Chapter 37

Aster:

Even though she didn’t have to, Lydia stayed with Aster…even after she stopped feeling Declan, and started to regain her equilibrium a little. “Thank you,” she said after a while. “For your kindness.”

“You are family, dear, your blood is my blood.”

“Everyone keeps saying that. What does it mean?”

“It means we are sisters – there’s no human family that can match the love and loyalty of a vampire family. No bond is stronger.”

“I thought I only shared a bond with Declan.”

“His would be the strongest, yes, but ours come in at a close second--” Lydia cupped her face “—you are so young and new. I forget what it’s like…and with Declan constantly occupied…you must be so confused.”

“A little,” Aster said.

Rowan came into the room before Lydia could say anything else. “Good evening my love,” he said.

Lydia beamed and got up to accept Rowan’s embrace, then she stepped back and whacked him hard acros