Chapter 1: Greer

Chapter One

Greer

B eing a siren is a little like being the hall monitor of the supernatural high school. We have some power compared to normal humans, but nothing like the majority of supernatural beings.

It’s almost embarrassing.

Our gifts come from being unnaturally attractive, which draws in willing partners, so we can feed from sex. We’re also one of the more prolific species when it comes to reproducing, especially compared to other fae.

Basically, we’re nothing special, but I’m my own person. I’ve never let what people think of me bother me. That’s why I refuse to let someone else’s opinion keep me from trying to salvage my relationship.

Okay, so this might be a desperate last-ditch effort, but I roll my shoulders back, flipping my long pinkish-blonde hair behind my shoulder.

My skin buzzes, almost like I can physically feel the eyes on me from the neighbors, as I saunter up to Cole’s front door. His car sits in front of the garage. He rarely walks, despite how close together everything is in Haven, so he must be here.

He didn’t answer my call, but he’s been avoiding me for the last few days.

We had a small hiccup, which some might consider a huge stumble, but I didn’t die. Okay, maybe I did die…I also came back in whatever undead existence this is, so it’s not a huge deal.

Siren blood is extra addictive to vampires. He got carried away and ended up draining me dry, but he was able to save me by giving me his blood.

I’ve heard my entire life how dangerous it is to try to turn a supernatural creature like a witch or a fae.

But I lived .

Well, in some sense of the word.

I’m now a combination of a siren and a vampire, but I don’t think Cole is taking it very well. It must be hard on him to know how close he came to killing someone he cares about, and I’m afraid if I don’t clear the air soon, then our relationship will be over. We’ve only been together for a few months, but he’s important to me, and I’m not giving up without at least trying to salvage things between us.

Shoving my key into the lock, I open the door. There’s a weird itchy feeling under my skin that screams I need to be close to him and please him. Every cell in my body says I need to let him know I’m not upset and find a way to comfort him.

I’m pretty independent by nature, but the maker bond is starting to drive me insane. There’s no other way I can think of to describe the pull that I have to be close to him.

Hmm, maybe I’ll use that as my excuse for acting like a full-blown crazy person. It’s nearly eleven, but vampires are active at night.

He’s probably lying around, beating himself up over his loss of control, and…

My head tilts, catching the sound of running water. My senses are much better now than when I was solely a siren. Aiming for his bedroom, I stomp with purpose.

“Cole?” I call out, slapping my hand against the door with more force than I’m intending. My eyes widen as I eye the handprint now depressing the wood.

Vampire reflexes are no joke.

“Greer?” Cole growls.

My head whips to the side as my jaw falls.

Holy shit.

Isabella is stretched out on his bed, naked. She’s a coworker at The Monster’s Den. I would have called her a friend before right this very moment.

Cole comes out of the bathroom, nude, with a towel in his hand. He wraps it around his waist as my stomach drops.

As a siren, I never would have been able to track his movements the way I just did.

I stagger back.

I haven’t seen my family in three days because…

My head shakes as I try to remember why I’m avoiding them.

They won’t understand.

They could even turn Cole in to the paranormal council.

It’s illegal to turn a supernatural creature without their permission because the risk of dying a painful death is higher than the chance they’ll be successfully turned.

I don’t think I’m the one who wanted to keep my distance from my loved ones, but as soon as the thought crosses my mind, my head pulses with pain.

What the hell is happening to me ?

None of these thoughts feel like my own.

I need some space from Cole.

Why did I come here in the first place?

“Greer, stop,” Cole commands as I prepare to spin to race out of his house.

My body freezes as the maker command rolls through my system. No matter how hard I fight, I can’t break the hold.

“You killed me, changed me, and now you’re cheating on me?” I hiss as my fangs elongate.

“Such a pity,” Cole mutters, stepping closer as his pupils constrict. “Listen closely…”

My whole body pulses with warmth as he continues speaking. He goes on for a few moments, and my brain memorizes every word. There’s no fighting his instructions, not that I would want to. It’s like my system yearns to please him.

He pauses and sighs heavily. “I release you as your maker.”

Pain like I’ve never experienced ravages my system, and everything goes dark.