Bloodlines and Hearts

hing new to

to hunt. For years, she'd been convinced she was the former-a walking target

ng a perfect crescent of purple and blue that matched the loneliness etched into Lydia's bones. Her mother w

was a battlefield, and Lydia had

ted her worn hoodie, pulling it closer, trying to disappear into the fabric. Her fingers traced the new bruise,

l noise, but something felt differ

the overwhelming sensory assault. The strawberry shampoo of the girl two rows ahead. The le

through her thoughts. "Would you care t

the passage, hadn't she? But now, the words seemed

the back of her hea

oser," someo

e was used to b

't be this sharp. She'd watched too many supernatural

on," Lydia mumbled aga

rang. Swe

d area behind the school was her sanctuary. Nobo

Look who we

ller. Of

issa and Janet accompanied her, like some ki

ice dripping with that special kind of cruelty r

raps of her backpack tightl

stepping closer. "Do you know what that means for us? We d

cling Lydia slowly, like a vulture. "Your

"That's so true! He could've saved us

athing quickened. Her chest rose and

ll over her face. I'm sure he left because he couldn't

ust as pathetic. Probably works some minimum wage job, hop

face. "Nobody wants you. Nobody will ever want you. Y

hes," Melissa laughed. "Everything'

et said loudly. "Probably gonna end up hom

ays alone. Who'd want to be friends with someone so pathetic? You

rs were ringing, her vision blurring. Ly

sked, raising an eyebrow. "You g

o tremble. But it w

se. "I said, are yo

s lengthening. Nails hardening. Something wild

not entirely animal

the first time, fear rep

nstinct. Claws. Teeth. A blur of movement that sent Amber crashing into a m

gain, they were all down. Sc

eathing hard. Her hands-norma

cipal's office, the story had already spr

Amber's father yelled. "She attacked my da

were the school's primary financial sponsors. Their donations kept the football

rim then back to his saviors. "Mr. Miller, we're

sharp enough to cut glass. "Our daughter is tr

ilent. Smal

nything to say for yourself

ydia whispered, her voice c

only daughter is injured. And if you think I'm walki

Principal Sanchez bega

s school won't hold her ac

is phone. "Wait-" she started, but the words died

cted dreams was balanced on the razor's edge of her future. College. Her perfect applic

used on making his call. Principal Sanchez sat frozen, avoiding her eyes-helpless, or maybe just unwill

felt longer than ever with hundre

it

re

rde

er. Her heightened senses picked up every single comme

o," someone muttered. "Loo

as crying from fear or the weird way everything suddenly f

ing. Phones out.

ed, rubbing her sleeve over her

her voice shaking. "Plea

ither they didn't hear her o

ying inside, wondering how her life had gone

he wal

rean dramas. Tall. Muscular. Cheekbones that could probably cut glass. The type of guy who wouldn't e

mething about "you can't keep doing this" and "we need to talk about this."

eyes

egit s

ted. Forgot about the bruise on her face. Forgot about

agram filter way. But in a raw, accidentally perfect w

yd

ugh her little fantasy world

ome back. You