Read The Fangs of Bloodhaven for Free Online Page A

Everett replied.
    Adrielle sat down next to Everett and glanced at him. He recognized the expression, her eyebrows pulled together and the darkness in the depths of her golden eyes.
    “Don’t be overwhelmed,” he whispered. “When the food gets here, nobody will remember there’s a stranger in the house.”
    The instant Mrs. Masterson set the huge pot of chili macaroni on the table, the truth to Everett’s words became evident. If it wasn’t for Everett’s intervention in scooping himself and Adrielle a bowl, they would have missed dinner entirely.
    Arms wrapped around Everett from behind.
    “Seriously, Rett. If you take off again without this, I’m going to get Mom to put a chain on you or something so you can’t go far,” Celeste said. His big sister set the purple cup on the table in front of him. “If it wasn’t for Annie and Bran, I would have come after you myself.”
    Celeste glanced at Adrielle and her eyes widened. “Mom said you were bringing a girl home for dinner, but I didn’t believe it,” she exclaimed.
    Everett sighed. “Can someone please act like I have a social life?” he pleaded. At Celeste’s answering apologetic smile, he gave in and nodded at Adrielle. “Adrielle, this is my big sis, Celeste.”
    “Don’t let this crazy family scare you,” Celeste told her, squeezing Adrielle’s shoulder with a warm expression. “We’re always happy to have visitors.”
    “I’m happy to be here,” Adrielle replied.
    Everett’s sister caught a strand of Adrielle’s hair between her fingers. “Your hair is gorgeous. Let me know if you ever need a stylist.”
    “I will,” Adrielle said with a surprised smile.
    “Celeste is studying cosmetology,” Everett explained.
    Celeste gestured to the container. “You drink that, Rett, or I’ll get the IV ready.” She disappeared from the room before he could reply.
    Everett caught Adrielle’s bemused expression as she watched the family.
    “Is that your vitamin drink?” she asked.
    He nodded. “Pig’s blood. Ready to run?” he asked, turning the drink cup around and around in his hands.
    To his surprise, she shook her head. “It’s nice.”
    He smiled in relief. “Good. I’m glad you like it.” He lifted the cup to his lips.
    “And the food’s good,” she said.
    “Tastes like dog food,” Hadley replied, shoving another heaping spoonful into his mouth.
    “Hadley wants to be a dog,” Donavan explained from across the table. “He says everything tastes like dog food.”
    Everett paused in the middle of drinking from the cup. He gave Adrielle a wide-eyed look.
    “Maybe that’s why I like it,” she said with a wink.
    He sputtered the gulp he had taken, barely managing to avoid spitting blood across the table.
    She laughed and handed him a napkin. “You’ve got blood on your chin.”
    He grinned. “I’ll bet you say that to all your vampire friends.”
    She grinned and took another bite of his mom’s chili macaroni.
    Adrielle’s kindness to his family despite her trepidation made up his mind. “There are two other people I still want you to meet,” Everett said when they carried their plates to the sink.
    Donavan and Finch were already busy washing up, though the soap suds on the floor and their wet shirts said water fights had already ensued.
    “You have more siblings?” Adrielle asked in amazement.
    Everett nodded. “Sometimes they prefer to eat in the other room. Come on.” He took her down the hallway to the sunroom.
    A smile spread across his face when he saw Bran and Annie. Celeste was busy feeding Bran a bite of their mother’s cooking. Both smiled back at the pair from their electric wheelchairs. Annie lifted her wrist in her special wave.
    “Ha,” she said, saying hello with her voice lifted in the happiness it always contained.
    Celeste nudged Annie. “See, I told you he brought a girl.” She winked at Adrielle. “Annie didn’t believe me.”
    Bran let out a huff of laughter.
    “I’ll bet Bran