Secrets, Secrets, and more Secrets

Rideten, Present Time

Aislen found Rhett on a porch swing around the side of the house, looking out into the garden and watching Cameron, who was up a ladder helping the witches to tie shiny strips onto the branches. As Aislen approached, Rhett blew out his breath of smoke and stubbed his cigarette out into an ashtray, waving his hands in front of his face to disperse the cloud that lingered.

“Sorry,” he said. “I’m smoking too much at the moment. I know it. Usually, I just sneak a bit here and there, or hide in my car to have a joint. But…”

“I get it,” she sat next to him and leaned against his side. He lifted his arm and put it around her. “Everything you used to do to alleviate stress has been taken away in this change to vampire, and now smoking is the only thing you have left.”

“You’re reading my mind,” he said softly. “And it’s not the only thing,” he added with a hint of wickedness. “I can still fuck my little heart out.”

“Just not as much,” she pointed out. “Because we’re cramm