Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Through the windows small lights flickered up and out. I wasn’t alone tonight. After a brief moment of disappointment over not getting the chance to dance by myself, I walked toward my ballet studio. It was early for them to be back. They often lingered in my ballet studio when they came back from their nightly activities to calm down before they went to bed.
Through the glass door, I saw Alessio, Nevio and Massimo sitting on the floor of my ballet room in the dark. I opened the door and reached for the light switch but then lowered my fingers without turning it on. On nights like this it was better to leave the lights out. I knew what they were but it was easier not seeing it.
The glow of the cigarettes threw shadows on their faces, turning their beautiful features into frightening grimaces, a reflection of their true nature. I often lay awake worrying about them when they went off into the night—more than that, I worried about the people who’d encounter them.
Nevio’s head swiveled toward me and for the briefest moment, his eyes held a look he only directed at others. The moonlight was cruel tonight, revealing the truth I’d rather not see. Bear let out a low growl behind me. Goosebumps slithered along my skin.
A smile broke on Nevio’s face. It wasn’t quite the smile he wore during the day but it came close enough to make me relax. “Late night ballet again?”
I nodded and tiptoed toward them. Bear was close behind me, his claws clicking on the hardwood floor.
Massimo lay stretched out on the floor, cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth and his eyes following my dog. “Haven’t you gotten rid of that psychotic beast yet?”
I sank down between Nevio’s legs and he wrapped an arm around me. Bear’s fangs flashed.
“One of these days that dog is going to take your face off,” Massimo muttered.
Nevio leaned forward and stared straight into Bear’s eyes. At first, Bear’s growls grew in volume but then he stopped, tugged his tail between his hind legs and trotted into a corner of the room.
Alessio laughed darkly and took a deep drag from his cigarette. Beneath the scent of smoke lingered the subtle note of blood. The windows were open so I knew it had to be bad.
Nevio grinned. “Good choice, dog. I’ve taken off more faces than you.”
“That’s not funny,” I said softly.
“He wasn’t joking,” Alessio said.
Nevio rested his chin on top of my head. “Why do you save these deranged creatures?”
“For the same reason she bothers with us,” Massimo said as he held out his cigarette to me but I shook my head.
“One of these days we’ll lure you to the dark side,” he said with a shrug.
Alessio put his head down on my shins. “You overestimate our powers.”
Nevio shook his head with a chuckle. “Don’t listen to these assholes. Stay where you are. You belong in the light.”
My fingers slid over my tutu. “I belong with the people I love. I don’t fear the dark.”
Many people thought I couldn’t handle much because I was petite and quiet. It was true I got easily overwhelmed in certain situations, especially if I was surrounded by people I didn’t know, but my family’s darkness wasn’t one of the things that triggered my anxiety. Neither had Amo’s.
I banished any memory of him from my mind, worried Nevio might pick up on my treacherous thoughts.
“Happy birthday, by the way,” Nevio murmured.
“Happy birthday to you too,” I said with a small smile. “Your present is up in my room. I didn’t think I’d see you tonight. It’s early for you to be back.”
Alessio nudged my shin. “Things got out of hand for birthday boy. Happy birthday, Greta.”
“Happy birthday,” Massimo said.
Nevio motioned at a simple cardboard box in the corner that I hadn’t noticed before. “There’s your birthday present from all of us.”
I searched their expressions to a hint of what was in there. Bear had gone over to the box and was sniffing at it curiously, which increased my wariness. I pushed to my feet and cautiously approached the box. I slanted them a look. “There’s nothing cut off in there, right?”
They chuckled, but they had played that kind of prank on Mom and Kiara before. It hadn’t gone over well. Usually they acted more considerate around me, but I still thought caution wasn’t unwarranted.
Nevio shoved to his feet as well and came over to me. “No body parts, promise.”
I squatted down and opened the box, my eyes growing wide at what was inside. Two bunnies. One of them was a lop-eared breed, the other had longer hair, which was mostly matted. They cowered in the box, pressed up to each other, their noses moving quickly and moist, because of their stress level.
“Where did you get them?”