transition period.
    One warm, summer night as I was walking through town after a tasty evening with Tanner, I received a text. I thought it was him wishing me goodnight, but I was surprised to see that it was from Vince. I hadn't heard from him since he'd given me the ring. He wanted a progress report.
    I texted him back that I was still waiting for Alexis to begin her transformation. He told me that I didn't have much more time in Delphic Cove and that I'd better stop playing around. I told him that I'd get everything ready so that once she did begin her transition, the boy would be ready and waiting.
    That night, I didn't bother finding a hotel room to sleep in. I sat by the lake and thought about how I was going to handle whatever time I had left. I had to find a way to make Tanner aware that Alexis was turning into a vampire so that he would go to her for his venom needs once I was gone. She was nearly seventeen, so she had to be starting her transformation. Vampires never made it to seventeen before changing. She would feel all alone surrounded by humans, and when she found out that she could talk to Tanner about it, she would begin to trust him. Then Vince could make his move.
    I had to figure out how to say goodbye to Tanner. That was something that I didn't want to do. Lost in my thoughts, I was startled when someone sat next to me on the bench. I looked up to see Tanner smiling at me.
    "What are you doing here?" I asked.
    "Sometimes I like to jog around the lake. In the morning, the air is so crisp and clean. What are you doing here?"
    "I couldn't sleep, so I came here to think."
    He wrapped his arms around me. "Is everything okay?"
    "Sure," I said, forcing myself to cheer up. "Hey, have you ever noticed Alexis Ferguson?"
    His eyebrows crinkled. "No," he said, clearly deep in thought. "Wait, is she related to Natalie Ferguson?"
    "They're sisters."
    "Natalie has a sister?"
    I laughed. "Yeah, she's going to be a junior."
    Tanner shrugged his shoulders. "I thought I knew all of the girls in school," he said in a teasing tone.
    Running my hands down his bare arms, I asked, "Are you trying to make me jealous?"
    "Is it working?"
    I grabbed his chin and kissed him. "Maybe."
    He put his hands around my waist. "Good," he said, and then kissed me back.
    Running my fingers through his hair, I knew that I was going to miss him fiercely. Being with Vince was never going to be the same. Not after Tanner. With Vince, it was all about power and convenience. If someone else held the key to me becoming a ruling vampire, I would