Read Online The Blood Bundle, Books 1-2: Blood Singers and Blood Song (New Adult Paranormal Vampire/Shifter Romance) by Tamara Rose Blodgett - Free Book Online Page A

let's work with the weirdness
that is your complexion.” Julia had rolled her eyes, letting Cyn
transform her.
    Julia caught sight of herself in what could only
be described as a fun house mirror, her long dress, grazing the
floor, spiky ivory heels peeked out from underneath the hem, a
platform gracing the bottom. Cyn had pinned her hair in an elegant
up 'do, leaving a few wisps hanging down.
    A row of creamy pearls with a champagne-colored
wash encircled the base of her throat. Her mother's.
    A lump gathered in her throat and she looked
away from the reflection of her sweetheart neckline, satin and lace
colliding in a fine webbing that cradled her breasts.
    The absence of her parents on this important
occasion was best left to future reflection.
    Like never.
    Jason had dressed in a deep navy suit, his tie a
subtle crimson. A slash of color against the whiteness of the
shirt.
    Julia thought it looked a little like blood
against the backdrop of white and shivered as a subtle feeling of
foreboding stole over her. It was shattered when Jason flashed his
smile, stabbing the pamphlet with his finger. “Found it, babe!”
    Julia leaned forward and he drew her in next to
his body, looking at where he pointed.
    “Gnome Chapel.”
    She cocked her brows. “Really, Jason?” He smiled
nodding.
    “That's just switching out one creepy audience
member for another,” Cynthia said with revulsion.
    “Nah, baby,” Kevin said, pulling her tight
against him and pressing a kiss to her temple, almost crushing the
bouquet of lavender flowers she held.
    “Hey! Watch the flowers, graceless.” She
giggled.
    Kevin grabbed the bouquet, jerking it up over
his head, slamming his lips against hers, his free arm coming
around her back and pressing her harder against him.
    Julia agreed, gnomes were creepy too. She looked
up at the bigger than life-sized Elvis statue and sighed. Choices,
choices.
    Anything was better than Elvis.
     
    ****
    now
     
    Julia leaned her head back against the scummy
seat of the cab, fingering the fine chain at her neck, the sterling
sliding with her restless stroking, the ring at the end.
    Tears threatened as Julia thought of the symbol
of eternal love. Jason had insisted on buying the bands. He had
purchased indestructible tungsten bands. A metal made of carbide,
gun metal gray, polished to a mirror-like shine. He had said it
couldn't be scratched, dented or bent.
    Like their love.
    Perfect, he'd said, squeezing her as he had
slipped it on her finger, their clergy in the Chapel of the Gnomes
had been smiling at them, his mouth full of missing teeth.
    Vegas, a class act.
    She didn't want a big diamond. She just wanted
him. He'd said that later, after they got settled, he'd get her
something to go with the plainness of the band.
    He would never have the opportunity.
    The cabbie stopped a scant five minutes after
they'd left the terminal.
    “I let you off here. Eight dollars,” he said
without verbs.
    Julia frowned. Don't speak English, fine by her,
but be civil. She handed him a twenty and he gave her the
change.
    She slid out of the taxi and found herself on a
cement sidewalk surrounded by a wall of people. She didn't make eye
contact with anyone but went to the first bus she saw and showed
the driver her five bucks, six dimes and one penny.
    “How far?” she asked.
    He searched her face. “How far do ya need to
go?” he asked, a kindness in his eyes.
    She paused, aware of a line forming behind her.
“As far as this will get me,” Julia said, leaving it in his
hands.
    He nodded. “Let's play it by ear, okay
miss?”
    She nodded, so grateful for the unexpected
kindness she felt her eyes glisten again. She had turned into an
absolute crybaby. All it took was him saying that one phrase Aunt
Lily had used, Julia's home that was so far away came to the
forefront of her consciousness without mercy. She swiped at the
wetness on her cheeks and gave him a watery smile as she moved to
the back of the bus.
    She sunk down in