Origins (A Black Novel, #1) Read Online Free PDF

convince her to stay a little while longer.
    “Moira and I do not get along,” she says with a laugh. “She has a different opinion of what my life should be like. I think I see your mom.” She grabs my luggage and briskly stalks across the dock, my bags thumping behind her. She pauses partway onto the grass to hug a woman who must be my mother.
    Knowing I can only go forward, I take a deep steadying breath and slowly meander over to the two women. As soon as I’m near enough to clearly see the other woman, I am stunned at how much she resembles the woman in the photographs Dad keeps around the house. She looks exactly as she did twenty years ago when the pictures were taken, like she hasn’t aged a day.
    Holy shit, maybe there is some truth in this ‘immortal’ thing after all.
    Plus, she looks so normal- not at all as I would imagine someone who thinks they’re a vampire would look. The only difference I could tell was that her hair looked longer, shinier, and her expression was no longer the carefree one she had worn when photographed-instead it was replaced with a look of sorrow and defeat.
    I continue forward, slowly, barely able to lift my feet completely off the ground. I have no idea what to expect when I reach my mother.
    Should I hug her or pretend as though I haven’t dreamed of this moment every day of my life? The decision is made for me when she races towards me, quickly covering the few feet remaining between us, and folds me into her arms in a tight embrace. A few heartbeats later she pulls back to look at me, her wide, silvery-grey eyes searching every inch of my face, drinking me in all at once.

    “Adelin, why are you crying? Aren’t you happy?” Her voice is soft, silky. It reminds me of the hammock Dad and I kept in the backyard at home and the way it would gently swing in the breeze.
    “I am happy. That’s why I’m crying,” I respond before resting my head on her shoulder once more. I have hoped this moment would come more times than I could count and now that it is here I want to relish every second of it.
    “I hate to interrupt,” Dr. Thorne cuts in from behind me, “but I have to get going or I’m going to be stuck here. Are you going to be all right, Adelin?” She places her hand gently on my shoulder.
    “Yes,” I grin as I detach myself from my mother’s embrace. “I am.”
    “I thought so. Now, come over here and give me a quick hug. I’ll keep you posted on your dad so you don’t worry. Good-bye, Adelin,” she says as she releases me and moves over to quickly hug my mom. “Sera, take care. Talk to you soon.”
    “Are you ready to see my home? Our home?” Mom asks, picking up my bags with a wide smile, after Dr. Thorne climbs back onto the ferry. I nod and follow after her, wondering all the while if I was really dreaming or if this was actually happening.

Chapter Five
Vraiden

    “ S o, Vraiden...”

    “What, Galen?” I ask perturbed. As if anything this fuck face had say will make any difference to me. I wouldn't so much as bat an eyelash if he were to drop dead at my feet. On the other hand though, having connections did have its upside.
    “How was that girl last night? The blonde…what was her name?”
    “I don't know. Krista, Kristen, Kiersten... Something along those lines,” I say, smiling vaguely at the memory of the previous night and the unknowing, petite blonde I had met at Galen’s club. She had been fun. Very perky, right up until she figured it out. Then she'd been more fun. An image of her lying on the floor, covered in blood, tugs at the edge of my consciousness and I grin.
    “Uh-oh,” Quinton voices from behind me, interrupting my thoughts.
    “Vraiden’s got that look. She must have been fun.”
    “You have no idea,” I say, nonchalantly.
    “Was she a screamer?” Galen questions, happy anticipation etching his face.
    “Better,” I tease. “A crier….right up until the end.”
    “You know, V,” Quinton starts. “I really do