Read Online Unrequited by Emily Shaffer - Free Book Online

but from what I know, it makes you stronger and gives you more endurance. For vampires like Ashton and I, the lack of blood makes us tired, so we sleep at night to refuel. If we were feeding, we wouldn’t need to sleep and we wouldn’t tire in the sun as easily. If injured, blood is necessary to heal as well. We may be immortal, but it doesn't mean we can't get hurt. Something about the change makes it impossible to heal unless we drink blood.”
    Ashton had questioned his knowledge, as he didn’t know any other vampires, and had already admitted to never drinking blood.
    “I have a good friend. He is a professor in Athens, Dr. Henry Pike. We've known each other for well over forty years, and he is somewhat of an expert in vampires and other paranormal entities. Though I grant you, most of what I know was discovered through trial and error, and some of it is speculation. The important thing to know is that your life can be pretty normal if you just embrace the changes you have to, and choose to focus on the good things you still have.” Will had hoped his words would get through the shields Ashton had built around herself.
    He had tried to broach the topic of how she became a vampire, but Ashton had quickly changed the subject. She didn’t even ask how he had changed. It was clear the entire subject was off limits for her. As he neared his house, Will remembered something he hadn't taken much notice of at the time. When he had mentioned Athens, Ashton had bristled slightly. Why?
    Under other circumstances, he might not try to find out, but Henry was right. Her attack meant there was at least one vampire out there who could be a threat to others. Will needed to know more so he could figure out what to do. For now, he would leave it alone. Great progress had been made, and he had plenty of time to persuade Ashton to open up to him.
    Will entered his home, loosened his tie, and took off his jacket. As he walked toward his bedroom, he stopped as he neared the kitchen. He looked through the doorway to the small breakfast table and wondered what it would be like to see Ashton sitting there in the mornings. For all her stubborn bravado, he felt things he had not experienced in a very long time. He hoped he hadn't given himself away, but from the moment he had entered the Wallace house, he had wanted to impress Ashton's parents. More importantly, he wanted to impress Ashton.
    He quickly changed out of his church clothes, walked to the living room, and picked up the phone. He couldn’t wait to call and tell Henry about his day.

Chapter Ten
     
    “Mama, are you seriously going to let him wear that?” Ashton was staring at her brother as he twirled around the living room in a long black cape. Halloween was just around the corner, and her brother was excited.
    “Come on, sis, you should be flattered.” Calvin threw his caped arm across his face and slowly marched toward his sister.
    “I vant to suck your blood.” He laughed an evil laugh and ran off before Ashton could grab him.
    “Oh, calm down. He's a twelve-year-old boy going to a Halloween party. Besides, he’s just trying to get under your skin.” Elaine was working diligently on sewing medals onto a vest for Calvin's costume.
    “You're doing a pretty fair share of helping him.” Ashton knew she was being prickly about the whole thing, but she really wished Calvin wasn't so gung-ho about the vampire stuff.
    Halloween was a few days away, and Ashton was bombarded by images of vampires and monsters everywhere she went. She used to love dressing up and taking part, but this year she wanted no piece of it. She had a fleeting thought of asking Will how he dealt with the holiday, but she pushed the notion away. His presence in her life was still something she couldn’t fully embrace.
    “What are you going to go as? Will said the students dress up at school, and the class with the most participation gets some sort of prize.”
    Ashton was endlessly amazed at her