In Blood We Trust Read Online Free PDF

butt, still gauging me, still keeping a distance. But when he spoke in his typical yip-growl-yowl way, I understood him. I’d had him since he was a pup, and my dad had prepared me to take care of Chaplin just as well as he took care of us.
    You’ve been bleeding, he said, barking out the sounds in low tones.
    The vampires didn’t seem to be listening, so I didn’t do Chaplin the disservice of barring the truth.
    I’d done enough lying in my life.
    â€œI was with Gabriel,” I said, touching my neck where the small wound had healed already.
    Chaplin looked away.
    â€œYou disapprove?” I asked.
    I had hoped you would learn to stay away from him, especially after your confrontation with 562.
    â€œFunny. That wasn’t your point of view in the Badlands, when you wanted him round, and when he promised to come with me here to the hubs for a were-cure we never discovered.”
    It wasn’t because I wanted him with you, Mariah. Both times were a part of—
    â€œBigger plans. I know.”
    And those bigger plans had unintentionally ended up bringing out the wildness in me. For a while, me and Gabriel had gotten that under control, though, with the way he’d been able to give me the peace with his mind powers. Yet after Gabriel found out that I hadn’t merely killed Stamp’s men out in the Badlands, but I’d also brought about the death of the beloved woman he’d come out west to track down, he’d resented me too much for the peace to work anymore.
    Our link had been contaminated by my actions, even if I’d killed Abby, a fellow werewolf, only because she’d challenged me to the death.
    â€œChaplin,” I said, wishing I could put my hand on him, feel that comforting fur once again. “Don’t worry about me and Gabriel. We’re going to find a way, just like we did before. Just like we all have.”
    My dog shook his head. Gabriel’s a Red who still believes that he’s got a human inside him somewhere. But all vampires are that way at first, Mariah. At least, that’s what the old ones keep telling me.
    I couldn’t say anything to that. But I could hope that Gabriel wouldn’t be like the rest, couldn’t I?
    If anyone could save Gabriel from that fate, maybe I could, because I was special now—I had something no other monster had, thanks to 562. I just had to figure out how to use these new powers to our benefit.
    Chaplin must’ve read my expression. As much as I love Gabriel, you feed each other’s bloodlust, and you know it.
    I shook my head, ready to argue, but he interrupted.
    No—I saw that look on your face when you came in here. I’ve spent years seeing that look, Mariah, talking you through it, hoping it would go away for good one day. And I’ve seen it only get worse. Chaplin stood and started to circle me. You’ve been thinking about the bad men who made you into a monster again. I used to understand why you couldn’t forget about them, but now . . .
    â€œNow that 562 directly exchanged with me, even a little, you’re afraid I’m going to take advantage of what I might be able to do to men like them.”
    Isn’t that why you took 562’s blood?
    I shut my mouth, and that was as good as a yes . I wouldn’t lie.
    Mariah, he said with a whine that crumbled me into what felt like little pieces.
    I tentatively reached out, put my hand on his neck. He stiffened, but I didn’t want to let go.
    â€œHaven’t you ever thought about it, Chap? Don’t you remember the sight of Mom and Serg after the bad guys got through with them?”
    I remember.
    â€œA few of them escaped when my dad opened fire. If I could do anything to those guys, I’d—”
    Don’t say it. Don’t think it. We’ve got a chance to live a new life with this revolution. The tide is turning against the humans. Don’t do anything to turn it back.
    His words