On the Edge of Destiny (Book 3) (A Vampire SEAL Novel) by S.B. Alexander Page A

change his first test subject, Blake Turner. But as a man-made vampire, Blake had one flaw—a sun allergy, which according to Edmund, was unacceptable. He wanted vampires who could function twenty-four hours a day.
    Webb shrugged. I guessed Dad wasn’t telling anyone where his safe was or where he kept his blood.
    “I’m going to find Sam,” I said. “Where is he, by the way?”
    “He should be in the apartment. There’s a surprise for you on your bed,” Dad said, eyes brightening.
    “What is it?” My own eyes widened.
    He rose from his chair and walked me out. “You’ll see.” He gave me another hug. “It’s good to have you home, pumpkin. I’ll be up in a bit. I need to talk to you about the fundraiser and a couple of other things. Okay?”
    I glanced over my shoulder at Webb, and he winked. I loved it when he did that. I returned the gesture with a smile when a soft tickle breezed across my nape.
    I miss you already, angel. I’ll talk to you as soon as I can get things in order with your dad.
    Promise?
    With my heart and soul.
    I smiled again at Webb’s words.
    Then Dad kissed my forehead and went back into his office.
    As I headed down the long corridor, I realized this place was different. I pushed in the door to the stairwell, trying to analyze what had changed. I’d only been back a few minutes. It couldn’t be this place. No, it had to be me.
    I climbed the stairs, thinking about the past few days. The way Webb held me, kissed me, looked at me. How his heart raced and how he trembled under my touch.
    Still, the turning point in my mind was our time in the truck. My tummy knotted. He tore away my reticence, shattering my shyness.
    I smiled at my revelation. I kept the grin plastered on my face until I saw concern flickering across my brother Sam’s face. All thoughts of Webb vanished.
    “What’s wrong?” I shut the door to the apartment.
    Sam was playing with a cell phone. He glanced at me then back at the phone. He tapped the screen before jumping up from the couch.
    He adjusted the waist of his low-slung jeans. “Sorry, Sis.” He threw his arms around me. “How are you?”
    I hugged him back before edging away, giving him a once-over. His forest-green eyes lacked the usual glint. His quiet behavior reminded me of those times we had spent in foster care.
    “You don’t seem too happy to see me.” I stuck out my bottom lip.
    “It’s not that.” He went back to the couch, looking at his phone.
    “Is that yours?” I followed.
    “Yeah. Yours is on your bed,” he said as he typed on his phone.
    Oh, that must be my surprise Dad had mentioned. Finally. I’d asked Dad for one over a month ago. If Sam and I had cell phones, we probably could’ve gotten out of a few pickles we’d been in. I was excited to be part of the new age of technology, but right now, I had to find out why Sam was acting different. I wasn’t the Empath in the family—Sam was the one who could read and feel other’s emotions. He still hadn’t mastered his skills, but he had learned how to block some emotions, although he had a tougher time shielding Dad’s, especially when the powerful vampire was in a fit of rage.
    Still, I didn’t have to be an Empath to know something was amiss. “Sam, what’s going on?” I kicked off my shoes and dropped down on the oversized chair next to the couch.
    Letting out a breath, he set his phone on the coffee table and ran his fingers through his shoulder-length raven hair. He smiled, but it never reached his eyes. It was the same look he’d given me just before we were shipped off to another foster home.
    “Did I miss something while I was gone?” I tried to get the conversation going again without freaking out.
    “I don’t want you to go bonkers. Okay?” He stared at me, waiting for my answer.
    I laughed nervously.
    He took that as his cue to continue. “Remember how Pops kept saying Mr. Jackson was going to be a problem?” He paused. “Well, so is Ben.”
    “Come