Void Domain, Book 07 полностью

“But there’s a point to this. Listen to your elders.” Serena narrowed her eyes again, this time to thin slits. “And I’m only sixteen, I’ll have you know.”

“Right.”

“Skipping over half my existence… I’d say that I’ve enjoyed the last decade and a half. The difference between now and before? Wayne, Zoe, and Sarah.”

She rubbed a hand through her curly hair with a small growl. “What I’m trying to say is that while our situations might be different, I probably have a good idea how it is to be without friend or family. If you want someone to talk to, I’ll be around. At least until Wayne drags me back home.”

Eva stared at the vampire.

It was hard to imagine that the being before her was sixty years old. The way she was acting had Eva almost believing her claim of sixteen despite knowing better. She shifted her knees and wrung her hands. Serena didn’t have a blush on her cheeks, but that was more because she didn’t have working blood circulation than anything.

A cynical part of Eva’s mind was screaming out that it was an act. That the vampire had been put up to it by Zoe. Or worse, she wanted something.

Blood, probably.

Still, Eva couldn’t help but to laugh. It started low and quiet. Just a snicker, really. It quickly grew into a full-blown laugh.

The vampire’s face as Eva laughed only added more fuel to the flames.

“You could have just said ‘no thanks,’ jerk,” she said with a pout.

“It isn’t that,” Eva said as she got her breathing under control.

How long has it been since the last time I laughed a real, true laugh? Too long. Far too long.

Eva wiped a tear from her eye. “It was just hard to reconcile how you act with how old you are.”

“Old? I just said that I’m sixteen.”

“I might take you up on your offer sometime,” Eva said, ignoring the outburst from the suddenly angry vampire. “But I do have friends. Aside from Juliana and Shalise, even.”

“Zoe likes me, right?” Holding out her claws, Eva ticked off names on each finger. “There’s Irene.” A second finger ticked off. She took in a breath as she considered more. “Kind of Shelby and kind of Jordan. We don’t actually talk all that much. And they’re all gone for part of the summer break.”

If not for good. Eva knew that Irene and Shelby’s parents were somewhat strapped for cash. Brakket’s scholarship program was what allowed the two to attend school. But their parents would probably choose no school over sending their daughters back into danger.

Jordan’s father had a huge hand in the diablery class, so he might be back. If the class was still around. Eva wasn’t certain that the class was going to continue in the next year. No one was supposed to be summoning demons. They could work on shackles, but that was about it.

The good mood from her laughter was slowly leaking out. “Devon, maybe? I don’t know that we’re friends per se. Ylva? Probably not. Probably not Nel either. Catherine doesn’t hate me. I think.”

Eva frowned as she scratched the back of her head. She still had only two fingers ticked off. There had to be others.

“Quality over quantity,” Serena said with a sage nod.

“Yeah.” Eva stood abruptly. “I needed to talk to Devon upon getting back. Thanks for talking. I do feel better, somewhat.”

One hand waved Eva away while the other reopened her book.

Eva left her behind, wandering towards Devon’s cell house with her thoughts on the subject of friends.

She had left Juliana and Shalise out, but those two were her friends. Regardless of what their parents thought. Eva would never let her father dictate her friendships, but not everyone had her luxury. Shalise, less than Juliana.

Eva made a mental note to check in with Nel about Shalise. The last time that Eva had her check, Shalise and Lynn Cross had been hiding out somewhere in Switzerland with Shalise looking somewhat displeased with the situation. According to Nel, she interacted with Lynn, but only for regular living necessities. There was no small talk and neither did she remain in the same room with the other.

By the time that Eva reached Devon’s building, her mood had soured considerably.

Shalise had only spoken of her home life on one or two rare occasions. She came from a group home for wards of the state.

Had Lynn even mentioned to whoever needed to know that Shalise was going to be living abroad?

The more she thought about it, the more it sounded like kidnapping.

Eva pounded her fist into Devon’s door to let out a little frustration at the situation.

She should have objected more when Lynn had first told Shalise to say goodbye.

Eva had to knock another three times, each knock coming with more force than the last, before Devon finally opened his door.

For just a moment, they stared at each other.

“You’re back,” he said.

“I am.”

“Get out. I’m busy.”

Eva moved her foot forward, catching the heavy iron door on her chitinous toes.

“Too busy to hear about some demon hunters?”