Fledgling (The Vampire Manifesto, Book Two) by Rashaad Bell Page A

into his arms forever, but rather because there were things that needed to be accomplished. I made my way over to Abigail, my saccharine Abigail and hugged her tightly.
    “You okay?” She seemed withdrawn when she spoke to me, like before, but I let it pass.
    “No.” I honestly wasn’t. “But it’s okay.”
    I situated my arm around Dakota’s shoulders. “Everybody this is Dakota Theia.”
    “Um...hi.” She leaned in. “Could have gave me a heads up on that.”
    “She’s going to be residing with us for the foreseeable future.” Despite some unusual looks because that proclamation, I began to point everybody out. “You’ve already met Connor.” I said. “Umm...for right now, I’d advise that you just…stay away from him.”
    “Good call.” He agreed.
    Dakota didn’t even look at him. “Not a problem.”
    “This beautiful girl here…” I pointed towards the couch. “This is my best friend, Abigail.”
    Abby gave her a speedy wave. “It’s nice to meet you.”
    “She’ll undoubtedly twenty question you later.” I added.
    “Damn straight.” Abby replied.
    “Over there is my boyfriend Ethan.” I blew him a kiss. “You can trust him, he’s good peeps.”
    “Dakota.” Ethan and his one-word greetings, I just love him.
    “And that’s Principle Girard.” I frowned somewhat. “Trust her less.”
    “Well thanks.” Girard exclaimed.
    “You’re welcome.” Her just being in my living room felt uncanny. “I’m going to want you to bring Dakota up to speed later, okay?”
    “On what?” Staci asked.
    “On everything.” I replied.
    Connor gave me a cantankerous look, but I ignored him. If he didn’t like that, he’s damn sure isn’t going to like what transpires next.
    “Okay.” I breathed in deep. “Here we go.” I turned to Dakota. “You might want to take a seat.” I thought about it for a moment. “I think I might wanna do that as well.”
    The loveseat was empty and it was just big enough for two, which was superb because I led Dakota over to it and we both sat. I grabbed her hand and fingers locked, our hands resting on my knee.
    “Okay, so a lot of shit has gone down.” I began. Connor, who was leaning up against the wall, stood fully up. “People want to hurt me…want to hurt us and it’s dangerous that you don’t know what’s going on. If you don’t know what’s happening, you won’t know if you’re in trouble because you won’t know what to look for.”
    Connor face palmed himself. “I’m going to need alcohol for this.”
    “Kitchen, bottom cabinet, next to the dishwasher.” I said. “Bring the bottle and pour me a glass.”
    He made his way out the living room. “Roger that.”
    I turned towards Abigail. “You’re right to question Connor about the accident.” I admitted. “There was no accident.”
    She leaned forward, hands clasped together, her forearms resting on her knees. “I know Madison.”
    “You know?” I asked.
    Connor was back, handing me a drink.
    “Scotch.” He said. “Good year too.”
    I drained it all in one gulp.
    Abigail eyeballed Connor in disgust as he made his way back to his spot on the wall. “Like I would believe anything that came out of his mouth.”
    Connor pointed at Abigail, then to me. “Told ya.”
    “I flew to California with Connor.” I explained.
    “Wait, you did what?” Ethan asked.
    Connor shrugged. “I have a plane.”
    “Some incidents ensued while I was over there.” Just ruminating about it, I could feel the machete in my torso. “Let’s just say I died.”
    Abigail was horrified. “Madison, oh my God.”
    “She’s inept like that.” Connor poured himself another drink. Swallowed it whole and then starting taking large draughts straight from the bottle.
    I squeezed Dakota’s hand. I was beginning to tear up and leaned towards her for support. Her hand was on the back of my neck and our foreheads were pressed up against each other. I stayed like that, eyes closed until I could get it